C.3 Building a Stacked Column Chart
A column chart that breaks the column bars into segments that represent subcategories that are consistent across the columns. are used to compare categories of items or the same category over time. However, a stacked column chart breaks the column bars into segments that represent subcategories that are consistent across the columns. For example, we could construct a stacked column chart to compare education attainment levels for different age groups. We could break each of the bars into segments that represent the percent of people who attained each education level in each age group. Figure C.11 demonstrates what this chart might look like.
Figure C.12 demonstrates the first step in creating the stacked column chart above. The first step is to insert a stacked column chart into the worksheet.
The next step in creating the stacked column chart is to add the data series to the chart. A stacked column chart requires a data series for each segment of the chart columns. In this case, there are three segments for each of the columns: less than high school, high school graduates, and bachelor’s or above. Figure C.13 outlines the series names and values for each data series.
The next step in the process involves setting the values for the horizontal axis labels (Figure C.14). The horizontal axis labels are referenced in range C3:G3.
The data source settings for the chart should appear as in Figure C.15. Notice that all three data series (one for each segment of the stacked columns) in the Legend Entries (Series) section of the dialog window.
Next, we want to edit the title of the chart (see Figure C.16). The title of the chart should be “Level of Education by Age Range.”
A chart legend is used to help the user differentiate between the various data series depicted in a chart. There are three data series in the education chart, but it is difficult to know what each color represents without referring back to the original data. Adding a legend to clearly label what each color represents makes it much easier to interpret the chart. To add the legend, click the plus icon, choose the arrow head after Legend, and select bottom from the Legend menu.
The final step is to add axis titles to the chart. Axis titles will further clarify the chart for the user by labeling what each axis of the chart represents. Select the Axis Titles option from the plus icon and then rename the x-axis "Age Range" and the y-axis "Percentage".