One of the most frequently asked questions in the data visualization world is, “What type of chart do I use to compare data in Excel?”. Show
Following are the best chart types for comparing data in Excel:
When to use a column chart for comparing dataIf you want to compare two to four data series, then use a clustered column chart: Alternatively, avoid creating a column chart with more than four data series. For example, the following chart contains six data series, and it has started looking cluttered: If you want to create a column chart containing more than four data series, try switching rows and columns of the chart and then check whether it makes any difference. To do that, follow the steps below: Step-1: Right-click on the column chart whose row and column you want to change. Step-2: Click on ‘Select Data’ from the drop-down menu: Step-3: Click on the ‘Switch/Row Column’ button: Step-4: Click on the ‘OK’ button. The column chart will now look like the one below: Now, this chart is much easier to read and understand. My step-by-step blueprint for selecting the best Excel charts for data analysis and reporting (40 pages) Get the FREE e-book on Best Excel Charts For Data Analysis And Reporting (40 Pages)Yes I want the FREE ebook Do not use a column chart when the data series you want to compare have different units of measurementFor example, in the chart below, ‘Orders’ and ‘Conversion Rate’ have different units of measurement. The data series ‘Orders’ is of type number. Whereas the data series ‘Conversion Rate’ is of type percentage: The best thing to do when the data series you want to compare have different units of measurement is to use the combination chart: If the values of one data series dwarf the values of the other data series, then do not use the column chart to compare two data series.For example, in the chart below, the values of the data series ‘Website Sessions’ completely dwarf the values of the data series named ‘Orders’: The best thing to do in such a situation is to use the combination chart: If you want to compare data series along with their composition, then use a stacked column chart:If you want to compare data series along with their composition but the overall size of each data series is not important, then use a 100% stacked column chart:When to use a bar chart for comparing dataUse a bar chart when the axis labels are too long to fit nicely in a column chart: When to use a line chart for comparing dataUse a line chart when you want to compare data trends, especially long term trends between the values of the data series: When to use a combination chart for comparing dataA combination chart is a combination of two or more charts. For example, the combination of a column chart and a line chart. Use a combination chart when: #1 You want to compare two or more data series that have different units of measurement: #2 You want to compare two or more data series that are not of comparable sizes: Other Articles on Excel Charts
Register for the FREE TRAINING..."How to use Digital Analytics to generate floods of new Sales and Customers without spending years figuring everything out on your own." What type of chart is useful for comparing values and categories?Column Charts are useful to visually compare values across a few categories or for showing data changes over a period of time. A Column Chart typically displays the categories along the horizontal (category) axis and the values along the vertical (value) axis.
What type of chart is useful for comparing values across categories when you have large text labels?Bar and column charts are used to compare different items. Bars on a column chart are vertical while bars on a bar chart are horizontal. Bar charts are generally used to help avoid clutter when one data label is long or if you have more than 10 items to compare. They are easy to understand and to create.
Which chart would be best to use to compare values across multiple categories?Scatter Plot Chart
A scatter plot or scattergram chart will show the relationship between two different variables or reveals distribution trends. Use this chart when there are many different data points, and you want to highlight similarities in the data set.
What graph is useful for comparing values of different sets of data?A Comparison Chart is a visualization design you can use to compare the performance of two or more key variables in your data. Some of the best graphs for comparing two sets of data include: Dual Axis Line. Dual Axis Bar and Line.
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