What is a segmented bar chart?

A segmented bar chart is a horizontal chart where each bar is divided into colored sections representing sub-categories. Bar length shows the total value; segments within each bar show how that total is composed. It is also called a stacked bar chart or divided bar chart. The horizontal orientation makes it easier to read long category labels and compare rankings alongside composition.

What is the difference between a segmented bar chart and a stacked column chart?

Both show totals and composition using stacked segments. The difference is orientation. A segmented bar chart is horizontal — bars run left to right, categories are listed on the vertical axis. A stacked column chart is vertical — columns rise upward, categories are listed on the horizontal axis. Use segmented bar when category labels are long or when you have many categories. Use stacked columns when the horizontal axis is time.

When should I use a segmented bar chart?

Use a segmented bar chart when you need to show both ranking and composition at the same time. For example, revenue by country (ranked largest to smallest) with each bar broken into product lines, or headcount by department with segments for each team. The horizontal layout gives each category name room to breathe, which vertical charts struggle with when labels are long.

Can I import data from Excel or Google Sheets?

Yes. Import from Excel or Google Sheets directly into the editor. First column is the category name. Each additional column is one segment. AECharts maps each column to a segment and builds the horizontal stacked chart automatically.

What export formats are available?

Export as PNG, JPEG, PPTX, or MP4. All formats work in PowerPoint, Google Slides, and reports. Image export is available on all plans.

Can I switch to 100% stacked mode?

Yes. Switch to 100% stacked mode to normalize all bars to the same length. Every bar represents 100% and segments show proportions rather than absolute values. Useful when groups have very different totals and you want to compare composition without scale getting in the way.

How many segments can each bar have?

Three to five segments is the readable range. Beyond five, colors become hard to distinguish. If you have more than five categories, group the smallest ones into an Other segment.

Segmented bar chart vs grouped bar chart — which should I use?

A segmented bar chart stacks segments inside a single bar and shows totals alongside composition. A grouped bar chart places segments side by side and makes individual segment values easier to compare precisely. Use segmented when the total and the breakdown both matter. Use grouped when you need the audience to compare specific segment values across categories.

Do I need design skills?

No. Templates are professionally designed. Import your data and adjust colors if needed. Most users create their first segmented bar chart in under a minute.

Is there a free plan?

Yes. AECharts is free to start. Pro plan starts at $12/month billed annually and removes the watermark. No credit card required.

Segmented Bar Chart Maker

A segmented bar chart uses horizontal bars divided into colored segments to show composition and ranking together. Bar length shows the total; segments show how it breaks down. The horizontal layout handles long category labels cleanly, making it the right choice when you need to rank categories and show their internal structure at the same time.

Segmented bar chart example showing horizontal stacked bars by category

How to Create a Segmented Bar Chart

Select the horizontal bar chart type

Open the AECharts editor, select Bar Chart from the chart type picker, and choose the horizontal stacked variant. Browse the template explorer on the right panel to apply a visual style instantly.

Enter your data

Click "Edit Data" in the top-right corner. The first column holds your category names — each row becomes one horizontal bar. Additional columns are your segments — each adds one stacked section to every bar. Import directly from Excel or Google Sheets, or upload a CSV or Excel file.

Adjust styling

Use the top menu bar to assign a color to each segment. Adjust bar height, stroke color, and stroke width. Switch between standard stacked and 100% stacked mode with one click. All label, axis, and grid options are available. Every change previews instantly.

Export

Export as PNG, JPEG, PPTX, or MP4. Drop into slides, reports, or share directly.

Segmented Bar Chart Features

Horizontal Layout

Bars run left to right. Category labels sit on the vertical axis with room to breathe — no rotation, no truncation, even with long names.

Easy Data Import

Import from Excel or Google Sheets. First column is the category; each additional column is one segment. AECharts builds the chart automatically.

Stacked & 100% Stacked Modes

Switch between standard stacked (shows totals and composition) and 100% stacked (shows proportions only) with one click.

Custom Colors & Fonts

Assign colors to each segment and match your brand palette. Adjust fonts, backgrounds, and label styles.

Export for Any Format

Export as PNG, JPEG, PPTX, or MP4. Works in PowerPoint, Google Slides, and reports.

Real-time Preview

See every change instantly. What you see in the editor is exactly what exports.

When to Use a Segmented Bar Chart

Segmented bar charts are the right choice when category labels are long, when you have many categories to rank, or when showing totals alongside composition matters as much as the ranking itself.

Revenue by Country

Each bar = one country, ranked by total revenue. Segments = product lines or business units. Long country names fit cleanly on the vertical axis without rotation.

Headcount by Department

Each bar = one department. Segments = teams or job levels. Shows org size and internal structure at the same time. Easy to rank departments by total headcount.

Market Share by Competitor

Each bar = one market or region. Segments = competitors. Bar length shows market size; segments show who owns what share. Rank markets by total size to surface the biggest opportunities.

Survey Results by Group

Each bar = one respondent group. Segments = response options (agree, neutral, disagree). Horizontal layout handles long group labels cleanly and makes response patterns easy to compare.

Budget by Function

Each bar = one function (Sales, Marketing, Engineering). Segments = cost categories. Ranks functions by total spend and shows how each allocates its budget.

Support Tickets by Category

Each bar = one ticket category ranked by volume. Segments = severity or team. Shows where volume is concentrated and how it breaks down, in one horizontal view.

Segmented Bar Chart vs Stacked Column Chart

Both stack segments to show composition. The difference is orientation and what goes on each axis.

Segmented Bar Chart (horizontal)

Best for: Ranking categories with long names alongside their composition breakdown.

Strength: Labels on the vertical axis have room to breathe. Easy to rank by bar length while reading composition left to right.

Use when: Revenue by country, headcount by department, market share by competitor.

Stacked Column Chart (vertical)

Best for: Showing how composition shifts over time — quarters, years, reporting periods.

Strength: Time reads naturally left to right. Column height shows total while segments show mix.

Use when: Revenue mix by quarter, cost structure over time, P&L composition by year.

AECharts supports both. Switch between horizontal and vertical to find the right layout for your data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Create Your Segmented Bar Chart Today

Import your data, pick a template, and export in under a minute. Free to start, no credit card required.

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