Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated December 17, 2022)
This tip applies to Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
Jeff creates a lot of charts to track expenditures and labor by project. He creates stacked charts that show totals, but is looking for a way to combine stacked column and clustered column charts to provide just what he needs.
The solution is found in the way you organize the data in your worksheet. In short, you should leave a blank column (or row) between major groupings of your data. When you then create the chart, the blank area translates into a blank area on the chart, which makes it appear as if you have different clusters of data.
For a complete discussion of how this can be done, refer to the links at Jon Peltier's Web site. Jon is an Excel MVP, and has a good resource that speaks to this very issue:
http://peltiertech.com/clustered-stacked-column-bar-charts/
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (2431) applies to Microsoft Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003.
Create Custom Apps with VBA! Discover how to extend the capabilities of Office 2013 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Access) with VBA programming, using it for writing macros, automating Office applications, and creating custom applications. Check out Mastering VBA for Office 2013 today!
Need to generate a chart in the fastest possible way? Just use this shortcut key and you'll have one faster than you can ...
Discover MoreUnhappy with the default size that Excel uses for embedded chart objects? You can't change the size at which they are ...
Discover MoreWant a handy way to make the data ranges for your chart more dynamic? Here are some great ideas you can put to work right ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Excel that uses the menu interface (Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, or Excel 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments