How to combine Clustered Column Chart and Stacked Chart in Power BI | Customised Bar/Stack chart

Introduction

In this tutorial, you will learn how to combine a clustered column chart and a stacked column chart into a single visual in Power BI. This customization enhances your data visualization and storytelling capabilities, making it easier to convey complex information at a glance.

Step 1: Prepare Your Data

• Ensure you have a dataset loaded into Power BI that contains the values you want to visualize.
• Identify the categorical variables and numerical values that will be used for both the clustered and stacked elements of your chart.

Step 2: Create the Clustered Column Chart

• Go to the Visualizations pane in Power BI.
• Click on the Clustered Column Chart icon to add a new chart to your report.
• Drag the categorical variable to the Axis field well.
• Drag the numerical value that you want to display in the clustered format to the Values field well.
• Format the chart by adjusting properties such as colors and axis titles to improve readability.

Step 3: Add the Stacked Column Chart

• In the same visual, click on the Stacked Column Chart icon from the Visualizations pane.
• Drag the categorical variable that you want to stack onto the Legend field well. This will allow you to see how different categories contribute to the total within each cluster.
• Drag the corresponding numerical values that you want to stack to the Values field well.

Step 4: Customize the Combined Chart

• Select the combined chart and navigate to the Format pane to customize the appearance.
• Adjust the Data colors to differentiate between the clustered and stacked sections clearly.
• Enable Data labels to show the actual values on the chart for better visualization.
• Use the Legend settings to position the legend appropriately, ensuring it does not obscure the data.

Step 5: Fine-tune the Axes and Titles

• Go to the X-Axis and Y-Axis settings in the Format pane.
• Adjust the title, font size, and color for clarity.
• Consider setting a minimum and maximum value for the Y-axis to standardize the comparison across different categories.

Step 6: Review and Save Your Visualization

• Take a moment to review your combined chart to ensure it accurately represents the data.
• Make any necessary adjustments to the formatting or data representation.
• Save your Power BI report to preserve your work.

Conclusion

Combining a clustered column chart with a stacked chart in Power BI allows for a more detailed and nuanced visualization of your data. By following these steps, you can create a powerful visual that enhances your storytelling capabilities. For further enhancements, consider exploring additional features such as tooltips or conditional formatting to make your charts even more informative.