Column Charts in PPTX Template

Learn how to create and populate vertical column charts in your PowerPoint templates.

Overview

Column charts display data using vertical columns, making them ideal for comparing values across categories. They're the most common chart type and work well for most data visualization needs.

Data Structure

Column charts require:

  • Categories: Labels for each column (typically on the X-axis)
  • Values: Numerical data for each category (typically on the Y-axis)

Example Data

{
  "chart_title": "Sales by Region",
  "data": [
    {
      "month": "January",
      "north": 45000,
      "south": 38000,
      "east": 52000,
      "west": 41000
    },
    {
      "month": "February",
      "north": 48000,
      "south": 40000,
      "east": 55000,
      "west": 43000
    },
    {
      "month": "March",
      "north": 52000,
      "south": 42000,
      "east": 58000,
      "west": 45000
    }
  ]
}

Tabular representation (as it appears in Excel):

Month North South East West
January 45,000 38,000 52,000 41,000
February 48,000 40,000 55,000 43,000
March 52,000 42,000 58,000 45,000

Creating a Column Chart Template

  1. Insert Chart: In PowerPoint, go to Insert > Chart > Column Chart
  2. Choose Column Chart Type: Select a vertical column chart variant (clustered, stacked, etc.)
  3. Set Up Structure: Create the chart with sample data matching your expected structure If you want to add multiple series to the chart you don't need to create this structure in PowerPoint - just make sure the data in JSON, CSV or Excel is structured accordingly.
  4. Apply Formatting: Style the chart as desired (colors, fonts, labels)
  5. Add Placeholders: Use placeholders in chart titles or data labels if needed
  6. LINK DATA TO THE CHART: Right click on the dummy chart and click "View Alt Text" to edit the alt-text of the chart. Set the Description field to:
  • For JSON data: {{type=chart data=json.data}} (assuming the JSON structure as in the example above)
  • For Excel data: {{type=chart data=xlsx.Sheet1!Table1}} (assuming the Excel table is named "Table1" in Sheet1)

Data Format

Simple Column Chart

For a single series column chart:

{
  "data": [
    {
      "quarter": "Q1",
      "value": 100
    },
    {
      "quarter": "Q2",
      "value": 150
    },
    {
      "quarter": "Q3",
      "value": 120
    },
    {
      "quarter": "Q4",
      "value": 180
    }
  ]
}

Multiple Series Column Chart

For comparing multiple data series:

{
  "data": [
    {
      "product": "Product A",
      "value2024": 1000,
      "value2025": 1100
    },
    {
      "product": "Product B",
      "value2024": 1500,
      "value2025": 1600
    },
    {
      "product": "Product C",
      "value2024": 1200,
      "value2025": 1300
    }
  ]
}

Stacked Column Chart

For showing totals and components:

{
  "data": [
    {
      "region": "Region 1",
      "component1": 500,
      "component2": 300,
      "component3": 200
    },
    {
      "region": "Region 2",
      "component1": 600,
      "component2": 400,
      "component3": 300
    },
    {
      "region": "Region 3",
      "component1": 700,
      "component2": 500,
      "component3": 400
    }
  ]
}

Best Practices

1. Category Labels

  • Keep category labels short and clear
  • Rotate labels if they're too long
  • Use abbreviations when appropriate

2. Value Ranges

  • Ensure values are in a reasonable range
  • Consider using appropriate units (thousands, millions)
  • Add units to axis labels for clarity

3. Color Coding

  • Use consistent colors across similar charts
  • Consider color-coding by value ranges or categories
  • Ensure colors are accessible (good contrast)

4. Chart Title

  • Use descriptive chart titles
  • Consider using placeholders for dynamic titles: {{report_period}} Revenue

Common Use Cases

Time Series Data

Display data over time periods (months, quarters, years).

Category Comparison

Compare values across different categories (products, regions, departments).

Performance Metrics

Show performance indicators, KPIs, or achievement metrics.

Formatting Tips

Column Spacing

  • Adjust column spacing for better readability
  • Clustered columns work well for multiple series
  • Stacked columns show totals and components

Axis Labels

  • Add clear axis labels
  • Include units where appropriate
  • Format numbers appropriately (commas, decimals)

Data Labels

  • Consider adding data labels on columns
  • Use appropriate decimal places
  • Position labels for readability (inside or outside columns)

Gridlines

  • Use gridlines sparingly for better readability
  • Consider using subtle gridlines
  • Remove gridlines if they clutter the chart

Troubleshooting

Columns Not Displaying

  • Check Data Format: Ensure values are numbers, not strings
  • Verify Structure: Ensure categories and values arrays match
  • Check Chart Type: Verify you're using a column chart, not bar chart

Incorrect Values

  • Data Type: Ensure numerical values are actual numbers
  • Data Order: Verify data order matches expected structure
  • Missing Data: Check for null or undefined values

Formatting Issues

  • Chart formatting from template is preserved
  • Some formatting may need adjustment after data update
  • Test with sample data to verify appearance

For more information, see Charts Overview or Basic Placeholders.

Take a look at an example use case of creating sales report with charts and tables in PowerPoint from Excel data: Sales report with charts and tables in PowerPoint from Excel data. You will find sample Excel and PowerPoint files in the article.