Column Chart In Google Sheets

What Is Column Chart In Google Sheets?

The Column chart in Google Sheets is a tool for data visualization where categories of data are denoted as vertical columns. Each column height in the plot is commensurate with the values plotted for the specific data category.

Users can utilize the Column plot in Google Sheets to graphically represent financial data such as monthly revenue and expense data for visual analysis.

For example, the source dataset lists the ratings, and the customer feedback count received for each rating.

Column Chart in Google Sheets - Intro

We can create a customized Column Chart in Google Sheets, similar to Excel Column chart, to visually review the given data. For that we can click anywhere in the source dataset range or select the whole range. Next, select the Insert tab, where we must choose the Chart option to open the Chart editor window.

Column Chart in Google Sheets - Intro - chart Editor

Once the Chart editor pane opens, we shall see two tabs: Setup and Customize.

We can set the Chart type as the Column chart in the Setup tab. Next, we can click the Customize tab to open it and use the various options to achieve the desired customized Column Chart according to our requirements. In this case, we updated the chart and axis titles and the data series (columns) color.

Key Takeaways
  • The Column chart in Google Sheets is a vertical Bar plot that represents categories in the form of simple, stacked, or 100% stacked vertical columns.
  • The Column plot in Google Sheets is useful in the Finance domain for comparing profit margins over a period. The plot also helps in market research tasks such as reviewing the market shares among competitors.
  • The benefit of a Column plot in Google Sheets is that the plot makes data easier to understand. Also, while the plot is highly versatile, it offers customization options that make the chart more presentable and appealing.

How To Create Column Chart In Google Sheets?

The method to create a Column chart in Google Sheets is as follows:

  1. Select the source dataset range or a cell in the source dataset.
  2. Choose the Insert tab – Chart option to access the Chart editor pane.
Column Chart in Google Sheets - Step 2
  1. The Chart editor window will appear on the right of the workspace, with two tabs, Setup and Customize, containing the options to create and customize a Column chart.
Column Chart in Google Sheets - Step 3
  1. Click the Chart type field dropdown button and click the required Column chart to select it.
Column Chart in Google Sheets - Step 4
  1. Set the required options in the corresponding fields in the Setup tab to achieve the desired Column plot.
Column Chart in Google Sheets - Step 5
  1. Click the Customize tab to access the options in the tab to customize the plot according to our requirements.
Column Chart in Google Sheets - Step 6
  1. Once we achieve the desired Column plot, close the Chart editor pane.

Examples

We can plot a Clustered Column chart in Google Sheets, similar to Clustered Column chart in Excel, using the Column chart option. However, in this section, we shall see examples to create simple, Stacked and 100% Stacked Column charts.

Example #1

The source dataset shows the 2023 quarterly inventory level data of a store.

Column Chart in Google Sheets - Example 1

We shall see the steps to create a simple Column plot in Google Sheets for the given data.

Step 1: Select the source dataset range and then Insert Chart to access the Chart editor pane.

Column Chart in Google Sheets - Example 1 - Step 1

Step 2: Click the Chart type field dropdown button in the Setup tab to set the field value as the Column chart.

Column Chart in Google Sheets - Example 1 - Step 2

Next, please scroll down to set the remaining field options to match our requirements. In this case, we shall not change the remaining settings in the Setup tab.

Column Chart in Google Sheets - Example 1 - Step 2 - settings
Column Chart in Google Sheets - Example 1 - Step 2 - series

Step 3: Click the Customize tab to access it. Here, click the Chart & axis titles section heading to expand it.

Next, click the first field dropdown button to set the field value as Chart title.

Column Chart in Google Sheets - Example 1 - Step 3

We can now click inside the Title text field and update the required chart title.

Column Chart in Google Sheets - Example 1 - Step 3 - Title text

Next, please scroll down to set the required Title format settings. In this case, we shall choose the Bold and center alignment options.

Column Chart in Google Sheets - Example 1 - Step 3 - Title Format

Please note that the axis titles are updated by default, which fits our requirements. So, we shall not change them.

Finally, close the pane and resize the chart box to view the required Column chart based on the given data in Google Sheets.

Column Chart in Google Sheets - Example 1 - Step 3 - Column chart

Example #2

We shall see an illustration explaining the Stacked Column chart in Google Sheets.

We have the branch offices’ annual sales data as the source dataset.

Column Chart in Google Sheets - Example 2

We can graphically represent the above data using a Clustered Column chart in Google Sheets. However, a better option in this case is to use the Stacked Column plot, similar to the Excel Stacked Column chart.

Step 1: Select a cell in the range A2:G8 or select the range A2:G8 and then Insert Chart.

Column Chart in Google Sheets - Example 2 - Step 1

Please note that we chose the source dataset range from cell A2 instead of A1 since the column headings are in row 2. So, we do not need to include row 1 in the selected data range.

Step 2: We shall see the Setup tab open in the Chart editor pane. Set the Chart type field value as the Stacked column chart in Google Sheets, for which we must click the field’s dropdown button and choose the second Column chart type.

Column Chart in Google Sheets - Example 2 - Step 2

Next, please scroll down to set the remaining fields in the Setup tab according to our requirements. In this case, we shall not change the existing settings.

Column Chart in Google Sheets - Example 2 - Step 2 - Setup
Column Chart in Google Sheets - Example 2 - Step 2 - series
Column Chart in Google Sheets - Example 2 - Step 2 - chart

Step 3: Select the Customize tab to set the required chart and axis titles.

For that click the Chart & axis titles section heading to expand it. Set the first field as the Chart title and update the required title in the second field. Next, update the title format settings using the Title format options.

