After you create a column chart, you can change the spacing between the columns. You can also create a floating column chart by hiding a data series in the chart.
In this article
Data that is arranged in columns or rows on a worksheet can be plotted in a column chart. 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.
Clustered Column Chart in 3-D
Clustered Column Chart in 3-D
Consider using a column chart when:
You have one or more data series that you want to plot.
Your data contains positive, negative, and zero (0) values.
You want to compare the data for numerous categories side by side.
When you create a column chart, you can choose one of the following column chart subtypes:
Clustered column and clustered column in 3-D Clustered column charts compare values across categories. A clustered column chart displays values in 2-D vertical rectangles. A clustered column in 3-D chart displays the data by using a 3-D perspective only. A third value axis (depth axis) is not used.
Clustered column chart and clustered column chart in 3-D
Clustered column chart and clustered column chart in 3-D
You can use a clustered column chart type when you have categories that represent:
Ranges of values (for example, item counts).
Specific scale arrangements (for example, a Likert scale with entries, such as strongly agree, agree, neutral, disagree, strongly disagree).
Names that are not in any specific order (for example, item names, geographic names, or the names of people).
Note To present data in a 3-D format that uses three axes (a horizontal axis, a vertical axis, and a depth axis) that you can modify, use a 3-D column chart subtype instead.
Stacked column and stacked column in 3-D Stacked column charts show the relationship of individual items to the whole, comparing the contribution of each value to a total across categories. A stacked column chart displays values in 2-D vertical stacked rectangles. A 3-D stacked column chart displays the data by using a 3-D perspective only. A third value axis (depth axis) is not used.
Stacked column chart and stacked column chart in 3-D
Stacked column chart and stacked column chart in 3-D
You can use a stacked column chart when you have multiple data series and when you want to emphasize the total.
100% stacked column and 100% stacked column in 3-D 100% stacked column charts and 100% stacked column in 3-D charts compare the percentage that each value contributes to a total across categories. A 100% stacked column chart displays values in 2-D vertical 100% stacked rectangles. A 3-D 100% stacked column chart displays the data by using a 3-D perspective only. A third value axis (depth axis) is not used.
100% stacked column chart and 100% column chart in 3-D
100% stacked column chart and 100% column chart in 3-D
You can use a 100% stacked column chart when you have three or more data series and you want to emphasize the contributions to the whole, especially if the total is the same for each category.
You can use a 3-D column chart when you want to compare data across the categories and across the series equally, because this chart type shows categories along both the horizontal axis and the depth axis, while the vertical axis displays the values.
Cylinder, cone, and pyramid Cylinder, cone, and pyramid charts are available in the same clustered, stacked, 100% stacked, and 3-D chart types that are provided for rectangular column charts, and they show and compare data exactly the same way. The only difference is that these chart types display cylinder, cone, and pyramid shapes instead of rectangles.
So, how did we create this column chart? The following procedure will help you create a column chart with similar results. For this chart, we used the example worksheet data. You can copy this data to your worksheet, or you can use your own data.
Copy the example worksheet data into a blank worksheet, or open the worksheet that contains the data that you want to plot into a column chart.
This displays the Chart Tools, adding the Design, Layout, and Format tabs.
On the Design tab, in the Chart Layouts group, select the layout that you want to use.
Excel Ribbon Image
Excel Ribbon Image
Tip For our column chart, we used Layout 3.
On the Design tab, in the Chart Styles group, click the chart style that you want to use.
Excel Ribbon Image
Excel Ribbon Image
Tip For our column chart, we used Style 34.
In the chart, click the title, and then type the title text that you want.
Tip For our column chart, we used the title Regional Sales in North America.
In the chart, click the vertical (value) axis, or select it from a list of chart elements (Format tab, Current Selection group, Chart Elementsbox).
On the Format tab, in the Current Selection group, click Format Selection.
Under Axis Options, in the Display units box, click Millions, and then click Close.
In the chart, click a data series, or select it from a list of chart elements (Format tab, Current Selection group, Chart Elementsbox).
On the Format tab, in the Shape Styles group, click Shape Effects, and then click Bevel.
Excel Ribbon Image
Excel Ribbon Image
Click 3-D Options, and then under Bevel, click the Top and Bottom bevel options that you want to use.
Tip For our column chart, we used Soft Round.
In the Width and Height boxes for Top and Bottom bevel options, type the point size that you want.
Tip For our column chart, we used 12 pt for top width, 4 pt for top height, 6 pt for bottom width, and 6 pt for bottom height.
