Today, we want to learn how to insert a bar or a column chart in Excel.
Creating a Column Chart
For a start, we can select a cell in our dataset. We can also select the whole set. Then, we go to the Insert tab and choose a proper chart. I personally like 2 D columns, so I’ll select it (Fig. 1)
Fig. 1 Selecting a 2 D column chart
And just like that, we have our chart. We can modify its size by dragging the borders. When you drag the chart holding the Alt key at the same time, Excel will match the size of the chart to cell borders, which is a nice trick.
Now, that we have our chart, let’s change the way it looks. Let’s go to the Chart Design tab and choose one from the Chart Styles (Fig. 2)
Fig. 2 Selecting a proper chart style
We can also decide what individual chart elements we want to change. If we want to delete horizontal lines, we can just click on them once, and press the Delete button. If we want to have wider columns, we have to click on them, then press Ctrl + 1, which will open the Format Data Series window, where we can change the Gap Width. Let’s change it to 55 %. Now it looks good (Fig. 3)
Fig. 3 Gap Width to 55%
I will also add data labels. Let’s go to the Chart Elements (1) , and choose Inside End Data Labels (2) (Fig. 4)
Fig. 4 Inside End Data Labels
Now, let’s change the font color into white. You can find this option in the Home tab (1) , in the Font area (2) (Fig. 5)
Fig. 5 Font color
And just like that we’ve created a column chart. When we change some values in our dataset, our values in the chart will also change (Fig. 6)
Today, we are going to talk about putting two different series into one chart.
Secondary Axis on Excel Chart Temperature and rainfall
If you have two series that differ from each other, e.g. they have different units or one of them is much bigger than the other, then you should use the Secondary Axis on you chart. How can you do it? From Excel 2013 the task is simple as Microsoft inserted the Combo chart. Our example has simple data, so we just have to click on one cell, then go to the Insert tab, where we can find a Combo chart with the Secondary Axis (Fig. 1)
Fig. 1 Combo chart with secondary axis
I can see that not everything is as I wanted, that’s why I’m going to make some changes. I just select the chart and go to the Chart Design tab, where I can find the Change Chart Type option. In the window that appeared, we change the type of each series. The rainfall is on the secondary axis, which is good, however, I prefer the rainfall to be presented as a column chart, and I will put the temperature into a line chart with markers (Fig. 2)
Fig. 2 Column chart and line chart with markers
After pressing OK, we can see a finished chart with two values (Fig. 3)
Fig. 3 A finished chart with two values
But, how can we do it in Excel from before 2013? Let’s insert a simple column chart by going to the Insert tab, then choosing the proper column chart (Fig. 4)
Fig. 4 Column chart
As our values differ much in size, where the rainfall is significantly bigger than the temperature, I would like to have the rainfall series on a secondary axis. I have to select the hole series by clicking once on the series element, then press Ctrl + 1, find the series option, go to Plot Series On, and choose Secondary Axis (Fig. 5)
Fig. 5 Series options
And, just like that we have a different axis for rainfall, and a different axis for temperature. There is still one thing we need to change, which is the type of temperature series, because now one series is behind the other and we don’t know how high some columns are. Let’s click one time on the series and go to the Insert tab, where we can choose a new chart type. Let’s choose the Line with Markers option (Fig. 6)
Fig. 6 Line chart with markers
Just like that, I have a chart with a secondary axis and different chart types. Let’s change the name of the chart into Temperature and rain. The chart is finished (Fig. 7)
