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Home > Blog > Data Visualization > Add-ons > Microsoft Excel >

Top 10 Types of Comparison Charts for Data Visualization

You’ll agree that comparison is one of the critical steps in any data analysis project.

By comparing key data points, you discover in-depth insights into patterns and trends. In other words, you won’t be scratching the surface of your data. Instead, you’ll be digging deeper to uncover hidden insights.

types-of-comparison-charts

To compare critical metrics in your data, you need access to a wider variety of comparison-based charts. Yes, you need a tool that has a fully-stocked library of Comparison Charts to succeed in your mission.

How about the Excel spreadsheet you use for all your data visualization needs?

Well, Excel is a very handy tool, primarily due to its simplicity and intuitive user interface (UI).

However, this tool comes with very basic charts, which need significant amounts of time to edit. Besides, Excel’s library has limited types of Comparison Charts.

But, you don’t have to do away with Excel. It turns out you can transform it into a reliable data visualization tool by downloading and installing add-ins.

In this blog, you’ll learn:

  • The top 10 types of Comparison Charts you can use in your data stories.
  • You’ll also discover the best graphs for comparing data, especially during analysis.
  • You also learn how to use Comparison Charts in data stories using 10 easy-to-follow examples.

Before we dive right into the types of Comparison Charts, let’s go through the definition.

What are Comparison Charts?

You can use Comparison Charts to compare the performance of two or more critical metrics in your data.

For instance, you can use a comparison chart type to check how key data points stack up against each other. If you want to compare, let’s say, sales revenue versus profits across a specified period, your go-to chart should be Comparison Graphs.

You can also leverage Comparison Charts types to compare different products and services in the market before buying. In digital marketing, you can compare the performance of various attribution sources to establish the primary source of traffic.

In others, the practical application of types of Comparison Charts is incredibly massive.

In the coming section, you’ll learn how you can leverage Comparison Charts to extract hidden insights into your data.

Top 10 Types of Comparison Charts You Should Try

Data visualization experts recommend the following list of charts if your goal is to cherry-pick hidden comparison insights into key data points.

Let’s check them out.

  1. Comparison Bar Charts
  2. Slope charts
  3. Progress Charts
  4. Tornado chart
  5. Pie Chart
  6. Double Bar Graph
  7. Donut Chart
  8. Matrix Chart
  9. Stacked Bar Chart
  10. Dual Axis Grouped Bar Chart

Note: all the charts (above) fall into the category of best graphs for comparing data.

Excel spreadsheet lacks a massive chunk of the charts in the list (above). Besides, its charts are pretty basic, which means you have to put in more work to make them insightful, ready-to-use, and visually appealing.

But, there’s a third-party app you can install in your Excel to access the 10 types of Comparison Charts (above).

Keep reading to discover more.

How to Visualize Your Data using Comparison Charts (in Excel)?

As we said, Excel lacks a significant chunk of Comparison Charts.

But, we’re not recommending you to stop using Excel.

Yes, you read that right.

There’s an add-in you can install in your Excel to access the best graphs for comparing data, which is called ChartExpo.

So what is ChartExpo?

ChartExpo is a trusted tool that thousands of professionals across the world use to create insightful and easy-to-understand Comparison Charts.

You can easily install ChartExpo in your Excel (as you shall see later).

Besides, it has many advanced data visualization designs to ensure you never struggle to select the best graphs for comparing data.

We almost forgot to mention this: ChartExpo is loaded with all the 10 types of Comparison Charts, namely:

  1. Comparison bar charts
  2. Slope charts
  3. Progress Charts
  4. Tornado chart
  5. Pie Chart
  6. Double Bar Graph
  7. Donut Chart
  8. Matrix Chart
  9. Stacked Bar Chart
  10. Dual Axis Grouped Bar Chart

How to Install ChartExpo Add-in in Your Excel?

To enjoy unlimited access to the all major types of Comparison Charts, follow the steps below:

  • Open your Excel desktop application.
  • Open the worksheet and click the Insert button to access the My Apps option.
  • Click the My Apps button to view ChartExpo, among other add-ins.
install chartexpo in excel 1
  • In office Add-ins window, click on “Store” and search for ChartExpo on my Apps Store.
  • Click on “Add” button to install ChartExpo in your Excel.
install chartexpo in excel 2

How to Access ChartExpo Add-in in Excel?

