What Is a Stacked Bar Chart?
A stacked bar chart is a variation of the standard bar chart. In this chart type, data can be displayed as adjacent horizontal bars or stacked vertical bars. Each bar represents a total value, which is broken down into smaller sub-values, allowing for detailed insights into the data.
In a stacked bar chart, the same categories across all bars are represented by identical colors. This format makes it easy to compare both the overall total and the individual components of each bar, as demonstrated in the example data below.
Stacked bar charts are particularly useful for tracking changes in data over time, as they allow users to identify where increases or decreases occur. A common application of this type of chart is tracking the fluctuations in the value of investments within a stock portfolio over a given period.
One variation of the stacked bar chart is the 100% stacked bar chart. In this format, all bars have an equal height or length, with each section representing a percentage of the total bar instead of absolute values.
How to Create a Stacked Bar Chart in Excel?
Creating a stacked bar chart in Excel follows the same basic steps as creating any other chart. Below are the general instructions, but for a more detailed guide on chart creation, refer to the "How to Make a Bar Chart in Excel" section of our article.
Steps to Create a Stacked Bar Chart in Excel:
- Highlight the relevant data.
- Click on the "Chart" option, then select your preferred chart type.
That's it! You now have a stacked bar chart.
There are four main options for stacked bar charts in Excel:
- Stacked Bar
- Stacked Column
- 100% Stacked Bar
- 100% Stacked Column
Each of these options has both 2D and 3D variations. Experiment with these to find the version that best presents your data.
Below are examples of a stacked bar cylinder, a 100% stacked column cone, and a 100% stacked bar in 3D, all using the same dataset.
How to Create a Stacked Bar Chart in Google Sheets?
Step 1: Prepare Your Data
Begin by importing your data into Google Sheets and organizing it properly. Ensure you create clear headers for each column in the first row, as these labels are vital for generating a coherent chart.
Step 2: Select Your Data for the Chart
After organizing your data, it's time to highlight the range of cells you want to include in the chart. Click on the top-left cell of your data range and drag to select all the relevant cells. This selection will form the foundation of your stacked bar chart.
Make sure to select the correct data range carefully to avoid including any irrelevant rows or blank cells.
Step 3: Choose and Insert a Chart
Now, proceed to transform your data into a visual format by choosing the chart option.
Step 4: Customize Your Chart
Modify the chart settings to match your preferences and requirements.
Step 5: Adjust Chart Position
Reposition the chart if needed to fit your layout.
Step 6: Fine-Tune Your Stacked Bar Chart
Make any final adjustments to ensure your stacked bar chart is clear and accurately represents the data.
This guide is based on information from the original source: how-to-create-stacked-bar-chart-in-google-sheets