Column Chart in Google Sheets - Example 2 - Step 3
Column Chart in Google Sheets - Example 2 - Step 3 - Title format

Next, set the first field in the section as the Horizontal axis title and update the required axis title text in the second field.

Column Chart in Google Sheets - Example 2 - Step 3 - Horizontal axis

Next, set the first field in the section as the Vertical axis title and update the required axis title text in the second field.

Column Chart in Google Sheets - Example 2 - Step 3 - Vertical Axis

Step 4: Click the Vertical axis section to expand it and set the Min and Max field values to show the vertical axis scale according to our requirements.

Column Chart in Google Sheets - Example 2 - Step 4

Finally, close the Chart editor pane and resize the inserted chart box to view the desired Stacked Column plot in Google Sheets.

Column Chart in Google Sheets - Example 2 - Step 4 - Stacked Column

Example #3

We have the monthly income and expenses data as the source dataset.

Column Chart in Google Sheets - Example 3

We can visually represent the above data using a 100% Stacked Column chart in Google Sheets.

Step 1: Select the source dataset range and then Insert Chart.

Example 3 - Step 1

Step 2: The Setup tab opens in the Chart editor pane. Set the Chart type field value as 100% stacked column chart in Google Sheets, for which we must click the field’s dropdown button and select the third Column chart type.

Example 3 - Step 2

Next, please scroll down to set the rest of the fields in the Setup tab according to our requirements. In this case, we shall not change the existing settings.

Column Chart in Google Sheets - Example 3 - Step 2 - Set Up
Column Chart in Google Sheets - Example 3 - Step 2 - Axis
Column Chart in Google Sheets - Example 3 - Step 2 - Series

Step 3: Choose the Customize tab to set the desired chart and axis titles.

For that, select the Chart & axis titles section heading to expand it. Set the first field as the Chart title and update the required chart title in the second field. Next, set the title format settings using the Title format options.

Example 3 - Step 3 - Title
Example 3 - Step 3 - Format

Next, set the first field in the section as the Horizontal axis title and enter the required axis title text in the second field.

Example 3 - Step 3 - Horizontal axis

Step 4: Select the Legend section title to expand it.

Here, we shall set the Position field as Bottom to view the legend below the plot in the chart area.

Example 3 - Step 4

Finally, close the Chart editor pane and resize the chart box to view the desired 100% Stacked Column plot in Google Sheets.

Column Chart in Google Sheets - Example 3 - Step 4 - Chart

Uses Of Column Chart In Google Sheets

The uses of a Column chart in Google Sheets are as follows:

  • The plot helps display data changes over a duration. 
  • The plot is useful for visually comparing different categories of items.
  • The plot finds applications in the Business domain for comparing sales data and revenue across various products, services, or durations.
  • The plot finds applications in Market Research activities, such as displaying brand awareness.

Important Things To Note

  • Choose the applicable source dataset range to plot the Column chart in Google Sheets accurately. Otherwise, chances are that some data might not be displayed in the chosen plot.
  • Ensure the Column plot in Google Sheets is simple and uncluttered so that interpreting the data becomes more straightforward.
  • The Y-axis scale in the Column plot in Google Sheets should be consistent for an accurate comparison between the different data columns. Moreover, the Column plot becomes more readable.
  • Ensure to use appropriate legends when the Column plot in Google Sheets represents multiple datasets.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How to create a grouped Column chart in Google Sheets?

We can create a grouped Column chart in Google Sheets, as shown below with an illustration.

The source dataset lists a set of product codes and their week-wise units sold data.

Intro - FAQ 1

We shall create a grouped Column plot in Google Sheets for the above source dataset.

Step 1: Select a cell in the range A2:F8 or select the range A2:F8 and then Insert Chart.

FAQ 1 - Step 1.jpg

Step 2: Select the Chart type field dropdown button in the Setup tab to update the field value as the Column chart.

FAQ 1 - Step 2

Next, please scroll down to set the other field options to match our requirements. In this case, we shall not change the remaining settings in the Setup tab.

FAQ 1 - Step 2 - Setup

Step 3: Choose the Customize tab to access it. Here, click the Chart & axis titles section heading to expand it.

FAQ 1 - Step 3

Next, set the required Title format settings. In this case, we shall choose the Bold and center alignment options.

FAQ 1 - Step 3 - Format

Next, set the first field in the section as the Horizontal axis title and enter the required axis title text in the second field.

FAQ 1 - Step 3 - Horizontal axis

Next, set the first field in the section as the Vertical axis title and enter the required axis title text in the second field.

FAQ 1 - Step 3 - Vertical Axis

Finally, close the Chart editor pane to view the required grouped Column chart based on the source data in Google Sheets.

FAQ 1 - Step 3 - Chart

2. How can you change the order of legend and data of a stacked Column plot in Google Sheets?

We can change the order of legend and data of a stacked Column plot chart in Google Sheets as explained below:

1. Open the Setup tab in the Chart editor pane.
2. Please scroll down to reach the Series section, where we can view all the data series in a specific order. Next, clicking on an individual data series field will show the different data series options we can set in the specific field. So we can set the required data series in the desired order.
3. The above step will update the data and legend order in the chart area automatically.

3. How to change the color of a Column chart in Google Sheets?

We can change the color of a Column chart in Google Sheets using the following steps:

1. Open the Customize tab in the Chart editor pane.
2. Click the Series section heading to expand it.
3. Click the Fill color field dropdown button to choose the required color.
4. Click the Line color field dropdown button to choose the required color.

We shall now see the Column chart color changed in Google Sheets.

Download Template

This article must be helpful to understand the Column Chart In Google Sheets, with its formula and examples. You can download the template here to use it instantly.

This has been a guide to What Is Column Chart In Google Sheets. We explain how to create it along with examples & points to remember. You can learn more from the following articles –

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