How to Create a Stacked Waterfall Chart in Excel

When working with financial data or analyzing survey results, it's often necessary to compare the total value of different categories and analyze their composition. A stacked waterfall chart is a useful visualization tool that can help you achieve this goal. In this article, we'll guide you through the steps to create a Stacked Waterfall Chart in Excel.

What is a Stacked Waterfall Chart?

A stacked waterfall chart is a type of chart that displays data in vertical columns, with each column representing a category of data. Each category is represented by a separate color within the column, and the height of the colored segments within the column represents the proportion of the total value contributed by each category.

Why Use a Stacked Waterfall Chart?

Stacked waterfall charts are particularly useful when you want to show both the individual values within a category and the overall contribution of each category to the total. They're commonly used in financial analysis, sales reports, and survey results analysis, among other applications.

How to Create a Stacked Waterfall Chart in Excel

To create a stacked waterfall chart in Excel, follow these steps:

1. Organize your data in a table format with each column representing a different category or data point.

2. Select the data range and go to the 'Insert' tab in the ribbon.

3. Click on the 'Waterfall' button in the 'Charts' group and select 'Stacked Waterfall' from the dropdown menu.

4. Customize your chart as needed, including adding titles, labels, and colors.

Benefits of Using a Stacked Waterfall Chart

The stacked waterfall chart offers several benefits when working with data analysis. It allows for easy comparison of values within each category and across different categories, making it an effective tool for financial analysis and survey results analysis.

In this article, we've covered the basics of creating a stacked waterfall chart in Excel. By following these steps and understanding how to use this type of chart, you can gain valuable insights into your data and make informed decisions.