Changing Colors on Bar Charts

Susan Swisher

Is there a way to change each row (separately) for a bar chart? when you change the colors, it changes every bar; I would love to change each bar, as a different color.

Paul Newcome

It depends on how you have your data set up for the chart. Try checking the box in the chart builder to switch rows and columns. If that doesn't work, try switching up the layout of the source data.

Susan Swisher

@Paul Newcome .. Interesting.. I've switched the rows/columns that doesn't work; I am wondering how to switch up the layout of the source data / report; obviously, I am doing it wrong. 🤔

Genevieve P.

@Susan Swisher What about using a different type of Chart? For example a Pie or Donut chart? These types of charts allow for each individual number to be a different colour.

Susan Swisher

Too many items in the data; and it lends itself to a Bar Chart, verses Pie / Donut chart.

Paul Newcome

@Susan Swisher

If @Genevieve P's solution of using a different type of chart does not work for you, can you provide a screenshot of your current source data with confidential data removed, blocked, or replaced with "dummy data" as needed?

Susan Swisher

@Paul Newcome The Source-Data (picture) is an image of the Source Data Report that I generated from an the "Sheet Summary" data from an existing sheet.

Susan Swisher

I keep trying to upload a file; and it isn't working. Not sure what is going on.

Susan Swisher

@Paul Newcome Now I semi-figured it out... I was able to change the bar colors, like I wanted (as a group of colors); however, I lose the names, because I switched the rows/columns (as you suggested); obviously my source data can be fixed (I hope).

I don't want to use a legend, because I would have a legend for each bar; and I want them grouped by the "compound" (24360, 00012, OX40, GITR, ARG)

Paul Newcome

What if you were to put each of them in their own row down a set of two columns?

Column1.............................Column2

24360: Accrual Complete...........3

24360:Active Open....................10

24360: In Start-Up.......................0

etc

etc

Paul Newcome

If you are using separate columns for each, have you tried checking this box?

Susan Swisher

I thought about that.. however, the columns/data is being pulled from the Sheet Summary and can't be changed; unless I re-type / re-do it.

Susan Swisher

I did check that.. when I make the switch of columns and rows, it picks up the number "3" and that number "3" is coming from the 1st column (odd)

Susan Swisher

I did find that, @Genevieve P suggestion (using PIE) allows me to show it "smoother" however, i'd have to use the legend and then "hover" over the items, to show the different categories, in each category.

Paul Newcome

In your Edit Chart Widget screenshot... What happens if you uncheck the box to use the first column as labels?

To restructure the data, you should be able to click and drag the formulas. If you hover over the border of a cell, the cursor should change to the plus arrows. You can then click and drag that cell to wherever within the sheet. Doing this will maintain the formula's reference, and any other formula in the sheet referencing that cell specifically will also update to reflect the cell's new location.

Susan Swisher

I can't restructure the data.... because it comes from a Summary Sheet