Data Bars

Data Bars

Apply data bars to show the value in a cell as an in-cell bar. 

When to use

We use data bars whenever we want to represent the values in a cell as a bar relative to other values.  

Instructions

Data bars in Excel are a type of conditional formatting that visually represents the relative values in a range of cells using horizontal bars within the cells. They provide a quick and easy way to visually compare values and understand the distribution of data points in a data set.

Apply Data Bars

• Select the data. 
• From the Home tab, in the Styles group, click Conditional Formatting. 
• Click Data Bars. 
• Choose any Solid Fill data bar. 

Format Data Bars

Show Bar Only

If we have sensitive data, we could choose to show the bar only and not the number in the cell. 

• Click in the data. 
• From the Home tab, in the Styles group, click Conditional Formatting. 
• Click Manage Rules. 
• Select the rule and click Edit Rule. 
• Select the Show Bar Only checkbox. 
• Click OK. 

This will remove the value from the cells. 

To apply more formatting to the bars such as changing the color, border, and scale click on Manage Rules and Edit Rule.