How to Create a Funnel Chart in Google Sheets?

Data visualization is one of the key things that makes raw data worth collecting and having. Imagine collecting a large volume of data that cannot be understood – that’s a waste of time, effort, and resources. However, with Funnel Chart Google Sheets, you would get to easily visualize your data, and forecast your next step.

Business is hard – we all know that. To make tangible progress, you’ve got to make informed decisions. An informed decision pretty much means undergoing intense study and coming up with the best strategy that aligns with the data you get.

For that to happen, your data has to be digestible – and you can accomplish that by creating a Funnel Chart in Google Sheets.

Don’t get it wrong. Funnel Chart Google Sheets are not the only data visualization strategy. You’ve probably heard of pie, line, or bar charts. Yes, these are great options. But if you want to visualize linear and connected processes like a sales process, then the Funnel Graph Google Sheets is probably your best bet.

Here comes the big question(s) – what is a Funnel Chart Google Sheets, and how can you create a Funnel Chart in Google Sheets? Keep reading this blog you will come to know about the easy-to-use chart library for Google Sheets to present your data with visualizations.

Table of Content:

1. What is a Funnel Chart in Google Sheets?
2. Why You Should Create a Funnel Chart in Google Sheets?
3. 5 Uses of Funnel Charts in Google Sheets
4. Google Sheets Funnel Chart Templates 
5. How to Create a Funnel Chart in Google Sheets?
   • Step 1: Arrange Data in Table
   • Step 2: Add ChartExpo to Google Sheets
   • Step 3: Create a Chart From the Selection
   • Step 4: Create Choose Funnel Chart
   • Step 5: Add Metric to Your Chart
   • Step 6: Final Funnel Chart
6. How to Edit Funnel Chart in Google Sheets?
7. How to Format Data for a Funnel Chart in Google Sheets?
8. How to Change Color Bars in the Google Sheets Funnel Chart?
9. How to Add Data Labels Within The Funnel Chart in Google Sheets?
10. Common Issues and Challenges
11. Advantages and Disadvantages of Funnel Chart in Google Sheets
12. Tips For Making Funnel Charts in Google Sheets
13. Funnel Chart in Google Sheets FAQs
14. Wrap Up

Let’s dive right into it.

What is a Funnel Chart in Google Sheets?

Definition: A Funnel Chart is a data visualization tool that helps you gain insight and meaning into data trends. If you’ve seen an inverted pyramid that’s used to showcase linear, connected processes, then you’ve seen a Funnel Chart.

For instance, it’s somewhat challenging to get a full grasp of an entire sales process. With a Funnel Chart, you get to present the process using an inverted pyramid. This will, in turn, help you gain insight into what an entire sales process is all about.

For data to be represented using a Funnel Chart, it has to be connected, linear, and sequential. That is an interconnected process where the first stage has to be completed in its entirety before the second stage and third stages.

Simply put, the first stage comes before the second stage, and the second stage comes before the third stage. It should be a linear, connected, sequence. Any data that falls short of this criteria is not fit to be represented using an Excel Funnel Chart.

Here’s a brief overview of what you need to know about a Funnel Chart

• First, the data stages have to be linear, connected, and sequential
• Ideally, the first stage should have the largest figure – the figure should be the number of the unit data.
• It helps pinpoint where the problem lies, especially by showing the disproportionate changes in the entire process.

The Funnel Chart Google Sheets is a good choice for folks who desire a good data visualization tool, but you can opt for other reliable options like pyramid and bar charts.

Video Tutorial: How to Create a Funnel Chart in Google Sheets

Moving on, here is why you should use a Funnel Chart.

Why You Should Create a Funnel Chart in Google Sheets?

1. Visualize Progression: Track the flow through different stages of a process, such as sales or recruitment, to identify drop-offs.
2. Analyze Conversion Rates: Easily assess conversion or completion rates between stages.
3. Simplify Complex Data: Present complex, sequential data in a clear and easy-to-understand format.
4. Identify Bottlenecks: Pinpoint stages where the most significant drop-offs occur, allowing for process optimization.
5. Improve Decision Making: Make data-driven decisions based on the insights provided by the visual representation of the funnel.

5 Uses of Funnel Charts in Google Sheets

Regardless of your industry, there are numerous uses of Funnel Chart Google Sheets. Here are some uses that are worth considering.

• Data Visualization

By now, you’ve probably figured out that Funnel Chart Google Sheets are one of the most reliable ways of visualizing data.

Reading a wall of numbers and texts is quite daunting. But such a tedious process can be eliminated using Funnel Chart Google Sheets.

