What Is Stacked Bar chart In Google Sheets?
The Stacked Bar chart in Google Sheets, graphically represents the comparison of different data categories in a dataset we can visualize the gradual variation of data variables over a period.
The Google Sheets Stacked Bar chart is a type of Bar Chart that appears horizontally stacked one above the other for single and multiple categories. The difference for multiple categories is that each horizontal bar will be stacked with segments, one after the other.
For example, the below table consists of the fruits and their amount per kilo. We will display the data as a Stacked Bar chart for the single category.
Select cell range A1:B9 and enter the Stacked Bar chart from the charts group.
The Stacked Bar chart generates as shown in the above image. We see horizontal bars stacked one above the other for each item.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- The Stacked Bar chart in Google Sheets represents the data as different parts and cumulated volume. Gradually varying data for a single variable can be effectively visualized by this type of graph, because it is horizontally stacked with single or multiple data segments.
- Ensure to use the chart for smaller datasets. In a large dataset, comparing data is challenging.
- We can format or customize the chart according to our requirements or highlight the columns in a presentable way, while generating reports.
- A variety of Stacked Bar Charts are available such as, stacked and 100% stacked which can be plotted normally or as a 3D chart, according to the data we want to represent. Regardless of the chart type the data is unaltered.
How To Create Stacked Bar Chart In Google Sheets?
We can create Stacked Chart in Google Sheets as follows:
- First, organize the dataset in a way so that we know the X and the Y axes variables.
- Next, choose the entire dataset – select the “Insert” tab – choose the “Chart” option.
- A default chart, i.e., the “Column chart”, generates and the “Chart editor” window opens on the right-side.
- To select a different “Chart type”, select the “Setup” menu, click the “Chart type” drop-down and select the “Stacked Bar chart” from the “Bar” section, as shown below.
Finally, we will have the Stacked Bar Chart. We can then customize it as per our requirements.
Examples
We will consider the Stacked Bar chart examples for the two types, i.e., “Stacked Bar chart” and “100% Stacked Bar chart”.
Example #1 – Stacked Bar chart for multiple categories
We will plot a Stacked Bar chart for the below table that consists of the purchase, sales and turn over data of a few companies.
The steps to create a Stacked Bar chart for the given data are,
Step 1: Choose the cell range A1:D5 – select the “Insert” tab – choose the “Chart” option, the “Chart editor” window opens on the right-side and select the “Stacked Bar chart”, as shown below.
The chart generates as shown below.
Step 2: Next, let us add titles to the chart and format them accordingly. Therefore, in the “Chart editor” under the “Customize” menu, select the “Chart & axis titles”, as shown below.
Step 3: Click the “Title type selector” drop-down and select each option to update the title as follows:
- First, select the “Chart title” option, type “Companies Profit Details” in the “Title text” field, select “Bold” and “Center alignment” in the “Title format” field and color Black in the “Title text color” field, as shown below.
- Next, select the “Horizontal axis title” option, type “Sales” in the “Title text” field, select “Bold” and “Center alignment” in the “Title format” field and color Black in the “Title text color” field, as shown below.
- Finally, select the “Vertical axis title” option, type “Company Names” in the “Title text” field, select “Bold” in the “Title format” field and color Black in the “Title text color” field, as shown below.
The final Stacked Bar Chart is shown below. We can either stop here, or customize further by exploring the options available in the “Customize” menu in the “Chart editor”.
The bars represent the Sales, where, the blue part represents the Purchase data, the red part is Sales data and the yellow part is the Turn Over data. It is clearly visible that the companies made huge profits.
Example #2 – 100% Stacked Bar Chart in Google Sheets
The below table shows the Customer Satisfaction Ratings Across 10 Retail Stores. We will create a 100% Stacked Bar Chart in Google Sheets.
The steps to create a 100% Stacked Bar chart for the given data are,
Step 1: Choose the cell range A2:D11 – select the “Insert” tab – choose the “Chart” option and the “Chart editor” window opens on the right-side and select the “100 % Stacked Bar chart”, as shown below.
The Stacked Bar Chart generates as shown below.
Step 2: Follow the steps learnt in Example 1 to update the titles, chart styles, range values within the chart, etc. Then, the final Stacked Bar Chart type, i.e., the 100% Stacked Bar Chart, is shown below.
Example #3 – 3D Stacked Bar Chart
The below table shows the Insurance Claims by Type. We will create a 3D–Stacked Bar Chart in Google Sheets.
The steps to create a 3D Stacked Bar chart for the given data are,
Step 1: Choose the cell range A2:D7 – select the “Insert” tab – choose the “Chart” option and the “Chart editor” window opens on the right-side and select the “Stacked Bar chart”, as shown below.
The Stacked Bar Chart generates as shown.
Step 2: Now to convert the chart to a 3D Stacked bar chart, click the “Customize” option in the “Chart editor” window, then, click the “Chart style” option right arrow and check/tick the “3D” option, Now, the chart is a 3D Chart, as shown below.
Step 3: Follow the steps learnt in Example 1 to update the titles, chart styles, range values within the chart, etc. Then, the final 3D Stacked Bar Chart is shown below.
Example #4 – 3D 100% Stacked Bar Chart
The below table that shows the Employee Attendance and Absences of the sales Department. We will create a 3D 100 Stacked Bar Chart.
The steps to create a 3D 100% Stacked Bar chart In Google Sheets for the given data are,
Step 1: Choose the cell range B1:E6 – select the “Insert” tab – choose the “Chart” option and the “Chart editor” window opens on the right-side and select the “100% stacked bar chart”, as shown below.
The chart generates as shown.
Step 2: To convert the chart to a 3D chart, click the “Customize” option in the “Chart editor” window, then, click the “Chart style” option right arrow and check/tick the “3D” option, Now, the chart is a 3D Chart, as shown below.
Step 3: Follow the steps learnt in Example 1 to update the titles, chart styles, range values within the chart, etc. Then, the final 3D 100 Stacked Bar Chart is shown below.
Important Things To Note
- Ensure the source data contains smaller datasets to avoid clutter in the plotted Stacked Bar chart in Google Sheets.
- Avoid 3-D effects in a Stacked Bar chart, as they might distort and misrepresent the data.
- We can generate a chart in multiple ways, namely,
- First, select the cell range and then insert the chart. Then, we will get a default chart, after which we can select the required chart type. Or,
- We can first insert the required chart type, a blank chart appears with only a border, and then, enter the data range in the “Chart editor” window to get the required chart.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
An alternate way to insert a Stacked Bar Chart in Google Sheets is,
First, select the dataset – click the “More” option on the toolbar, as shown below.
Next, click the “Insert chart” icon, as shown below, to open the “Chart editor” and we know the rest.
A few reasons the Google Sheets Stacked Bar Chart may not work are,
The dataset used to generate the chart is modified or deleted.
The dataset is not organized in a right way to understand which variable will be X or Y axis.
The cell range to generate the chart is not rightly selected, so that different headers appear in different axis.
The amounts entered must be is not in valid format or precise currency.
We use the Stacked Bar Chart in Google Sheets to study the impact of the changes in each segment on the total value across categories. Every Bar Chart consists of different segments, which are components that make the bar.
Download Template
This article must help understand the Stacked Bar chart In Google Sheets, with its formula and examples. You can download the template here to use it instantly.
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Guide to What is Stacked Bar Chart In Google Sheets. We learn how to create it and its variants like 3D & 100% Stacked chart with examples. You can learn more from the following articles –
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