Do you want to visually compare categories or data sets over a period of time? Look no further than the column chart in Google Sheets! In this step-by-step guide, I’ll show you how to create a column chart that will make data analysis a breeze.
Comparing Job Progress with a Column Chart
Before we dive into the tutorial, let’s talk about the benefits of using a column chart for comparing job progress. While a radar chart is often recommended for comparing multiple categories, the simplicity and readability of a column chart make it a popular choice. With a column chart, you can easily visualize your progress and identify any lags or delays.
Are you ready to get started? Let’s dive in!
Step 1: Data Preparation
To create a column chart in Google Sheets, you’ll need to prepare your data. In the example below, we’ll use a sample dataset to track job progress over a 15-month period.
In this dataset, the job is scheduled to be completed within 15 months. The percentage of completion for each month is calculated based on the job activity and manpower required. The actual completion percentage is shown in column C.
Step 2: Creating the Column Chart
Now that we have our data ready, let’s create the column chart in Google Sheets. Follow these steps:
- Select the data range A1:C21.
- Go to the “Insert” menu and click on “Chart.”
- In the Chart Editor, select the “Column” chart type.
And voila! Your column chart is now ready. But wait, there’s more we can do to customize it and make it perfect.
Customizing the Column Chart
Here are some additional customization options to make your column chart even better:
- How to show all the dates in the chart’s X-axis? Go to the Chart Editor > Customize Tab > Enable “Treat Labels as Text” under Horizontal Axis Label.
- How to move the legend to the bottom of the chart? Go to the Chart Editor > Customize Tab > Under Legend, change the position to “Bottom.”
- How to align the chart title? Go to the Chart Editor > Customize Tab > Under Chart & Axis Title, select “Title” and make the desired changes in the Title Format.
You can also make your column chart 3D and change the background color from white to any other color. These settings can be found under the customization tab, Chart Style.
Congratulations! You’ve successfully created a column chart in Google Sheets. Now, go ahead and explore the different types of charts available in Google Sheets and become a data visualization pro!
Make sure to check out Crawlan.com for more tips and tricks on Google Sheets and other useful tools.
Note: For more information on different types of charts in Google Sheets, be sure to visit my CHART section.
Stay tuned for more exciting articles and tutorials from Bolamarketing.com, where we share our juiciest secrets with our besties!
