Stacked Bar Chart: Recommended Style and Tips

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Use stacked Bar Charts: 

 

• To show the composition of groups, but the data is not in a continues time series;

• To display the part-to-whole relationship of categories, as well as totals.

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Recommended Style 

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1. Bars: The gap width between bars should be as minimal as possible to avoid narrow or thin bars. 

2. Color: Use contrasting colors to identify variables within a stacked bar. Each variable should have a distinct, contrasting color. See approved colors.

3. Base line: The base line of a bar chart should always start at zero. Negative values should appear below the zero base line.

4. Data: When the data is not time based, arrange data in the descending or ascending order. Categorical values should be stacked according to which variable is primary vs. secondary. The primary and secondary should appear in the same order for each stacked bar.  

5. Values: When possible, remove excessive zeros from values. 

6. Labeling: When appropriate, the X and Y axis should be clearly labeled. The Y axis label should be turned 90 degrees, reading from bottom to top (see chart below). The X axis should not be labeled at an angle. When category labels are too long, consider using a horizontal stacked bar chart. Font type: Calibri Light. Font size: 11.

7. Grid Lines: Grid lines should be used sparingly. When appropriate use either horizontal or vertical lines, never both.

8. Title: Begin your title with the portion mark classification, followed by Figure #: Title. Font type: Calibri Regular. Font size: 14.

9. Classification and Sourcing: Below the line chart, bottom left, list the overall classification of the chart and directly below the classification, list the source and source stream/s. Font type: Calibri Light Italic. Font size: 9.

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Tips

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• Use contrasting colors to help the reader identify and visually separate data sets. 

• Make sure dates have the same intervals.

• Stack bars consistently to make it easier to read.

• Do not use narrow bars, they cause the eye to focus on the negative space.

• Bring the most important values to the bottom of the chart. Use color to make it stand out.

• Do not make a bar chart 3D. 3D effects visually skews the data.