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Creating bar graphs in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets is a straightforward process. Aslan Alphan/Getty ImagesThis tutorial demonstrates the steps to create a bar graph in Excel for both Microsoft Office 365 (Excel 2016 and 2019) and older versions. A bar graph in Excel is simple to make, and mastering the process can add a valuable skill to your computer expertise.
What Is a Bar Graph?
A bar graph is a visual representation of data, either in two or three dimensions. Also known as bar charts or column charts, bar graphs are among the most commonly used and simple methods to represent data, ranging from the most complex to the most straightforward.
Bar graphs are a familiar sight in various environments—whether at home, school, or the workplace. They are especially useful for presentations or personal tasks (such as budgeting).
Simply put, a bar graph or column chart features two axes: an x-axis and a y-axis.
Typically, the x-axis (the horizontal axis) serves as the baseline from which the bars rise, while the y-axis represents a range of values. This is known as the vertical bar graph (remembered easily by its vertical bars), while a horizontal bar chart displays bars or columns extending from the y-axis.
What Are the Different Types of Bar Graphs?
Depending on the type of data you're working with, certain bar chart variations may be more suitable. These options are available in Excel charts, where you can choose from different options in the column or bar chart menu.
Stacked Bar Graph
This type of bar graph is ideal for analyzing multiple data series, as each bar can be divided into segments.
For instance, if you're reviewing quarterly earnings, with each quarter represented by a vertical bar, a stacked bar graph allows you to show the breakdown of different sales categories within each bar (e.g., online versus in-store sales).
Clustered Bar Graph
Bar charts, as the name suggests, are designed to display data in the form of grouped bars along a designated axis. Clustered bar charts enable side-by-side comparisons of various data types within the same chart.
For instance, if you're testing a new gardening method at your nursery, like lasagna gardening, you could use a clustered bar chart in Excel to compare the yields of various companion planting combinations. This allows you to visualize which plant pairings work best.
How to Create an Excel Bar Graph in 8 Steps
Below is a step-by-step guide to creating bar charts using Microsoft Excel 2016, based on sources like TechontheNet and Microsoft:
- Start Excel and open the spreadsheet you want to use for the bar chart.
- Highlight the data you wish to include in the chart.
- Be sure to include both the row and column headers, as these will serve as labels in your chart. You can change these labels by editing the header cells.
- Click the Insert tab, then choose the Insert Column or Bar Chart button in the Charts group. You'll have various options, like 2D columns, 3D columns, and different types of bars. For this example, we are selecting 2D columns.
- Your chart will appear, along with horizontal bars displaying your headers at the bottom of the graph.
- Next, add a title to your chart by clicking on the Chart Title section at the top of the graph. This will make it editable.
- Choose where to place the chart, either on a new sheet or embedded within the current spreadsheet, and save your work.
- If you need to start over, click the edge of the chart (a pop-up labeled 'chart area' will appear), then press the Delete key.
For older versions of Excel, like 2007 and 2003, use the steps below to create a bar graph [source: Excel Bar Graphs]:
- Launch Excel and open the file where you want to create a bar chart.
- Select the data you want to include, ensuring that both the column and row headers are selected as they will become the labels on the chart. If you'd like to change the labels, you can edit them in the header cells.
- Click on the Chart Wizard button, or go to the Insert menu and select Chart.
- Confirm that Column is selected as the chart type (this is the default option).
- Choose a bar graph subtype from the options on the right and click Next.
- Check that the data range is correct and that Column is selected under the DataRange tab. Then click Next.
- Enter titles for the X and Y axes. These will be displayed in the respective sections of the graph.
- Explore the other tabs to make any additional adjustments, then click Next.
- Choose whether to place the bar chart on a new sheet or within the current spreadsheet.
- Click Finish to complete the bar graph creation in Excel.
- Use the Chart toolbar to finalize the chart’s appearance. If it's not visible, select View, then Toolbars, and finally choose the Chart toolbar.
