How to Create Overlapping Bar Chart in Excel (with Easy Steps)

Step 1 – Create Custom Combo Chart

• Select the dataset.
• Select “Create Custom Combo Chart” from the “Insert Combo Chart” menu under the Insert tab.

• The Insert Chart window will pop up.
• Change the Chart Type of both series to Clustered Bar.
• For the Target series, select Secondary Axis.
• Press OK.

• The following chart will be inserted.

Read More: Excel Bar Chart Side by Side with Secondary Axis

Step 2 – Edit Chart Elements

• Select the chart and click on the Chart Elements icon (the green plus sign).
• Select the Axis Titles.
• Deselect Gridlines.
• Double-click on the titles to change them.

• Double-click on the “Target” Axis and set the Maximum Bounds to 100.

• Double-click on the “Target” bar chart.
• Set Gap Width to 30% from the Series Options tab (this value reduces the gap between the bars, you can change it according to your needs).

• Select the “Target” bar chart and go to the Fill & Line tab.
• Select Solid fill under the Fill section.
• Select your desired fill color inside the Color.
• Set the Transparency to 70%.

• The chart will be modified as shown in the following image.

• Change the “Achieved” bar chart’s fill color.
• Enlarge the chart for better visuals. This will complete the creation process of the overlapping bar chart.

Read More: How to Create Construction Bar Chart in Excel

How to Create Stacked Bar Chart with Subcategories in Excel

We have a sample dataset that shows sales and profits for four different products at a specific store that has two locations in Texas and Missouri to illustrate the process.

• Select the dataset.
• From the Insert tab, select Stacked Bar from the Insert tab, which is under the Insert Column or Bar Chart menu.

• A basic chart will be inserted.

• We will insert a chart title, add data labels, decrease the series gap width and resize the chart for better visualization.
• The goal of creating a stacked bar chart with subcategories will be completed.

Read More: How to Create a 3D Bar Chart in Excel

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