Overview
Bar charts are one of the most common and versatile chart types. They are excellent for comparing values across different categories. Bars can be plotted vertically (column charts) or horizontally.
Variations
- Grouped Bar Chart: Compares multiple data sets side-by-side within categories.
- Stacked Bar Chart: Shows the composition of each category by stacking sub-categories.
- 100% Stacked Bar Chart: Shows the relative percentage of each sub-category within the whole.
Best Practices
- Start the y-axis at zero to avoid misleading the viewer.
- Use horizontal bars if category labels are long.
- Order bars logically (e.g., alphabetically or by value).