Plots data in horizontal rows stacked by category to represent 100%.
Make comparisons between discrete categories.
2D and 3D options are available.
Data Format
- x-axis: Categories (e.g. countries)
- Categories are distributed along the vertical axis.
- Ideal for data with longer category names.
- Chart handles multiple categories but can be difficult to read when too many categories are added.
- y-axis: Data Series (e.g. government and other sector expenses as % of GDP)
- Series are distributed evenly along the horizontal axis.
- Bar length is displayed in percent (%) and totals 100% for all categories.
- Use this chart for two or more data series to emphasize the contributions to the whole.
- Becomes visually complex as more series are added.
- Sort bars from largest to smallest based on one category where valid to make chart easier to read.
- Reordering the bars can change interpretation.
- Chart handles positive and negative values but interpretation can be difficult.
- Apply data labels judiciously or use a separate data table.
| Series 1 | Series 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Category1 | # | # |
| Category2 | # | # |
| Category3 | # | # |
| Category4 | # | # |
| Category5 | # | # |
Try it now!
- Select a region using the dropdown list to view the top 10 ranked countries for government expense as a percentage of GDP.
- Note how the chart and title adjust to reflect the different expense values of each region.
- This chart was built using data validation lists, named ranges, conditional statements and the COUNTIF, IF, IFERROR, MATCH, OFFSET and RANK functions.
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