Bar graphs are another common kind of chart, right up there with pie charts. They don’t take long to prepare and explain thoroughly. What kind of information works best for bar charts? Numbers, percentages, temperatures, frequencies, or any other quantitative information you wish to evaluate side by side If you need to compare values from multiple data sets, a bar graph is your best bet. The Gantt chart, a special kind of bar graph frequently used in project management software, is a good example. In this article, we will discuss how to make or create a bar graph or chart in Excel with multiple bars and 2 variables.
What is a Bar Graph?
Bar graphs, also known as bar charts, are graphical representations of tabular data in which the data is split into categories and the categories’ lengths are represented by vertical or horizontal bars of equal size.
Also, the variable quantity appears against one axis, and bars of uniform width are drawn. The values of the variable in question appear along the other axes. The heights or lengths of the bars serve as placeholders for variable values, and the graphs allow for comparisons between various numbers. Bar graphs are a useful visual representation of the frequency distribution tables that make it easier to do the math and make sense of the data.
There are three main characteristics of bar graphs:
- The bar chart is useful for quickly comparing data from several categories.
- It employs a two-dimensional representation of the connection, with categories along one axis and discrete values along the other.
- Using time, the graph shows the major trends in the data.
Types of Bar Graphs
Bar graphs can be either horizontal or vertical. In a bar graph, the length or height of the bars is the most important dimension. The values are larger than the data if the bar graph is longer.
Furthermore, class intervals are the standard presentation for numerical and categorical data in bar graphs. They have an axis and a set of labeled bars that can be either horizontal or vertical. The bars in a bar chart show the prevalence of various values for a variable, or sometimes just those values themselves. The scale of a bar or column graph refers to the range of numbers that it displays.
The types of bar charts are as follows:
#1. Vertical Bar Graph
An example of a bar graph is a vertical bar graph that displays numerical data using a vertical array of rectangular bars. The x-axis at the bottom is the starting point and endpoint for the rectangular bars. Also, the y-axis has predefined value levels that can be used to compare the height of the bars. In general, the higher the criterion, the more significant the result.
#2. Horizontal Bar Graph
A horizontal bar graph displays data as a horizontal array of rectangular bars, where each bar’s height corresponds to a different numerical value. The y-axis is the origin and terminus of the rectangular bars, whereas the x-axis is a measurement scale. As a rule, higher values correspond to longer bars.
#3. Grouped Bar Graph
Grouped bar graphs, or grouped bar charts, show the distribution of discrete values among multiple items in the same category. There are clusters of identical square bars rather than random arrangements. They essentially dissect the whole worth of the category’s contents. Using multiple graphs, it is possible to display data from various categories in a single grouping of bar graphs. In addition, the data can be shown in either a vertical or horizontal format.
#4. Stacked Bar Graph
Stacked bar graphs, often called composite bar graphs, are used to break down a whole into smaller chunks. A single rectangular bar will frequently have a variety of colors to indicate these subassemblies. So, a sum represented by a single rectangular bar will have multiple portions, each represented by a different hue. The components must be identified; hence, labels are necessary. It is possible to display the information either vertically or horizontally.
Applications of Bar Graphs
Bar graphs are useful for making comparisons between categories and viewing trends over time. However, bar graphs work best when trying to estimate larger changes over time.
Bar charts are often scaled so that all of the data can be displayed on the graph, and they have a finite scope of divisions. When there is no consistent pattern in the divisions being matched, the bars on the chart can be arranged in any way that makes sense. Pareto charts are a type of bar chart that lists data from most to least significant.
Real-Life Applications of Bar Graph
It’s common practice to display numerical information using bar graphs. They can be used to illustrate the connection between various data sets. They have a wide variety of applications outside of the commercial and financial worlds. The use of bar graphs can be seen in many real-world applications. A bar chart, for instance, can be used to display the percentages of various menu items. The amount of each food item ordered would be shown as a vertical bar.
