Excel Bar Chart Guide

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Bar graphs, also called bar charts, are great for showing comparisons between different categories using horizontal bars. They help you quickly see the differences in amounts or values across various items.

In a bar chart, the categories are usually listed along the bottom (horizontal) axis, and the amounts are shown by how long the bars are along the side (vertical) axis.

Bar Charts vs. Histograms

Even though they both use bars to show data, bar charts and histograms are used for different kinds of information. Here’s how they differ:

• Bar charts use horizontal bars, while histograms (which Excel calls column charts) use vertical bars.
• Histograms show how often continuous numbers appear, but bar charts are better for comparing separate categories.
• Histograms are useful for things like height, weight, and temperature, while bar charts are good for categories like types of movies, number of people in different groups, or counts of items.

Histogram/Column Chart Example:

Bar Chart Example:

Making a Bar Chart in Excel

Creating a bar chart in Excel is quite easy. Here are the steps to follow:

1. First, put your data into an Excel sheet. You’ll need at least two columns: one for your categories (like names of book series) and another for the values (like copies sold or in stock).
   
   

Each extra column of values will create another set of bars, which is helpful for making comparisons.

2. Select the data you want to use for your chart, including the column headers.
3. Go to the Insert tab at the top. In the Charts area, click the Insert Column or Bar Chart button.
4. Move your mouse over the chart types to preview them. Pick a bar chart style. In this guide, we will select the basic 2-D Clustered Bar chart.
   
   
5. Excel will put the bar chart in your sheet, showing your data visually.
   
   

Each column of values in your data will be shown with a set of bars in the chart, with different colors for each column.

Customizing Your Bar Chart

Once you have made your chart, you can make it look better by changing things like the title, style, colors, and more. You’ll find these options under the Design and Format tabs, right-click menus, and the buttons that pop up next to the chart when it’s selected.

Changing the Chart Title

1. Click the chart title text box to select it.
2. Click again to place the cursor inside the text box.
3. Delete the existing text and enter a new title that makes sense for your chart.
   
   

Changing the Chart Type

Method 1: Using the Insert Tab

1. Select your existing chart.
2. Go to the Insert tab, and choose a different chart type from the Charts area.
   
   

Method 2: Using Right-Click Menu

1. Select your existing chart.
2. Right-click on the chart and select Change Chart Type.
3. In the Change Chart Type window, select the chart you want.
   
   
4. Click OK to apply the changes.

Changing the Chart Style and Layout

1. To change the look of your chart, select the chart and go to the Design tab.
2. Click the Quick Layout button in the Chart Layouts area.
3. Pick a layout that you like from the list.
4. To change the chart’s style, pick one from the Chart Styles area on the same tab.
   
   

Changing Chart Colors

Method 1: Using the Design Tab

1. Select your chart, then go to the Design tab.
2. Click the Change Colors button in the Chart Styles section.
3. Select a color set from the list. Your chart will update instantly.
   
   

Method 2: Using the Floating Chart Styles Button

1. Use the Chart Styles button that appears near your chart to quickly change the colors and styles.
   
   

Method 3: Changing Individual Data Series Colors

1. To change a single data series’ color, select it in the chart.
2. Right-click on it and pick Format Data Series.
   
   
3. In the Format Data Series panel, click on the Fill & Line tab.
4. Click to expand Fill, then click on the Color dropdown and pick your new color.
   
   

Switching the X and Y Axes

1. To switch your horizontal and vertical axes, select the chart.
2. Go to the Design tab.
3. Click Switch Row/Column in the Data group.
   
   

The chart will switch the data between the axes.

Changing Gridlines

Gridlines help you see the exact values for your bars more easily.

1. Select your chart.
2. Click the Chart Elements button (the plus sign) next to the chart.
3. Move your mouse over the Gridlines option.
4. Click the arrow next to Gridlines to see the options.
5. Pick the gridlines you want, such as primary major horizontal or vertical gridlines.
   
   
6. For more options, click on More Options… to open the Format Gridlines pane.

To remove gridlines, just uncheck the Gridlines option in the Chart Elements menu.

Adding Axis Titles

Axis titles tell you what data each axis represents, making your chart easier to understand.

1. Select your chart.
2. Click the Chart Elements button (plus sign) next to the chart.
3. Check the Axis Titles box to add titles to the chart.
4. To choose which axis title to add, click the arrow next to Axis Titles and pick Primary Horizontal or Primary Vertical.
   
   
5. A text box called “Axis Title” will show on the selected axis. Click it to select it.
6. Click again to place the cursor inside the text box and enter a title.
   
   
7. To customize the axis title further, right-click it and pick Format Axis Title. Use the formatting options in the pane to change the font, color, and style.
   
   

Moving Your Bar Chart

You can move your chart to a different sheet or to a new sheet in your workbook.

Method 1: Using Right-Click Menu

1. Click on your chart.
2. Right-click inside the chart area and pick Move Chart.

Method 2: Using the Design Tab

1. Click on your chart.

2. Go to the Design tab and click on the Move Chart button.
   

   

3. In the Move Chart window, select New Sheet to put it on a new sheet, or select Object in and choose an existing sheet from the dropdown.
   

4. Click OK to move the chart.