  • Click on the “Insert” menu on top toolbar.
  • You’ll see the My Apps option as highlighted below.
install chartexpo in excel 3
  • Select ChartExpo for Excel and click on the “Insert”.
install chartexpo in excel 4
  • Log in with your Microsoft account or create a new account.
  • Provide ChartExpo with all the necessary permission for it to function reliably within your Excel.
install chartexpo in excel 5
  • You’ll come across a list of advanced charts.
  • Search your preferred Comparison Chart variant on the Search box, as shown below.
install chartexpo in excel 6
  • For instance, to visualize your data using the Comparison Bar Charts, just type the same name on the Search box.

Let’s go through 10 easy-to-follow examples to get started with types of Comparison Charts. You’ll also learn about the best graphs for comparing data in the coming section.

  1. Comparison Bar Chart

Let’s visualize the tabular data below using one of the best graphs for comparing data (the Comparison Bar Chart). We’ll be comparing the sales of various laptop brands across 4 financial years.

Let’s get started.

Years Laptop brands Sales
2018 Lenovo 11
2018 HP. 29
2018 Dell 20
2018 Acer 2
2018 Apple 55
2018 MSI 12
2019 Lenovo 15
2019 HP. 8
2019 Dell 4
2019 Acer 3
2019 MSI 12
2019 Apple 16
2020 Apple 51
2020 HP. 28
2020 Dell 4
2020 Acer 45
2020 Lenovo 12
2020 MSI 16
2021 Lenovo 19
2021 HP. 28
2021 Dell 17
2021 Acer 6
2021 Apple 38
2021 MSI 3
  • Copy the data into your Excel to get started with the ChartExpo add-in.
create comparison bar chart 1
  • Select the Excel Sheet holding the tabular data (above).
  • Click the “Create Chart from Selection” button, as shown above.
  • Your Comparison Bar Chart should resemble the one below.
create comparison bar chart 2

How to Edit Your Chart using ChartExpo?

  • To edit your chart, follow the steps below.
create comparison bar chart 3
  • To add a header in your Comparison Bar Graph (one of the types of Comparison Charts), click the Edit Chart button, as shown above.
create comparison bar chart 4
  • Once the Chart Header Properties window pops up; click the Line 1 box to fill in the header. In our scenario, we’ll use Laptop Sales by Brands as the header.
  • Click the Apply button. And then, click the Save Changes button to preserve all your edits.
  • Check out the final chart with a header.
types of comparison chart - comparison bar chart

Insights

  • Between 2018 and 2020, Apple was the best-selling laptop brand before it was overtaken by HP in 2021.
  • The worst-performing laptop brand is Acer. It only performed well (second to Macbooks) in 2020.
  1. Slope Chart

Let’s visualize the data below using one of the best graphs for comparing data (Slope Chart). We’ll be comparing the performance of the current versus previous periods of a hypothetical brand in various states.

Period State Sales
Previous Chicago, Illinois, USA 14
Previous Dallas, Texas, USA 7
Previous Houston, Texas, USA 12
Previous Austin, Texas, USA 14
Previous Albany, New York, USA 31
Previous Trenton, New Jersey, USA 24
Previous Newark, New Jersey, USA 22
Previous Helena, Montana, USA 8
Previous San Antonio, Texas, USA 7
Current Chicago, Illinois, USA 21
Current Dallas, Texas, USA 27
Current Houston, Texas, USA 30
Current Austin, Texas, USA 69
Current Albany, New York, USA 21
Current Trenton, New Jersey, USA 34
Current Newark, New Jersey, USA 21
Current Helena, Montana, USA 21
Current San Antonio, Texas, USA 28
  • Copy the data into your Excel
  • Type “Slope Chart” in the ChartExpo’s Search box to access one of the best graphs for comparing data.
create slope chart 1
  • Select the Excel Sheet holding the tabular data (above).
  • Click the Create Chart from Selection button, as shown above.
  • Remember, accessing the 10 types of Comparison Charts should never be a struggle or a nerve-wracking affair.
types of comparison chart slope chart

Insights

  • Albany, New York led in sales in the previous financial period.
  • In the current period, the best-performing city is Austin in Texas.
  • The worst-performing sales territory in the previous period was San Antonio, Texas.
  • In the current period, the less-profitable sales territory is Newark, New Jersey.
  1. Progress Chart

In this example, we’ll use a Progress Chart to compare the current versus previous product sales of a hypothetical brand.