Bar graphs make it simple to visualize grouped data, such as the total number of votes cast for each candidate in an election or the sum of the expenditures made by each department. In order to facilitate comparisons, the bars on this sort of graph reflect the number or percentage of persons counted or the amount of money spent and are typically piled one on top of the other.
What are Bar Graph Uses?
Here are some of the key uses of bar graphs:
- A bar chart is a graphical representation of data.
- Industries can utilize this to easily communicate complex information.
- It’s capable of contrasting several factors and values
- Time patterns can be shown and analyzed with its help.
- It’s capable of contrasting different datasets.
- It has the ability to show both main categories and subcategories.
- It can be used to show off survey outcomes
In addition, a volume bar chart is used in technical analysis to display the total number of trades for a given trading day. The x-axis represents the number of days, and the y-axis represents the volume in terms of a bar that extends upward from any given day.
Also, a bar graph can show both positive and negative values when the zero point is clearly delineated and the data set contains both types of numbers. Bars above the zero line frequently represent positive values, and bars below the zero line frequently represent negative values.
How to Make a Bar Graph in Excel
Here are some of the simple steps to make or create a bar graph in Excel:
Step 1: Create a data set
This step is to populate our Excel spreadsheet with fictitious sales figures from the financial sector.
Step 2: Put in a Bar Graph
We will use a bar graph to display our data once we have compiled our dataset. The bar chart can be inserted by dragging and dropping selected data into the insert tab, followed by the chart section.
After settling on a certain bar graph. A graph of our data collection will be generated mechanically by Excel.
Step 3: Setting up a graph
In this stage, we will attempt to format our graph in a way that best serves our purposes.
How Do You Make a Bar Graph for Grouped Data?
Here are simple steps to make a Bar graph for grouped data:
#1. Getting the Data Ready for Import
If you want to use Datawrapper to make a grouped bar chart, your data must be in a specific format. There must be three columns:
- The first column contains descriptive headings. The name that appears in front of each bar will depend on this. These nations are relevant to us.
- Identical numbers can be found in the second table. In order to calculate the length of each bar, these values must be numbers. Values here are human lives lost on the roads.
- The third column contains the categories. You get to pick how the bars are sorted using these labels.
#2. Verify and Specify
The second step allows you to edit your dataset if necessary after you’ve verified that it imported successfully. To prevent losing your first row of data when you don’t have a header, make sure “First row as label” is unchecked. If the row and column headings are not descriptive, this must be done.
Datawrapper automatically applies the proper decimal and thousand separators based on the output locale you pick.
To start visualizing, just hit the “Proceed” button.
#3. Visualize
Here, you can choose from four different options: Chart Type, Refine, Annotate, and Design. The “bar chart” icon can be found at the top left of the “Chart Type” tab if Datawrapper does not automatically select one for this data.
You will now be presented with a bar chart depicting your data, though not yet in a grouped bar chart format. Since Datawrapper can’t read your mind, we’ll have to specify that you want a grouped bar chart. Select the “Refine” menu item to proceed. There’s a “Group bars by column” option down toward the bottom. If this feature isn’t already active, activating it with a click will reveal the following menu:
- Chart Type
- Refine
- Annotate
- Design
To sort the bars into a certain column, click on that column’s header. It is possible to show group labels and bar labels. Find out the results for yourself by giving them a try!
It’s important to remember that Grouping is an available feature for any of the bar charts we provide.
A grouped bar chart will appear after that! Here is where you may make adjustments to your bar graph.
How to Create a Bar Chart in Excel with Multiple Bars
One of the best Excel graph types for contrasting information inside and across groups is the multiple bar graph.
The chart is straightforward and easy to analyze. Excel, a widely used data visualization tool, does not provide pre-built support for multiple bar charts.
However, with the help of third-party add-ins, you can turn Excel into a powerful instrument, complete with a visually pleasing and ready-to-use Multiple Bar Graph.
What Is a Multiple Bar Graph?
In order to compare many metrics in your data, you can use a many Bar Graph.
