Graph columns in excel

Column charts are useful for showing data changes over a period of time or for illustrating comparisons among items. In column charts, categories are typically organized along the horizontal axis and values along the vertical axis.

For information on column charts, and when they should be used, see Available chart types in Office.

To create a column chart, follow these steps:

1. Enter data in a spreadsheet.

2. Select the data.

3. Depending on the Excel version you’re using, select one of the following options:

   • Excel 2016: Click Insert > Insert Column or Bar Chart icon, and select a column chart option of your choice.

     

   • Excel 2013: Click Insert > Insert Column Chart icon, and select a column chart option of your choice.

     

   • Excel 2010 and Excel 2007: Click Insert > Column, and select a column chart option of your choice.

   You can optionally format the chart a little further. See the list below for a few options:

   Note: Make sure you click on the chart first before applying a formatting option.

   • To apply a different chart layout, click Design > Charts Layout, and select a layout.

   • To apply a different chart style, click Design > Chart Styles, and pick a style.

   • To apply a different shape style, click Format > Shape Styles, and pick a style.

     Note: A chart style is different from a shape style. A shape style is a formatting option that applies to the chart’s border only, whereas the chart style is a formatting option that applies to the entire chart.

   • To apply different shape effects, click Format > Shape Effects, and pick an option such as Bevel or Glow, and then a sub option.

   • To apply a theme, click Page Layout > Themes, and select a theme.

   • To apply a formatting option to a specific component of a chart (such as Vertical (Value) Axis, Horizontal (Category) Axis, Chart Area, to name a few), click Format > pick a component in the Chart Elements dropdown box, click Format Selection, and make any necessary changes. Repeat the step for each component you want to modify.

     

     Note: If you are comfortable working in charts, you can also select and right-click on a specific area on the chart and select a formatting option.

     

To create a column chart, follow these steps:

1. In your email message, click Insert > Chart.

2. In the Insert Chart dialog box, click Column, and pick a column chart option of your choice, and click OK.

   Excel opens in a split window and displays sample data on a worksheet.

3. Replace the sample data with your own data.

   Note: If your chart is not reflecting data from the worksheet, make sure to drag the vertical lines all the way down to the last row in the table.

   

4. Optionally, save the worksheet by following these steps:

   1. Click the Edit Data in Microsoft Excel icon on the Quick Access Toolbar.

      

      The worksheet opens in Excel.

   2. Save the worksheet.

      Tip: To reopen the worksheet, click Design > Edit Data, and select an option.

   You can optionally format the chart a little further. See the list below for a few options:

   Note: Make sure you click on the chart first before applying a formatting option.

   • To apply a different chart layout, click Design > Charts Layout, and select a layout.

   • To apply a different chart style, click Design > Chart Styles, and pick a style.

   • To apply a different shape style, click Format > Shape Styles, and pick a style.

     Note: A chart style is different from a shape style. A shape style is a formatting option that applies to the chart’s border only, whereas the chart style is a formatting option that applies to the entire chart.

   • To apply different shape effects, click Format > Shape Effects, and pick an option such as Bevel or Glow, and then a sub option.

   • To apply a formatting option to a specific component of a chart (such as Vertical (Value) Axis, Horizontal (Category) Axis, Chart Area, to name a few), click Format > pick a component in the Chart Elements dropdown box, click Format Selection, and make any necessary changes. Repeat the step for each component you want to modify.

     

     Note: If you are comfortable working in charts, you can also select and right-click on a specific area on the chart and select a formatting option.

     

Did you know?

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See Also

Create a chart from start to finish

Create a box and whisker chart (floating chart)

Column chart in Excel is a way of making a visual histogram, reflecting the change of several types of data for a particular period of time.

Is very useful for illustrating different parameters and comparing them. Let’s consider the most common types of column charts and learn to make them.



How to create a column chart that updates automatically?

We have data on sales of different dairy products for each month in 2015.

Let’s create a column chart which will respond automatically to the changes made to the spreadsheet. Highlight the whole array including the header and click tab «INSERT». Find «Charts»-«Insert Column Chart» and select the first type. It is called «Clustered».

