How To Make A Bar Graph In Google Sheets

Google Sheets is a versatile tool for data organization and visualization.

Graphs and charts are effective ways of visualizing data. Google Sheets boasts a handful of graphs, including column, pie, bar, line, stacked, etc. All of them have different characteristics and can be used based on a particular situation.

Bar graphs are a very popular tool for conveying complex information more effectively and quickly than plain text or tables.

In this article, we will discuss what a bar graph is, when and where to use it, and how to make a bar graph in Google Sheets. We will explain everything in detail with examples, so make sure to read the article to the end.

We will also review the different bar graphs available on Google Sheets.

Now, without any further ado, let’s get started.

What is a Bar Graph?

Ultimate Guide (3 Examples) - How To Make A Bar Graph In Google Sheets

Above is the snapshot of a bar graph showing the sales of various electronic devices. This is just one type of Bar graph. There are many more in Google Sheets, which will be discussed in the upcoming sections of this article.

A Bar Graph is a type of chart that combines bars and numeric values to break complex datasets into simpler data visualization models.

A range of rectangular bars represent different categories or values. Each bar represents a category or value being compared. The height of each bar typically corresponds to the magnitude of each value.

The values are plotted along the X and Y axes, where the first axis (say, X-axis) stands for categories or groups being compared, and the other axis represents the values of each category.

Simply put, Bar graphs are graphical representations of complex datasets used to compare two different categories over a given period.

Why and When to Use the Bar Graphs

A Bar graph is one of the easiest charts to create for a precise and clear visual understanding of data. To create a bar graph, you need a minimum of two parameters (two columns in a table).

Here is why and when you might use a Bar Graph.

Easy Comparison – Bar graphs easily compare values of different categories or groups. You can derive a clear visual representation of how values differ from one category to another over a period of time.
Trends and Patterns – These graphs can reveal trends and patterns in data, such as which categories have the highest and lowest values or how values change over time.
Ease of Interpretation – Bar graphs are easy to understand, thereby making them a unique tool for presentations, reports, etc.
Comparative Analysis – These graphs help you compare data across various groups, thereby providing a visual way to identify similarities, differences, and relationships between data points.

In short, bar graphs can be used to compare data points over a given period of time. These graphs visualize data using a range of bars.

Download the Example Google Sheet

Before we proceed with the steps to create a bar graph, download the following Google Sheet containing the dataset we will use in the upcoming sections.

Click Here To Make A Copy!

Follow me through this article to learn how to create various bar graphs using the above spreadsheet.

If your own sheet is ready, you can skip downloading the example sheet.

Google Sheets is a cloud-based spreadsheet program. It comes with an easy-to-use and intuitive user interface. You will have access to all the essential tools and functions from the main menu and toolbar section.

Inserting a graph in Google Sheets is a breeze. You can create a bar graph in a matter of seconds. Additionally, there are a range of customization options to improve the aesthetics of the inserted bar graph.

Consider the following table, which contains the sales data for electronics products.

Our task is to create a bar graph comparing the sales of the products over a given period of time. Note that the table is pretty straightforward, and our graph will be simple.

Here are the steps to create a bar graph,

Open the desired spreadsheet
Select the entire data for which you want to create a bar graph
Hover to the main menu
Click on the “Insert” tab
Now, choose the “Chart” option from the list
A new window will appear on the right hand of the screen
To change the type of chart, go to the “Chart editor” and make sure you are in the “Setup” tab
Click on dropdown below the “Chart type” option
Scroll down a bit until you find the section named “Bar“
Choose the first option named “Bar chart“

Google Sheets will instantly create a bar graph based on the information provided.

Q. What is another method to insert a bar graph in Google Sheets?

In the above section, we learned how to insert a bar graph using the main menu.

The main menu is the standard way to access any tool or function in Google Sheets.

If you are looking for the quickest way or shortcut to insert a bar graph, use the toolbar section below the main menu.

To insert a bar graph successfully, click on the “Chart” icon, as shown in the following image. Make sure you select at least two columns from your table.

It will instantly insert a chart and open a “Chart editor” window on the right-hand side of the screen.

How to Customize A Google Sheets Bar Graph

As mentioned earlier, Google Sheets bar graphs can be customized per your unique requirements. It boasts a range of customization options.

To view the available options, you need to shift to the “Customize” tab. Refer to the following image.

