1. Date: 27 July 2016
Issued by: Zaid Kadwa
Revision: 1.0

2. HOW TO DESIGN A STACKED-
CLUSTERED GRAPH IN EXCEL
Preparation date: 27 July 2016
Prepared by: Zaid Kadwa
Revision number: 1.0
Page number: 1 of 9
1) INTRODUCTION
Typically Excel allows one to create either a stacked graph or a clustered graph using its pre-built
templates.
However, in many cases the way we want to analyse our data demands that we should have a stacked and
clustered graph combined in order to have maximum effect. I had the same issue and did some research
and would like to share my learnings with you.
A common example is where one is trying to analyse different categories across actuals vs. budgets, where
each category has sub categories. What one would then be trying to achieve is to have a bar or column
graph (stacked for each category, and clustered where the budget and actuals are next to each other) that
enables easy comparison.
A very basic stacked graph looks like this:
A very basic clustered graph would look like this:
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Budget Actual
Other
Hats
Shoes
Pants
Shirts
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Budget Actual
Shirts
Pants
Shoes
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3. HOW TO DESIGN A STACKED-
CLUSTERED GRAPH IN EXCEL
Preparation date: 27 July 2016
Prepared by: Zaid Kadwa
Revision number: 1.0
Page number: 2 of 9
Or like this:
However, the potential end result one would be trying to achieve may look like this:
As you can see from the above graph, I have not only stacked columns for actuals and budgets, but have
also grouped them for each distribution channel, i.e. sales to chain stores, wholesalers, and independent
businesses. You may have the same scenario if you are trying to compare, say, expenses by sub-category
(budget vs. actuals vs. forecast) across business areas or cost centres.
So how do we get there? It really is quite simple, and I will guide you step-by-step.
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Shirts Pants Shoes Hats Other
Budget
Actual
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Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual
Chains Wholesalers Independents
Wholesale Volumes by Distribution Channel
Hats
Shoes
Pants
Shirts

4. HOW TO DESIGN A STACKED-
CLUSTERED GRAPH IN EXCEL
Preparation date: 27 July 2016
Prepared by: Zaid Kadwa
Revision number: 1.0
Page number: 3 of 9
2) Process
2.1 Get your data in order
Let’s work through an example together to get the concept correct. I will work with a column
graph, but the concept is exactly the same for a bar graph.
2.1.1 My information is set out in a table as follows:
2.1.2 So what I have above is as follows:
Shirts Pants Shoes Hats Fill Sum
Chains Budget 10 818 1 938 5 520 710 18 986
Actual 10 362 2 228 6 830 698 20 118
20 200
Wholesalers Budget 5 432 500 1 936 - 7 868
Actual 6 172 625 2 536 - 9 333
20 200
Independents Budget 1 098 2 215 1 020 - 4 333
Actual 1 465 2 011 922 6 4 404
DC Mix Variances

5. HOW TO DESIGN A STACKED-
CLUSTERED GRAPH IN EXCEL
Preparation date: 27 July 2016
Prepared by: Zaid Kadwa
Revision number: 1.0
Page number: 4 of 9
2.1.3 Not having a space in cells A5 and A8 will result in your graph looking like this:
2.2 Now for the graph
2.2.1 Select data and create stacked column graph (or you could go for a bar graph if you
so wish; the concept is the same).

6. HOW TO DESIGN A STACKED-
CLUSTERED GRAPH IN EXCEL
Preparation date: 27 July 2016
Prepared by: Zaid Kadwa
Revision number: 1.0
Page number: 5 of 9
2.2.2 You will get a graph looking as follows:
2.3 Here’s the trick
This solution involves using multi-level category labels as the horizontal axis format. The
“Multi-level categories” functionality is the key.
To ensure that you are on the right track, do the following:
2.3.1 Right-click on the horizontal axis and select “Format Axis” from the list.
2.3.2 Ensure that the radio box “Multi-level Category Labels” is ticked.
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BudgetActual BudgetActual BudgetActual
Chains Wholesalers Independents
Fill
Hats
Shoes
Pants
Shirts

7. HOW TO DESIGN A STACKED-
CLUSTERED GRAPH IN EXCEL
Preparation date: 27 July 2016
Prepared by: Zaid Kadwa
Revision number: 1.0
Page number: 6 of 9
If the radio box “Multi-level Category Labels” is not ticked, your graph will look as
follows:
2.4 Now do the following
2.4.1 Reduce the gap between your columns – right-click on any of the stacked columns
and select “Format Data Series” from the list and reduce the gap width (in this
example I have reduced it to 15% from the default 150%).

8. HOW TO DESIGN A STACKED-
CLUSTERED GRAPH IN EXCEL
Preparation date: 27 July 2016
Prepared by: Zaid Kadwa
Revision number: 1.0
Page number: 7 of 9
Your graph now should look as follows:
2.4.2 Make the “Fill” columns invisible – right-click on any of the “Fill” columns and select
“Format Data Series”:
2.4.2.1 In the “Fill” tab select the radio button “No fill”;
2.4.2.2 In the “Border Colour” tab select the radio button “No line”; and
2.4.2.3 In the “Shadow” tab under the item “Presets” ensure that the “No
shadow” option is selected.
Your graph should now look as follows:
2.4.3 Remove the “Fill” item from the legend – simply select “Fill” from the legend and hit
the [delete] key.
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BudgetActual BudgetActual BudgetActual
Chains Wholesalers Independents
Fill
Hats
Shoes
Pants
Shirts
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20 000
25 000
BudgetActual BudgetActual BudgetActual
Chains Wholesalers Independents
Fill
Hats
Shoes
Pants
Shirts

9. HOW TO DESIGN A STACKED-
CLUSTERED GRAPH IN EXCEL
Preparation date: 27 July 2016
Prepared by: Zaid Kadwa
Revision number: 1.0
Page number: 8 of 9
2.4.4 You may also want to format the vertical axis maximum, minimum and/or other
values depending on the level of detail in your graph – typically I make the maximum
value equal to the value in my “fill” column so that there is no wasted space on the
graph; right-click on the vertical axis and select “Format Axis”. Note that this step is
based on personal preference and space constraints. I have formatted the axis
options as follows:
2.5 Make it look pretty
That’s it! A simple way to make a combined stacked/clustered graph. Now you can just play
around with the templates and formatting options to make your graph look pretty.
3) Conclusion
I have included 2 graphs on the next page for ideas which you may find useful (I have also included a line
graph on a secondary axis to supplement my graph with information).
Thanks for reading and I look forward to any questions, suggestions or ideas.

10. HOW TO DESIGN A STACKED-
CLUSTERED GRAPH IN EXCEL
Preparation date: 27 July 2016
Prepared by: Zaid Kadwa
Revision number: 1.0
Page number: 9 of 9
End of document
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Budget Actual Variance MP Differential