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The Radial Bar Chart is one of the best charts you can use to compare different categories in your raw data.
And this is because the chart is easy to read and interpret, just like a typical Bar Chart but this chart has a circular bar chart look.
One of the critical components of a compelling data story is the use of easy-to-interpret and straightforward visualizations. And this is where the Radial Bar Chart comes in.
Visualizing your data using Radial Bar Chart in Excel does not need to be overwhelming and time-consuming, primarily if you use Excel.
Why?
To visualize your data using Radial Bar Chart in Excel, you have to follow complex and time-consuming steps. Besides, getting lost through the process is incredibly easy.
Did you know you can supercharge your Excel by installing a third-party add-in with a ready-to-use Radial Bar Chart?
Well, in this blog, you’ll learn:
Before we delve right into the how-to guide, let’s define the chart and explore its practical application in-depth.
In this blog you will learn:
Definition: A Radial Bar Chart is a version of Bar visualization plotted on a polar coordinate system, rather than on a Cartesian one.
This chart shares immense similarities with the multilayered Donut Chart, (also a version of the Bar Chart). In other words, interpreting this chart is just as easy as getting insights from Bar Visualization Designs.
Each bar on the outside gets relatively longer than the preceding one. In addition, each bar has a varying radius and angle.
Visualization Source: ChartExpo
Just like a Bar Graph, the circular bars in a Radial Chart represent the changes in variables in your data. In other words, the sizes of the almost circular bars depict the magnitude of change in variables.
For instance, in the Radial Chart (above), the US beats all other countries in terms of medals won. The shorter the bar: the smaller the change in a variable. Similarly, longer bars depict massive changes in the metric under study.
Let’s learn how you can create Radial Bar Graph in Excel using your data in the following video.
There are a plethora of tools out there you can use to visualize your data using a Radial Bar Chart.
Excel is one of them.
It’s very understandable why people trust Excel as their chosen tool for visualizing data. For starters, the tool has been there for decades. Furthermore, Excel’s interface is familiar and friendly to a majority of business owners and professionals.
But, generating Radial Bar Chart in Excel is not a walk in the park. Excel lacks a ready-made Radial Bar Graph you can use to visualize data.
Besides, the process of customizing existing charts to create a Radial Bar Visualization is time-consuming and complex.
Here’s the kicker.
You don’t have to do away with Excel. You can simply download and install a third-party add-in called ChartExpo.
What is ChartExpo?
ChartExpo is loaded with a ready-to-use Radial Bar Chart, plus 50 other insightful and visually-appealing advanced graphs.
You don’t have to be armed with coding/programming skills to use ChartExpo. In fact, you only need basic knowledge of visualization to operate the Excel add-in without hitches.
Why should you sign up for ChartExpo?
Here is the complete step-by-step guide on how you can install the ChartExpo add-in Excel application.
Once you have installed ChartExpo, you can simply access it in Excel by following the steps mentioned below:
There’re two ways you can access your Radial Bar Chart in Excel.
Let’s use the tabular data below for our example. We’ll be comparing the performance of various regions in terms of sales generated for a hypothetical brand.
| Regions | Sales ($) |
| USA | 1,200,000 |
| Canada | 750,000 |
| UK | 500,000 |
| Australia | 240,000 |
| China | 190,000 |
You can put your above data in Excel Sheet and then click on “Create Chart From Selection” button on ChartExpo window.
You can click on “Edit Chart” button to change the different properties to add some header on chart, put some dollar sign with stats and much more. The following look can be created by changing the properties.
In this example, we’ll use the Radial Bar Chart in Excel to visualize the data (below). We’ll be comparing the performance of countries in terms of gold medals won in a hypothetical sports competition.
Let’s dive in.
| Countries | Gold Medals |
| USA | 39 |
| China | 38 |
| ROC | 20 |
| UK | 22 |
| Japan | 27 |
| Australia | 17 |
| Italy | 10 |
| Germany | 10 |
To visualize the data above, follow the steps below.
One of the key uses of a Radial Bar Chart is comparing key data points.
The chart uses circular-colored shapes to display comparison insights into key categories in your raw data. The angle and radius of the bar play a vital role in the visualization design.
Secondly, you can use the chart to create compelling data stories for your target audiences (and readers). And this is because a Radial Bar Chart is incredibly easy to interpret.
Lastly, you can use the chart to visualize continuous data series across time, such as sales revenue.
Use the Radial Bar Chart in situations that require you to display multivariable data in a 2D plane.
To get the most from this chart, use it to perform the following tasks:
You can use the Radial Bar Chart to compare varying metrics in your data. For instance, you can use the chart to compare the profitability of various locations in a given period.
The chart displays comparison insights using different color shades.
A Radial Bar Chart in Excel is the go-to visualization design if your goal is to uncover hidden insights into key variables in your data. For instance, you can easily point out how a particular metric, such as expenses has changed over time.
You can leverage the Radial Bar Graph to display insights in a data story to power strategic decisions in your workplace or business.
And this is because the chart is amazingly easy to interpret.
You can also use the chart to visualize data in a wider range of sectors, such as digital marketing, sales, research, education, finance, among others.
Avoid a Radial Bar Chart in Excel in the following scenarios
A Radial Bar Chart (also called a Circular Bar Chart) uses circular shapes to compare key metrics in your data.
The chart shares a resemblance with Bar Charts. But, they use circular bars to display insights. Use this chart to compare the performance of key variables in your raw data.
Excel spreadsheet’s library lacks ready-made Radial Bar Graphs. Essentially, you have to follow a super time-consuming process to visualize your data using the chart.
But, you can supercharge your Excel with third-party add-ins, such as ChartExpo to access ready-to-use Radial Charts.
Extracting comparison insights from raw data is one of the key steps towards tracking growth.
Yes, you read that right.
You need the best chart for displaying comparison insights.
This is where the Radial Bar Chart comes in.
Use the chart if your goal is to display in-depth insights into how key metrics stack up against others. Avoid using Excel if your goal is to save time and generate ready-to-use, high quality, and easy-to-interpret Radial Bar Chart in Excel.
To visualize your data using this chart in Excel, you have to follow a super-long and time-consuming process.
To avoid the challenge (above), we recommend you to install third-party apps, such as ChartExpo into your Excel to access ready-made and visually stunning Radial Bar Charts.
Essentially, ChartExpo is an add-in you can easily download and install in your Excel app. More so, the tool comes loaded with ready-to-use Radial Charts, plus over 50 more advanced visualization designs.
Sign up for a 7-day trial to enjoy unlimited access to easy-to-interpret and visually appealing Radial Bar Charts.
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