How to Change Width of Column in Excel Chart (with Easy Steps)

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In Microsoft Excel, you can perform numerous tasks in a few minutes. Apart from calculating or using various functions for problem-solving, users can use Excel for the visualization of data. One such feature for visualizing data is the column chart in Excel. By providing proper input of data, one can create many types of column charts here. But sometimes, you need to change the width of the data bars in the column chart for better visualization. In this article, I will show you how to change the width of the column chart in Excel.


Change Width of Column in Excel Chart: 6 Easy Steps

In this article, you will see five easy steps to change the width of the column chart in Excel. From inserting data to making a column chart to changing the width of the data bars, you will witness all the steps in detail.


Step 1: Prepare Data Set with Additional Information

First of all, I will require a data set that will help me to create a column chart and demonstrate the further procedure. For that,

  • Firstly, take the following data set, where I have the information regarding sales of a random general store for two years.
  • By using this data, I will create a column chart and change its width in the following steps.

Preparing Data Set as An Easy Step to Change Width of Column in Excel Chart


Step 2: Utilize Charts Group

In this step, using the data set from the previous step, I will create a column chart. For that, I will need to utilize the Chart groups of the Insert tab in the ribbon.

  • First of all, select the data range C5:E12.
  • Then, go to the Charts group in the Insert tab of the ribbon.
  • After that, select the Insert Column or Bar Chart command from the group.

  • Secondly, you will find a list of column and bar charts after the previous action.
  • Then, under the 2-D Column label, select Clustered Column.

Read More: How to Create a Variable Width Column Chart in Excel


Step 3: Create Clustered Column Chart

After the second step, now you will be able to see the newly created clustered column chart, made from the above data set. After creating the chart, I will do some modifications.

  • Firstly, after selecting the Clustered Column command from the previous step, you will find a column chart like the following picture in your worksheet.

  • Secondly, set the title of the column chart as Sales Per Year.

Read More: Examples of Column Chart in Excel


Step 4: Select Format Data Series Command

In the previous step, you will find the width of the data bars in the chart pre-defined. I will show the process to change the width in this step.

  • Firstly, click on any of the data bars in the chart using the mouse to select them.

  • Secondly, after selecting the bars, again right-click on the mouse.
  • Then, from the context menu, select Format Data Series.

Selecting Format Data Series Command as An Easy Step to Change Width of Column in Excel Chart

Read More: How to Create Graphs in Excel with Multiple Columns


Step 5: Change Gap Width of Data Bars

After selecting the command from the previous step, you will see a new window pane in your Excel sheet. By modifying the commands in this window pane, you will be able to change the gap width of the data bars.

  • First of all, you will see the Format Data Series window pane in your worksheet after the previous step.
  • Then, go to the Gap Width command under the Series Options label.

  • Secondly, to increase the width of the bar, slide the zoom bar to the left, thus decreasing the gap width.

Decreasing Gap Width as An Easy Step to Change Width of Column in Excel Chart

  • Consequently, to make the bars thinner, slide the zoom bar to the left, thus increasing the gap width.

Increasing Gap Width as An Easy Step to Change Width of Column in Excel Chart

Read More: How to Create a Comparison Column Chart in Excel


Step 6: Change of Column Width

This is the final step of this procedure. Here, you will see what happens with the data bars of the chart after increasing or decreasing the gap width.

  • Firstly, the following image shows that the data bars are wider than the actual bars seen in Step 3.
  • This means, after decreasing the Gap Width in the previous step, the width of the bar will increase.

  • Similarly, after increasing the Gap Width, you will see thinner bars on your column chart like in the following image.

Read More: How to Sort Column Chart in Descending Order in Excel


Things to Remember

  • Insert proper data range while making the chart. Otherwise, your goal of visualizing the data will fail.
  • Do not increase or decrease the Gap Width too much else the bars will not look soothing after changing the width.

Download Practice Workbook

You can download the free Excel workbook here and practice on your own.


Conclusion

That’s the end of this article. I hope you find this article helpful. After reading the above description, you will be able to change the width of the column chart in Excel. Please share any further queries or recommendations with us in the comments section below.


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Md. Araf Bin Jayed
Md. Araf Bin Jayed

I am Araf. I have completed my B.Sc in Industrial and Production Engineering from Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology. Currently I am working as an Excel & VBA Content Developer in Softeko. With proper guideline and aid of Softeko I want to be a flexible data analyst. With my acquired knowledge and hard work, I want to contribute to the overall growth of this organization.

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