This bar chart uses contrasting colors to make it easier to see the differences between the data points. Due to its resemblance to a conventional Bar Chart when read in a wider window, Excel’s Multiple Bar Graph is simple to interpret.
Absolutely, you have spotted the correct expression.
Multiple Bar Graphs in Excel, such as the Grouped Bar Chart, are your best bet if you want to show the breakdown and comparison of major variables in your data.
Multiple Bar Charts can summarize categorical data (auto-binning can convert continuous data). Also, the visualization uses bars to indicate data categories.
Each bar’s height corresponds to some aggregated quantity, such as the total of its corresponding values. Age ranges and locations are just two examples of possible groupings.
In addition, you may see the impact of different categories on each bar or group of bars by coloring or splitting them into another classified column in the data.
Bar graphs are useful for making quick comparisons between sets of data. You can observe the quarterly sales trend from year to year and how sales are spread out throughout the year.
When to Use a Multiple Bar Graph?
The comparison of major data points is where many bar charts really shine. Profit and cost comparisons are only two examples of how useful this graph can be for assessing overall business health.
This chart looks like a standard bar graph, so it’s easy to understand. In addition, you can use the charts to show the bigger picture of trends and patterns. We have found these charts to be very useful in corporate reports and presentations.
How to Make a Multiple Bar Graph in Excel?
Because of its accessibility and simplicity, Excel has become one of the most popular tools for data visualization. The Multiple Bar Graph in the app is, however, very simplistic. As a result, you’ll need to put in more work to modify the chart so that it meets your needs.
However, this does not mean you should give up on using this no-cost data viewer. Did you know that you can get beautiful, premade Multiple Bar Charts as Excel add-ins? Yes, you can extend Excel’s usefulness by using the program’s pre-made Multiple Bar Graph for telling stories with your data.
You should try out the ChartExpo Excel add-in.
And what exactly is ChartExpo?
Because of how intuitive and simple ChartExpo is to use, we highly suggest it.
Knowledge of how to code is not necessary for data analysis. If you want to create a chart with ChartExpo, all you have to do is drag and drop the relevant metrics and dimensions from your data into the appropriate boxes.
You can try out the Excel Multiple Bar Chart maker without spending a dime for a week. Incredibly straightforward and understandable charts are what you get from ChartExpo. Plus, it supports the two most popular image file formats, PNG and JPG, for storing charts.
How to Make a Bar Graph in Excel with 2 Variables
Here are steps to make a bar graph in Excel with 2 variables:
#1. Creating a Bar Graph with Two Independent Variables Using the Bar Chart Function
You can create or make a bar chart in Excel by selecting the Feature menu and then Charts. In addition, the Bar Charts Function allows you to create a bar chart that incorporates two independent factors. Here are the measures to take.
- The first step is to choose the information.
- Second, select Insert from the menu bar.
- You may now insert a column or bar chart by going to the Charts tab and clicking the Insert button.
- After considering both options, You can settle on 2-D Bar > Clustered Bar. Here, you get to pick based on what you like best.
- Simply activate the 2-D Clustered Bar function to view the outcome.
- From the Chart Elements menu, select the Data Labels and insert them into your chart. In addition, you have the option of editing the chart’s title.
- Last but not least, have a look at this 2-variable bar chart.
Conclusion
I trust that you have found this post to be beneficial. In this discourse, I have explained the methodologies for creating a bar graph in Microsoft Excel, specifically focusing on the incorporation of two variables and the representation of multiple bars.
How to Make a Bar Graph in Excel FAQs
What is bar chart in Excel?
Excel’s bar chart is a useful tool for visualizing tabular data. In Excel, you can make use of bar charts, clustered bar charts, or even 3D bar charts.
What is the best tool to make a bar graph?
Though there are many options out there, we recommend Visme as a great bar graph maker. This is due to the fact that a wide number of chart types may be created, along with animations, color coding, the ability to import your brand’s colors, and much more.
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