IGCSE ICT: Graphs and Charts — Revision Notes

Topic 16 of Cambridge IGCSE ICT 0417 is about producing graphs and charts from data: selecting contiguous, non-contiguous or specified data ranges, choosing a suitable chart type, adding every label the task asks for, adding a second data series or second axis, formatting numbers and axis scales, and enhancing appearance, for example by extracting a pie sector. It is assessed practically, mainly with spreadsheets in Paper 3, and charts are placed into documents in Paper 2.

Condensed for revision. For the full explanation, use the graphs and charts study guide, then try the graphs and charts practice questions.

Syllabus coverage

Topic 16 has no numbered subtopics; the syllabus has one content row, “Create, label and edit a graph or chart”.

Skill in the syllabus	Covered below
Select data: contiguous, non-contiguous, specified ranges	Selecting data
Select the graph or chart type	Choosing the chart type
Label: chart title, legend, sector labels, sector values, percentages, category axis title, value axis title, category axis labels, value axis labels, data value labels	Labels table
Add a second data series; add a second axis	Second series and axis
Format numerical values to a set number of decimal places and with currency symbols	Number formats
Adjust maximum and minimum of an axis scale and set incremental values	Axis scale
Enhance appearance: extract a pie chart sector, change colour scheme or fill patterns	Enhancing a chart

How do you select data for a chart?

Type	Meaning	How
Contiguous	Cells next to each other in one block	Drag across the block
Non-contiguous	Cells in separate blocks, for example column A and column D	Select the first range, hold Ctrl (or Cmd) and select the second
Specified range	Exactly the rows/columns the task names	Select only those cells, including the labels if needed, but not totals unless asked

Include the category labels (for example the month names) with the data so they appear on the axis or legend.

Which chart type should you choose?

Chart	Best for	Example
Bar / column chart	Comparing separate categories	Sales of each product
Line graph	Showing change or a trend over time (continuous data)	Temperature each hour
Pie chart	Showing parts of one whole, as proportions	Share of votes for each candidate
Comparative (multi-series) bar or line	Comparing two or more sets of data across the same categories	This year’s and last year’s sales by month

A pie chart only works with one data series.

Chart labels

Label	What it shows
Chart title	What the whole chart is about
Legend	Key to which colour or pattern represents which series or sector
Sector labels	Name of each slice of a pie chart
Sector values / percentages	Value or percentage of each slice
Category axis title	Title of the x-axis (for example “Month”)
Value axis title	Title of the y-axis (for example “Sales ($)”)
Category axis labels	Names along the category axis (Jan, Feb, …)
Value axis labels	Numbers along the value axis
Data value labels	Value shown on or above each bar or point

A chart with one series usually does not need a legend; remove it if the task asks. Spell titles exactly as given.

Second data series and second axis

• Add a second data series to compare, for example Income and Costs on the same chart.
• Add a second (secondary) value axis when the two series have very different scales or units — for example rainfall in mm on the left axis and temperature in °C on the right axis. Each axis needs its own title. Combining a column chart and a line on the secondary axis makes the two series easy to tell apart.

Number formats and axis scale

• Format axis or data labels to a specified number of decimal places (for example 1 dp) and with currency symbols (for example $ or €) as the task states.
• Set the axis minimum and maximum values and the increment (major unit). Example: minimum 0, maximum 500, increment 50 gives marks 0, 50, 100 … 500.

Enhancing a chart

• Extract (explode) a pie sector: drag one slice outward to highlight it, for example the largest share.
• Change the colour scheme or fill patterns — patterns help when the chart will be printed in black and white.

Worked example: following a chart instruction

Data: months in A2:A13, rainfall in C2:C13, average temperature in D2:D13.

Instruction: “Create a chart showing rainfall as columns and temperature as a line on a secondary axis. Title: Rainfall and Temperature 2025. Label both value axes. Set the rainfall axis from 0 to 300 in steps of 50.”

Steps: select A1:A13, then Ctrl-select C1:C13 and D1:D13 (non-contiguous) → insert a combination chart → set temperature series as a line on the secondary axis → add the chart title exactly → add value axis titles Rainfall (mm) and Temperature (°C) and a category axis title Month → format the primary axis: min 0, max 300, major unit 50 → check the legend identifies both series.

Common mistakes and exam traps

• Including a total row or column in the selected data, which distorts the chart.
• Choosing a pie chart for data that is not parts of a whole, or for more than one series.
• Leaving out a required label, or mis-typing the title.
• Using a legend when only one series is shown and the task says to remove it.
• Not changing the axis to the minimum, maximum and increment stated.
• Forgetting that a secondary axis needs its own title.

Frequently asked questions

What is non-contiguous data in a chart? It is data in ranges that are not next to each other, such as a column of names and a column of totals with other columns between them. Select the first range, then hold Ctrl and select the others.

When should you add a secondary axis? When two data series have very different values or units, so one would look flat on the same scale. The second series is plotted against its own axis on the right.

What chart should I use to show a trend over time? A line graph, because it shows how values change from one point in time to the next.

How do you highlight one slice of a pie chart? Extract (explode) the sector by pulling it out from the rest of the pie, and add a data label if needed.

Self-test

1. Name the chart type for comparing separate categories.
2. Explain what is meant by a contiguous data range.
3. Give two labels that are specific to pie charts.
4. Why might fill patterns be used instead of colours?
5. An axis must show 0 to 100 in steps of 20. Which three settings do you change?

Answers: 1 bar/column chart; 2 cells next to each other in one block; 3 any two of sector labels, sector values, percentages; 4 the chart may be printed in black and white; 5 minimum, maximum, increment (major unit).

Official syllabus

Cambridge International, Cambridge IGCSE Information and Communication Technology (0417) syllabus for 2026, 2027 and 2028, Version 3, Topic 16 “Graphs and charts” (content row: Create, label and edit a graph or chart).