Column charts are useful for showing data changes over a period of time or for illustrating comparisons among items. In column charts, categories are typically organized along the horizontal axis and values along the vertical axis.
![Example of a bar chart](https://support.content.office.net/en-us/media/9fcb06af-ab7d-46d8-b7e3-8ef0de8fefe9.png)
For information on column charts, and when they should be used, see Available chart types in Office.
To create a column chart:
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Enter data in a spreadsheet.
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Select the data.
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On the Insert tab, select
Insert Column or Bar Chart and choose a column chart option.You can optionally format the chart further:
Note: Be sure to select the chart first before applying a formatting option.
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To apply a different chart layout, on the Chart Design tab, select Charts Layout, and choose a layout.
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To apply a different chart style, on the Chart Design tab, select Chart Styles, and pick a style.
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To apply a different shape style, on the Format tab, select Shape Styles, and pick a style.
Note: A chart style is different from a shape style. A shape style is a formatting option that applies to the chart’s border only, whereas the chart style is a formatting option that applies to the entire chart.
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To apply different shape effects, on the Format tab, select Shape Effects, and pick an option such as Bevel or Glow, and then a sub option.
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To apply a theme, On the Page Layout tab, select Themes, and choose a theme.
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To apply a formatting option to a specific component of a chart (such as Vertical (Value) Axis, Horizontal (Category) Axis, Chart Area, to name a few), on the Format tab, pick a component in the Chart Elements dropdown box, select Format Selection, and make any necessary changes. Repeat the step for each component you want to modify.
Note: If you are comfortable working in charts, you can also select and right-click on a specific area on the chart and select a formatting option.
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To create a column chart, follow these steps:
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In your email message, on the Insert tab, select
Add a Chart. -
In the Insert Chart dialog box, choose Column, and pick a column chart option of your choice, and select OK.
Excel opens in a split window and displays sample data on a worksheet.
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Replace the sample data with your own data.
Note: If your chart is not reflecting data from the worksheet, make sure to drag the vertical lines all the way down to the last row in the table.
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Optionally, save the worksheet by following these steps:
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Select Edit Data in Microsoft Excel on the Quick Access Toolbar.
The worksheet opens in Excel.
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Save the worksheet.
Tip: To reopen the worksheet, on the Chart Design tab, select Edit Data and choose an option, including Edit Data in Excel.
You can optionally format the chart a little further. See the list below for a few options:
Note: Make sure you click on the chart first before applying a formatting option.
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To apply a different chart layout, on the Chart Design tab, select Charts Layout, and select a layout.
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To apply a different chart style, on the Chart Design tab, select Chart Styles, and pick a style.
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To apply a different shape style, on the Format tab, select Shape Styles and pick a style.
Note: A chart style is different from a shape style. A shape style is a formatting option that applies to the chart’s border only, whereas the chart style is a formatting option that applies to the entire chart.
-
To apply different shape effects, on the Format tab, select Shape Effects and pick an option such as Bevel or Glow, and then a sub option.
-
To apply a formatting option to a specific component of a chart (such as Vertical (Value) Axis, Horizontal (Category) Axis, Chart Area, to name a few), on the Format tab, pick a component in the Chart Elements dropdown box, select Format Selection, and make any necessary changes. Repeat the step for each component you want to modify.
Note: If you are comfortable working in charts, you can also select and right-click on a specific area on the chart and select a formatting option.
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Did you know?
If you don't have a Microsoft 365 subscription or the latest Office version, you can try it now:
![Try Office 365 or the latest version of Excel](https://support.content.office.net/en-us/media/66bd0628-8473-4750-b528-03b57eb3d85d.png)