Products Previous sales Current sales
Robot Vacuum Cleaner 20 7
Indoor Security Camera 90 10
Portable Chargers 20 80
Power Bank 50 50
Dishwasher 70 30
Smart Alarm Clocks 30 70
Electric Deep Fryer 67 33
Coffee Maker Machine 54 46
Laptop Cooling Pad 40 60
  • Copy the data into your Excel.
  • Type “Progress Chart” in the ChartExpo’s Search box.
create progress chart 1
  • Select the Excel Sheet holding the tabular data (above).
  • Fill in the respective dimensions and metrics into ChartExpo’s user interface (UI). In our example (above), the dimension we’ll fill in is We have two metrics, namely previous and current sales.
  • Click the Create Chart from Selection button, as shown in above image.
types of comparison chart tornado chartt

Insights

  • The best-performing product is portable chargers (60% growth in current sales), followed by smart alarm clocks (40%).
  • The worst-performing product is the indoor security cameras (80% decline in current sales), followed by dishwashers (a 40% dip in current sales).
  1. Tornado Chart

In this example, we’ll use a Tornado Chart (one of the types of Comparison Charts) to compare the number of men’s apparel orders versus the number of women’s apparel orders in a given financial year.

Months No. of Men’s Apparel Orders No. of Women’s Apparel Orders
Jan 85 82
Feb 95 75
Mar 81 79
Apr 65 55
May 60 43
Jun 55 49
Jul 59 20
Aug 40 60
Sep 69 35
Oct 89 23
Nov 92 23
Dec 39 19
  • Copy the data into your Excel.
  • Type “Tornado Chart” in the ChartExpo’s Search box to access one of the best graphs for comparing data.
create tornado chart 1
  • Select the Excel Sheet holding the tabular data (above).
  • Click the Create Chart from Selection button, as shown above.
  • Remember, accessing the 10 types of Comparison Charts should never waste your valuable time.
  • Check out the final tornado Chart below.
types of comparison chart progress chart

Insights

  • February was the best month for men’s apparel. 95 orders were sold.
  • January was the best-performing month of the year for the women’s apparel department. 82 orders were processed during the month.
  • The worst-performing months for men’s apparel were August and December.
  • On the other hand, the worst month for the women’s fashion department was December
  • January and February are the best months for both women’s and men’s apparel sales.
  • Conversely, December is the worst month for the brand.
  1. Pie Chart

In this example #5, we’ll use a Pie Chart (one of the types of Comparison Charts) to compare units sold versus product categories.

Product Category Units Sold
Smart Phones 1200
Smart Watches 700
Headsets 1000
LCD 1400
Laptops 600
Accessories 3000
  • Copy the data into your Excel.
  • Type “Pie Chart” in the ChartExpo’s Search box.
create pie chart 1
  • Select the Excel Sheet holding the data.
  • Click the Create Chart from Selection button, as shown.
  • Check out the final Pie Chart below.
types of comparison chart pie chart

Insights

  • The best-moving products are accessories (37.7%).
  • The worst-selling product category is laptops (7.59%).
  1. Double Bar Graph

We’ll use the Double Bar Graph (one of the types of Comparison Charts) to compare the performance of class A versus B in various courses, as shown in the table

Courses Class A Class B
Computer Programming 85 82
Information Science 95 75
Networking 81 79
Operating Systems 65 55
Artificial Intelligence 60 43
Theory, Logic and Design 55 49
Multimedia 59 20
Automata Theory 40 60
Data Logic 69 35
  • Type “Double Bar Graph” in the ChartExpo’s Search box to access one of the best graphs for comparing data.create double bar graph 1
  • Select the Excel Sheet holding the data.
  • Click the Create Chart from Selection button, as shown.
  • You will get the visualization as shown below.
types of comparison chart double bar graph

Insights

  • Automata theory (40%) is the worst-performed course in Class A.
  • Information Science (95%) is Class A’s favorite course.
  • Multimedia (20%) is the worst-performed course in Class B.
  • Computer Programming is the leading course in Class B with regard to students ‘performance.
  1. Donut Chart

We’ll use the Donut Chart (one of the types of Comparison Charts) to compare the popularity of various sports.

Sports Popularity
Football 60
Baseball 33
Basketball 30
Ice Hockey 15
  • Type “Donut Chart” in the ChartExpo’s Search box.
create donut chart 1 004
  • Select the Excel Sheet holding the tabular data (above).
  • Click the Create Chart from Selection button, you will get the visualization as shown below.
types of comparison chart donut chart

Insights

  • The most popular sport is football.
  • The least popular sport is ice hockey.
  1. Matrix Chart

We’ll use the Matrix Chart (one of the types of Comparison Charts) to compare various performance metrics in various locations, as shown below.

