If you are just starting to learn SPSS, have a look at one the introductory example:

• Histogram example

The SPSS Chart Builder is, as its name says, an interactive chart building facility, invoked by . It lets you compose graphs by dragging and dropping various elements into the chart preview area. Below you see a Chart Builder window:

When the Chart Builder starts up a warning pops up about measurement levels (click on the paper-clip to see it). If measurement levels are declared as they should, you can safely ignore it, if not you should heed the warning. .

For common charts, you will have to

1. Select one of the graph types appearing in the Gallery (double-click or drag it into the preview area).
2. Drag the variable(s) you want to chart from the Variable pane and into specific fields ("drop zones") that will appear in the Preview Area ("Canvas") after choosing a particular graph type.
3. Optionally modify various elements of the graph using one of the tabs or the properties window that pops up.

Here's the kind of screen you will see, after having selected a chart type together with the properties.

Note that, depending on the chart type chosen, some options may not be selectable. Many options you can be set in the properties here, can also be set and changed in the after the chart has been produced.

The produces graphs that can be edited and further enhanced with the : double-click the chart in the window to open it.

In addition to various common charts, special chart forms can be produced from scratch using the Elements tab where you can compose your own chart type using building blocks.