We have obtained a column whose margin size can be changed. This chart clearly demonstrates the highest milk sales in November and the lowest cream sales in June.

If we make changes to the spreadsheet, the column will also change. By way of example, let’s substitute 4000 for 1400 in yogurt sales. We can see that the «Sales of yogurt» has risen.



Stacked column chart

Let’s consider making a stacked column chart in Excel. It is another column chart type allowing us to present data in percentage correlation. It is created in the similar way, but a different type should be chosen.

We have obtained a chart showing that, for example, in January, milk sales were higher than those of yogurt and cream while in August a small amount of milk was sold compared to other products, and so on.

Column charts in Excel can be changed. If you right-click on the empty area of the chart and select «Change Type» (OR select: «CHART TOOLS»-«DESIGN»-«Change Chart Type») you can modify it a bit. Let’s change the stacked column to the normalized one. As a result, we have almost the same column with Y axis reflecting percentage correlations

Similarly, we can make other changes to the graph.

How to combine a column with a line chart in Excel?

Some data arrays imply making more complicated charts combining several types, for example, a column chart and a line.

Let’s consider the example. To begin with, add to the spreadsheet one more row containing monthly revenue.

Now change the current type. Click on the empty area and select: «CHART TOOLS»-«DESIGN»-«Select Data». You will see a field offering to choose a different interval. Highlight the whole spreadsheet again, but this time with the revenue row.

Excel has automatically expanded the value domain in Y-axis, therefore the data on sales volume are at the very bottom in the form of inconspicuous columns.

However, this histogram is incorrect as it contains numbers expressed both and in quantity (liters). Therefore, you need to make changes. Transfer the revenue data to the right side.

1. Again select «CHART TOOLS»-«DESIGN»-«Change Type».
2. In window select «Clustered».
3. Click on the plus sign next to the histogram and uncheck: «Data Labels».
4. Right-click the revenues columns, select Format Data Se and indicate «Secondary Axis».
5. Done.

You can see that the histogram has changed immediately. Now revenues column has its value domain (in the right).

However, this variant is not convenient as the columns almost fuse together. Therefore make one more additional action: right-click the revenues columns and select «Change Series Type». In the appeared window, select the type «Combo»-«Custom Combination».

We have obtained a rather visual graph featuring a combination of a line. We can see that the maximal revenue was in January and the minimal one – in August.

In the similar way, you can combine any other types of charts.

Column charts are used to compare values across categories by using vertical bars.

To create a column chart, execute the following steps.

1. Select the range A1:A7, hold down CTRL, and select the range C1:D7.

2. On the Insert tab, in the Charts group, click the Column symbol.

3. Click Clustered Column.

Result:

Note: only if you have numeric labels, empty cell A1 before you create the column chart. By doing this, Excel does not recognize the numbers in column A as a data series and automatically places these numbers on the horizontal (category) axis. After creating the chart, you can enter the text Year into cell A1 if you like.

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This Excel tutorial explains how to create a basic column chart in Excel 2016 (with screenshots and step-by-step instructions).

What is a Column Chart?

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If you want to follow along with this tutorial, download the example spreadsheet.

Download Example

Steps to Create a Column Chart

To create a column chart in Excel 2016, you will need to do the following steps:

1. Highlight the data that you would like to use for the column chart. In this example, we have selected the range A1:C7.

   

2. Select the Insert tab in the toolbar at the top of the screen. Click on the Column Chart button in the Charts group and then select a chart from the drop down menu. In this example, we have selected the first column chart (called Clustered Column) in the 2-D Column section.

   TIP: As you hover over each choice in the drop down menu, it will show you a preview of your data in the highlighted chart format.

   

3. Now you will see the column chart appear in your spreadsheet with rectangular bars to represent both the sales and the expense numbers. The sales values are displayed as blue vertical bars and the expenses are displayed as orange vertical bars. You can see the axis values on the left side of the graph for these vertical bars.

   

4. Finally, let’s update the title for the column chart.

   To change the title, click on «Chart Title» at the top of the graph object. You should see the title become editable. Enter the text that you would like to see as the title. In this tutorial, we have entered «Sales and Expenses» as the title for the column chart.

