How to Make a Bar Graph With 3 Variables in Excel?

Displaying data with three or more key variables is not a walk in the park.

Why?

You’re likely to end up with distorted insights if you use the wrong visualization design. To avoid the aforementioned challenge, use Bar Graphs with 3 variables in Excel.

Bar Graphs are arguably among the most straightforward charts to decode. Besides, they’re familiar to many. You can use this chart to create persuasive and irresistible data stories.

You require the best visualization tool to plot easy-to-interpret and visually stunning Bar Graphs. Yes, you need a tool that’s easy to use and affordable.

Excel seems to be the logical choice for many because they are free. However, the spreadsheet application lacks ready-made Bar Graphs with 3 variables. In other words, Excel charts require extra work in editing.

So what’s the solution for drawing the best graph for 3 variables in Excel?

It turns out there’s a particular add-on you can easily download and install in your Excel. This add-on generates a ready-to-use Bar Graph with 3 variables for your data stories, which we will show you later in this blog.

In this blog, you’ll learn:

Table of Content:

1. What is a Bar Graph with 3 Variables?
2. Why Do We Need a Bar Chart With 3 Variables?
3. How to Make a Bar Graph With 3 Variables in Excel?
   • Step 1: Enter Your Data
   • Step 2: Select Stacked Bar Graph
   • Step 3: Customize the Graph
   • Step 4: Final Bar Graph With 3 Variables
4. Advantages of Using a Bar Graph With 3 Variables in Excel
5. Best Practices for Graphing Three Variables in Excel
6. How to Choose the Best Graph for 3 Variables in Excel?
7. Bar Graph With 3 Variables – FAQs
8. Wrap Up

Before delving right into the how-to guide, let’s define the chart.

What is a Bar Graph with 3 Variables?

Definition: A Bar Graph with 3 variables is a specific type of bar chart that you can use to display comparison insights into 3 variables of data. But sometimes, you can use bar graphs to show trends. Besides, the chart is amazingly familiar to many because it’s easy to read and interpret.

Data in a Bar graph with 3 variables is displayed using vertical or horizontal bars. The length or height of each bar is proportionally equivalent to the data it represents. There are many types of Bar Visualization designs, but we’ll focus on 3 key types, namely:

1. Stacked Bar Chart 
2. Grouped Bar Chart
3. Comparison Bar Chart
4. Clustered Stacked Bar Chart

Why Do We Need a Bar Chart With 3 Variables?

A Bar Chart with 3 variables is best suited for displaying comparison insights into data. A common variation, the Side-By-Side Bar Chart, is particularly effective for comparing multiple categories across different groups. You can also use a Bar Chart with 3 variables to track trends and patterns of key variables.

One of the key reasons why this chart is amazingly popular among business owners and professionals is that it’s easy to decode. To interpret the chart accurately, focus on the length or height of the bars.

The key focus of the blog is mainly a Bar Graph with 3 variables. In other words, we’ll focus more on the Bar Chart variants you can use to display three or more key metrics.

Bar Visualization Designs have three key attributes. Let’s check them out.

• You can use a Bar Diagram to compare key metrics in data in a simplified manner.
• The chart is made up of x and y axes, which depict metrics and dimensions, respectively.
• The Bar Graph with 3 variables is made of bars that are subdivided into categories, which add to the whole.

How to Make a Bar Graph with 3 Variables should never throw a curveball at you. Keep reading to discover more.

How to Make a Bar Graph With 3 Variables in Excel?

Excel and Google Sheets are trusted data visualization tools because they’re familiar. Besides, their parent companies are reputable market leaders in many aspects of global technology.

Avoid over-relying on Excel as your go-to visualization tool if your goal is to access a ready-made Bar Graph with 3 variables.

The spreadsheet application produces very basic bar charts, which can consume massive amounts of time in editing.

We’re not advising you to do away with Excel.

You have the option of downloading and installing an add-in for Excel and an add-on extension for Google Sheets. Yes, you read that right.

The add-in we’ve tested and highly recommend is ChartExpo. You can use ChartExpo to create basic to highly advanced charts and graphs in Excel and Google Sheets.

In the coming section, we’ll demonstrate how you can leverage ChartExpo to generate a ready-made Bar Graph with 3 variables, such as the following:

• Stacked Bar Diagram
• Grouped Bar Chart
• Comparison Bar Chart

Stacked Bar Chart in Excel With 3 Variables

Example #1:

In this example, we’ll use a specific type of Bar Chart with 3 variables in Excel to visualize the data set below.

So here we go.

Step 1: Enter Your Data

Country	0 – 14 years	15 – 64 years	64 years & older
United Kingdom	5	20	3
Germany	6	29	5
Mexico	17	31	2
Japan	9	44	10
Russia	13	49	5
Brazil	26	55	3
United States	29	91	15

• To install ChartExpo into your Excel, click this link.
• Open the worksheet and click the Insert button to access the My Apps option.

• Select the ChartExpo add-in and click the Insert button.

Step 2: Select Stacked Bar Graph

Step 3: Customize the Graph

• You can further click on the Edit Chart button to change different properties of the chart and make changes according to your requirement to present your data with three variables in Excel.

Insights

• The United Kingdom has the lowest population in the three age brackets (0-14, 15-64, and 64 & above).
• Conversely, the United States has the highest population in all age brackets.
• Mexico has the lowest proportion of elderly citizens compared to the rest.
• The United Kingdom has the lowest population of people aged between 0-14 years.

Example #2:

In this section, we’ll visualize the data below using a Stacked Bar Diagram to explain how to visualize a bar graph with 3 variables.

Teacher	Class	Subjects	2018	2019	2020
Abe	Grade-7	Mathematics	20	20	50
Abe	Grade-8	Mathematics	15	40	20
Abe	Grade-9	Mathematics	25	20	20
Bif	Grade-7	Computer	40	10	10
Bif	Grade-8	Computer	20	20	15
Bif	Grade-9	Computer	10	30	25
Ann	Grade-7	Arts	20	20	15
Ann	Grade-8	Arts	30	10	10
Ann	Grade-9	Arts	20	20	20

• To get started with the Stacked Bar Charts in ChartExpo, export your data into an Excel spreadsheet.
• Follow the same process we used in Example #1.
• Check out the final Stacked Bar Chart below.

Step 4: Final Bar Graph With 3 Variables

Insights

• Bil had the most enrollments in Grade 7 in 2018. Abe and Ann had the same enrollments in Grade 7.
• When you compare all subjects’ enrollments, you may notice that Abe got the most enrollments in the past three years.
• Ann had the fewest enrollments when compared to others.

Example #3:

In this example, we’ll use a Grouped Bar Chart, also known as a Clustered bar chart, to visualize the data below containing at least 3 variables for insights.

Let’s dive in.

Products	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4
Rolex	500	1000	1200	670
Patek Philippe	400	290	150	280
Omega	470	342	200	337
Audemars Piguet	900	622	110	544
Piaget	430	600	220	417
Cartier	290	550	900	580

• To start with, Grouped Bar Charts in ChartExpo, export your data into an Excel spreadsheet.
• Follow the same process we used in Example #1, except for 1 thing, this time search for “Grouped Bar Charts”.
• Check out the final Grouped Bar Chart below.

Insights

• The best-performing product in Q2, Q3, and Q4 was Rolex.
• The best-selling product in Q1 was the Audemars Piguet.
• The worst-selling product in Q1 was the Cartier.
• Audemars Piguet had an abysmal performance during Q3.

Example #4

In this last example, we’ll display insights into the table below using the Comparison Bar Chart.

Months	Name	Sales
March	Alan	90
March	David	82
March	Lewis	66
March	Boris	72
April	Alan	85
April	David	62
April	Lewis	50
April	Boris	73
May	Alan	40
May	David	60
May	Lewis	80
May	Boris	76

• To start with the Comparison Bar Charts in ChartExpo, export your data into an Excel spreadsheet.
• Follow the same steps we used in Example #1, except for 1 thing, this time search for “Comparison Bar Chart”.
• Check out the final Comparison Bar Chart below.

Insights

• Alan was the best-performing salesperson in March and April before taking a nosedive to last place in May.
• The best-performing employee in May was Lewis.

Advantages of Using a Bar Graph With 3 Variables in Excel

• Simplified Data Analysis

There are many types of charts and graphs, but a Bar Graph simplifies the data analysis process by helping you to manage large volumes of data easily. In other words, the chart offers a fundamental way of comparing key data points.

