how to make a bar chart in excel / Step-by-step workflow
How to Make a Bar Chart in Excel
Select a table with category labels and numeric values, then use Insert > Bar Chart in Excel. Use horizontal bars for long labels and column charts for short labels.
- 01
Step 1: Prepare a category-value table
Put category names in the first column and values in the next column. For multiple series, add one value column per series.
- 02
Step 2: Select the data
Highlight the labels, headers, and numeric values that should appear in the chart.
- 03
Step 3: Insert a bar chart
Open Insert, choose the bar chart menu, then select a 2-D bar chart for a simple horizontal bar chart.
- 04
Step 4: Choose bar, column, stacked, or clustered
Use bar charts for long labels, column charts for short labels, stacked charts for parts of a whole, and clustered charts for side-by-side series.
- 05
Step 5: Clean up the result
Sort the table when ranking matters, edit the title, simplify colors, and check that labels are readable.
Copyable data
Use this starter table
Paste this into a spreadsheet or preview it in the chart tool before styling.
product,sales
Product A,120
Product B,95
Product C,140FAQ
How do I create a bar chart in Excel?
Select your category and value columns, then choose Insert > Bar Chart and pick a 2-D bar option.
Should I use a bar chart or column chart in Excel?
Use a bar chart for long labels or rankings. Use a column chart for short labels or categories that read naturally from left to right.
Can Excel make stacked and clustered bar charts?
Yes. Excel includes stacked, 100% stacked, clustered bar, and clustered column chart options.
Last updated: 2026-07-06