   

   Congratulations, you have finished creating your first column chart in Excel 2016!

   Learn other Chart Types

This article explains how to create a column chart in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet so you can compare different values of data across a few categories. Instructions cover Excel 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010; Excel for Microsoft 365, and Excel for Mac.

Create a Basic Excel Column Chart

Entering the needed data into your spreadsheet is the first step in creating a chart. Begin by setting up a spreadsheet with your data, making sure to create a column for each category.

In the above example, the columns contain categories for Chocolate, Lemon, and Oatmeal cookies.

The steps below create a basic column chart. This is a plain, unformatted chart that displays your data, a basic legend, and a default chart title.

1. Highlight the range of cells that contain your data.

2. Select Insert.

3. In the Charts group, select the Insert Column or Bar Chart to open a list of available chart types.

4. Hover over a chart type to read a description of the chart and see a preview of how the chart will look with your data.

5. In the 2-D Column section of the list, choose Clustered Column to add this basic chart to the worksheet.

Replace the Basic Chart Title

The chart may not have all the information you need to make it meaningful. Start by changing the chart title to something more descriptive.

Here’s how to replace the chart title:

1. Select the default chart title. A box appears around the words Chart Title.

2. Select the chart title a second time to put Excel in edit mode. This places the cursor inside the title box.

3. Delete the default text using the Backspace key.

4. Enter a new title.

Select Different Parts of the Chart

There are many different parts to a chart in Excel. The plot area of a chart contains the selected data series, the legend, and the chart title. All of these parts are considered separate objects and each is formatted separately. You tell Excel which part of the chart you want to format by selecting it.

A common mistake is selecting the plot area in the center of the chart instead of selecting the entire chart. The easiest way to select the entire chart is to select a blank area at the top left or right corner of the chart.

Change the Chart Style

When a chart is created in Excel, or whenever an existing chart is selected, two additional tabs are added to the ribbon as shown in the image below. These Chart Tools tabs, Design and Format, contain formatting and layout options specifically for charts.

These Chart Tools will be used in the following steps to format the column chart.

Change the Chart Design

Chart styles are preset combinations of formatting options that can quickly format a chart with a variety of colors, line styles, and artistic effects.

1. Select the chart background to select the entire chart.

2. Select Design.

3. Choose Style 3 in the Chart Styles group.

4. After the changes are made, the columns in the chart have short, white, horizontal lines running through them. Also, the legend moves to the top of the chart beneath the title.

Change Column Colors

If you want to use different column colors for your chart, change the colors.

1. Select the chart background to select the entire chart, if necessary.

2. Select Design.

3. Select the Change Colors to open a list of color choices.

4. Hover over each row of colors to see the option name. You’ll also see a preview of your color choice in the chart.

5. Choose Colorful Palette 3. It is the third choice in the Colorful section of the list.

6. After you make the selection, the column colors for each series change to orange, yellow, and green. The white lines are still present in each column.

Change the Chart’s Background Color

To make your chart stand out on the page, change the color of the background.

1. Select the chart background to select the entire chart and to display the Chart Tool tabs.

2. Select Format.

3. Select Shape Fill to display a list of color choices.

4. Choose Light Gray, Background 2 from the Theme Colors section of the panel to change the chart’s background color to light gray.

Change the Chart Text Color

Now that the background is gray, the default black text isn’t very visible. To improve the contrast between the two, change the color of the text in the chart.

1. Select the chart background to select the entire chart.

2. Select Format.

3. Select the Text Fill down arrow to open the Text Colors list.

4. Choose Green, Accent 6, Darker 50% from the Theme Colors section of the list.

5. This changes the text in the title, axes, and legend to green.

Change the Font Type, Size, and Emphasis

Changing the text size and font can make it easier to read the legend, axes names, and values in the chart. Bold formatting can also be added to the text to make it stand out even more against the background.

Change the Look of the Title Text in a Chart

You may want to use a different font or font size for the title of your column chart.

