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  • Home
  • Data Studio
    • What Is GLDS
    • Why Use GLDS
    • Data Connectors
    • Customized Dashboard
  • Services
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    • What Do I Need?
  • Team
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    • Most Used Features
    • Configuration Guide
      • Background and Border in Google Data Studio
      • Missing Data in Google Data Studio
      • Conditional Formatting in Google Data Studio
      • Chart Header in Google Data Studio
      • Legends in Google Data Studio
      • Reference Lines in Google Data Studio
      • Report Settings
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      • Share Report
      • Manual Publishing
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      • Embed a report
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      • Interface, Menu and Features
      • Most Used Terms
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      • Theme and Layout
      • 10 Reasons You Should Be Using Google Data Studio
      • FAQs
    • Charts Guide
      • Scorecard in Google Data Studio
      • Pie Chart in Google Data Studio
      • Bullet Chart in Google Data Studio
      • Gauge Chart in Google Data Studio
      • Line Chart in Google Data Studio
      • Column Charts in Google Data Studio
      • Combo Chart in Google Data Studio
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    • Home
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      • What Is GLDS
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    • Team
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      • Most Used Features
      • Configuration Guide
        • Background and Border in Google Data Studio
        • Missing Data in Google Data Studio
        • Conditional Formatting in Google Data Studio
        • Chart Header in Google Data Studio
        • Legends in Google Data Studio
        • Reference Lines in Google Data Studio
        • Report Settings
        • Data Blending in Google Data Studio
        • Share Report
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        • Embed a report
        • Get a link to your report
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        • Most Used Terms
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        • Theme and Layout
        • 10 Reasons You Should Be Using Google Data Studio
        • FAQs
      • Charts Guide
        • Scorecard in Google Data Studio
        • Pie Chart in Google Data Studio
        • Bullet Chart in Google Data Studio
        • Gauge Chart in Google Data Studio
        • Line Chart in Google Data Studio
        • Column Charts in Google Data Studio
        • Combo Chart in Google Data Studio
        • Table Chart in Google Data Studio
        • Pivot Table in Google Data Studio
        • Area Chart in Google Data Studio
        • Scatter Chart in Google Data Studio
        • Bubble Chart in Google Data Studio
        • Maps in Google Data Studio
        • Treemaps in Google Data Studio
        • Bullet Chart vs Gauge Chart in Google Data Studio
      • Google Analytics 4 Dimensions and Metrics Definition
      • FAQ
Looker Studio > Charts Guide > Column Chart

A Column chart shows comparisons among discrete categories. One axis of the chart shows the specific categories being compared, and the other axis represents a measured value. The bars can be plotted vertically or horizontally.

1. Column Chart: Single Axis

Single Axis Column Chart in Google Data Studio
Single Axis Column Chart in Looker Studio (Formerly known as Data Studio)
  • In this chart, we display users by weekday, with data aggregated by weekday for the selected time period.

  • Adding an average reference will provide additional information about what to look for analysis. For example, in the above chart, we can analyze "Why are Thursday's average users 35% higher than the rest of the weekday?"

Recommended: Yes

  • Yes, it is one of the most widely used charts across the industry.

2. Column Chart with Multiple Metrics: Single Axis

Column Chart with Multiple Metrics: Single Axis in Google Data Studio
Column Chart with Multiple Metrics: Single Axis in Looker Studio (Formerly known as Data Studio)
  • In this chart, we display users by weekday, with data aggregated by weekday for the selected time period.

  • Adding an average reference will provide additional information about what to look for analysis. For example, in the above chart, we can analyze "Why are Thursday's average users 35% higher than the rest of the weekday?"

Recommended: Yes

  • Yes, it is one of the most widely used charts across the industry.

  • Keep the single-axis configuration in order to show a proper comparison between the data set.

3. Column Chart: Dual Axis (1/2)

Column Chart in Google Data Studio: Dual Axis
Column Chart in Looker Studio: Dual Axis
  • In this chart, we display Users and Page Views by weekday. Data is aggregated by weekday for the selected time period.

