What is a Column Chart?

A column chart, also known as a vertical bar chart, is a graphical representation of data that uses rectangular bars to compare values between different categories. It is a popular type of chart used in data visualization and is particularly useful for showing changes in data over time or comparing data across different categories.

In the example below, each bar shows the percentage of people by country who agree with the statement that price is more important than brand name.

Types of column charts

There are several types of column charts that can be used to represent different types of data. Here are some of the most common types:
Clustered column chart: This is the most basic type of column chart, where each category is represented by a vertical bar and multiple bars are clustered together for each category. This is useful for comparing data across different categories.

1. Stacked column chart: In a stacked column chart, the bars are stacked on top of each other to represent the total value for each category. This is useful for showing the composition of data across different categories.
2. 100% stacked column chart: This is similar to the stacked column chart, but the bars are normalized to 100%, so that each bar represents the percentage of the total value for each category. This is useful for comparing the relative proportions of data across different categories.
3. Clustered and stacked column chart: This combines the clustered and stacked column chart, where multiple bars are clustered together for each category and the bars within each cluster are stacked on top of each other. This is useful for comparing both the total value and the composition of data across different categories.
4. Floating column chart: In a floating column chart, each bar is positioned at a specific value on the vertical axis, rather than starting at zero. This is useful for displaying changes in data over time or for comparing data with different units of measurement.

Column charts can also be grouped or sorted in different ways to highlight patterns or trends in the data. Choosing the right type of column chart depends on the type of data and the insights that need to be communicated.

How column charts are used

Column charts can be used to display both categorical and numerical data. For categorical data, the bars can represent the frequency or count of each category, while for numerical data, the bars can represent the actual value of the data.

Column charts can be customized in many ways, including the color and thickness of the bars, the style and color of the axis lines and labels, and the inclusion of additional features such as data labels or error bars. They are a versatile and effective tool for visualizing data and communicating insights to others.

Try all the column charts you can easily create with mTab.

‍