LibAnswers: Digital Skills

You can:

• Generate charts in Excel.
• Create infographics in PowerPoint and MS Publisher.
• Create flowchart maps in MS Visio and Inspiration. MS Visio can be accessed on campus computers or via YourDMULabs remote.
• You can also produce other types of visuals in Adobe Express. As a DMU Student, you have free access to Adobe Express online. It is similar to Canvas.

Excel Charts

You can generate charts in Excel from a table of data. For example, you can generate column charts and pie charts in Excel via Insert>Recommended Charts (menu button).

You will need to select the data/table first and then select the chart type you wish to generate from the Recommended Charts options. See the screenshot examples below. The Recommended Charts window gives you a preview of your data to help you decide before clicking OK to insert it into the spreadsheet.

You can then copy and paste the chart into a Word document or a PowerPoint presentation. Please also see different types of paste options in Word as you can also keep the Excel link to the chart in Word. So, if you change the data in the excel table, the chart will update automatically in Word as well.

See also these videos on how to create Pie charts and use effects to make slices stand out.

Other types of Infographics

You can create other types of infographic visualizations in PowerPoint, MS Publisher, Inspiration (visual mapping tool) and online with Adobe Express.

PowerPoint

There are templates in PowerPoint that can get you started (via Insert>SmartArt) or you can create your own (via Insert>Shapes).

See this guide/video on how to get started creating infographics in PowerPoint as depicted in the screenshot below.

MS Publisher

The MS publisher is a layout desktop publishing app in the MS365 Office suite. It is similar to PowerPoint as you can add objects anywhere on the canvas and create infographics.

Inspiration

Inspiration is a visual mapping tool where you can create visual process maps from scratch or get started with over 60 built-in templates. If you would like a tutorial on how to create visual maps in Inspiration, book an Assistive Technology tutorial. You can download a free Windows license of Inspiration on your home device as well.

MS Visio

You can use MS Visio to create flowcharts, process maps, diagrams and organization charts. It can be accessed on campus computers or by remoting onto a campus computer via YourDMULabs.

Adobe Express

The free Adobe Express plan for students also includes Photoshop Express, Adobe Premiere Rush, Adobe Fresco, Adobe Bridge and Adobe Portfolio apps.

Adobe Express is accessed via https://express.adobe.com/sp/.

Select to sign in with Adobe ID. Then, enter your student email when prompted. See also this FAQ, which includes a video on how to log in and use Photoshop Express to colour-grade images, for example. You can also use Adobe Express online to remove backgrounds of images and much more. Click to magnify the image below.