Have you ever wanted to present your data in an easy-to-read format? Well, a bar chart can be the perfect solution! Not only are they visually pleasing, but they also help you quickly analyze and compare data sets. In this article, I’ll show you how to make a bar chart in Google Sheets.
The first step in creating a bar chart is to have a data set ready, this will usually be a spreadsheet in Google sheets. If you haven’t already, open up Google Sheets and start creating or importing your data set. You can also include headers for each column for easy reference.
It’s important to note that the data you use in your bar chart should be quantitative and numerical. So, for example, if you’re making a chart of sales vs. time, the time would need to be converted into numerical data (like weeks, months, or years).
Once you have your data set ready, select it by clicking on and dragging your cursor over the relevant cells. Be sure to include any headers you’ve created. The more you select, the more data points your chart will have.
With your data set selected, click on the chart icon in the toolbar. It looks like a small, stacked bar chart or can be found under “Insert” in the taskbar.
Once you’ve clicked the chart icon, a dropdown menu will appear, and you’ll want to choose the type of chart you want – in this case, a bar chart. Once you’ve clicked the bar chart option, the chart will appear on your sheet, beside your data set.
Google Sheets offers a range of customization options to make your chart look exactly how you want it. You can adjust various elements such as the chart title, the colour of the bars, and the x and y-axis. You can also edit the values directly on the chart as well as move or resize the chart box on the sheet.
If you want to make more advanced edits such as adding trendlines or further changing colors, there are many more options available which can be accessed through the three dots located in the top right of the chart. From here, you can open the chart editor and have full control over your chart
Once you’re happy with your chart, save your sheet (if you haven’t already) and share it with anyone who needs it. You can either share the sheet directly or share a link to the sheet.
Creating a bar chart in Google Sheets is a straightforward process that can turn your data sets into informative visual representation for your content. It's a powerful feature of Google Sheets that can help you better interpret large data sets in just a few clicks. You don't have to be a data analyst to create a clear and overviewable chart of your data. Remember to customize your bar chart to fit your data and preferences, and keep in mind the best practices for data visualization to make sure it’s easy to read and understand at a glance.
