How to Make Progress Bar in Google Sheets: Step-by-Step

Tracking the progress towards a particular strategic objective is one of the significant tasks in any business. Why?

It’s one of the tested and proven ways of increasing commitment towards the achievement of a particular goal. It would help if you had a minimalist and easy-to-interpret chart to track progress.

The expert-recommended chart you can use to keep track of performance is Google Sheets Progress Bar. The visualization design is arguably among the charts that are amazingly easy to interpret. You can use the chart to create compelling data stories for management.

Google Sheets is a popular data visualization choice among professionals and business owners worldwide. However, the Progress Bar Google Sheets is not supported by Google Sheets by default.

In other words, if you’re wondering how to add a Progress Bar in Google Sheets, you have to plot the chart from scratch using many steps.

It turns out you have an option of downloading and installing a particular add-on to access ready-made and visually stunning Progress Bar Charts.

In this blog post, you’ll learn the following:

Table of Content:

1. What is a Progress Bar in Google Sheets?
2. Why Google Spreadsheet Progress Bar Important?
3. How to Use SPARKLINE in Google Sheets to Make a Progress Bar?
4. Google Sheets Progress Bar Example
5. How to Make a Progress Bar in Google Sheets?
   • Step 1: Enter the Data
   • Step 2: Add the Progress Bars
   • Step 3: Format the Progress Bars (Optional)
6. Progress Bar Chart Generator in Google Sheets
7. How to Create a Progress Bar Chart in Google Sheets Using ChartExpo?
   • Step 1: Installed ChartExpo in Google Sheets
   • Step 2: Create a New Chart
   • Step 3: Search Progress Chart
   • Step 4: Data For Progress Bar Chart
   • Step 5: Final Progress Bar Chart
8. How to Edit Your Progress Bar Google Sheets?
9. Tips And Best Practices For Google Sheets Progress Bar
10. Advantages of Google Sheets Progress Bar Templates
11. Progress Bar in Google Sheets – FAQs
12. Wrap Up

Before we delve into the blog’s core, let’s define the chart of the moment.

So let’s get to it.

What is a Progress Bar in Google Sheets?

Definition: A Progress Chart in Google Sheets is a graph that displays the progress made toward a particular goal. The visualization design allows you to monitor and prioritize your objectives by providing critical data for strategic decision-making.

The Google Sheets Progress Bar Chart displays filled bars that proportionally indicate how much of the planned activity or goal has been completed. You can use the chart to visualize and keep track of your team’s work after defining your project goals and milestones.

Why Google Spreadsheet Progress Bar Important?

Google Spreadsheet progress bars are important because they provide a clear visual representation of task completion, making data easier to interpret at a glance. They help users track progress efficiently without needing to analyze numbers manually. This boosts productivity, especially in collaborative projects where quick updates are essential.

How to Use SPARKLINE in Google Sheets to Make a Progress Bar?

We can use Google Sheets Sparkline Progress Bar through the following method:

• Prepare Your Data in two columns (e.g., Tasks and Progress).
• Select a Cell for the progress bar (e.g., C2).
• Enter the SPARKLINE Formula:

           =SPARKLINE(B2, {“chart type”,”bar”; “max”, 100})

• Customize (Optional) by changing the color:
   =SPARKLINE(B2, {“chart type”,”bar”; “max”, 100; “color”, “green”})
• Fill down the formula to other rows.
• Adjust Column Width for better visibility.

Google Sheets Progress Bar Example

A Google Spreadsheet Progress Bar Chart displays insights using Bars with varying lengths.

Take a look at the tabular data below. Can you provide a meaningful story by looking at the table?

Products	Previous Year	Current Year
Hair Shampoo	500	900
Hair Spray	350	500
Hair Color	400	300
Beauty Cream	600	700
Face Cream	650	450
Sunscreen	700	950
Bleaching Cream	400	600
Makeup Palettes	500	350
Lipstick	600	800
Lip Gloss	700	900

Now, look at the Google Sheets Progress Bar Chart (below).

You can easily point out the best and worst-performing products in the inventory.

For instance, the worst-performing products are hair color, make-up palettes, and face cream. The red bars represent a decline, while the green ones depict positive growth.

How to Create a Google Sheets Progress Bar With Percentage?

We need to follow these steps for the Progress Bar Google Sheets with percentage:

• Enter percentage values (e.g., 75%) in a column.
• In the next column, use: =REPT(“”, B2*20)
• Format the first column as a Percent.
• Adjust the formula to control bar length.

How to Make a Progress Bar in Google Sheets?

Step 1: Enter the Data

Step 2: Add the Progress Bars

Then, in cell C2, enter the following formula to generate a progress bar for the initial task.

