A bar chart is a type of graph that shows data using rectangular bars. The length or height of each bar represents the value of the item it corresponds to.
Key Features of a Bar Graph
- Categories are shown on one axis (usually the x-axis).
- Values are shown on the other axis (usually the y-axis).
- Bars can be vertical (column chart) or horizontal (bar chart).
- The bars are of equal width, and the length represents the data.
Types of Bar Graphs
- Vertical Bar Graph (Column Chart)
- Horizontal Bar Graph
- Stacked Bar Graph
- Grouped (Clustered) Bar Graph
Step-by-Step: How to Make a Bar Graph in Google Sheets
Step 1: Prepare Your Data
Start with a clean sheet.
| A | B |
|---|---|
| Fruits | Sales |
| Apples | 120 |
| Bananas | 95 |
| Oranges | 140 |
| Strawberries | 80 |
- Column A contains your categories
- Column B contains your values (how much or how many).
Step 2: Select the Data
- Click and drag to highlight the entire data range, including headers.
- Example: Highlight from A1 to B5.
Step 3: Insert the Chart
- Click on the “Insert” menu at the top.
- Then choose “Chart.”
- Google Sheets will insert a default chart, usually a column chart.
Step 4: Change the Chart to a Bar Graph
- On the right side, the Chart Editor will open.
- Under the “Setup” tab:
- Click the “Chart type” dropdown.
- Scroll down and select “Bar chart” or “Stacked bar chart.”
A Bar Chart shows horizontal bars.
A Column Chart (if you prefer vertical bars) is similar and also supported.
Step 5: Customize the Chart
Click the “Customize” tab in the Chart Editor. Here’s what you can do:
🎨 Chart Style:
- Change background color.
- Adjust font and layout.
🏷 Chart & Axis Titles:
- Add a main chart title (e.g., “Fruit Sales 2025”).
- Add horizontal and vertical axis labels.
📏 Series:
- Adjust bar color.
- Add data labels to show exact values on the bars.
📐 Legend:
- Choose where the legend appears (top, right, none, etc.)
⚙ Gridlines and Ticks:
- Adjust axis spacing for clarity.
- Turn off or lighten gridlines if the chart looks cluttered.
Step 6: Use, Share or Export the Graph
Once the chart looks the way you want:
- Copy & paste it into Google Docs, Slides, or Gmail.
- Click the 3-dot menu (top right of the chart) to:
- Download it as a PNG, PDF, or SVG.
- Publish to the web.
- Move it to a new sheet for reporting.
🧠 Pro Tips for Better Bar Graphs
- Sort your data (e.g., from highest to lowest) for a cleaner visual.
- Use contrasting bar colors for easy readability.
- Try stacked bar charts if comparing parts of a whole.
- Link the graph to a dynamic range so it updates automatically with your data.
Bar Chart vs. Column Chart
| Feature | Bar Chart (Horizontal) | Column Chart (Vertical) |
|---|---|---|
| Layout | Bars go left to right | Bars go bottom to top |
| Best for | Long labels or comparisons | Time-series or trends |
| Looks better when | You have lots of categories | You track over years or months |