Locations Analysis Period sales
Florida Expenses Current 2,470
Florida Profit Current 109
Florida Loss Current 3
Georgia Revenue Current 2,030.9
Georgia Expenses Current 2459
Georgia Profit Current 35
Georgia Loss Current 16
Hawaii Revenue Current 803.1
Hawaii Expenses Current 2,256
Hawaii Profit Current 112
Hawaii Loss Current 14
New York Revenue Current 2,160
New York Expenses Current 1,802
New York Profit Current 87
New York Loss Current 11
Ohio Revenue Current 1,469.9
Ohio Expenses Current 750
Ohio Profit Current 56
Ohio Loss Current 30
Alabama Revenue Current 531.1
Alabama Expenses Current 637
Alabama Profit Current 58
Alabama Loss Current 0
California Revenue Current 1,559.6
California Expenses Current 627
California Profit Current 38
California Loss Current 10
Colorado Revenue Current 377.6
Colorado Expenses Current 626
Colorado Profit Current 21
Colorado Loss Current 2
Connecticut Revenue Current 488.4
Connecticut Expenses Current 619
Connecticut Profit Current 47
Connecticut Loss Current 20
Delaware Revenue Current 4,024.3
Delaware Expenses Current 587
Delaware Profit Current 21
Delaware Loss Current 9
  • Remember to type “Matrix Chart” in the ChartExpo’s Search box to access one of the best graphs for comparing data.
create matrix chart 1
  • Fill in the respective dimensions and metrics into ChartExpo’s user interface (UI).
  • Finalize the task by clicking the Create Chart from Selection button, as shown.
  • You will get the visualization as shown below.
types of comparison chart matrix chart

Insights

  • Ohio is the most unprofitable location for the brand.
  • Hawaii and Florida are the most profitable locations for the brand.
  • Delaware leads in revenue but is less profitable compared to others.
  • Florida and Georgia lead in expenses incurred by the brand.
  1. Dual Axis Grouped Bar Chart

In this example #9, we’ll use the Dual Axis Grouped Bar Chart (one of the types of Comparison Charts) to compare reviews in a given time, as shown below.

Months Positive Reviews Negative Reviews
Jan 88 23
Feb 32 62
Mar 66 19
Apr 96 23
May 117 42
Jun 68 27
Jul 85 26
Aug 17 56
  • Copy the data into your Excel.
create dual axis grouped bar chart 1
  • Select the Excel Sheet holding the tabular data (above).
  • Click the Create Chart from Selection button, as shown.
types of comparison chart dual axis grouped bar chart

Insights

  • May had the highest number of positive reviews. Besides, it had the lowest number of reviews.
  • On the other hand, August had the highest number of negative reviews.
  1. Stacked Bar Chart

We’ll use the Stacked Bar Chart (one of the types of Comparison Charts) to compare the proportion of various age groups in the population of various countries.

Country 0 – 14 years 15 – 64 years 64 years and 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 access one of the best graphs for comparing data, just type “Stacked Bar Chart” in the ChartExpo’s Search box.
create stacked-bar chart 1
  • Select the Excel Sheet holding the tabular data (above).
  • Finalize the task by clicking the Create Chart from Selection button, as shown.
types of comparison chart stacked bar chart

FAQs:

Why should you compare variables in your data?

By comparing key metrics in your data, you can map performance with a significant degree of accuracy. Besides, you can easily identify lapse or growth in performance, especially if you use the recommended types of Comparison Charts.

One of the recommended Comparison Chart types is the Stacked Bar Chart.

When should you use the Comparison Chart?

Use these Comparison Charts to compare the performance of key metrics in your raw data.

For instance, you can use a Comparison Chart to check how key data points stack up against each other. More so, you can compare sales revenue versus profits in a given financial period.

Wrap Up

Extracting comparison insights from raw data is one of the key steps towards mapping growth in your business (or workplace).

You need the best graphs for comparing data metrics. And this is where the top 10 types of Comparison Charts come in.

Check out below the comprehensive list of comparison-oriented visualization designs:

  1. Comparison Bar Charts
  2. Slope charts
  3. Progress Charts
  4. Tornado chart
  5. Pie Chart
  6. Double Bar Graph
  7. Donut Chart
  8. Matrix Chart
  9. Stacked Bar Chart
  10. Dual Axis Grouped Bar Chart

Use Comparison Charts (above) if your goal is to display in-depth insights into how key metrics stack up against others.

Excel is not recommended if your goal is to generate ready-to-use Comparison Visualization types. The spreadsheet application lacks a huge chunk of the charts we’ve just highlighted above.

Besides, it has pretty basic Comparison Chart templates, which require more work in edits.

We recommend you to install third-party apps, such as ChartExpo, into your Excel to access all the Comparison Charts (we’ve highlighted above). ChartExpo is an add-in you can easily download and install in your Excel app. Besides, it has all the 10 types of Comparison Charts, plus over 50 more advanced visualization designs.

Sign up for a 7-day trial to access all the 10 variants of Comparison Charts.

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