Google Sheets Progress Bar Formula:

=SPARKLINE(B2,{“charttype”,”bar”;”max”,1;”min”,0;”color1″,”green”})

Duplicate this formula across all the remaining cells in column C by copying and pasting it.

Each progress bar in column C visually represents the percentage listed in column B.

Step 3: Format the Progress Bars (Optional)

You can customize the progress bars to show different colors depending on the completion percentage. For instance, use the formula below to display a green bar for values above 70%, a yellow bar for those above 50%, and a blue bar for anything lower.

=SPARKLINE(B2,{“charttype”,”bar”;”max”,1;”min”,0;”color1″,IF(B2>0.7,”green”,IF(B2>0.5,”yellow”,”blue”))})

The screenshot below demonstrates how this formula is applied in a real example:

Now, the color of the progress bar is determined by the value in column B.

You can also add borders around the cells and adjust the cell size to make the progress bars more visible and easier to read.

Progress Bar Chart Generator in Google Sheets

To visualize your data using a Progress Bar Chart, you need a tool. The best visualization tool should have the following attributes, namely:

• Flexibility

To have a seamless experience in visualizing your data, you need a tool that’s flexible in its functionalities.

• Aesthetics

The aesthetics of an online charting tool come in handy while choosing the right data visualization tool for your work. Yes, aesthetics doesn’t have any functional value, but it adds spice to your data stories.

• Shareability

A tool that allows you to collaborate with others is very handy, especially in the current pandemic period. It would help if you had a tool that allows you to share and collaborate with others in visualization tasks.

Keep reading because we’ll be recommending the best add-on you should download and install in your spreadsheet app in the next section.

It gets better.

The add-on meets all the attributes we’ve just highlighted above.

As we said, Google Sheets does not support a Progress Bar Graph. This means you have to plot the chart from scratch using different tools.

Here’s the kicker.

We’re not advocating you do away with Google Sheets. You have an option of installing a particular add-on called ChartExpo to access ready-to-use Progress Bar visualizations.

How to Create a Progress Bar Chart in Google Sheets Using ChartExpo?

ChartExpo is a tool that goes above and beyond data visualization using a complete set of tools (below):

• A graph maker
• Chart templates
• A data widget library

You can easily create a Progress Bar in Excel and Progress Bar Charts Google Sheets that are simple, easy, and clear to read.

The tool comes with a library of many advanced charts. Did we mention you can easily export charts to make stunning social media reports, sales reports, and goal projections using a wide range of ready-to-go charts?

ChartExpo is for anyone who needs to create data visualizations and visual graphics for a variety of purposes. For example, you can create graphs in Excel and Google Sheets for blogs, reports, proposals, school reports, presentations, print collateral, and more.

But most of all, ChartExpo is for people who need to create beautiful charts, such as a side-by-side bar chart, without design skills.

This highly intuitive tool offers lots of resources to improve your designer’s eye and make the most out of the tools provided in the editor.

Do you need great-looking charts in Google Sheets on its own or as a part of a dashboard or inside a report, or proposal?

Look no further.

Step 1: Installed ChartExpo in Google Sheets

• Open your Google Sheets application.
• Open the worksheet and click the Extension menu button.
• Once the ChartExpo drop-down menu shows, click the Open button.

Step 2: Create a New Chart 

You have two options for accessing the Progress Bar Graphs in Google Sheets.

Step 3: Search Progress Chart

Step 4: Data For Progress Bar Chart

• Select the sheet holding your data.
• Fill in the metrics and dimensions.
• In our example, the key metrics to fill in are the Previous and Current years. Conversely, fill in the following variable in the dimension section: products.

Step 5: Final Progress Bar Chart

• Complete the task by clicking the Create Chart button, as shown above.
• Check out the final Progress Bar Chart Google Sheets below.

How to make a Progress Bar in Google Sheets should never be a time-consuming affair for you. Use ChartExpo to enjoy a seamless experience.

How to Edit Your Progress Bar Google Sheets?

A title is one of the additional key pieces of information you need to help your target audience (or readers) understand the context of your data story or report.

So, adding a title to any of your Google spreadsheet charts is highly recommended.

To add a title to your Progress Bar Google Sheets chart, follow the easy steps below:

Step 1: Click Edit Title

• Click the Edit button and then the pencil-like icon near the title placeholder.

Step 2: Add a Title to the Chart

• Once the Chart Header Top Properties window pops up, click the Line 1 button and fill in the title. (Our title, in this case, is Order Analysis of Beauty Products.)
• Then, click the Show button and toggle the switch to the right-hand side.

• Save your new changes by clicking the Apply button and then Save, as shown above.
• To share your charts with others, click the Export button, as shown below.
• You have an option of exporting your chart using two formats, namely JPEG and PNG.

