When is it useful to use a bar chart

If you have comparative data that you would like to represent through a chart then a bar chart would be the best option. This type of chart is one of the more familiar options as it is easy to interpret.

These charts are useful for displaying data that is classified into nominal or odinal categories. A good example of a bar chart can be seen below. A bar chart uses bars to show comparisons between categories of data. These bars can be displayed horizontally or vertically. One disadvantage of vertical bar charts, however, is that they lack space for text labelling at the foot of each bar.

When category labels in the chart are too long, you might find a horizontal bar chart better for displaying information, like the example in Chart 5. There are several other types of bar chart that you may encounter. The population pyramid is a special application of a grouped bar chart. Another useful type of bar chart is the stacked bar chart.

The stacked bar chart is a preliminary data analysis tool used to show segments of totals. The stacked bar chart can be very difficult to analyze if too many items are in each stack. It can contrast values, but not necessarily in the simplest manner. It is easy to see at a glance what percentage of time each woman spent on an event.

Had this been a chart representing a decathlon with 10 events the data would have been significantly harder to analyze. Please contact us and let us know how we can help you. Table of contents. How to Create a Bar Chart. EdrawMax is an advanced all-in-one diagramming tool for creating professional flowcharts, org charts, mind maps, network diagrams, UML diagrams, floor plans, electrical diagrams, science illustrations, and more.

Just try it, you will love it! Start Now. Knowledge of Charts. This article shows when to use bar chart to represent your data. Bar charts are often used when comparing categories of data, which can see data changes over time. Free Download Buy Now. If both variables increase at the same time, they have a positive relationship.

If one variable decreases while the other increases, they have a negative relationship. Sometimes the variables don't follow any pattern and have no relationship. Fun Graphing Exercise!