Column charts

Use a column chart when you want to compare categories of data or show changes over time. For example, compare revenue and expenses each month.

Learn how to add & edit a chart.

Column chart

How to format your data

  
  • First column: Enter a label to describe the data. Labels from the first column show up on the horizontal axis.
  • First row (Optional): In the first row of each column, enter a category name. Entries in the first row show up as labels in the legend.
  • Other columns: For each column, enter numeric data. You can also add a category name (optional).
  • Other cells: Enter the data points you’d like to display.
  • Rows: Each row represents a different bar in the chart.

Tip: If the chart doesn’t show the data on the axis you want, learn how to switch rows and columns.

Examples

Revenue & expenses
Month Revenue Expenses
January $20,000 $14,000
February $35,000 $18,000
March $32,000 $15,500

Column chart showing revenue and expenses

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Survey results
Rating Survey results
Very unsatisfied 12
Unsatisfied 23
Neutral 53
Satisfied 118
Very satisfied 94
Column chart showing survey results

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Other types of column charts

Stacked column chart

Use a stacked column chart to show part-to-whole relationships and find trends in data over time.

Learn how to add & edit a chart.

Stacked column chart

How to format your data

Example

Travel expenses

Sales region Hotel Transportation Food
Northwest $4,000 $1,800 $500
Southeast $2,500 $1,400 $350
West $3,200 $2,200 $375
Stacked column chart showing travel expenses

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100% stacked column chart

Use a 100% stacked column chart to show part-to-whole relationships and find trends in data over time, when the cumulative total isn’t important.

Learn how to add & edit a chart.

100% stacked column chart

How to format your data

Example

Travel expenses

Sales region Hotel Transportation Food
Northwest $7,500 $1,800 $500
Southeast $2,500 $1,400 $350
West $3,200 $2,200 $375
100% stacked column chart showing travel expenses

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Customize a column chart

 
  1. On your computer, open a spreadsheet in Google Sheets.
  2. Double-click the chart you want to change.
  3. At the right, click Customize.
  4. Choose an option:

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