Step 4: Final Chart With Title Display

• Your final chart, together with a new title, should look like this (below).

Insights:

• The best-selling products in the Current Year are hair shampoo, sunscreen, bleaching cream, lip gloss, lipstick, and hair spray.
• On the other hand, the declining products in terms of sales in the Current Year are hair color, makeup palettes, and face cream.

Video Tutorial: How to Create a Progress Bar in Google Sheets

Tips And Best Practices For Google Sheets Progress Bar

1. Define Clear Metrics

• Ensure the data represented in the progress bar is relevant and clearly defined, such as task completion percentages or sales targets.

2. Use Conditional Formatting

• Apply conditional formatting to visually distinguish different levels of progress. For example, use colors to indicate ranges (e.g., red for low progress, green for high).

3. Keep It Simple

• Avoid clutter by keeping the progress bar design straightforward. Use minimal colors and labels to enhance clarity.

4. Label Clearly

• Add clear labels to indicate what the progress bar represents. Include percentages or descriptions to provide context.

5. Update Regularly

• Regularly update the progress data to ensure the chart reflects the latest information. This keeps stakeholders informed.

6. Test Across Devices

• Ensure the progress bar is readable and visually appealing on different devices and screen sizes.

7. Use Descriptive Titles

• Give the progress bar a descriptive title that indicates its purpose, helping viewers quickly understand its significance.

8. Limit Data Points

• Avoid overcrowding the chart with too many data points. Focus on key metrics for clearer visualization.

9. Combine with Other Visuals

• Consider using the progress bar alongside other charts or visuals for a more comprehensive data presentation.

10. Solicit Feedback

• Gather feedback from users to improve the design and functionality of your progress bar, ensuring it meets their needs.
• Ensure the data represented in the progress bar is relevant and clearly defined, such as task completion percentages or sales targets.

Advantages of Google Sheets Progress Bar Templates

1. Real-Time Visualization of Progress

Progress bar templates in Google Sheets offer an instant visual cue, making it easier to monitor task completion without analyzing raw numbers.

2. Customizable to Fit Any Project

These templates are highly flexible—you can tailor the colors, lengths, and conditions to match your project’s specific needs or visual preferences.

3. Improves Team Collaboration

Since Google Sheets is cloud-based, teams can access and update progress in real time, improving transparency and coordination across team members.

4. No Need for Add-Ons or Advanced Tools

Progress bars can be created using basic formulas and conditional formatting, eliminating the need for external tools or advanced technical skills.

Progress Bar in Google Sheets – FAQs

How Do I Show Progress Charts in Google Sheets?

1. Select Your Data: Highlight the data you want to visualize.
2. Insert Chart: Click on the Insert menu and select Chart.
3. Choose Chart Type: In the Chart Editor, select Progress Chart from the available options.
4. Customize Settings: Adjust any settings as needed, such as titles and colors.
5. Insert Chart: Click Insert to display the chart in your sheet.

What are the different types of Progress Bar Charts?

There are two major types of Progress Bar Charts, namely:

• Progress Bar Chart
• Progress Circle Chart

After defining your project goals and milestones, you can use both chart variants to visualize and keep track of your team’s work.

More so, the two charts are straightforward to decode.

How to make a progress bar in Google Sheets based on a checkbox?

To make a progress bar in Google Sheets based on a checkbox, use conditional formatting with a formula that checks if the Google Sheets progress bar checkbox is ticked, then fills a cell or range accordingly to visually represent progress.

Wrap Up

You’ll agree that keeping track of progress towards a particular strategic objective is one of the significant tasks you undertake.

To succeed in the task (above), you need a minimalist and easy-to-interpret chart. One powerful method you should consider is learning how to insert progress bar in Google Sheets. The expert-recommended visualization design you can use to keep track of performance is the Google Sheets Progress Bar.

This visualization design is arguably among the charts that are amazingly easy to interpret.

Google Sheets should not be your go-to visualization tool if you intend to access ready-made and easy-to-read progress Bar Graphs. This is because the spreadsheet application does not support Progress Bar Graphs.

We recommend you install a particular add-on called ChartExpo in your Google Sheets to access ready-to-use, insightful, and visually appealing Progress Bar Charts.

ChartExpo comes loaded with easy-to-interpret and visually stunning Progress Charts you can use for data stories.

You don’t need programming or coding skills to visualize your data using this tool. Furthermore, you can easily export your charts in the world’s most recognized formats, namely JPEG and PNG.

How to make a Progress Bar in Google Sheets should never throw a curveball to you.

Sign up for a 7-day free trial today to access a complete list of ready-made, insightful, and visually appealing Progress Bar Charts.