Under Surface, click Material, and then click the material option that you want to use.
Tip For our column chart, we used Plastic.
In the chart, click another data series, and then repeat steps 13 through 16.
Keep the last data series selected and the dialog box open after you have formatted all data series, and then click Series Options in the Format Data Seriesdialog box.
Under Gap Width, drag the slider to the gap width that you want.
Tip For our column chart, we dragged the slider to No Gap (0%).
Keep the dialog box open, and then click the chart area of the chart.
In the dialog box, click Border Styles, and then select the Rounded cornerscheck box.
If you want to use theme colors that are different from the default theme that is applied to your workbook, do the following:
On the Page Layout tab, in the Themes group, click Themes.
Themes group on Excel Ribbon
Themes group on Excel Ribbon
Under Built-in, click the theme that you want to use.
Tip For our column chart, we used the Median theme.
This displays the Chart Tools, adding the Design, Layout, and Format tabs.
On the Format tab, in the Current Selection group, click the arrow next to the Chart Elements box, and then click the data series.
Excel Ribbon Image
Excel Ribbon Image
Tip You need to select only a single data series to change the spacing of all data series of the same chart type.
On the Format tab, in the Current Selection group, click Format Selection.
Under Series Options, do one of the following:
To change the overlap of columns in a 2-D column chart, drag the slider to the percentage of series overlap that you want, or enter a percentage between -100 and 100 in the Series Overlap box.
Tip The higher the value, the greater the overlap within the category.
To change the spacing between categories of data markers in a 2-D or 3-D column chart, drag the slider to the percentage of gap width that you want, or enter a value between 0 (zero) and 500 in the Gap Width box.
Tip The higher the value, the greater the spacing between the columns.
To change the spacing between the data series in a 3-D column chart, enter a value between 0 (zero) and 500 in the Gap Depth box.
Tip The higher the value, the greater the distance between the columns.
Top of Page
Top of Page
Top of Page ==Simulate a floating column chart==
Floating charts are useful when you want the columns in the column chart to depict minimum and maximum values. Excel does not provide a floating column chart type. However, when you create a stacked column chart that contains two (or more) data series, you can make the first data series invisible to give the second data series a floating column chart effect.
Floating column chart
Floating column chart
On the worksheet, select the data that you want to plot into a floating column chart.
On the Insert tab, in the Charts group, click Column.
Excel Ribbon Image
Excel Ribbon Image
Under 2-D Column, click Stacked Column.
Tip For a 3-D effect, under 3-D Column, click Stacked Column in 3-D.
In the chart, click the first data series, or select it from a list of chart elements (Format tab, Current Selection group, Chart Elementsbox).
On the Format tab, in the Current Selection group, click Format Selection.
Excel Ribbon Image
Excel Ribbon Image
Click Fill, and then click No fill.
||
DISCLAIMER:
THIS PAGE IS MADE UNDER THE SPECIFICATIONS OF THE COMPUTE THIS 2011-2012 RULES. FOR INFORMATION OR ADDITIONAL HELP, REFER TO http://www.scioly.org/phpBB3/index.php OR TO http://soinc.org/ . ALL CHART TUTORIALS ARE FROM THE http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/default.aspx DOMAIN. ALL CHARTS ARE FROM EXAMPLES REMADE BY STUDENTS IN THE PROGRAM. PLEASE NOTE THAT INFORMATION ON THIS SITE MAY BE SUBJECT TO COPYWRITE THAT IS NOT OWNED BY SCIENCE OLYMPIAD OR WIKISPACES. COPY INFORMATION AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION. THANK YOU.
After you create a column chart, you can change the spacing between the columns. You can also create a floating column chart by hiding a data series in the chart.
In this article
Learn more about plotting data in a column chart
Data that is arranged in columns or rows on a worksheet can be plotted in a column chart. 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.
Consider using a column chart when:
- You have one or more data series that you want to plot.
- Your data contains positive, negative, and zero (0) values.
- You want to compare the data for numerous categories side by side.
When you create a column chart, you can choose one of the following column chart subtypes:You can use a clustered column chart type when you have categories that represent:
- Ranges of values (for example, item counts).
- Specific scale arrangements (for example, a Likert scale with entries, such as strongly agree, agree, neutral, disagree, strongly disagree).
- Names that are not in any specific order (for example, item names, geographic names, or the names of people).
Note To present data in a 3-D format that uses three axes (a horizontal axis, a vertical axis, and a depth axis) that you can modify, use a 3-D column chart subtype instead.You can use a stacked column chart when you have multiple data series and when you want to emphasize the total.