1. Select the chart title.

2. Select Home.

3. In the Font section, select the Font down arrow to open the list of available fonts.

4. Scroll to find and choose Arial Black to change the title font.

5. In the Font Size box, set the title font size to 16 pt.

6. Select Bold to add bold formatting to the title.

Change the Legend and Axes Text

Other text areas in the chart can be formatted to fit your style. Change the labels and the legend by changing the font style and size.

1. Select the X-axis (horizontal) label in the chart. A box surrounds the Oatmeal, Lemon, and Chocolate label.

2. Use the steps above to change the title text. Set the axis label to 10 pt, Arial, and Bold.

3. Select the Y-axis (vertical) label in the chart to select the currency amounts on the left side of the chart.

4. Use the steps above to change the title text. Set the axis label to 10 pt, Arial, and Bold.

5. Select the chart legend.

6. Use the steps above to change the title text. Set the legend text to 10 pt, Arial, and Bold.

Add Gridlines to Your Column Chart

In the absence of data labels that show the actual value of each column, gridlines make it easier to read the column values from the values listed on the Y (vertical) axis. When you want to make your chart easier to read, add gridlines to the plot area of the chart.

1. Select the chart.

2. Select Design.

3. Select Add Chart Element to open a drop-down menu.

4. Select Gridlines > Primary Horizontal Major to add faint, thin gridlines to the plot area of the chart.

Change the Color of the Gridlines

You may want to change the color of the gridlines to make the lines more visible against the gray background of the plot area of the chart.

1. In the graph, select a gridline. All the gridlines are highlighted and show blue and white dots at the end of each gridline.

2. Select Format.

3. Select Format Selection to open the Format task pane. Format Major Gridlines appears at the top of the pane.

4. Select Solid line.

5. Select Color and change the color to Orange, Accent 2.

Format the X-Axis Line

There’s an X-axis line above the X-axis labels but, like the gridlines, it’s difficult to see because of the gray background of the chart. Change the axis color and line thickness to match that of the formatted gridlines.

1. Select the X-axis label to highlight the X-axis line. Format Axis appear at the top of the Format task pane.

2. Set the line type to Solid line.

3. Set the axis line width to 2 pt.

4. Close the Format task pane when you’re finished.

Move the Chart to a Separate Sheet

Moving a chart to a separate sheet makes it easier to print the chart and it can also relieve congestion in a large worksheet full of data.

1. Select the chart background to select the entire chart.

2. Select Design.

3. Select Move Chart to open the Move Chart dialog box.

4. Select New sheet and type a descriptive title for the new sheet.

5. Select OK to close the dialog box. The chart is now located on a separate worksheet and the new name is visible on the sheet tab.

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Over the past years, one of the things we’ve learned is that Microsoft Excel is like a Hallmark movie. 

Some of us can’t get enough of them and others just can’t stand it. 💔😬

Regardless of your preference, if you’re a manager or business owner, you’ll probably have to rely on Excel for business insights. 

Tools like Microsoft Excel graphs are helpful for data analysis and tracking.
And wayyy better than endless spreadsheets that can easily trigger a migraine. 

Then why not turn your boring Excel spreadsheet into something interesting?

In this article, we’ll learn what an Excel graph is, how to make a graph in Excel, and its drawbacks. We’ll also suggest an alternative to create effortless graphs.

Let’s graph away!

What are Graphs & Charts in Microsoft Excel?

Graphs in Excel are graphical representations of variations in values of data points over a given period. 

In other words, it’s a diagram that represents changes in comparison to one or more variables.

Too technical? 👀

Take a look at the image for clarity:

Wondering if graphs and charts in Excel are the same?

Graphs are mostly numerical representations of data as it shows how one variable is affecting or changing another.

On the other hand, charts are visual representations where variables may or may not be associated. They’re also considered more aesthetically pleasing than graphs. For example, a pie chart. 🥧

However, if you’re wondering how to make a chart in Excel, it isn’t very different from making a graph.

But for now, let’s focus on the main plot: graphs!✨

Steps To Make a Graph in Excel

The first (and obvious step) is to open a new Excel file or a blank Excel worksheet.