Note that each element has a different purpose and comes with options to customize the graph. Let us discuss each one in detail,

Chart Style – This section allows you to enhance the overall appearance and design of the chart. You can change the background color, font style, and border color. It also allows you to maximize the overall bar graph and view it in 3D.
Chart & Axis Titles – This section allows you to customize the chart title and subtitle, as well as the horizontal and vertical axis titles. You can also edit the text title, change the title font and size, and even change the title text color.
Series – Each series represents a set of data points plotted on the chart. In the previous example, where we had data on electronics product sales, each product corresponded to a different series on the bar graph. Here, you can change the color of the bars, adjust the opacity, change the line type, line color, thickness, etc. You can add the error bars and data labels by clicking the respective checkboxes.
Legend – The legend explains the colors or patterns used to represent each series on the chart. You can edit the legend’s position, font size, and color to make the chart more attractive.
Horizontal Axis – In this section, you can style the horizontal axis components, such as the label font, color, font style, and scale factor. You can even select the checkboxes to display the log scale and customize the scale’s tilt angle to your preference.
Vertical Axis – Here, you can customize the title, style, position, and formatting of the vertical axis labels. You can even quickly reverse the Axis order by ticking the box at the end.
Gridlines and Ticks – This section allows you to enhance the appearance of gridlines and ticks, ensuring your bar graph’s clarity and visual appeal. You can use checkboxes to remove current ticks or insert additional ones.

You don’t always need to jump to the chart editor using the main menu or toolbar section.

Simply double-click on any part of the graph to edit it, and the Chart editor will open with the section of the graph you wish to customize.

As you can see in the GIF above, when you double-click on the Horizontal axis title, the chart editor with the corresponding section (Horizontal Axis) is opened to make the required changes.

SIDENOTE: Customization options depend upon the type of chart you insert. If you select a chart other than the bar graph, as we did, these options may differ.

What are the Types of Bar Graphs?

Apart from the simple bar graph we inserted and discussed in the above sections, Google Sheets comes with two more variations, as follows:

Stacked Bar Graph
100% Stacked Bar Graph

There are three types of bar graphs in Google Sheets in total. Let’s learn them in detail so that you will understand their specific applications.

How To Create A Stacked Bar Graph In Google Sheets

A Stacked bar graph is a type of chart where multiple sets of data are stacked on top of each other.

Consider the following example of a stacked bar graph,

Unlike a simple bar graph that shows value as a single bar, the bars here are divided into segments, each representing a different subcategory or component of the total value. The subcategories are differentiated with other colors for a clear, quick, and clear message from the graph.

Now, let’s understand the bar graph through an example.

Here’s the data on electronic appliances sales over 2022 and 2023.

Our task is visually representing the above data to compare each product’s sales over time.

Let’s begin,

Open the desired Google Sheets, which contains the dataset
Select the entire table range or cell range from the given table for which you wish to generate a Stacked bar graph
Hover to the main menu
Click on the “Insert” tab
Select the “Chart” option from the popup
A “Chart editor” window will popup on the right-hand side of your screen

(Here, you can change the chart type, configure the axes, and customize the appearance)
Click on the dropdown below the “Chart type” option
Select the “Stacked Bar Graph” from the list

Google Sheets will instantly create a stacked bar graph based on your selected data. Refer to the following image,

You can customize the graph to your preference using the “Customize” tab of the “Chart editor.” Make sure to read the previous section for the customization details.

How To Create A 100% Stacked Bar Graph In Google Sheets

Now, let’s talk about the other type of bar graph, which is called the 100% Stacked Bar Graph.

A 100% Stacked Bar Graph is similar to a stacked bar graph discussed in the previous section; the only difference is in the height or length of each bar.

Here, the total height of each bar is normalized to 100%. Refer to the following image.

As you can see in the above image, the graph also divides each bar into segments. Each segment represents a different part of the category or group.

The height of each bar is the same, making it easy for the users to see how each part of the category compares to the others in terms of their proportions or percentages.

Let us consider the same dataset which displays electronics appliances sales over 2022 and 2023.

Note that though the data remains the same, our graph will change.

Let’s see how

Open the desired Google Sheets
Select the entire table range or cell range from the given table
Hover to the main menu
Click on the “Insert” tab
Choose the “Chart” option from the popup
A new dialog box will appear on the right-hand side of the screen
Click on the dropdown below the “Chart type” option
Scroll down and go to the Bar Chart section
Select the third option named “100% stacked bar chart“

The steps to insert a 100% stacked bar graph are the same. Make sure you select at least three columns of the given table to insert a stacked bar graph.

Note that you can also convert your standard Stacked bar graph to a “100% Stacked Bar Graph.”

All you need to do is click on the inserted stacked bar graph, hover to the upper-rightmost corner, and click on the three dots to open the Chart Editor. Once the Chart Editor popup appears on the right-hand side of the screen, click on the dropdown below the “Stacking” option and choose “100%” from the list. Refer to the following GIF for the complete process.

