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?”.
Following are the best chart types for comparing data in Excel:
Column chart
Bar chart
Line chart
Combination chart
When to use a column chart for comparing data
If 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.
Do not use a column chart when the data series you want to compare have different units of measurement
For 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 data
Use 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 data
Use 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 data
A 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:
"How to use Digital Analytics to generate floods of new Sales and Customers without spending years figuring everything out on your own."
Here’s what we’re going to cover in this training…
#1 Why digital analytics is the key to online business success.
#2 The number 1 reason why most marketers are not able to scale their advertising and maximize sales.
#3 Why Google and Facebook ads don’t work for most businesses & how to make them work.
#4 Why you won’t get any competitive advantage in the marketplace just by knowing Google Analytics.
#5 The number 1 reason why conversion optimization is not working for your business.
#6 How to advertise on any marketing platform for FREE with an unlimited budget.
#7 How to learn and master digital analytics and conversion optimization in record time.
My best selling books on Digital Analytics and Conversion Optimization
Maths and Stats for Web Analytics and Conversion Optimization
This expert guide will teach you how to leverage the knowledge of maths and statistics in order to accurately interpret data and take actions, which can quickly improve the bottom-line of your online business.
Master the Essentials of Email Marketing Analytics
This book focuses solely on the ‘analytics’ that power your email marketing optimization program and will help you dramatically reduce your cost per acquisition and increase marketing ROI by tracking the performance of the various KPIs and metrics used for email marketing.
Attribution Modelling in Google Analytics and BeyondSECOND EDITION OUT NOW!
Attribution modelling is the process of determining the most effective marketing channels for investment. This book has been written to help you implement attribution modelling. It will teach you how to leverage the knowledge of attribution modelling in order to allocate marketing budget and understand buying behaviour.
Attribution Modelling in Google Ads and Facebook
This book has been written to help you implement attribution modelling in Google Ads (Google AdWords) and Facebook. It will teach you, how to leverage the knowledge of attribution modelling in order to understand the customer purchasing journey and determine the most effective marketing channels for investment.
About the Author
Himanshu Sharma
Founder, OptimizeSmart.com
Over 15 years of experience in digital analytics and marketing
Author of four best-selling books on digital analytics and conversion optimization
Nominated for Digital Analytics Association Awards for Excellence
Runs one of the most popular blogs in the world on digital analytics
Consultant to countless small and big businesses over the decade
error: Alert: Content is protected !!
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Allow Cookies”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.