The bar graph in Excel is one of the easiest ways to present data graphically. It not only makes your data presentable but is also helpful in engaging your audience. Bar graph presents the data with rectangular horizontal bars. The length of the bar depends on the data values.
In this context we will be discussing the steps to make:
Steps to Make Bar Graph in Excel:
Simple Bar Graph
To make a simple graph we must have values for at least two categories that we have to compare. In the example below we have values for two categories are ‘Fruits’ & ‘Quantity’.
First, we have to select the values for two categories as you can see in the image below. Now from the Insert tab, in the Charts group, you have to click on the ‘Insert Column or Bar Chart’ drop-down button.
Here you can select the kind of bar chart you want to present your data.
As you can see in the image below by default the first column of the selected data is taken as the x-axis and the second column is considered as the y-axis.
- Chart Elements
To format or edit the elements of the bar chart when you click to select the bar chart it will allow you to select or deselect the element of the bar chart like Axes, Axis Titles, Chart Titles, etc.
- Chart Style
To improve the style of the bar chart you have selected the chart and clicked on the Style| Color button. And here you can improve the appearance of your bar chart.
- Chart Filter
The bar chart also allows you to select what data points and names are visible on your chart.
Bar Graph with 2 Variables
To make a bar graph with two variables we must have two categories that we have to compare against only one category. This means there is one variable on the x-axis and two variables on the y-axis.
As you can see in the image below, we have the ‘Fruits’ variable on the x-axis and the quantity of fruits in the ‘Mkt 1’, ‘Mkt 2’ variable.
Bar Graph with 3 Variables
To make a bar graph with three variables we must have three categories that we have to compare against only one category. This means there is one variable on the x-axis and three variables on the y-axis.
As you can see in the image below, we have the ‘Fruits’ variable on the x-axis and the quantity of fruits in the ‘Mkt 1’, ‘Mkt 2’, ‘Mkt 3’ variables.
Stacked Bar Graph
The stacked bar graph is one where the variables of the y-axis are stacked on top of each other. Because of this, the height of each stack bar represents the total of all series in that category.
You will get the option of stack bar from the ‘Insert Column or Bar Chart’ button in the ‘Charts’ group of the ‘Insert’ tab.
The stack bar chart in the image below shows the values of the series ‘Mkt 1’and ‘Mkt 2’ stacked on top of each other for each element of the Fruit category.
So, this is how you can make a bar graph in Excel. We have seen different kinds of bar graphs in our content. Still, this is not a limit in Excel you can explore more to understand charts better.
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