Customization is a breeze! Go to the Customize tab of the Chart Editor to see all the available options and improve the aesthetics and data visualization.

How To Label A Bar Graph In Google Sheets

Once you have created your desired Bar Graph, you can change or edit the labels in the Chart editor window. Let’s see how to do it.

Go to the “Chart Editor“
(You can do it either by double-clicking on the graph or by clicking the 3-dot menu and selecting the Edit chart’ option)
Click on the “Customize” tab
Select the “Chart & Axis titles” from the list
Next, click on the dropdown below the “Chart Title” option
We will select the “Vertical axis title” from the dropdown for the demonstration purpose
Enter the text in the empty box below the “Title text” option

The changes will be reflected immediately. Note that Google Sheets allows you to change the labels for each bar on the X and Y axes.

There is no alternative to do this except directly editing the entire dataset.

For example, we have changed the first product name to “Washing Machine,” you can also observe how the modifications are reflected in the graph.

How To Add Error Bars To A Bar Graph In Google Sheets

Error bars are small lines or bars added to the graphs to display the uncertainty or variations amongst each data point.

Here is how to add Error bars to a bar graph,

Open Google Sheets containing the bar graph
Double-click on the graph to open the “Chart Editor“
Go to the “Customize” tab of the Chard Editor
Next, you need to go to the “Series” section, as shown in the following image
At the end of the Series customization options, you will find a checkbox for the “Error bars“
Specify the percentage error in the “Value” box

That’s done! The error bars will be inserted into the graph, as shown below.

In addition to using a percentage as the value, you can change the value type to Constant, Standard Deviation, or None.

How To Format A Data Point

The great thing about Google Sheets graphs and charts is customization. You can easily highlight a specific data point or bar to grab the reader’s focus.

Here are the steps:

Double-click on the graph to open the Chart Editor
Go to the “Customize” tab
Next, choose the “Series” option from the list
Click on the “Add” button next to the Format data point option
A new dialog box will appear on the screen, as shown below
Select the data point for which you wish to change the formatting
Change the color to the desired color
Press the “OK” button

FAQs

Q. How do I make a Bar graph in Google Sheets?

A Bar graph offers an excellent visual representation of the complex datasets. It uses rectangular bars to show the values of different categories.

Here are the steps to make a bar graph,

Open the preferred spreadsheet
Select the data for which you want to create a bar graph
Hover to the main menu and click on the “Insert” tab
Choose the “Chart” option from the list
A new popup will appear on the right-hand side of the screen. Refer to the following image,
Click on the dropdown below the “Chart type” option
Scroll down and go to the “Bar” section
Click on the first option named “Bar Chart“

For the detailed steps with examples, make sure to refer to the above section of this article.

Q. How do Bar graphs work?

Bar graphs use rectangular bars to represent complex datasets visually.

Each bar of the graph corresponds to a separate category from the source table. Bars are represented with different lengths, so you can quickly compare two categories.

Q. How do you read a Bar Graph?

A bar graph shows the comparison between different categories or groups of data.

The X-axis represents the categories of data, such as products and years, months, etc.
The Y-axis corresponds to the numerical scale of the data being presented, such as the number of sales or percentage of votes.

In the above section of the article, we have discussed the standard and remaining types of bar graphs in detail with examples. Make sure to read it.

Q. How do you make a Bar Graph with two data sets in Google Sheets?

You can create a double bar graph using two sets of data. For that, you will need both data sets plotted along one axis.

To make a double bar graph, you put two data sets next to each other in your chart. Each set needs its own column.

We have discussed the complete process of inserting double bar graphs in Google Sheets here: How to Make Double Bar Graph in Google Sheets – Ultimate Guide 2024

Q. How do I change the Legend, Titles, or Series after I have created a Bar Graph?

After you have created a Bar graph, you can format it in the “Chart editor” window.

Here’s how you can customize the graphs:

Double-click on the already created bar graph
A Chart Editor window will appear on the right-hand side of the screen
Click on the “Customize” tab to see all the available customization options

You can choose the desired customization category as per your requirements.

To Summarize: Bar Graph In Google Sheets

That’s all about bar graphs and creating one in Google Sheets.

We have learned everything from inserting different types of bar graphs to customizing them according to your unique requirements. Bar graphs are an essential part of every professional reporting dashboard.

Feel free to comment below if you are stuck somewhere or having any particular issue while creating a bar graph in Google Sheets.

Also, don’t forget to check out our blog section to learn excellent tips and tricks for using Google Sheets to organize and analyze datasets like a pro.