What is a segmented bar chart maker?

A segmented bar chart maker (also called a stacked bar chart maker, stacked bar graph creator, or divided bar chart tool) lets you create charts where each bar is divided into colored sections, one per sub-category. AECharts lets you import data, customize colors and styling, and export for presentations and reports.

How many segments can each bar have?

Three to five segments is optimal. Beyond that, colors become hard to distinguish and the chart loses clarity. If you have more than five segments, group the smallest ones into an 'Other' category.

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 automatically.

What is a segmented bar chart also called?

A segmented bar chart is also called a stacked bar chart, stacked bar graph, divided bar chart, or stacked column chart. All refer to the same chart type where bars are split into colored segments representing sub-categories.

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 height. Useful when groups have different sizes and you want to compare proportions rather than totals.

Can I customize colors for each segment?

Yes. Each segment gets its own color, fully customizable. Match your brand palette or use one of the built-in color schemes. Fonts, backgrounds, and label styles are all adjustable.

How do you read a segmented bar chart?

Each bar represents one category or time period. The total height of the bar shows the overall value. Each colored segment within the bar shows the contribution of one sub-category. Compare segment colors across bars to see how the composition shifts, and compare bar heights to track total changes.

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

Use a segmented bar chart when you have multiple groups to compare and want to show how composition changes across them. Use a pie chart when you have a single group and only care about proportions. Pie charts also work better with fewer than five segments — beyond that, a segmented bar chart is almost always clearer.

What is a percentage segmented bar chart?

A percentage segmented bar chart (also called 100% stacked bar chart) normalizes all bars to the same height so each one represents 100%. Segments show proportions rather than absolute values. Use this mode when group sizes differ and you want to compare composition without totals getting in the way. AECharts supports both standard and 100% stacked modes.

What is the difference between segmented and grouped bar charts?

A segmented (stacked) bar chart stacks segments inside a single bar, useful for showing totals and composition together. A grouped bar chart places segments side by side, better when you need to compare individual segment values precisely. Use segmented when the whole matters; use grouped when the comparison matters.

Do I need design skills?

No. Templates are professionally designed. Import your data and customize 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 $19/month billed annually and removes the watermark. No credit card required to start.

Can I use this for presentations?

Yes. Export as PNG, PPTX, or JPEG and drop directly into PowerPoint or Google Slides. Segmented bar charts work well for investor updates, quarterly reviews, and any presentation where you need to show both totals and breakdown.

Segmented Bar Chart Maker

A segmented bar chart — also called a stacked bar chart, stacked bar graph, divided bar chart, or stacked column chart — divides each bar into color-coded sections that represent sub-categories. The full bar height shows the total for each group while the segments reveal how that total breaks down. Use AECharts to build segmented bar charts from your Excel or Google Sheets data for revenue breakdowns, budget analysis, and survey results.

Segmented bar chart example showing stacked composition across categories

How to Create a Segmented Bar Chart

Select the segmented bar chart type

Open the AECharts editor and select Bar Chart from the chart type picker, then enable stacked mode. If you want a different visual style, browse the template explorer on the right panel and click any template to apply it instantly.

Enter your data

Click "Edit Data" in the top-right corner to open the spreadsheet. The first column holds your category names — each row becomes one bar. Additional columns are your segments — each column adds one stacked layer 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 customize the look. Assign a color to each segment and it will stay consistent across all bars. Adjust bar width, stroke color, and stroke width. Switch between standard stacked mode (shows totals and composition) and 100% stacked mode (normalizes all bars to show proportions only) with one click. The usual label, tick, axis, and grid options including font, size, and color are all available. Every change previews instantly.

Export

When you're ready, export as PNG, JPEG, PPTX, or MP4. Drop into slides, reports, or share directly.

Segmented Bar Chart Maker Features

Easy Data Import

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

Multiple Segments

Up to 5 segments per bar with distinct colors and a legend. Each segment is labeled and sized proportionally to its value.

Custom Colors & Fonts

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

Stacked & 100% Stacked Modes

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

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 best when you want to show both totals and how each total breaks down, composition and magnitude in one view.

Revenue by Product Line

Each bar = one quarter. Segments = product lines. Bar heights show total revenue growth while segment widths show how the mix shifts.

Survey Results by Demographic

Each bar = one demographic group. Segments = response options. Compare composition across groups without needing multiple charts.

Budget by Department

Each bar = one year or period. Segments = departments. See total budget changes and how allocation shifts over time.

Traffic by Channel

Each bar = one month. Segments = channels (organic, paid, direct). Total traffic and channel mix visible in one chart.

Headcount by Team

Each bar = one quarter. Segments = teams or functions. Show hiring growth and how the org structure evolves.

Cost Breakdown

Each bar = one period. Segments = cost categories. Show total cost trends alongside how the breakdown changes.

Segmented vs Grouped Bar Chart

Both show multiple data series, but they answer different questions.

Segmented (Stacked) Bar Chart

Best for: Showing totals and composition. What is the total, and how does it break down?

Strength: Readers see both the size of each segment and the overall total in one glance.

Use when: Revenue by product line, budget by department, demographic breakdowns.

Grouped Bar Chart

Best for: Comparing individual values. Is Sales higher in Q1 or Q3?

Strength: Precise comparisons. Readers gauge exact differences without mental arithmetic.

Use when: Financial analysis, performance reviews, before/after data.

AECharts supports both modes. Switch between stacked and grouped with one click.

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.

Other chart makers

Line Chart Maker Pie Chart Maker Horizontal Bar Chart Maker Scatter Plot Maker Waterfall Chart Maker Sankey Chart Maker Funnel Chart Maker Gauge Chart Maker Waffle Chart Maker Radar Chart Maker Treemap Maker Heatmap Maker Pareto Chart Maker Mekko Chart Maker