How to Make a Double Bar Graph

Comparing two different sets of data is one of the most common tasks in any analysis, but finding a clear way to show that comparison can be tricky. A double bar graph is a simple, powerful tool for exactly this situation, letting you visualize two distinct data series side by side across various categories. This tutorial will walk you through what a double bar graph is, when to use one, and how to create your own in both Google Sheets and Excel.

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What Exactly is a Double Bar Graph?

A double bar graph, often called a clustered or grouped bar chart, places two bars next to each other for each category you’re measuring. This lets your audience instantly compare the values for two different sets of information. Think of it as combining two separate bar charts into one for a direct head-to-head comparison.

For example, instead of one bar showing your total website traffic for January, you could use a double bar graph to show two bars: one for desktop traffic and one for mobile traffic. Doing this for each month of the year allows you to quickly see how the two segments compare and track their relationship over time.

When Should You Use a Double Bar Graph?

Double bar graphs are perfect whenever you want to compare two distinct metrics across the same set of categories. They excel at highlighting differences, showing trends, and making relationships between two variables easy to understand. Here are a few common scenarios where they shine:

• Marketing Analytics: Comparing clicks vs. conversions for different ad campaigns, or looking at follower growth on two social media platforms month over month.
• Sales Reporting: Tracking actual sales revenue against sales goals for each sales rep, or comparing unit sales for two different products across several quarters.
• Business Finance: Visualizing projected vs. actual revenue for each fiscal period, or comparing operational costs between two different departments.
• E-commerce Performance: Showing the number of new customers vs. returning customers each week, or comparing revenue generated from two different product categories.

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Gathering and Structuring Your Data for Success

Before you can build your graph, your data needs to be organized properly. The single most important step is to structure your data in a clear table format. Without a clean setup, your spreadsheet tool will get confused and produce a messy, unreadable chart.

Your table should have at least three columns:

• Column A: The Category. This is what you are measuring (e.g., Months, Quarters, Product Names, Campaign Names). This will become your X-axis.
• Column B: The First Data Series. This contains the first set of numbers you want to compare (e.g., Projected Revenue, Sales of Product A, Mobile Traffic).
• Column C: The Second Data Series. This contains the second set of numbers (e.g., Actual Revenue, Sales of Product B, Desktop Traffic).

Here’s an example of how your data should look if you're comparing Projected vs. Actual Sales for the year:

Example Data Table:

Notice how each row corresponds to a specific category (Q1, Q2, etc.), and the two data series we want to compare have their own distinct columns. This clean structure is the foundation for a great chart.

How to Make a Double Bar Graph in Google Sheets

Google Sheets makes creating charts incredibly easy once your data is properly formatted. Let’s walk through the process using our Projected vs. Actual Sales example.

Step 1: Enter Your Data into the Sheet

Open a new Google Sheet and type or paste your data into the cells, making sure it follows the three-column structure we discussed above. Your first row should contain the headers: Category, Data Series 1, and Data Series 2.

Step 2: Select Your Data

Click and drag your cursor to highlight the entire data set you want to visualize. Be sure to include the column headers in your selection, as Google Sheets will use them to automatically create chart labels and a legend.

Step 3: Insert the Chart

With your data selected, navigate to the menu at the top of the screen and click Insert > Chart. Google Sheets will instantly analyze your data and create what it thinks is the best chart type. Often, it defaults to the clustered column chart (a vertical double bar graph) right away.

Step 4: Verify and Refine the Chart Type

If Google Sheets didn’t automatically create a double bar graph, the Chart Editor sidebar will appear on the right. Under the "Setup" tab, click the dropdown menu under "Chart type" and select the Column chart. This will set your graph up as a vertical double bar graph. If you prefer horizontal bars, you can select the "Bar chart" option instead.

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Step 5: Customize Your Graph for Clarity

An un-customized chart is functional, but a well-customized chart tells a story. Use the "Customize" tab in the Chart Editor to refine your graph:

• Chart & axis titles: Give your graph a clear, descriptive title. Instead of "Projected vs. Actual," try something like "Projected Sales vs. Actual Sales Performance - 2023." Also, make sure your horizontal and vertical axes are labeled (e.g., "Quarter" and "Sales (in USD)").
• Series: Change the colors of your bars to make them visually distinct and easy to recognize. You can also add data labels to show the exact values on top of each bar if the graph isn't too crowded.
• Legend: Adjust the position of your legend (the key that explains what each color means) to an area that looks clean and is easy to read.

How to Make a Double Bar Graph in Microsoft Excel

The process in Microsoft Excel is just as straightforward. The interface looks a little different, but the core steps are nearly identical.

Step 1: Get Your Data into the Spreadsheet

Just as with Google Sheets, start by entering your data into an Excel worksheet. Use the same organized, three-column format with clear headers for each column.

Step 2: Highlight Your Data Range

Click and drag to select all the cells containing the data for your chart, including the descriptive headers in the first row.

Step 3: Navigate to the Insert Tab and Choose Your Chart

Go to the Insert tab on the Ribbon at the top of the Excel window. In the "Charts" section, you'll see a small icon that looks like a column chart. Click on it, and a dropdown menu will appear with several chart options.

Step 4: Select the "Clustered Column" Chart

From the dropdown menu, select the first option under the "2-D Column" heading. This is the Clustered Column chart, which is Excel’s name for a standard vertical double bar graph. Excel will immediately put the chart onto your spreadsheet.

Step 5: Format and Edit Your Chart

Once your chart is created, you can customize it to improve its readability. When you click on the chart, two new tabs will appear on the Ribbon: Chart Design and Format.

Use these options to:

• Add a meaningful Chart Title.
• Use the "Add Chart Element" button on the Chart Design tab to add Axis Titles.
• Right-click on the bars themselves to change their color using the "Fill" option.
• Move the legend or use quick layout options to find a design that presents your data clearly.

Tips for an Effective Double Bar Graph

Creating the plot on a double bar graph is only half of the journey - making it useful is the other half. Keep these best practices in mind so anyone can read your chart and take key takeaways from your data.

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1. Always Start the Value Axis at Zero

One of the easiest ways to create a deceptive chart is by starting the Y-axis (the value axis for each bar) above zero. To accurately represent your data, the Y-axis should begin at zero, otherwise, differences between data points can be exaggerated and mislead viewers.

2. Use Logical and Contrasting Colors

Your goal is to use colors that are easily distinguishable from each other and from the background. Whenever possible, choose colors that intuitively match the data being represented, such as using cool blues for targets and warm oranges for actual performance. Ensure that the chosen colors are visible across different devices and when printed.

3. Label Everything Clearly

Ensure all elements of your chart such as titles, axis labels, and legends are clearly marked. Providing this context allows viewers to easily understand the information being presented without additional explanations.

4. Don’t Clutter the Chart

While double bars are useful, avoid overcrowding the chart. Aim to stay within five to ten bar groupings to maintain readability, if you have more data, consider breaking it into multiple charts or using a different type of graph.

Final Thoughts

Double bar charts are a go-to tool for clearly communicating performance between two groups or comparing any data series across categories. By properly organizing your data and using tools like Google Sheets or Excel, you can create professional-quality charts that highlight important findings. Excellent visuals not only convey information effectively but also inspire deeper insights and discussions.

Creating these charts manually is a valuable skill, but the process can become tedious, especially when generating weekly reports from live data sources like Google Analytics, Shopify, or Salesforce. That's where Graphed comes in. Our platform automatically links and syncs your data sources into a single dashboard, allowing you to focus on discovering insights that drive business growth.