How to Create a Clustered Column Chart in Excel
In this article, you will learn about the Clustered Column Chart and how to create it in Excel.
What is a Clustered Column chart in Excel?
A Clustered Column chart in Excel is a type of chart that visually represents data using vertical columns grouped together. Each column represents a category or a sub-category, and the height of each column corresponds to the value it represents. The columns are grouped together side by side, forming clusters, with each cluster representing a distinct data series. This arrangement allows for easy comparison of values within each category and across different categories.
How to make a Clustered Column chart in Excel
In this article, we will guide you through the steps to create a Clustered Column chart in Excel.
Step 1: Organize your data
Before creating a clustered column chart, it is important to ensure that the data is organized correctly. The data should be in a table format, with each column representing a different category or data point.
The example dataset displays the company quarterly sales by region classified into North, West, South, East. The objective is to compare the sales figures generated in each quarter across the region. In terms of data preparation, you need to ensure a streamlined dataset.
Step 2: Select your data
Once the data is organized, we can select the data that we want to include in the clustered column chart. To do this, simply click and drag the mouse over the cells that contain the data. If you have a large dataset, you can hold down the "Ctrl" key (or "Cmd" on Mac) and select multiple data ranges.
The selected dataset will be highlighted by a border across the text for visual confirmation.
Step 3: Insert the Clustered Column chart
We can insert a clustered column chart into our spreadsheet with the chosen data. To do this, navigate to the "Insert" tab and select "Clustered Column Chart" from the chart options. You can choose from other chart types such as 3D Clustered column charts.
Step 4: Add a chart title and legends
To make your stacked column chart more informative, you can add a title and a legend. The title should clearly state what the chart represents, while the legend should provide information about the categories defined by the different segments of the graph. To add a title and legend, click on the chart to select it. Then, in the "Chart Design" tab, click the "Add Chart Element" button and select "Chart Title". You can choose the title layout from the sub-menu. To add a legend, click the "Add Chart Element" button again and select "Legend". You can choose the legend layout from the sub-menu.
Another way to quickly access “Chart Elements” is to click on the + icon at the top right corner when you select the chart.
You can rename the Chart Title by clicking and editing it directly in a chart area. The “Format Chart Title” menu appears on the right side, where you can change the Chart Title's background color, set the transparency options, and more.
If you click on the Legends, the “Format Legend” menu appears, which lets you define the position of the legend appearance over the chart. You can also modify the text font, colors, and background color.
Step 5: Customize your Clustered Column chart
Once you have inserted your clustered column chart, you can customize it to fit your needs. You can change the chart title, axis labels, and legend to provide context for your data. You can also adjust the color scheme and chart style to make your chart visually appealing.
To customize the chart, click it to select, then use the options in the "Chart Design" and "Format" tabs. Using the quick access “Chart Elements”, you can enable the “Data Labels” and choose the layout option.
You can set the color scheme using the quick access “Chart Styles” and choose a desired style.
The “Format Chart Area” menu appears whenever the chart is selected. You can choose the Chart Area, Title, Legend, Plot Area, and Series from the dropdown list for customization.
Selecting the Chart Styles
Excel provides a variety of chart styles that you can use to quickly customize your charts and give them a professional look. This is a great way to quickly give your charts a clean and crisp look, or to get more information about the different customization options available.
To use the chart styles, click the "Chart Design" menu and then the dropdown button to expand the "Chart Style" group. The chart styles will be applied to your existing chart as you hover your mouse over them, so you can preview the different styles before you select one.
Step 6: Analyze your data
Now that you have created your clustered column chart, you can use it to analyze your data and gain insights. Look for trends and patterns in your data, and use your chart to illustrate these findings to your audience.
Looking at the plotted chart, we can quickly determine that in Quarter 1, the eastern region has contributed the maximum sales figure compared to other regions. In western region the sales figure has improved drastically across all the quarters.
Creating a stacked column chart in Excel may seem challenging at first, but following these simple steps can help you create a visually appealing and informative chart in no time. So go ahead and show off your newfound Excel skills to your audience!
When should you create a Clustered Column chart in Excel?
You should create a clustered column chart in Excel when you want to compare two or more sets of data that are grouped into categories. Clustered column charts are easy to read and understand, and they can be used to communicate data to a wide audience. Here are some examples of when you might want to use a clustered column chart:
- To compare sales figures for different products.
- To compare sales figures for different regions.
- To compare test scores for different students.
Clustered Column charts are effective in illustrating trends, patterns, and comparisons between data series or categories. They are commonly used in business presentations, reports, and data analysis scenarios to showcase data in a clear and visually appealing manner.
Pros and Cons of Clustered Column Chart
Pros:
- Easy to Compare: Clustered column charts are excellent for comparing values across categories. The side-by-side columns make it easy to visually compare the heights, which is great for quickly understanding which values are higher or lower relative to others.
- Multidimensional Data: These charts can represent more than one series of data at a time. This is useful for comparing multiple sets of data side by side within the same chart, which can be harder to achieve with other chart types.
- Versatile: Clustered column charts are appropriate for a wide range of data types, and are commonly understood by a broad audience. They are used in various fields including business, science, and education.
Cons:
- Limited Data Points: Clustered column charts can become cluttered when there are too many data points or categories. This makes it difficult to accurately interpret the data.
- Scale Sensitivity: The choice of scale on the y-axis can greatly affect how the data is interpreted. A poorly chosen scale can either exaggerate or diminish differences between columns.
- Not Suitable for Time-Series Data: Time-series data is usually better represented through line charts as it shows the trend over time. Clustered column charts don't convey the continuity and flow that is often essential in time-series data.
