Use a column chart when you want to compare categories of data or show changes over time. For example, compare revenue and expenses each month.
Learn how to add & edit a chart.
How to format your data
- First column: Enter a label to describe the data. Labels from the first column show up on the horizontal axis.
- First row (Optional): In the first row of each column, enter a category name. Entries in the first row show up as labels in the legend.
- Other columns: For each column, enter numeric data. You can also add a category name (optional).
- Other cells: Enter the data points you’d like to display.
- Rows: Each row represents a different bar in the chart.
Tip: If the chart doesn’t show the data on the axis you want, learn how to switch rows and columns.
Examples
Revenue & expenses
| Month | Revenue | Expenses |
| January | $20,000 | $14,000 |
| February | $35,000 | $18,000 |
| March | $32,000 | $15,500 |
Survey results
| Rating | Survey results |
|---|---|
| Very unsatisfied | 12 |
| Unsatisfied | 23 |
| Neutral | 53 |
| Satisfied | 118 |
| Very satisfied | 94 |
Other types of column charts
Stacked column chart
Use a stacked column chart to show part-to-whole relationships and find trends in data over time.
Learn how to add & edit a chart.
How to format your data
- Format row and column data like a column chart.
- You need at least 2 data series.
Example
Travel expenses
| Sales region | Hotel | Transportation | Food |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest | $4,000 | $1,800 | $500 |
| Southeast | $2,500 | $1,400 | $350 |
| West | $3,200 | $2,200 | $375 |
100% stacked column chart
Use a 100% stacked column chart to show part-to-whole relationships and find trends in data over time, when the cumulative total isn’t important.
Learn how to add & edit a chart.
How to format your data
- Format row and column data like a column chart.
- You need at least 2 data series.
Example
Travel expenses
| Sales region | Hotel | Transportation | Food |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest | $7,500 | $1,800 | $500 |
| Southeast | $2,500 | $1,400 | $350 |
| West | $3,200 | $2,200 | $375 |
Customize a column chart
- On your computer, open a spreadsheet in Google Sheets.
- Double-click the chart you want to change.
- At the right, click Customize.
- Choose an option:
- Chart style: Change how the chart looks.
- Chart & axis titles: Edit or format title text.
- Series: Change line colors, axis location, or add error bars, data labels, or trendline.
- Legend: Change legend position and text.
- Horizontal axis: Edit or format axis text, or reverse axis order.
- Vertical axis: Edit or format axis text, set min or max value, or log scale.
- Gridlines: Add and edit gridlines.