With Funnel Chart Google Sheets, you get to easily pinpoint what’s working and what’s not.

• It Shows Bottlenecks

Whether you are a marketer or a production manager, you’ve experienced a bottleneck a few times. Sometimes, identifying the root cause may be an issue – and that’s where Funnel Chart Google Sheets come into play.

By merely creating a Funnel Chart in Google Sheets, you get to see the data quantity at each stage of the process. This way, you can easily identify areas of improvement, and also predict why there are drop-offs as you move down the funnel.

• Funnel Charts Help Marketers to Track Conversion Rates

If you have a solid online presence, you can use Funnel Charts to track the conversion rate on your website.

With Funnel Chart Google Sheets, you get to see the percentage of eyeballs that click on your product, the percentage of visitors who placed your product(s) in their shopping carts, and the percentage that made the purchase – everything is displayed using Funnel Chart Google Sheets.

Data displayed using Funnel Charts Google Sheets helps you see your conversion rate, and also pinpoint ways of improving your sales and marketing process.

• Funnel Charts Provide an Overview of Your Data

A large volume of data cannot be easily digested. It’s tough work! But Funnel Charts offer a quick summary of everything. Simply put, a Funnel Chart shows the rate of participation in each stage of a process. However, the process should be linear, interconnected, and sequential – anything less than that can hardly be represented using Funnel Charts in Google Sheets.

By providing a quick overview of the data, you get to identify the drop-offs, and further investigate the reasons for such drop-offs.

• Tracks Your Workflow

By now, you probably know that Funnel Charts are used to keep a close eye on the sales and marketing process, but it does much more than that – it can be used in the operational department to analyze workflows.

For instance, you can use Funnel Charts Google Sheets to track the order chains, ranging from the receipt to the delivery process. If your operational process involves product assembly, you can use it to track the product assembly, starting from the receipt of each product unit to the completion of the assembly process.

If you’ve read up to this point, you’ve got a good grasp of what Funnel Charts Google Sheets are, and how you can use them to track your marketing and sales process. But everything is not all juicy. Here are some common issues (or challenges) you would likely encounter while using Funnel Chart Google Sheets.

Google Sheets Funnel Chart Templates

• Sales Funnel Template

A sales funnel template visualizes the customer journey across stages like leads, opportunities, and conversions. It helps identify drop-offs and optimize strategies to improve conversion rates.

• Recruitment Funnel Template

Tracks the hiring process through stages like applications, screenings, and interviews. It highlights bottlenecks and helps HR teams streamline recruitment efficiency.

How to Create a Funnel Chart in Google Sheets?

You can create a Funnel Chart in Google Sheets using ChartExpo, a visualization tool that helps you make sense of relationships, patterns, and emerging trends within your funnel, including the stages of Customer Acquisition. It also enables you to make insightful decisions that impact your overall performance in the marketplace.

One of the beauties of the ChartExpo tool is that it helps you produce over 80 customized visualizations. This way, complex, raw data is translated into engaging, digestible visuals.

Step 1: Arrange Data in Table

Let’s consider an example in which you have data of customer-related information for the interest in your product and services.

Steps	Total Intake
Awareness	100000
Discovery	69000
Evaluation	45000
Consideration	23000
Intent	11000
Purchase	6000
Loyalty	2000

Step 2: Add ChartExpo to Google Sheets

Step 3: Create a Chart From the Selection

Step 4: Create Choose Funnel Chart

• Expand the list of “General Analysis Chart” or you can search this chart in the search box.

Step 5: Add Metric to Your Chart

Step 6: Final Funnel Chart

How to Edit Funnel Chart in Google Sheets?

• After that click on the Chart header and give a proper name to your chart and click on the apply.

• And you will have the final chart on your screen.

• Also if you want to change the color of your funnel, from the edit chart option select the funnel and choose another color you want to change for your chart.

• When you change your color you have the new chart on your screen.

You can directly install the ChartExpo Add-on for Google Sheets, once it is installed you will find multiple categories of charts to show your data in an awesome way to present in the form of reports or presentations.

How to Format Data for a Funnel Chart in Google Sheets?

1. Organize Data in Two Columns

• Column 1: List the stages of your process (e.g., Lead, Qualified, Converted).
• Column 2: Add corresponding numerical values for each stage.

2. Arrange Data in Descending Order

• Ensure the values decrease from top to bottom for a proper funnel shape.

3. Include Clear Stage Labels

• Use descriptive names for each stage to improve clarity.

4. Avoid Blank Rows

• Ensure no empty rows or columns are in your data range.

5. Select the Data Range

• Highlight the formatted data before inserting the funnel chart for accurate results.

