Category Comparison

When you want to compare categories with each other, choose one of the charts below. Categories can be departments, countries, people or products.

  • If you want to compare a category over time, then choose a time series.
  • If your categories belong to a total, think about the part-to-whole chart alternatives. 
  • If you want to the the relationship between categories, choose for relationship chart. 

Chart

Use

When to use

Show

How the information is coded.

Build

Instructions and templates to make the chart in Excel

Inspire

Inspiration and examples on Pinterest

More

Soon to be added

Column chart

Single measurement, multiple categories. Can be used for time. 

Length
Standard in Excel
Inspiration and examples on Pinterest
Bar chart

One measure, multiple nominal categories. Not usable for time.

Length
Standard in Excel
Inspiration and examples on Pinterest
Grouped Column

Two measures, multiple categories. Do not use for time comparison.

Length
Color
Proximity
Standard in Excel
Inspiration and examples on Pinterest
Diverging Stacked Bar

Opposing variables (for example a liking scale)

Length
Color
2D Position
Inspiration and examples on Pinterest
Floating Column

Show the delta for a single measurement between nominal categories. 

Length
Color
2D Position
Inspiration and examples on Pinterest
Deviation column

Show the difference between budget/target and realization over time.

Length
Color
2D Position
Inspiration and examples on Pinterest