Done?

Then let’s learn how to create a graph in Excel.

⭐️ Step 1: fill the Excel sheet with data

Start by populating your Excel spreadsheet with the data you need.

You may import this data from different software, insert it manually, or copy and paste it.

For our example, let’s say you’re an owner of a movie theater in a small town, and you often screen older movies. You probably want to track the sales of your tickets to see which movie is a hit so you can screen it frequently.

Let’s do that by comparing the ticket sales in January and February.

Here’s what your data might look like:

Column A contains the movie names.

Column B contains tickets sold in January.

And column C contains tickets sold in February.

You can bold headings and center align your text for better readability.

Done? Okay, get ready to pick a graph.

⭐️ Step 2: determine the Excel graph type you want

The type of graph you pick will depend on the data you have and the number of different parameters you want to track.

You’ll find the different graph types under the Excel Insert tab, in the Excel Ribbon, arranged close to one another like this:

Note: The Excel Ribbon is where you can find the Home, Insert, and Draw tabs.

Here are some of the different Excel graph or chart type options you can choose from:

• Line graph
• Column graph or bar graph
• Pie graph or chart
• Combo chart
• Area chart
• Scatter plot chart

➡️  Fun fact: Excel can help you decide the graph or chart type with the Recommended Charts (formerly known as Chart Wizard) option. 

If you want to take notes of trends (increase or decrease) over time, then a line graph is perfect.

But for a long time frame and more data, a bar graph is the best option.

We’ll use these two graphs for the purpose of this Excel tutorial.

How To Create a Line Graph in Excel – 3 Steps

A line graph in Excel typically has two axes (horizontal and vertical) to function. 

You need to enter the data in two columns.

Lucky for us, we’ve already done this when creating the ticket sales data table.

⭐️ Step 1: select data to turn into a line graph

Click and drag from the top-left cell (A1) in your ticket sales data to the bottom-right cell (C7) to select. Don’t forget to include column headers.

This will highlight all the data you want to display in your line graph.

⭐️ Step 2: insert line graph

Now that you’ve selected your data, it’s time to add the line graph.

Look for the line graph icon under the Insert tab.

With the data selected, go to Insert > Line. Click on the icon, and a dropdown menu will appear to select the type of line chart you want. 

For this example, we’ll choose the fourth 2-D line graph (Line with Markers).

Excel will add your line graph representing your selected data series.

You’ll then notice the names of the movies appear on the horizontal axis and the number of tickets sold on the vertical axis. 

⭐️ Step 3: customize your line graph

After adding the line graph, you’ll notice a new tab called Chart Design on your Excel Ribbon. 

Select the Design tab to make the line graph your own by choosing the chart style you prefer.

You can also change the graph’s title.

Select the Chart Title > double click to name > type in the name you wish to call it. To save it, simply click anywhere outside the graph’s title box or chart area.

We’ll name our graph “Movie Ticket Sales.” 

Anything else you need to tweak?

If you spot anything, now is the time to make those edits! 

For example, here you can see The Godfather and Modern Times are smooshed together.

Let’s give them some space.

How?

Just drag any corner of the graph until it’s how you desire. 

These are just some examples. You can customize every chart element if you like including the Axis Labels (the color of the lines that represent each data point, etc.)

Just double click on any chart element to open a sidebar for formatting like this:

That’s it! You’ve successfully created a line graph in Excel!

Now, let’s learn how to make a bar graph. 📊

3 Steps To Create a Bar Graph in Excel

Any Excel graph or Excel chart begins with a populated sheet. 

We’ve already done this, so copy and paste the movie ticket sales data to a new sheet tab in the same Excel workbook.

⭐️ Step 1: select data to turn into a bar graph

Like step 1 for the line graph, you need to select the data you wish to turn into a bar graph.

Drag from cell A1 to C7 to highlight the data.

⭐️ Step 2: insert bar graph

Highlight your data, go to the Insert tab, and click on the Column chart or graph icon. A dropdown menu should appear.

Select Clustered Bar under the 2-D bar options. 

Note: you can choose a different type of bar chart option like a 3D clustered column or 2D stacked bar, etc.

