What Is a Column Chart?

Nearly everyone has either created, used, or seen a column chart at some point. They are ubiquitous in the business world and beyond. But what are column charts exactly? How are they different from other types of charts? Keep reading to find out what they are and the best ways to use this chart type.

What are column charts?

If you’re on this page, then you’re probably looking for the answer to the question, “What is a column chart?” A column chart is a graph that displays data as vertical bars. The height of the bar represents the value of the data point. Column charts are used to compare values between different data sets. They can also be used to show how a single data set changes over time. They are similar to bar charts, but the bars in a column chart are all the same width. This makes it easy to see the difference between each data point. Column charts can be used to compare values over time or compare different values.

What are the different types of column charts?

There are three types of column charts: clustered, stacked, and 100 percent stacked. Clustered column charts are used when you want to compare values between two or more groups. In a clustered column chart, the columns for each group are placed next to each other. Stacked column charts are used when you want to compare the value of one group with the sum of all other groups. In a stacked column chart, the columns for each group are placed on top of each other. The 100 percent stacked column charts are used when you want to compare the percentage contribution of each group to a total. In a 100 percent stacked column chart, the columns for each group are placed in stacks that add up to 100 percent.

How do you create a column chart in Excel?

Column charts are created by plotting data points in vertical columns, with each column representing a data series. To create a column chart in Excel on your computer, you must first select the data you want to include in the chart. Then go to “Insert” > “Chart” and choose a Column chart type. Excel will automatically create a chart based on your data, which you can then customize as needed. If you want to change how your column chart looks, there are several things you can do. For example, you can adjust the column widths, add labels or legends, change the color scheme, and more. You can also add trend lines or other types of analysis to your chart for further insight into your data.

How do you change the width of the columns in a column chart?

The width of the columns in a column chart can be changed to make it easier to see the difference in values. To change the width of the columns, select the column and then use the “Format Axis” task pane to adjust the “Width” setting.

Can you add data labels to a column chart?

To add data labels to a column chart, you will want to select the data series you want to label. Then, go to the “Layout” tab and click on the “Data Labels” button. From there, you can choose whether you want the labels to be above or below the data points and whether you want them to be rotated or not.

A column chart is important because it is easy to understand and it shows comparisons between data. Overall, column charts are a great way to show comparisons between data sets. Hopefully, this page has been helpful in understanding more about column-style charts.