• Track Data Changes

The other key advantage of using a bar graph for analysis is that you can leverage it to map and track changes in variables over time.

• Track Organizational Growth Patterns

You can use the chart to track key and strategic metrics, such as profit, employee turnover, equity, debt, and cash flow growth over a specified period.

• Data Comparison

Bar charts are also the most commonly used charts for comparison. Visualization designs, such as a Bar Graph with 3 variables, are best suited to displaying part-to-whole comparisons between variables. Essentially, you can use the chart to compare key data points relative to the aggregate values in each bar.

Best Practices for Graphing Three Variables in Excel

• Choose the Right Type

Use vertical or horizontal bar charts based on your data and space. Horizontal bars are great for long category names.

• Keep It Simple

Avoid unnecessary 3D effects. Use consistent, clear colors to keep your chart easy to read.

• Label Clearly

Add axis labels, category names, and a descriptive title so viewers can understand your data at a glance.

• Order Categories Logically

Sort bars by value or category to make comparisons easier and highlight trends effectively.

How to Choose the Best Graph for 3 Variables in Excel?

To visualize 3 variables in Excel, choose a bubble chart if you want to show the relationship between two variables along the X and Y axes while using bubble size for the third.

If you prefer a bar-based approach, use a clustered or stacked bar chart with color coding or data labels to represent the third variable. The key is to pick a chart that keeps your data clear, readable, and aligned with the story you want your data to tell.

Bar Graph With 3 Variables – FAQs

What is the best chart to show 3 variables?

While bar charts typically show one or two variables, you can display three variables effectively by:

• Using Clustered Bar Charts: Show multiple bars side-by-side for each category to compare two variables, while using color coding to represent the third variable.
• Stacked Bar Charts: Stack values to show parts of a whole while using different colors for categories (second variable) and bar length for the main value (first variable).
• Adding Data Labels: Use labels on the bars to display the third variable clearly without cluttering the chart.
• Combo Charts: Combine a bar chart with a line chart to display the third variable visually alongside your bars.

Using these approaches, bar charts can help you present three variables in a clear, structured, and easy-to-read format within Excel.

How to make a bar graph with 3 axes?

While Excel doesn’t support a true bar graph with 3 axes, you can still display 3 variables by:

• Using a clustered or stacked bar chart for the first two variables.
• Adding color coding or patterns to represent the third variable within the bars.
• Using data labels or callouts to display additional values.
• Creating a combo chart (bar + line) to add a third variable visually while keeping your chart clear.

How to Create a Bar Graph With 3 Variables in Excel?

Follow the steps below to create a bar graph with 3 variables in Excel.

• Open the worksheet and click the Insert button to access the My Apps option.
• Select the ChartExpo add-in and click the Insert button.
• Once the interface loads, you can find the stacked bar chart in the list to create a Bar Graph With 3 Variables in Excel.
• Select the data and click on the “Create Chart From Selection” button.
• You will get the final Bar chart with 3 variables in Excel.

Wrap Up

Displaying data with three or more key variables is easier said than done.

You’re likely to end up with distorted insights if you use the wrong visualization design.

This is where Bar Graphs with 3 variables come in.

Bar Graphs are arguably among the most straightforward charts to decode. Besides, they’re familiar to many. You can use the charts to create persuasive and irresistible data stories.

Some of the Bar Graphs with 3 variables key types include:

• Stacked Bar Chart in Google Sheets
• Grouped Bar Chart
• Comparison Bar Chart

You require the best visualization tool to plot easy-to-interpret and visually stunning Bar Graphs. Yes, you need a tool that’s easy to use and affordable.

Google Sheets is one of the go-to data visualization tools among professionals and business owners worldwide.

But the visualization tool has a pretty basic Bar Graph with 3 variables. And this implies you’ve got to invest extra effort and time to edit the charts to align with your needs.

There’s a specific add-on you can download and install in your Google Sheets to access ready-to-use Bar Charts.

We recommend installing ChartExpo in your Google Sheets to access ready-made Bar Charts, such as Comparison and Grouped Bar Charts.

ChartExpo has all five Circle Graphs, and many other advanced charts, which are visually stunning and easy to interpret.

Unlike other visualization tools, you don’t need programming skills to visualize your data using ChartExpo.

Sign up for a 7-day free trial today to access visually appealing and insightful Bar Charts in Google Sheets & Excel.