Chart typeGrouped series

Column chart

Compare values across categories or periods with vertical bars.

The classic way to compare amounts: one column per category, and one colour per series when you compare several. DataInk draws each column as a rectangle with the series' object style, and every axis label and value as live text.

Get it on Adobe ExchangeAll chart types
Column chart, DataInk for Adobe InDesign
Drawn as native InDesign objects: paths, rectangles and live text in your styles.

Plugin options

Options for this chart

  1. 1

    Rounded ends

    Round the top of each column, from square to fully rounded, in proportion to the column's width.

  2. 2

    Group gap and bar gap

    Space between groups of columns and between the columns of one group, as a percentage of their width.

  3. 3

    Value labels

    Show each figure outside the column, inside its end or inside its base. Labels inside use a light paragraph style of their own.

  4. 4

    Category labels

    Keep category names horizontal or set them diagonal or vertical when they are long.

  5. 5

    Axis and gridlines

    Gridlines automatic or every 3, 5 or 10 steps, tick marks, axis line, grid and axis weights, and a fixed minimum or maximum for the scale.

Also available for every chart

Colours and styles
DataInk object styles, one colour in tints or a swatch group of your document; your own paragraph styles for axis labels, values and legend.
Legend
Below or beside the chart, or as an InDesign table you style like any other.
Numbers
Number format of 14 locales, decimals, prefix and suffix (€, %, kg), compact numbers (12K).
Size
Width and height in your document's unit, or fit a frame you drew beforehand.
Data
Panel grid, large data editor, paste, Excel and CSV import, or a linked InDesign table.
Presets
Save the look, reuse it, and share it with your team as a file.

Editorial guide

When to use it

Typical use

Comparing amounts between a handful of categories or periods: sales by quarter, budgets by department, results by region.

Better avoided

More than about 12 categories or long names: use a bar chart. Long continuous time series read better as lines.

Layout tips

  • Start the value axis at zero: a cut axis exaggerates differences.
  • Order categories meaningfully: by time, or from largest to smallest.
  • With value labels on every column, consider turning gridlines off.

Data structure

Sample data

The first column holds the categories (quarters here). Each further column is a series and gets its own colour.

Paste a table like this one, import it from Excel or CSV, or click in an InDesign table with the same layout.

QuarterNorth AmericaEuropeAsia-Pacific
Q1423521
Q2483826
Q3514132
Q4584739

Other chart types

Previous chart: Radar chartNext chart: Bar chart
Bar chartHorizontal bars for rankings and long category names.Stacked column chartTotals and their composition in one set of columns.Stacked bar chartHorizontal stacks for composition across many groups.100% stacked chartShares of a whole, compared across categories.Line chartTrends and change over time.Area chartVolume and its change over time.

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