Nazmul Hossain Shovon
In this tutorial, you will learn various easy methods to create graphs in Excel with multiple columns. Vertical bars are used in column charts to compare values between different categories of data. The main purpose of the column chart is to organize your data in a clear way. Then you can analyze it and communicate the insights easily. Finally, I will also show you some formatting options to modify your graphs.
Download Practice Workbook
You can download the practice workbook from here.
3 Easy Methods to Create Graphs in Excel with Multiple Columns
Column charts with multiple columns are actually very easy to create. Most users are highly familiar with column charts. So, it is a sensible option to present your data in column charts with multiple columns. We will demonstrate 3 methods to create graphs in Excel with multiple columns. Let us see them one by one below.
1. Create 2D Graph with Multiple Columns in Excel
In the first method, we will create a 2D graph in Excel with multiple columns. For this method, we are using a dataset of monthly income. So, we have two variables in our dataset.
Steps:
- First of all, click on cell B4.
- Now, while you are on cell B4, press Ctrl+Shift+Down Arrow.
- Then, while pressing Ctrl+Shift, press the Right Arrow. So, this will select the whole data table.
- Afterward, go to the Insert tab and click on the Chart option.
- Then, click on the Stacked Column option.
- Finally, you will get the graph with multiple columns.
Read More: How to Create a Stacked Column Chart in Excel (4 Suitable Ways)
2. Insert 3D Graph in Excel with Multiple Columns
The method that I am going to show you now, is the 3D column chart with multiple columns. In this type of chart, the vertical columns are extended to all three axes, namely X, Y, and Z. As you can expect, we have 3 variables in our dataset for this method. They are Name, January, and February. The dataset shows the changed salary of 4 people from January to February. So, let us see the steps to create a 3D chart from this dataset.
Steps:
- At the start of the method, select your dataset with the help of the keyboard shortcuts that I showed you before.
- Additionally, you can use your mouse to click and drag over the dataset. This will also highlight your data.
- Now, navigate to the Insert tab and select the 3D Column as the image shows below.
- Finally, this will insert a 3D column chart beside your dataset.
Read More: How to Insert a 3D Clustered Column Chart in Excel (with Easy Steps)
3. Create Graph with Clustered Multiple Columns in Excel
The clustered column chart is suitable where we have more than two variables. The dataset for this method has the exam marks of four students for Physics and Maths. With the help of the clustered chart, we will be able to easily compare the marks of the two subjects for each student. We can also compare the marks of a student with others. Follow the steps to create a simple clustered column chart.
Steps:
- To begin with, click on cell B4 and drag your mouse while clicking, on cell D8.
- Now, go to the Insert tab on the top of your screen.
- Here, from the 2-D chart option, select the Clustered Column option.
- After completing the previous step, Excel will plot a Clustered Chart for your dataset.
Read More: How to Create a 2D Clustered Column Chart in Excel
Generate Graph with Bar Column Chart
In this section, we will explore a different type of column chart. This is called the Horizontal Bar Chart. The Bar chart is simple and effective for presenting data. Let us see how we can generate one.
Steps:
- First of all, select your whole dataset either using mouse or keyboard shortcuts which I showed in the previous methods.
- Now, select the Insert tab.
- Then, from the Insert tab options, click on the Column Chart icon.
- Here, choose the 2-D Bar option by clicking on it.
- Finally, you will get a 2-D Bar chart representing your data.
Read More: Column Chart vs Bar Chart in Excel (6 Useful Examples)
Format Columns in Graph
After creating charts in excel, what you want next is to format them. This will make those charts more visually attractive and more readable. Excel gives us plenty of options to format the charts. Let us apply some chart formatting techniques.
Steps:
- Firstly, select your chart and click two times on any of the columns that you want to format.
- Now, navigate to the Format tab and select it.
- By doing the previous step, the format ribbon will show up. Here you can customize your chart in many ways.
- For this, click on the Shape Fill dropdown and pick a color of your choice. I have chosen orange here.
- Consequently, you will now notice that the column you selected is now filled with the color of your choice.
Conclusion
I really hope that you understood the methods that I showed in this tutorial. Although the datasets that we used were short, you can take these methods and apply them to larger datasets of your own. Also, try to add formatting in a way that makes your data more visual. To learn more Excel techniques, follow our ExcelDemy website. If you have any queries, please let me know in the comments.
