Bored of using Bar Charts??
5 Ways to get creative with bar charts
Bar charts are one of the most used chart forms I use when presenting data insights at work. But I often feel like it gets a bit monotonous and repetitive especially when you need to present a lot of KPIs on the dashboard.
Here are five different variations you can use to show data using bar charts.
1. Using Rounded Bars
The way it works is basically you provide two-measure names to tableau and draw a line using those.
a. You start by drawing a normal bar chart by dragging dimensions to the columns shelf and measure to the rows shelf.
b. Next add another measure on the rows shelf as min(0). It is basically a point at 0 and will act as the second point for drawing the line.
c. Now we need to change the chart type to Line.
d. Add Measure Names to path shelf, Measure Values to Rows shelf and move both measures to Measure Values Shelf as shown below.
e. Now, just adjust the size of the line and make it a little thicker. Adjust the axis if needed.
You are done!
2. Rounded Bars with Base
This type of chart works great with categorical dimensions. You can also build a stacked bar chart using the same technique.
It’s exactly similar to the chart from the previous section. After you get the rounded bar charts, follow these steps.
a. Just add another measure to rows shelf — min(0).
b. Right-click on the calculation and select Dual Axis.
c. Next right click on the Y-axis and click Synchronize Axis.
d. Now, change the chart type for the second measure to the Gantt Bar chart.
e. Reduce the size of the bar and you will get the rounded bar chart with base.
Adjust the axis and there you go!..
3. Bar Chart to show the percentage share or Rating — Type 1
This bar chart type works very well in conveying the position with respect to the whole. You can build it in three simple steps.
a. Add the continuous dimension to the Columns Shelf.
b. Change the chart type to circle.
c. Add the dimension to colour as needed and increase the size of the bar.
You are done!
4. Bar Chart to show the percentage share or Rating — Type 2
As with above, this type of bar charts help in showing the ratings or percentage at a glance. It’s simple to build and follows a similar technique. It looks super nice and can be used in tooltips as I have. We are going to be building a horizontal bar chart using this technique.
a. You need to create a calculated field with min(10) and place it on the Columns Shelf.
b. Next add the rating measure value on the columns shelf and choose a dual-axis. Synchronize axis.
c. Change the chart type to bar for min(10) measure and choose a light colour to fill up.
d. Change the chart type to circle for “ratings” measure and choose a darker colour.
e. Adjust size accordingly.
There you have it!
5. Overlaid Bar Charts
These charts work great when you want to show comparisons between different time frames.
To build this by using the default superstore dataset.
a. Chose the dimension by which you want to segment the results. I have used segment for this example.
b. Create two calculated fields with the measure for that particular time frame.
c. Drag these sales fields to the Rows shelf and choose a dual-axis. Synchronize axis.
d. Drag the Date field to the colour card. In my case, it was the year field.
Now, the fun part.
e. Adjust the size of the two bars. I generally make the older period bar thicker and a little translucent and the latest period bar bolder in colour and thinner.
Here are the results.
That’s it for today, folks!
I hope these tricks and tips help you in improving your visualization.
Thanks for reading!!…
Until next time!!…
