Tips
On this page, I will blog about recent additions and tips to help you implement technology in your classroom. Check back often for new additions!
I found today's tip purely by accident. I was looking for the "suggest a feature" button that exists in most Google tools today. I've been frustrated by the lack of progress on a Google Drawings iPad app, so I clicked on "Help" at the top and started typing in my query. What I found is a quick little way to get things done in Google Drawing!
Quick Custom Pie Chart
or Bar Graph
I've had people ask me this question in trainings before. They wanted to make a pie chart with the drawing tools and were struggling to find the right shapes to use. I've shared some workarounds for this, but it's never been quick or easy to do. That is until now!
In this case, if you search "Pie" Google will insert a Pie Chart for you. The initial Pie Chart has generic information in it, but it is created from a Google Sheet. You may also search "Bar" to insert a bar graph. The process below will be the same for either type.
After the chart is added to your drawing, you will now need to click the button in the top right corner. This will open your new pie chart in Google Sheets.
In Google Sheets, you can click into the fields to edit your labels in Column A and data in Column B.
If you click directly on your chart, you can change colors, adjust font colors and sizes, and change the title of your chart.
If you click the drop down arrow at the top right corner, there are some advanced options for adjusting your chart.
If you are completing a bar graph, this layout will look slightly different, but your process for replacing data will be the same.
When you are finished changing your information in Google Sheets, you can close it or navigate back to your Google Drawing.
Your final step is to click the "Update" button, which allows drawing to pull in any changes you've made. You should see your chart or graph update instantly to reflect any data you have added or changed from the original chart.