  • In this example, even where data has 3x-5x differences, they appear to have a difference of 10-15%. In the next example, we will change the "Absolute Value" to "% of Total."

Recommended: No

  • For most audiences, it's hard to make intuitively correct statements about two data series which have a significant difference.

  • In this example, even where data has 3x-5x differences, they appear to have a difference of 10-15%. In the following example, we will change the "Absolute Value" to "% of Total."

4. Column Charts: Dual Axis (2/2)

Column Chart in Google Data Studio: Dual Axis
Column Chart in Looker Studio: Dual Axis
  • In this chart, we display Users and Page Views by weekday. Data is aggregated by weekday for the selected time period.

  • In this example, we have changed "Absolute Value" to "% of Total." Thus, both Users and Page Views become visually comparable.

Recommended: Yes

  • Suitable if both Axis data set don't have a significant difference or display the "% of the total" in a dual Axis column chart.

5. Stacked Column: Single Axis

Stacked Column: Single Axis in Google Data Studio
Stacked Column: Single Axis in Looker Studio (Formerly known as Data Studio)
  • In this chart, we display Users and Unique Purchases by weekday. Data is aggregated by weekday for the selected time period. For example, in this chart, "What are the weekday Unique Purchases against Total Users?"

Recommended: Yes

  • Stacked Column Charts are a great choice if you need to observe how each of the individual variables and their sums change.

  • Double axis configurations are not recommended for Stacked Column Charts, as a visual comparison between the data sets will be tough to comprehend for most users. In the following chart, we will display the same chart with a Double Axis configuration.

6. Stacked Column: Dual Axis

Stacked Column: Dual Axis in Google Data Studio
Stacked Column: Dual Axis in Looker Studio (Formerly known as Data Studio)
  • In this chart, we display Users and Unique Purchases by weekday, and data is aggregated by weekday for the selected time period.

  • When we changed to Double Axis configuration, the Stacked bar distribution doesn't make sense. It's best to avoid a double axis for a Stacked Column Chart.

Recommended: No

  • Double axis configurations are not recommended for Stacked Column Charts, as a visual comparison between the data sets will be tough to comprehend for most users.

7. 100% Stacked Column (1/2)

100% Stacked Column in Google Data Studio
100% Stacked Column in Looker Studio (Formerly known as Data Studio)
  • In this chart, we display Users by Age Group, and data is aggregated by weekday for the selected time period.

  • Even though 100% stacked columns always equal 100%, it's best to have % data within the chart, so your audience can see the actual % by showing the data label. Otherwise, it can be difficult to compare the relative size of each component visually. In the following chart, we will display the same data as "% of Total."

Recommended: Yes

  • 100% Stacked Column Charts are a great choice if you need to observe how each of the individual shares changes over time.

8. 100% Stacked Column (2/2)

100% Stacked Column in Looker Studio (Formerly known as Data Studio)
  • In this chart, we display Users by Age Group, and data is aggregated by weekday for the selected time period.

  • In this chart, we are displaying the previous chart data as "% of Total."

Recommended: Yes

  • 100% Stacked Column Charts are a great choice if you need to observe how each of the individual shares changes over time.

Charts Guide:
  • Scorecards
  • Pie/Doughnut Chart
  • Bullet Charts
  • Gauge Charts
  • Line Charts/Time Series Charts
  • Column Charts
  • Combo Charts
  • Table
  • Pivot Tables
  • Area Charts
  • Scatter Charts
  • Bubble Chart
  • Geo Maps Charts
  • Treemap
  • Bullet Chart vs Gauge Chart

Configuration across chart:
  • Background and Border
  • Missing Data
  • Conditional Formatting
  • Chart Header
  • Legends
  • Reference Lines
  • Report Settings

Most Used Features:
  • Report Sharing
  • Manual Publishing
  • Version History
  • Embed a Report
  • Get a link to your report
  • Schedule Email Delivery
  • Download as PDF
  • Interface Menu & Features
  • Most Used Terms
  • Keyboard Shortcuts
  • Theme and Layout
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