How to Change Color Bars in the Google Sheets Funnel Chart?

1. Select the Funnel Chart

• Click on the funnel chart to activate it.

2. Open Chart Editor

• Click on the three dots (⋮) in the top-right corner of the chart and select “Edit chart”.

3. Go to the “Customize” Tab

• In the Chart Editor, navigate to the “Customize” section.

4. Change Series Colors

• Under “Series”, click on the drop-down to select each stage.
• Choose your preferred color for each bar.

5. Apply Changes

• Adjust colors for all stages to match your desired style or branding.

How to Add Data Labels Within The Funnel Chart in Google Sheets?

1. Select the Funnel Chart

• Click on the funnel chart to activate it.

2. Open the Chart Editor

• Click the three dots (⋮) in the top-right corner of the chart and select “Edit chart”.

3. Go to the “Customize” Tab

• In the Chart Editor, navigate to the “Customize” section.

4. Enable Data Labels

• Under “Series”, check the box for “Data labels” to display values on the chart.

5. Adjust Label Position (Optional)

• Use the drop-down to position the labels (e.g., inside, outside, or center) for better visibility.

Funnel Chart Google Sheets – Common Issues and Challenges

Here are some challenges you will likely encounter while using Funnel Charts.

1. If there are more than six stages (or sections) in Funnel Charts, then reading it would be somewhat challenging
2. Funnel Chart Google Sheets may be sequential, but the sales or operational process isn’t quite straightforward. For instance, a visitor may land on your website, put some products in the cart, and navigate to other web pages to read more about the product before buying. You see, some sales processes are not interconnected and sequential as presented by the Funnel Charts Google Sheets
3. A Funnel Chart is not an ideal tool for comparing variables. For instance, you cannot use Funnel Charts Google Sheets to compare how weather conditions affect the sale of drinks
4. The Funnel Chart pinpoints where the problem exists within the sequence, but it does not show why – you would have to undergo additional research to identify the why.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Funnel Chart in Google Sheets

Advantages of Funnel Chart in Google Sheets

1. Visualizes Stages of a Process
   Funnel charts effectively display data across multiple stages of a process, making it easy to identify drop-offs or progress at each stage.
2. Highlights Conversion Rates
   It provides a clear visual representation of conversion rates, helping businesses analyze performance across various steps (e.g., sales funnel, customer journey).
3. Easy to Interpret
   With a simple top-to-bottom flow, funnel charts are intuitive and user-friendly for audiences unfamiliar with complex visualizations.
4. Improves Decision-Making
   By identifying where major drop-offs occur, decision-makers can focus on improving those specific stages to boost efficiency and results.
5. Built-In in Google Sheets
   Google Sheets provides funnel chart capabilities without requiring third-party tools, making it accessible for users without extra costs.

Disadvantages of Funnel Chart in Google Sheets

1. Limited Customization
   Google Sheets offers basic funnel chart features, which may not provide the advanced customization options needed for complex reporting.
2. Lack of Data Precision
   Funnel charts rely on visual sizing rather than specific data points, which can sometimes obscure precise values, especially when the chart is small.
3. Not Suitable for Large Data Sets
   Funnel charts work best with simple, linear processes; they can become cluttered or ineffective when visualizing large or complex datasets.
4. Over-Simplification of Insights
   The simplicity of funnel charts may oversimplify data, leading to missed opportunities for deeper insights or analysis.
5. Requires Clear Processes
   Funnel charts are only effective if the data represents a clear, sequential process. It cannot accurately depict non-linear or cyclical workflows.

Tips For Making Funnel Charts in Google Sheets

1. Organize Data: Arrange stages in descending order of values for a proper funnel shape.
2. Label Clearly: Use clear, descriptive labels to ensure each stage is easily understood.
3. Highlight Drop-Offs: Show percentages or conversion rates to emphasize progress or loss between stages.
4. Use Consistent Colors: Apply gradients or uniform colors to enhance visual clarity and professionalism.
5. Simplify Design: Focus on key stages and remove unnecessary details for better readability and impact.

Funnel Chart in Google Sheets FAQs

How do I make a funnel chart on a spreadsheet?

Wrap Up

Your customer’s journey can easily be represented using data. This way, you get a good grasp of everything that happens from the customer acquisition stage to when the customer buys your product.

ChartExpo provides funnel chart Google Sheets that lets you understand everything that happens behind the scenes. With the information obtained from the Funnel Charts, you would be better equipped to make better business decisions.

Now you understand how to create a Funnel Chart in Google Sheets, what business process would you be studying using Funnel Charts Google Sheets?