Online Stacked Bar Graph Maker

When you need to display multiple variables within one category, a stacked bar graph (or segmented bar graph), is one of the most effective options. This type of chart allows you to stack data series in a single bar, making it easy to see both the totals for each category and the breakdown of each component. Whether you’re comparing sales across regions or monitoring progress in project tasks, a stacked bar graph offers a clear, consolidated view that highlights key insights.

Our online stacked bar graph maker provides a user-friendly way to create professionally themed stacked bar charts with just a few clicks. With a range of customizable features, along with the ability to embed widgets and real-time data syncing, you can quickly build insightful charts based on your specific needs.

What is a Stacked Bar Graph?

A stacked bar graph (or segmented bar chart) is a type of bar chart where individual data series are stacked in bars within categories, with each section of the bar representing a different component of the total value. Unlike a standard bar graph, which only shows one value per category, a stacked bar chart visually breaks down the totals, allowing viewers to analyze both the overall total and the contribution of each segment. This differs from a double bar graph, which uses separate bars to compare two values side-by-side within each category.

What is the Difference Between a Stacked Bar Graph Maker and a Segmented Bar Graph Maker?

There is actually no real difference between a stacked bar graph and a segmented bar chart—these terms can be used interchangeably. Both refer to the same type of chart where data series are stacked in a bar format to show component parts within a whole. This format is especially useful for analyzing layered or complex data in a clear way.

What are Stacked Bar Graphs Used For?

Stacked bar graphs are ideal for situations where you need to compare the breakdown of totals across different categories. Some specific use cases include:

Sales Analysis by Product Line: Visualize total sales across various products, showing how each product contributes to the overall revenue. If you want to see which product category is most popular across different regions, a stacked bar graph lets you see both the total of the category, along with how individual products contribute to that total.
Survey Results and Demographic Data: Analyze survey responses segmented by demographics such as age or region. Each bar can represent a demographic, with segments showing the responses within that group.
Budget Breakdown by Department: Track department spending across different categories like supplies, salaries, and travel. Each bar represents a department, while segments represent individual expense types, giving insight into both total spending and spending distribution.
Project Tracking: Visualize the progress of different stages in a project across various teams. Each bar can represent a team or task, with segments indicating milestones or phases, providing a high-level view of progress.

How to Create a Stacked Bar Graph

Creating a stacked bar graph is easy with our online stacked bar graph maker. Here's how you can make one in just a few steps:

1. Choose Your Graph Maker Tool

Select a segmented bar graph maker that allows flexible data import and customization. Tools like Excelkits ' free stacked bar graph generator are specifically designed for users to create clean, polished graphs quickly, supporting CSV and XLSX file formats for a customizable experience.

2. Input Your Data

Organize your data with columns for each category and each component within that category. You can either manually enter data, upload a file, or connect directly to Google Sheets for seamless integration.

3. Customize Your Graph

Adjust colors, labels, and segment sizes to provide further clarity and effectively highlight data. Online tools like Excelkits allow individual color choices per segment and overall palette adjustments to align with branding.

Save your completed graph as an image file (such as PNG or JPEG) for easy sharing, or embed the segmented bar graph in presentations, reports, or directly into your website.

How to Make a Stacked Bar Graph in Excel

Microsoft Excel is a popular tool for creating stacked bar graphs. Here's a simple guide to get you started:

Enter your data in columns, with one column for the categories and additional columns for each segment.
Highlight your data, go to the "Insert" tab, then select "Bar Chart" and choose the "Stacked Bar" option.
Excel will generate a basic stacked bar chart. Customize it by changing colors, adding labels, and adjusting axis titles.
Save or export your graph as an image or include it directly in your Excel document.

How to Make a Stacked Bar Graph in Google Sheets

Google Sheets offers another convenient option for creating stacked bar graphs:

Enter your data, with categories in one column and values for each segment in adjacent columns.
Highlight the data, go to "Insert", and choose "Chart".
In the Chart Editor, select "Stacked Bar Chart" from the Chart Type dropdown. There is the option to choose either "Stacked Bar Chart" or "100% Stacked Bar Chart," with the second enabling users to show changes as a percentage of a whole, rather than exact numerical value.
Customize the colors, labels, and axis titles for a polished look, then download the chart or share it directly from Google Sheets.

Excelkits: Free Stacked Bar Graph Maker

Excelkits offers a free stacked bar graph maker that simplifies the process of creating segmented bar charts. The tool offers extensive customization options, allowing you to choose colors for each segment to align with your branding or highlight specific values. Labels can also be added to each section to ensure that each data component is communicated clearly and effectively.

While you can always create and download unlimited charts with any of Excelkits chart makers, by signing up for Excelkits free plan, you will also gain 3 embeddable widgets that can receive up to 1,000 views per month — perfect for newer sites or those building out new content. The start plan offers significant enhancements, including the ability to embed up to 10 widgets and receive up to 10,000 monthly views. You’ll also be able to remove the Excelkits logo for a more brand-friendly presentation. Users with paid plans also unlock real-time data syncing from Google Sheets, which is highly valuable for those working with dynamic data.

Create your next impactful, customized stacked bar graph by getting started with Excelkits free tool today, or explore the benefits of a premium plan for added functionality.