Column chart stacked

Alternative name:

Segmented column chart; composite column chart

This is a column chart with columns stacked on top of each other to represent the cumulative total of different subcategories. It can be simple, where the total value of the bar is the segment values added together, or proportional, where it shows the percentage out of 100%.

Tips for use and when NOT to use

Use a 100% stacked column to easily see the relative differences in each group. Use a simple stacked column to compare the total amounts across each segmented column. For clarity, limit the number of categories. Use contrasting colours for each segment and consider labelling each segment with its value or percentage. Don't use if comparing individual values within a category is more important than the overall total.

Use case / Examples

To display the breakdown of a company's workforce by gender and ethnicity, showing the proportion of each group at different levels of seniority.

Question example:

How do you allocate your marketing budget across different channels?

Recommended Survey Question Types:

Numerical response, Ranking question, Rating scale, Single mention