Excel Bar Chart Show Difference Between Two Series
Excel bar charts are a great way to visually represent data. They are easy to read and can quickly show the difference between two series of data. In this article, we will learn how to create a bar chart in Excel that shows the difference between two series.
Step 1: Enter the Data
The first step is to enter the data into Excel. For this example, we will use two series of data: January Sales and February Sales. Enter the data into two columns, with the labels in the first row and the data in the rows below.
Step 2: Create a Bar Chart
Select the data and go to the Insert tab on the ribbon. Click on the Bar Chart button and select the 2-D Bar Chart option. This will create a bar chart with both series of data.
Step 3: Format the Chart
To make the chart easier to read, we need to format it. Right-click on one of the bars and select Format Data Series. In the Format Data Series pane, change the Gap Width to 0% and the Series Overlap to 100%. This will make the bars overlap each other.
Step 4: Add Data Labels
We can add data labels to the chart to show the values of each series. Click on one of the bars and go to Chart Tools > Layout > Data Labels. Select the option to show the Series Name and Value. This will add the labels to the chart.
Step 5: Calculate the Difference
To show the difference between the two series, we need to calculate it. In a separate cell, subtract the February Sales from the January Sales. This will give us the difference between the two series.
Step 6: Add the Difference to the Chart
We can add the difference to the chart by creating a new data series. Select the chart and go to Chart Tools > Design > Select Data. Click on the Add button and enter the difference as the data range. This will add a new series to the chart.
Step 7: Format the Difference Series
To make the difference series stand out, we need to format it differently. Right-click on one of the bars and select Format Data Series. In the Format Data Series pane, change the Fill Color to a different color than the other series.
Step 8: Add Data Labels to the Difference Series
We can add data labels to the difference series to show the value of the difference. Click on one of the bars and go to Chart Tools > Layout > Data Labels. Select the option to show the Value only for the difference series.
Step 9: Finalize the Chart
We can finalize the chart by adding a title and legend. Click on the chart and go to Chart Tools > Layout. Add a chart title and a legend. The final chart should show the January Sales, February Sales, and the difference between them.
Conclusion
Creating a bar chart in Excel that shows the difference between two series is easy. By following the steps above, you can create a chart that is easy to read and visually appealing. Use this chart to compare data and make informed decisions.