Overlapping Bar Charts in Google Sheets: Step-by-Step Guide

Data visualization is the go-to method when you want quick insights into your data.

But not any type of visualization design can be used in your data storytelling. Some charts are designed to visualize information in an exploratory way. Others are designed to display the composition and comparison of sub-variables contributing to the whole data.

If your goal is to display the composition and comparison of key variables in your data, your go-to chart should be an Overlapping Bar Chart (OBC) in Google Sheets.

Popular and widely used visualization tools, such as Google Sheets, lack ready-made Overlapping Bar Charts.

But you can transform the spreadsheet into a reliable tool by installing third-party add-ons to access visually appealing and ready-to-use Overlapping Bar Chart Google Sheets.

In this blog, you’ll learn:

Table of Content:

1. Overlapping Bar Chart in Google Sheets
2. Why Do We Use an Overlapping Bar Chart in Google Sheets?
3. When to Use an Overlapping Bar Chart in Google Sheets?
4. How Does an Overlapping Bar Graph in Google Sheets Look Like?
5. Creating Overlapping Bar Charts in Google Sheets: Easy Steps
6. How to Customize an Overlapping Bar Graph in Google Sheets?
7. What Makes a Good Data Visualization?
8. Wrap Up

Before we cover the how-to, let’s address the following question:

Overlapping Bar Chart in Google Sheets

Definition: An Overlapping Bar chart in Google Sheets is similar to a standard Bar Chart. However, unlike a Stacked Bar Diagram, its composite variables that contribute to the whole, start at the baseline.

The chart is best suited to comparing two distinct variables. An Overlapping Bar Chart in Google Sheets is more useful than a Bar Chart, especially if your goal is to display comparison insights.

The data visualization design requires three data columns or rows from your data set””one for categories, one for the series in each category, and one for values.

Keep reading because, in the coming section, we’ll address the following question: what is a great way to use a Bar Chart showing an overlap?

Overlapping Bar Charts in Google Sheets are a handy tool for comparing various datasets or categories within a single chart. They offer a straightforward way to visualize relationships and trends, making data analysis more accessible.

This chart type shines when we need to emphasize both similarities and differences across different groups of data. By layering bars from distinct datasets, we can quickly spot patterns, correlations, or discrepancies.

Ultimately, this visual aid streamlines the process of interpreting data, empowering better decision-making and insights.

When to Use an Overlapping Bar Chart in Google Sheets?

The Overlapping Bar Chart in Google Sheets is best used to compare different items or categories. Similarly, a Stacked Bar Chart in Google Sheets allows for a visual comparison of multiple numerical variables within each category, providing a clear overview of how each segment contributes to the total. However, the Overlapping Bar Chart can only compare two numerical variables per item or category in your data. The data points should be closely related to merit a comparison.

As you know there is no way to overlay graphs in Excel and Google Sheets so you can use Overlapping Bar Charts to show multiple bars in one bar presenting different variables, Also, you can use the visualization design for trends analysis and patterns over time based on similar premises.

The conceptual idea behind the Overlapping Bar Chart in Google Sheets is to contrast key data points using color-coded overlaps.

How Does an Overlapping Bar Graph in Google Sheets Look Like?

An Overlapping Bar Chart in Google Sheets is a two-dimensional graph with two axes -similar to a standard Bar Chart and Clustered Bar Chart in Google Sheets.

Visualization Source: ChartExpo

Its rectangular bars are oriented horizontally or vertically. One axis depicts categories, while the other shows numerical values related to two variables.

Bars representing the same category share the same baseline. We recommend that the numerical variables be closely related and share the same scale to get reliable insights. If you’re unsure how to make a graph from a table, ensure that your variables are consistently aligned for accurate visualization.

Take a look at the table below.

Can you provide a reliable data story after going through the table?

City	Planned Orders	Completed Orders
New York	100	80
Houston	150	120
Chicago	100	100
Washington	250	180
Boston	80	120
Dallas	300	250
Los Angeles	120	90
Seattle	100	75
Denver	80	25
Portland	300	250

Note the difference after visualizing the data using Overlapping Bar Chart Google Sheets.

Visualization Source: ChartExpo

Note how easy it is to decode the chart above. For instance, Boston surpassed the target set for orders by 40 units. Chicago achieved its target. Conversely, Portland and Dallas have missed their targets by -50 units.

Keep reading because we’ll cover the following in the coming section: how to make an Overlapping Bar Chart in Google Sheets?

Creating Overlapping Bar Charts in Google Sheets: Easy Steps

Google Sheets is one of the most used tools for visualizing data because it’s free and easy to use. 

However, a ready-made Overlapping Bar Chart does not exist in Google Sheets’ chart library. But this does not mean you should ditch this freemium data visualization tool.

Did you know you can supercharge your Google Sheets with add-ons to access visually stunning and ready-to-go Overlapping Bar Graphs?

Yes, you can increase the functionality of your tool and access a ready-made Overlapping Bar Graph as well as a Side-by-Side Bar graph in Google Sheets for your data stories.

The add-on we recommend you to use is ChartExpo.

So, what is ChartExpo?

We recommend this tool (ChartExpo) because it’s super easy to use.

You don’t need to take programming or coding night classes just to extract insights from your data. ChartExpo is more of a ‘drag-and-drop tool,’ which means you’ll only need to scroll your mouse and fill in respective metrics and dimensions in your data. Whether you’re working with histograms or other visualizations, ChartExpo makes the process straightforward and accessible.

