20160727 - How to Create a Stacked-Cluster Graph in Excel

Date: 27 July 2016 Issued by: Zaid Kadwa Revision: 1.0

HOW TO DESIGN A STACKED-CLUSTERED GRAPH IN EXCEL

Preparation date: 27 July 2016

Prepared by: Zaid Kadwa

Revision number: 1.0

Page number: 1 of 9

1) INTRODUCTION

Typically Excel allows one to create either a stacked graph or a clustered graph using its pre-built templates. However, in many cases the way we want to analyse our data demands that we should have a stacked and clustered graph combined in order to have maximum effect. I had the same issue and did some research and would like to share my learnings with you. A common example is where one is trying to analyse different categories across actuals vs. budgets, where each category has sub categories. What one would then be trying to achieve is to have a bar or column graph (stacked for each category, and clustered where the budget and actuals are next to each other) that enables easy comparison. A very basic stacked graph looks like this:

A very basic clustered graph would look like this:

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Other

Hats

Shoes

Pants

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Or like this:

However, the potential end result one would be trying to achieve may look like this:

As you can see from the above graph, I have not only stacked columns for actuals and budgets, but have also grouped them for each distribution channel, i.e. sales to chain stores, wholesalers, and independent businesses. You may have the same scenario if you are trying to compare, say, expenses by sub-category (budget vs. actuals vs. forecast) across business areas or cost centres. So how do we get there? It really is quite simple, and I will guide you step-by-step.

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2) Process

2.1 Get your data in order

Let’s work through an example together to get the concept correct. I will work with a column graph, but the concept is exactly the same for a bar graph.

2.1.1 My information is set out in a table as follows:

2.1.2 So what I have above is as follows:

Shirts Pants Shoes Hats Fill Sum

Chains Budget 10 818 1 938 5 520 710 18 986

Actual 10 362 2 228 6 830 698 20 118

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Wholesalers Budget 5 432 500 1 936 - 7 868

Actual 6 172 625 2 536 - 9 333

20 200

Independents Budget 1 098 2 215 1 020 - 4 333

Actual 1 465 2 011 922 6 4 404

DC Mix Variances





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2.1.3 Not having a space in cells A5 and A8 will result in your graph looking like this:

2.2 Now for the graph

2.2.1 Select data and create stacked column graph (or you could go for a bar graph if you so wish; the concept is the same).





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2.2.2 You will get a graph looking as follows:

2.3 Here’s the trick

This solution involves using multi-level category labels as the horizontal axis format. The “Multi-level categories” functionality is the key.

To ensure that you are on the right track, do the following:

2.3.1 Right-click on the horizontal axis and select “Format Axis” from the list.

2.3.2 Ensure that the radio box “Multi-level Category Labels” is ticked.

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If the radio box “Multi-level Category Labels” is not ticked, your graph will look as follows:

2.4 Now do the following

2.4.1 Reduce the gap between your columns – right-click on any of the stacked columns and select “Format Data Series” from the list and reduce the gap width (in this example I have reduced it to 15% from the default 150%).





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Your graph now should look as follows:

2.4.2 Make the “Fill” columns invisible – right-click on any of the “Fill” columns and select “Format Data Series”:

2.4.2.1 In the “Fill” tab select the radio button “No fill”;

2.4.2.2 In the “Border Colour” tab select the radio button “No line”; and

2.4.2.3 In the “Shadow” tab under the item “Presets” ensure that the “No shadow” option is selected.

Your graph should now look as follows:

2.4.3 Remove the “Fill” item from the legend – simply select “Fill” from the legend and hit the [delete] key.

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2.4.4 You may also want to format the vertical axis maximum, minimum and/or other values depending on the level of detail in your graph – typically I make the maximum value equal to the value in my “fill” column so that there is no wasted space on the graph; right-click on the vertical axis and select “Format Axis”. Note that this step is based on personal preference and space constraints. I have formatted the axis options as follows:

2.5 Make it look pretty

That’s it! A simple way to make a combined stacked/clustered graph. Now you can just play around with the templates and formatting options to make your graph look pretty.

3) Conclusion

I have included 2 graphs on the next page for ideas which you may find useful (I have also included a line graph on a secondary axis to supplement my graph with information). Thanks for reading and I look forward to any questions, suggestions or ideas.





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End of document

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Documents

20160727 - How to Create a Stacked-Cluster Graph in Excel