How to create a Vertical bar stacked chart

Stacks data series on top of one another to show part-to-whole relationships while maintaining total value height.

When to use a Vertical bar stacked chart

This format is ideal when you need to:

  • Show how multiple values contribute to a total within each category.

  • Highlight part-to-whole relationships while still comparing overall totals across categories.

  • Visualise cumulative data in a compact, easy-to-read layout.

  • Compare contributions of sub-groups without separating them into individual bars.

How to build a Vertical bar stacked chart

  • In the Explore Data tool, go to the Build Your Chart step.

  • Under the Type tab, select Vertical bar stacked.

  • Here is an example:

💡 Tips for Vertical bar stacked chart

  1. Good for showing total and composition: Stacked bars preserve total values while still showing segment breakdown making them ideal when both scale and composition matter.

  2. Use with caution across unequal group sizes: Stacked bars can distort comparisons if group sizes vary wildly. Stacked proportion charts might be clearer in that case.