# How to Create a Bar Chart

### How to create a Bar Chart in the Advanced Chart Builder

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### Start with the right data

Ensure your dataset includes:

* **At least one categorical field** (e.g., department, grade level, course name)
* **One or more numeric or metric fields** (e.g., enrollment count, average GPA)
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Quick Chart or Advanced Chart Builder

Bar charts can be built quickly using the Quick Chart option (click on the Bar Chart Quick Chart icon at the top of the data view). 

For additional customization and control, open the [Advanced Chart Builder](/top-resources/advanced-charts-and-visualizations-builder/getting-started-with-the-advanced-chart-builder.md) from a thread or Pin to launch the builder.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Open the Chart tab

* Select Bar Chart (vertical) or Column Chart (horizontal)
* Review the live preview of your chart. 
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Go to the Setup tab

* Confirm your Category from the dropdown (e.g., department, program name, grade level)
* Add one or more Series (e.g., enrollment count, average GPA)
* Choose the appropriate aggregation (e.g., Sum, Average)
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Apply Data Filters

[Filter your data](/top-resources/advanced-charts-and-visualizations-builder/create-a-chart-with-the-advanced-chart-builder.md#how-to-apply-filters) to reduce clutter, increase readability, and focus the chart on the story. 
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Customize the Chart (Optional)

[Use the Customize tab](/top-resources/advanced-charts-and-visualizations-builder/customize-your-chart.md) to adjust the look of your chart:

* Add axis titles and chart labels
* Adjust colors, axis lines, labels, and tooltips
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Save the Chart

Click Save when you’re ready to [apply your changes](/top-resources/advanced-charts-and-visualizations-builder/saving-or-canceling-your-chart-edits.md), or Cancel to discard the changes. 
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

### Bar Chart Use Cases

Need some inspiration? Consider these examples where a bar chart may work well. 

* Visualize average GPA by academic department to compare program performance across departments or locations.
* Compare attendance rates by school or grade level to identify areas with engagement concerns.
* Summarize the number of students completing a course across multiple terms or sessions.

### Bar Chart Tips and Best Practices

* Limit categories to 8–10 to maintain readability.
* Sort bars (ascending or descending) to make patterns easier to interpret.
* Adjust the bar chart labels for longer category labels (e.g., course names) to increase readability. 


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