24 Free Bar Graph and Chart Templates (PPT, PDF)

A bar graph is a chart that uses bars or strips to graphically represent data, statistics, quantities, and information.

This means that bar graphs can be represented both vertically and horizontally. Bar graphs are mainly used to compare and contrast categories of data, such as numbers and frequencies. In a bar graph, the comparison is indicated by comparing the lengths of the bars or strips.

A bar graph, also called a bar chart, typically represents the given group data using rectangular bars or strips. Make sure that each bar is proportionate to the information being represented when using this visual representation. Also, ensure that the bars are of different lengths to allow for proper representation and easier reading by your audience. Although the bar lengths are different, your bar graph must have uniform bar widths.

Additionally, you can use stacked bars or comparative bars to represent data in your bar graph. When creating a bar graph, ensure that you have two axes: the x and y-axis, to represent data. In order to ensure that your audience is aware of the variables being represented, your bar graphs must also be labeled.

This article will focus on a bar graph, its different types, and how it is used. The purpose of this guide is to explain how to create a bar graph using a template. A premade bar graph template makes it easier to create different bar graphs quickly and easily.  

# 01

# 02

# 03

# 04

# 05

# 06

# 07

# 09

# 10

# 11

# 12

# 13

# 14

# 15

# 16

# 17

# 18

# 19

# 20

# 21

# 22

# 23

# 24

There are different areas where you can use a bar graph. Some of these applications include:

You can use a bar graph for financial and statistical analysis to predict probability in a particular sample or set of data.

Bar graphs are used in technical analysis to spot changes over time, such as when examining trading data.

Bar graphs can also be used to compare items in various groups in fields like education, at home, at work, or even in stores.

Properties of a Bar Graph  

There are some specific properties and attributes that a bar graph must have. Make sure to consider these characteristics as you make your own bar graph. A chart with these properties qualifies to be a bar graph. Ensure that your bar graph can compare different sets of data within different groups. Your bar graph should be able to show any data changes that might take place over time.

A bar graph should be able to show a relationship. That means that it is only a bar graph if it has two axes used to show the relationship between two data sets. One axis is used for the data category, and the other is used for discrete data values. The bar graph must also have a common base with various columns of different heights and an equal width. Finally, make sure that the bar chart has the same distance between each bar.

Before learning how to draw a bar graph using a template, it is important to understand some of the features of a bar graph. The bar graph displays relative information, which demonstrates how the quantity and type of data relate to one another. The axes are used to display data and show the relationship of the represented information. A bar graph has a y-axis or the vertical axis, and an x-axis, or the horizontal axis.

The data value shown on the y-axis is represented by the height of the bars or strips on the x-axis. This indicates that the data on the x-axis is variable, which explains why the bars or strips have different lengths.

It is also important to include a title for your bar graph to help your audience easily interpret the chart. Some bar graphs have scales that allow the x and y-axis to be increased to represent more data. In bar graphs like stacked bars, it is important to include a legend that makes reading the different colors of your bar chart easier.

Whether there are many or few values, ensure that your bar graph has all these features for easier understanding. Also, since data can be represented vertically or horizontally in a bar chart, ensure that you change the alignment of the x and y-axis.

It is also possible to display values in the bar graph that are both positive and negative. The common base of the bar graph, where the upper bar graphs represent the positive values and the lower bar graphs represent the negative values, will be the zero line.

Using a bar graph template to draw your bar chart is helpful. A template is time-saving and will ensure that the drawing process is easier for you. Here are the steps you need to observe when drawing your bar graph.

To demonstrate the steps for creating a bar graph, we will use the following data: There are five types of fruits in a basket: apples (15), oranges (5), bananas (20), peaches (35), and pawpaw (10).

Step 1: Add the title

Make sure you choose a title for your bar graph. In this case, your title can be ‘Types of Fruits in the Basket.’

Step 2: Draw horizontal and vertical axes

The next step will be to draw a horizontal and vertical axis. 

