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How to Create a Bar Chart in Excel?

To learn how to create a Column and Bar chart in Excel, let’s use a simple example of marks secured by some students in Science and Maths that we want to show in a chart format. Note that a column chart is one that presents our data in vertical columns. A bar graph is extremely similar in terms of the choices you’ve got but presents your data in horizontal bars. The steps below take you through creating a column chart, but you’ll also follow them if you would like to make a bar graph.

A bar chart is the horizontal version of a column chart. If you have large text labels use a bar chart. Once your data has been prepared correctly, you are then ready to create your chart. This is a quick and easy process, but it does involve a number of steps: 



Creating a Bar Chart

Step 1. We need to select all the data which you need to include in the chart.



In our example we will select a range from A1:C6.

Step 2. It’s very important to include the row headings if you want to use values as labels on the chart.

Step 3. Under the Insert menu, you will find the options for Bar Charts, choose from the multiple designs mentioned in the image below:

In our case we are creating a Column chart and bar graph, so click the Column button first. The following options will then be displayed. As you’ll be able to see, there are many options available. Select 3D Clustered Column Chart. We can change it to at least one of the opposite chart types later if we decide that this one doesn’t suit our requirements.

 Once you select a chart type, Excel will automatically create the chart and insert it into your worksheet. 

Types of Bar Charts

There are some examples of different types of charts 

Clustered column Charts

Stacked column

Use this chart type to:

100% Stacked Column

Use this chart type to:

3-D Clustered Column

3-D 100% Stacked column

Use this chart type to:

3-D Column

Use this chart type to:

Clustered Bar Charts

Use this chart type to:

Use it when:

Stacked Bar

Use this chart type to:

Use it when:

100% Stacked Bar

Use this chart type:

Use it when:

3-D Clustered Bar

Use it when:

3-D Stacked Bar

Use this type to:

Use it when:

3-D 100% Stacked Bar

Use this chart type to:

Use it when:

Note the following points about this chart:

1. Excel has automatically put labels on an angle to fit neatly into the space available.

2. The legend to the right of the chart contains the column heading from our spreadsheet. You can change them by editing the headings in our data table.

3. Excel has chosen these colors based on a default theme. You can change the theme if you need to, and the colors will change automatically. You can also override the colors manually if you need to.

4. There is no title on the chart by default. You can add one manually, or choose a chart layout that includes one.


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