Clustered Column Chart (Table of Contents)
Clustered Column Chart in Excel
Clustered Column Charts are the simplest form of vertical column charts in excel available under the Insert menu tab’s Column Chart section. Clustered columns show the growth of all the selected attributes covers the time period allowed by the chart itself. To create this, we simply have to select the data which have been available over a different time period, and we will have columns for each parameter. This is quite useful when we want to show growth.
Steps to Make Clustered Column Chart in Excel
To do that, we need to select the entire source Range, including the Headings.
After that, Go to:
Insert tab on the ribbon > Section Charts > > click on More Column Chart> Insert a Clustered Column Chart
Also, we can use the short key; first of all, we need to select all data and then press the short key (Alt+F1) to create a chart in the same sheet or Press the only F11 to create the chart in a separate new sheet.
When we click on more column chart, then we got a new window as below mention. We can choose the format then click on Ok.
How to Make Clustered Column Chart in Excel?
Clustered Column Chart in Excel is very simple and easy to use. Let us understand the working of Clustered Column Chart with some examples.
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Clustered Column Chart in Excel Example #1
There is a summarization of data; this summarization is a company’s performance report, suppose some sales team in different location zone, and they have a target for sale the product. All filed like target, order count, Target, Order Value, Achieved %, Payment received, Discount % is given in the summary; now we can see them in a table as below mention. So we want to display the report by using a cluster column chart.
First of all, select the range. Click on Insert Ribbon > Click on Column chart > More column chart.
Choose the clustered column chart > Click on Ok.
Also, we can use a shortcut key ( alt+F11).
This visualization is default by excel; if we want to change anything so excel allows us to change the data and anything as we want.
If we see on the right hand, so there is an option ‘ + ’ sign, so with the help of the ‘ + ‘ sign, we can display the different chart elements which are we need.
When we use the chart and select then two tabs more display. ‘Design ‘and ‘Format ‘as ribbon,
We can format the chart and color themes layout of the chart with the help of the Design ribbon tab.
Both ribbons are very useful for a chart. E.g., if we change the layout quickly, then just click on the Design tab and click on quick layout and change the layout of the chart.
If we want to change the color, we can use a shortcut to change the style and color of the chat; just click on the chart, and there is an option highlighted, as shown below.
Click on the style you want.
Chart also is given facility to filter the column which we do not need, similarly just click on the chart, at the right side, we can see the filter sign, as showing below mention pictures.
Now we can click on a column that we need to show in the chart.
Again we can change the data range also; Right-click on the chart and select the data option; then, we can change the data also.
We can change the axis horizontally or vertically by just click on the switch row/column. We can also add or remove and edit a file.
We can also format the chart area by just right click on the chart and select the format chart area option.
Then we get a new window on the right side, as shown below.
Just click on the chart option, then we can all options of formatting the chart like chart title, Axis, legend, plot area, series and vertically.
Then click on the option which we want to format.
In the Next Tab, we also format the text.
Some more important things are like add data labels, show trend line in chat; we need to know.
If we want to show data labels as a percentage, just right-click on a column and click on add data labels.
Data Label is added to the chart.
Also, we can show data labels with descriptions. With the help of data callouts. Right-click on column data column labels, click on add data labels and click on add data callouts. The picture is showing below mentioned.
Data Callouts are added to the chart.
Sometimes we need trend analysis also on a chart. So right-click on data labels and add the trend line.
A Trendline is added to the chart.
We can also format the trend line.
If we want to format the gridlines, then right-click on Gridlines and click on format gridlines.
Right Click on Gridlines and click on Add Miner Gridlines.
A miner Gridlines is added to it.
Right Click on Gridlines and click on Format Axis.
Finally, the Clustered Column Chart looks as given below.
Pros and Cons of a Clustered Column Chart in Excel
Following are the Pros and Cons:
Pros
- Since a Clustered Column chart is a default Excel chart type, at least until you set another chart type as a default type
- It can be understood by any person and will look presentable who is not much more familiar with the chart.
- It helps us to make a summarization of a huge data in the visualization, so easily we can understand the report.
Cons
- It’s visually complex when we add more categories or series.
- At one time more difficult to compare a single series across categories.
Things to be Remember
- All columns and labels should be filled with various colors to highlight the data in our chart easily.
- Use self-explanatory chart titles, axes titles. So by the title name, one can understand the report.
- If the data is relevant for this chart, then use this chart; otherwise, the data is related to different categories; we can choose another chart type that is representable.
- No need of using extra formatting so that anyone can see and analyze all points clearly.
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This has been a guide to a Clustered Column Chart in Excel. Here we discuss how to create the Clustered Column Chart in Excel with excel examples and downloadable excel templates. You may also look at these useful functions in Excel –
