Presenting your data in a way that makes it comprehensible for others is the best option to opt for. For this, users often tend to use charts and graphs. A bar chart is known to be one of the best chart types in which you can add horizontal bars that help in comparing data values. Let’s understand how to make a bar chart in Excel.
What is a Bar Chart?
With the help of bars, each category used in the data is presented in a way that makes the data understandable at first glance. Numerical values and the length of the bar are proportional to each other with each category used in the data. You can present bars either vertically or horizontally.
How to Make a Bar Chart in Excel?
In an empty sheet, add the data you need to present in a bar chart. Suppose, you need to find the percent change of the real GDP in the US annually. Your data selection is done by IMF. For a bar chart, a single column is needed that has values you need to plot.
To make a bar chart, follow the steps given below:
- Put the data in the worksheet.
- Select your data.
- Open the Insert tab.
- Choose a 2D bar chart from the many chart options available.
- You will see the chart displays on the sheet once the data is entered.
In case, when you need to make changes in your data, try not to make a new chart. Instead, you can make changes in the data and your chart will automatically be updated.
Different Kinds of Bar Charts
If you understand the bar chart, you will notice that each category presents a single numerical value. Below is a brief view of each variation:
Grouped: It is when a chart shows a group of dependent variables side-by-side for each category.
Stacked: It is when a chart shows a group of dependent variables stacked on top of each other. You may call it a segmented bar chart as well.
What is a Bar Chart Used for?
Do you have any idea where do we need to use a bar chart?
With a bar chart, you can present data nicely for better visualization of data. This way, your data becomes easier to interpret because your data becomes ready to inform, compare, and affect. The bar chart has an extensive history that can be found easily.
Whenever you need to present data in vertical or horizontal bars, a bar chart is a one-stop solution. Sometimes, your data contains categories such as years, countries, or other kinds of relative values. It becomes convenient for you to visualize data in a way that even a lame person can understand the data easily without needing to explain it.
Wrap Up:
Today, you have come to know how to make a bar chart in Excel. Apart from that, you have learned the basics of a bar chart and where we need to use it. All you have to do is just make sure that you understand the value of data presentation so that you can have a smoother and more logical visualization.
