What's the difference between grouped and stacked bars?
Grouped bars show each series separately inside the same category, while stacked bars combine them into a single total. Grouping is clearer when you want to compare series directly.
What Is a Grouped Bar Chart?
A grouped bar chart compares more than one series inside each category. Each category shows multiple bars side by side.
Use it when one category needs more than one measurement, such as 2023 sales versus 2024 sales.
Start With the Raw Data
A grouped chart starts with repeated categories across different series:
| Category | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | R3,900 | R4,500 |
| Hardware | R2,900 | R3,200 |
| Services | R2,100 | R2,800 |
Instead of a single total per category, grouped bars show each category with multiple related values so you can compare both within the category and across categories.
What This Chart Helps You See
2023 vs 2024 sales
Plan vs actual
Branch comparison
Common Ways to Use a Grouped Bar Chart
- Compare last year vs this year sales by category.
- Compare planned vs actual budget by department.
- Compare customer counts across branches and quarters.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Use the Live Example Below
Change any series value in the grid and save to compare how the side-by-side bars shift.
Side-by-Side Comparisons
Grouped bar charts are perfect when each category has multiple series you want to compare side by side, such as regions, teams, or product lines.
Live Demo: Editable Series Data
Instructions: Update a value in the grid to see the grouped bars refresh.
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When to Use Grouped Bars
- When each category has multiple comparable series.
- When you need a clear, side-by-side comparison.
- When the number of series is small (2-4).