Step 3: Label the axis

You need to label your x-axis and your y-axis for easier reading. In this case, your horizontal axis (x-axis) can be referred to as “Names of Fruits,” while the vertical axis (y-axis) can be labeled as “Number of Fruits.”

Step 4: Add data

You will also need to include the data and statistics after preparing your horizontal and vertical axes. On the horizontal axis, you should add the names of the fruits, that is, apples, oranges, bananas, peaches, and pawpaw. On the vertical axis, add the quantity of the fruits, that is, 15, 5, 20, 35, and 10.

Step 5: Finalize the scale range

To ensure that all of the data and statistics of the various types are included in your bar graph, the next step is to finalize the scale range.

Step 6: Draw the graph

Finally, it is time for you to draw the bar graph so as to represent the information given; in this instance, it is the number and types of fruits. Ensure that you use a proper template to draw the correct bar graph.

Types of Bar Graphs

Depending on the data you want to represent graphically, you can choose from a variety of bar graph types.

The following are types of bar graphs that you can draw:

Vertical bar graph

A vertical bar graph is a diagram that uses bars to represent grouped data vertically. These bars represent the measure of the data being represented; that is, the y-axis contains the data displayed by the bars’ height, which represents the values. For example:

The y-axis in the vertical bar graph above displays the numerical values of the temperature for each day.

Horizontal bar graph

A horizontal bar graph is a chart used to represent grouped data horizontally by using bars that display the measure of data. The x-axis of the horizontal bar graph displays the bars whose lengths are determined by the values being represented. For example:

The x-axis contains the values in this horizontal bar graph:

Clustered bar graph

A grouped or clustered bar graph is a chart that represents the distinct value of objects that fall under the same category. In this bar graph, similar data items are grouped into sets and compared to other sets as single units. For this type of bar graph, you should choose a single color to represent a specific data item series across the entire set.

Grouped bars can have both vertical and horizontal representations. For example:

This is a vertical clustered bar graph:

This is a horizontal clustered bar graph:

Stacked bar graph

A stacked or composite bar graph is a bar chart that divides the collective bar into different parts; this means the entire bar represents the whole and is divided into sections representing different segments of the whole. Each bar represents different categories and uses different colors to help in identification. Also, you need to have a legend or properly label this type of bar graph to help identify the whole and its sections.

For example: 

Clustered stacked bar graph

A clustered stacked bar graph is a chart that results from the grouped bar graph and the stacked bar charts. This chart is meant to break down data to provide multiple stacks of data per group. For example, this chart represents a comparison between the forecast and actual data while still providing a comparison between the data under each category.

Benefits and Drawbacks

There are certain benefits and disadvantages to using a bar graph or chart. Bar graphs, for example, aid in the visual presentation of groups of data, making them simpler to comprehend and interpret. When displaying the various data categories for frequency distribution, bar graphs will be of assistance. Another important advantage of using a bar graph is that it offers your audience clarity about the data trends. Also, a bar graph will help you judge the data values just by looking at them.

When it comes to showing patterns, effects, and causes, the bar graph is not the best chart to use, and it is one of its biggest limitations. Bar graphs can also be easily changed to display false information. If the scale used to represent that data on the bar graph is uneven, too large, or too small, it is easy for your audience to misinterpret the data. Also, bar graphs tend to provide information that might be relevant or from a compelling source. 

About This Article

Authored by:

Alexander Ruiz

Educational Consulting, Test Prep Tutoring, College Application Consulting

Alexander Ruiz stands as the Educational Director of Link Educational Institute in Claremont, California, a distinguished establishment offering tailored educational plans, specialized subject and test prep tutoring, and comprehensive college application consulting. With a rich experience spanning over a decade and a half in the education sector, Alexander's approach transcends traditional teaching. He empowers students not just academically, but also fosters self-awareness and emotional intelligence, essential tools for holistic development. Alexander's academic credentials, a BA in Psychology from Florida International University and an MA in Education from Georgia Southern University, further enhance his ability to guide students towards their academic and personal aspirations.