You can use a 100% stacked column chart when you have three or more data series and you want to emphasize the contributions to the whole, especially if the total is the same for each category.
You can use a 3-D column chart when you want to compare data across the categories and across the series equally, because this chart type shows categories along both the horizontal axis and the depth axis, while the vertical axis displays the values.
Create an elaborate column chart
So, how did we create this column chart? The following procedure will help you create a column chart with similar results. For this chart, we used the example worksheet data. You can copy this data to your worksheet, or you can use your own data.
- Create a blank workbook or worksheet.
- Select the example in the Help topic.
Note Do not select the row or column headers.Selecting an example from Help
- Under 3-D Column, select Stacked Column in 3-D.
- Click the chart area (chart area: The entire chart and all its elements.) of the chart.
This displays the Chart Tools, adding the Design, Layout, and Format tabs.Tip For our column chart, we used Layout 3.
Tip For our column chart, we used Style 34.
- In the chart, click the title, and then type the title text that you want.
Tip For our column chart, we used the title Regional Sales in North America.- Click 3-D Options, and then under Bevel, click the Top and Bottom bevel options that you want to use.
Tip For our column chart, we used Soft Round.- In the Width and Height boxes for Top and Bottom bevel options, type the point size that you want.
Tip For our column chart, we used 12 pt for top width, 4 pt for top height, 6 pt for bottom width, and 6 pt for bottom height.- Under Surface, click Material, and then click the material option that you want to use.
Tip For our column chart, we used Plastic.- In the chart, click another data series, and then repeat steps 13 through 16.
- Keep the last data series selected and the dialog box open after you have formatted all data series, and then click Series Options in the Format Data Seriesdialog box.
- Under Gap Width, drag the slider to the gap width that you want.
Tip For our column chart, we dragged the slider to No Gap (0%).- Under Built-in, click the theme that you want to use.
Tip For our column chart, we used the Median theme.==Change the spacing between the columns==
You can enlarge or reduce the space between the data markers (data marker: A bar, area, dot, slice, or other symbol in a chart that represents a single data point or value that originates from a worksheet cell. Related data markers in a chart constitute a data series.) or columns in a column chart. In a 2-D column chart, the columns can even overlap each other.
- In a chart, click the data series (data series: Related data points that are plotted in a chart. Each data series in a chart has a unique color or pattern and is represented in the chart legend. You can plot one or more data series in a chart. Pie charts have only one data series.)that you want to change, or do the following to select the data series from a list of chart elements:
- Click the chart.
This displays the Chart Tools, adding the Design, Layout, and Format tabs.- To change the overlap of columns in a 2-D column chart, drag the slider to the percentage of series overlap that you want, or enter a percentage between -100 and 100 in the Series Overlap box.
Tip The higher the value, the greater the overlap within the category.- To change the spacing between categories of data markers in a 2-D or 3-D column chart, drag the slider to the percentage of gap width that you want, or enter a value between 0 (zero) and 500 in the Gap Width box.
Tip The higher the value, the greater the spacing between the columns.- To change the spacing between the data series in a 3-D column chart, enter a value between 0 (zero) and 500 in the Gap Depth box.
Tip The higher the value, the greater the distance between the columns.==Simulate a floating column chart==
Floating charts are useful when you want the columns in the column chart to depict minimum and maximum values. Excel does not provide a floating column chart type. However, when you create a stacked column chart that contains two (or more) data series, you can make the first data series invisible to give the second data series a floating column chart effect.
- Under 2-D Column, click Stacked Column.
Tip For a 3-D effect, under 3-D Column, click Stacked Column in 3-D.- Click Fill, and then click No fill.
||DISCLAIMER:
THIS PAGE IS MADE UNDER THE SPECIFICATIONS OF THE COMPUTE THIS 2011-2012 RULES. FOR INFORMATION OR ADDITIONAL HELP, REFER TO
http://www.scioly.org/phpBB3/index.php OR TO http://soinc.org/ . ALL CHART TUTORIALS ARE FROM THE http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/default.aspx DOMAIN. ALL CHARTS ARE FROM EXAMPLES REMADE BY STUDENTS IN THE PROGRAM. PLEASE NOTE THAT INFORMATION ON THIS SITE MAY BE SUBJECT TO COPYWRITE THAT IS NOT OWNED BY SCIENCE OLYMPIAD OR WIKISPACES. COPY INFORMATION AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION. THANK YOU.