As soon as you click on the bar graph option, it’ll be added to your Excel sheet.

⭐️ Step 3: customize your Excel bar graph

Now, you can go to the Chart Design tab in the Excel Ribbon to personalize it.

Click on the Design tab to apply a bar style you prefer from the many options. 

You know the next step! Change the bar graph’s title.

Select the Excel Chart Title > double click on the title box > type in “Movie Ticket Sales.”

Then click anywhere on the excel sheet to save it.

Note: you can also add other graph elements such as Axis Title, Data Label, Data Table, etc., with the Add Chart Element option. You’ll find it under the Chart Design tab.

And that’s a wrap. 🎬 

You’ve successfully created a bar graph in Excel!

Well, that was fun. 

But the question is, do you have the time for graphs in your busy work schedule?

And that’s just the teaser when it comes to Excel graph drawbacks.

Read on to watch the full movie. 👀

Bonus: Check out these Excel Alternatives!

Create Effortless Graphs With ClickUp

If ClickUp were a Hallmark movie, graphs and this project management tool would be the perfect match. 

A forever kind-of-love. ❤️

Whether you want to create graphs to monitor time, projects, people, ticket sales… you name it because we can do it all within a few clicks.

All without the drawbacks of using Excel!

Excel can be:

• Time-consuming and manual
• Complex and pricey
• Error-prone

The best part?

Most of those functions are automated without manual data entry. Phew.

1. Line Chart Widgets

The Line Chart Widget is a Custom Widget on our Dashboard. Use this ClickUp production to visualize literally anything in the form of a line graph.

It can be tracking profits, total daily sales, or how many movies you’ve watched in a month. 

Like we said, a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g!

And that’s not it. You can visualize your data in many different ways too.

Just use any of these Custom Widgets:

• Calculations
• Bar charts
• Battery chart
• Pie chart
• And more

2. Gantt Chart view

Just like it’s difficult to love just one movie genre, we totally get that graphs alone don’t work.

And that’s why we have charts too!

Specifically, ClickUp’s Gantt chart, an interactive chart with live updates and progress tracking that can help you:

• Plan projects
• Assign tasks and assignees
• Schedule a timeline
• Manage dependencies
• And more

3. Table view

If you’re a fan of the Excel grids, ClickUp has your back.

Starring… ClickUp Table view! 

This view lets you visualize your tasks in the spreadsheet style.

It’s super fast and allows easy navigation between fields, bulk edits, and data export.

➡️ Fun fact: you can quickly copy and paste your table’s data into other programs, like MS Excel. Just click and drag to highlight the cells you want to copy.

And that was just the trailer for you. 📽️

Here are some more powerful ClickUp features in store for:

• Send and receive emails right from your project management tool with Email in ClickUp
• Work even when the wifi acts up with Offline Mode
• Work how you like with multiple ClickUp Views, including Calendar, Mind Maps, Chat, etc.
• Reduce your workload with ClickUp Automations
• Track time spent on tasks with ClickUp’s Native Time Tracker
• Share Table view or Dashboards with clients and external users using Public Sharing and Permissions
• View all graphs and charts on the go with ClickUp mobile apps

Now Showing: ClickUp 🎥🍿

You can surely make tons of graphs in Excel. 

No doubt there.

But does that make it a smart choice?

I mean, if you have to Google how to make a graph in Excel, maybe that’s your red flag. 🚩

Tools are supposed to make your life easier. 

Take ClickUp, for instance.

Our project management tool can be your graph maker, chart creator, spreadsheet builder, time tracker, workload manager…

It’s a hallmark for a quality tool that can be your all-in-one solution.

Get your ClickUp ticket for free today and enjoy watching your graphs come to life in minutes!

Related readings:

• How to create Gantt charts in Excel
• How to create a Kanban board in Excel
• How to create a burndown chart in Excel
• How to create a flowchart in Excel
• How to show dependencies in Excel
• How to create a KPI dashboard in Excel
• How to create a dashboard in Excel
• How to create a database in Excel
• How to make a work breakdown structure in Excel