More so, this Overlapping Bar Chart in Google Sheets generator comes with a 7-day free trial period.

ChartExpo empowers you to visualize diverse data types, such as sales and marketing data, annual reports, etc.

More so, the tool produces charts that are incredibly easy to read and interpret. And it allows you to save charts in the world’s most recognized formats, namely PNG and JPG.

Example:

We will use the following table to create an Overlapping bar graph in Google Sheets.

City	Planned Orders	Completed Orders
New York	100	80
Houston	150	120
Chicago	100	100
Washington	250	180
Boston	80	120
Dallas	300	250
Los Angeles	120	90
Seattle	100	75
Denver	80	25
Portland	300	250

• To get started with ChartExpo, first install the ChartExpo in Google Sheets.
• head to the Extensions button>Charts, Graphs & Visualizations by ChartExpo>Open.

• Click the Add New Chart button to access your fully stocked library of charts.

• Click the Search Box and type “Overlapping Bar Chart”.

• It should pop up together with other charts, as shown.
• Select the sheet holding your data and select the Metrics option. Fill in the numerical numbers (in our scenario, we’ll fill in Planned and Completed orders)
• Select the Dimensions button and fill on the dimensional data (in our example, we’ll use City)

How to Customize an Overlapping Bar Graph in Google Sheets?

To Edit your Overlapping Bar Chart in Google Sheets, follow the simple steps below:

• Click the Edit button, as shown below.

• Click the pencil-like icon near the title placeholder.

• Once the Chart Header Properties window pops up, click the Line 1 button and fill in the title.
• Then, click the Show button and toggle the switch to the right-hand side.
• To save the changes, click the Apply button.

• To edit the y-axis’s details, click the pencil-like icon on the left side, as shown below.

• Click the Line 1 box and fill in your details. Complete the process by clicking the Apply button.

To organize the variables in category and subcategory in descending order, follow the simple steps below.

• Click the Settings button, as shown above.
• Once the Chart Settings window pops, click the Sort by Category Box and select

• To convert variables into percentages, follow the steps below.

• Click the Settings button, as shown above.
• Once the Chart Settings window pops, click the Bar Style Box and select Percentage Base.

• Check out the final Overlapping Bar Chart in Google Sheets below.

Insights

• Boston surpassed the target set for orders by 40 units. Chicago achieved its target.
• Conversely, Portland and Dallas have missed their targets by -50 units.

What Makes a Good Data Visualization?

• Consider how figures and backgrounds contrast. The standard rule is to have a gradient in similar shades for online observation.
• Identify accepted thresholds for each variable. Doing so provides a benchmark against past performance. Besides, it can guide you on how to avoid displaying misleading differences between categories, such as those seen in misleading chart examples.
• Label Overlapping Bar Chart, but not to the extent that creates clutter.
• Sort data by value to emphasize scale.

Frequently Asked Questions Overlay Graphs in Google Sheets

How to Make an Overlapping Bar Chart in Google Sheets?

Follow the steps below to create an Overlapping Bar Chart in Google Sheets.

• Step 1: Open your Google Sheets and paste the table containing data.
• Step 2: Head to the Extensions button>Charts, Graphs & Visualizations by ChartExpo>Open.
  
• Step 3: Click the Add New Chart button to access your fully stocked library of charts.
• Step 4: Click the Search Box and type “Overlapping Bar Chart”.
  
• Step 5: It should pop up together with other charts.
  
• Step 6: Select the sheet holding your data and select the Metrics option. Fill in the numerical numbers.
• Step 7: Select the Dimensions button and fill on the dimensional data.
• Step 8: Finally click on the “Create Chart” button to get the final Overlapping Bar Graph in Google Sheets.

What is an Overlapping Bar Chart?

An Overlapping Bar chart is similar to a standard Bar Chart. However, unlike a Stacked Bar chart, its composite variables start at the baseline.

The chart is best suited to comparing two distinct variables. More so, it’s more valuable than the Bar Chart, especially if your goal is to display comparison insights.

How do I overlap a bar chart in Google Sheets?

To overlap a bar chart in Google Sheets, you can follow these steps:

1. Select the data you want to include in your chart.
2. Go to the “Insert” menu and choose “Chart.”
3. In the Chart Editor, select “Bar chart” from the Chart type dropdown menu.
4. Customize your chart as desired.
5. Under the “Customize” tab, adjust the series to “Overlap” instead of “Group.”
6. Click “Insert” to add the overlapping bar chart to your Google Sheets document.

Wrap Up

Data visualization is the go-to method when you want quick insights into your data.

As we said, no visualization design can be used in your data storytelling. Some charts are designed to visualize information in an exploratory way. Others are designed to display the composition and comparison of sub-variables contributing to the whole of your data.

If your goal is to display the composition and comparison of key variables in your data, your go-to chart should be an Overlapping Bar Chart (OBC).

What’s the best tool to visualize data using an Overlapping Bar Chart in Google Sheets?

Popular and widely used visualization tools, such as Google Sheets, lack ready-made Overlapping Bar Charts.

We recommend our readers to use ChartExpo because it’s one of the most trusted add-ons. Besides, it has a super-friendly user interface for everyone, irrespective of their computer skills.

Create a simple, ready-made, and easy-to-interpret Overlapping Bar Chart today without breaking a sweat or wasting your time.