Columns and Stacked Columns

A Column Chart helps compare values across categories using vertical bars. Each bar represents a category, such as a country or region, and displays its metric.

Using Column Charts

• Select the range of data you want to display on the chart. This should include at least two columns: one for categories (e.g., countries) and one or more for values;
• Click on Insert → Chart;
• In the Chart editor window, go to the Chart type section and select Column chart;
• Ensure that the correct data range is specified in the Data range section.

Example Usage

Open our dataset on global happiness. We want to create a Column Chart to compare happiness scores and GDP per capitafor each country.

• Select the data range A1:C26, which includes headers and data;
• Click Insert → Chart;
• In the Chart editor, select Column chart;
• Ensure the Data range is set to A1:C26. The Score will appear as the main metric on the left vertical axis, while GDP per capita will be displayed as an additional metric on the right vertical axis through Series.

Reading Chart

• The horizontal axis will display countries or regions;
• The left vertical axis will represent happiness scores;
• The right vertical axis will show GDP per capita (gross domestic product per capita).

Analyzing Results

The chart analysis shows a clear distribution of happiness levels and GDP per capita across countries. High happiness levels in Iceland (7.494), Guatemala (6.436), and Northern Cyprus (5.718) stand out compared to low happiness levels in Afghanistan (3.203) and Rwanda (3.334), which also have the lowest GDP values (0.175 and 0.180, respectively).

Mozambique (4.466) and Comoros (3.973) stand out with high happiness levels despite extremely low GDP values (0.102 and 0.137, respectively), which deviates from the general trend. Meanwhile, Botswana demonstrates the opposite scenario: a relatively high GDP (0.521) with low happiness levels (3.488).

Stacked Column Chart

A Stacked Column Chart allows displaying the component parts of a total value for each category using vertical bars.

Creating Stacked Column Charts

• Select the range of data you want to display. This should include at least two categories and one or more metrics;
• Click on Insert → Chart;
• In the Chart editor window, go to the Chart type section and select Stacked column chart;
• Verify that the correct data range is specified in the Data range section. Ensure all required metrics are listed as separate series.

Example Usage

Open our dataset on global happiness. We want to create a Stacked Column Chart to analyze various aspects of quality of life in each country, including GDP per capita, Social support, Healthy life expectancy, and more.

• Select the data range A1:A26,C1:H26, which includes headers and data;
• Click Insert → Chart;
• In the Chart editor, select Stacked column chart;
• Ensure the Data range is set to A1:A26,C1:H26. Each column will represent a separate series, such as GDP per capita, Social support, and others.

Reading Chart

• The horizontal axis will display countries or regions;
• The vertical axis will show the composite values of various metrics, such as GDP per capita, Social support, and others.

Analyzing Results

The analysis shows that Iceland leads in social support (0.812), health (0.513), and freedom of choice (0.591), ensuring high quality of life. In contrast, Morocco, Botswana, and Tunisia exhibit low health and generosity indicators. Greece, with a high GDP (0.591), demonstrates minimal freedom of choice (0.067), highlighting social challenges. Rwanda compensates for economic limitations with a high level of freedom (0.555). Indonesia stands out with its balanced approach, showing moderate metrics across all parameters—average GDP (0.466), social support (0.602), and generosity (0.498), creating a harmonious blend of economic and social factors.