← Years 5–6 Data & Information

Column and bar charts

A chart that uses bars to compare amounts in different categories. Select the labels and values, then choose Insert chart. Column charts have upright bars; bar charts lie sideways.

Part of: 5-6 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Data, Information and Privacy — Module 32, VCE Applied Computing - U1O1 - Data analysis — Module 60, VCE Data Analytics - U3O1 - Data Analytics — Module 113, 7-8 Digital Technologies: Analysing and visualising data — Module 19, 9-10 Digital Technologies: Analysing and visualising data — Module 3, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Analysing and Visualising Data — Module 38, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Analysing and Visualising Data — Module 29

Understanding Column and bar charts in Years 5–6 Data & Information

What it does: The range A1:B5 includes the category labels in column A and the numbers in column B, so the chart can show both. Each class is a category and each pet count is its value, so upright bars let you compare the amounts easily. You select the data first (the labels and the values). Then you choose Insert chart. Column charts have upright, vertical bars. Bar charts have bars that lie sideways. In a bar chart the bars run left to right. This is helpful when the category names are long. A taller or longer bar means a bigger amount, which makes it easy to compare categories.

Common mistakes: Only the values are selected, so the bars have no labels. Select both the labels and the values, like A1:B5. Column charts have upright bars. A bar chart has sideways bars, so the line should say Choose Bar.

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 31–56) and word search (Modules 21–56).

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Each concept is reinforced from every angle — learned, then applied, then tested.

Learning
Duo
You want to compare how many students chose each favourite fruit. Which chart type is best?
A column or bar chartA chart with no bars or labels
Matches
Select only B2:B5 (just the numbers), then Insert > Chart
↓
The labels were not selected, so the bars have no category names under or beside them.
Applying
Meanings
Term
bar chart
Meaning
A chart that uses bars to compare amounts in different categories. Select the labels and values, then choose Insert chart. Column charts have upright bars; bar charts lie sideways.
Practice
Pet,Votes
Testing
Gaps
Names in A2:A5 are the
Check Answer
Spots
1Select A1:B5
2Select B1:B5

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Quick Questions

1. You want to compare how many students chose each favourite fruit. Which chart type is best?
A. A chart with no bars or labels
B. A column or bar chart ✓
Column and bar charts compare amounts in different categories, like the number of students who chose each fruit.
2. Which step comes first when making a column chart in a spreadsheet?
A. Select the labels and the values ✓
B. Type the chart title in a blank cell
You select the data first (the labels and the values). Then you choose Insert chart.
3. Which data should you select to chart pet types and how many students own each one?
A. The pet names and the numbers next to them ✓
B. Only the pet names and nothing else
A bar chart needs both the labels (pet types) and the values (the numbers) so it can draw bars of the right heights.
4. After selecting your data, what do you do to make the chart appear?
A. Choose Sort, then Filter
B. Choose Insert, then Chart ✓
The Insert chart option builds the chart from the cells you selected. Sorting and filtering only change the order or rows of your data.
5. Which describes a column chart?
A. The bars stand upright (vertical) ✓
B. The bars lie sideways (horizontal)
Column charts have upright, vertical bars. Bar charts have bars that lie sideways.

Match the Pairs

Insert > Chart > Column chart → Makes a chart with upright (vertical) bars to compare amounts in different categories
Insert > Chart > Bar chart → Makes a chart with sideways (horizontal) bars to compare amounts in different categories
Select the labels and the values together before inserting the chart → Select A1:B5, then Insert > Chart
Use a column chart to compare how many pets each class has → Class labels in A2:A5, pet counts in B2:B5, Insert > Column chart
Select only B2:B5 (just the numbers), then Insert > Chart → The labels were not selected, so the bars have no category names under or beside them.
Insert > Column chart to show how a number changes over time → A column chart compares amounts in categories. It is not the best choice for showing change over time.

Key Term

bar chart
A chart that uses bars to compare amounts in different categories. Select the labels and values, then choose Insert chart. Column charts have upright bars; bar charts lie sideways.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Names in A2:A5 are the labels Numbers in B2:B5 are the values
Hint: Type the word for the category names that sit under each bar.
2. Select A1:B5 first Then click Insert > Chart
Hint: Type the menu item that adds a graph to the spreadsheet.
3. Labels in A1:A4, values in B1:B4 Select A1:B4, then Insert > Chart
Hint: Type the cell range that covers both the labels and the values.
4. Column chart: vertical bars Bar chart: horizontal bars
Hint: Type the word for bars that stand upright in a column chart.
5. Bar charts compare amounts in categories
Hint: Type the verb that describes what a bar chart helps you do with amounts.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A Select A1:B5
B Select B1:B5
C Choose Column chart
D Add a chart title
Line B — Only the values are selected, so the bars have no labels. Select both the labels and the values, like A1:B5.
Question 2
A Select A1:B5
B Click Insert chart
C Choose Column: sideways bars
D Check the bars lie sideways
Line C — Column charts have upright bars. A bar chart has sideways bars, so the line should say Choose Bar.
Question 3
A Column charts: sideways bars
B Bar charts: sideways bars
C Both compare categories
Line A — Column charts have upright (vertical) bars. Only bar charts lie sideways.
Question 4
A Select the labels and values
B Go to the Format menu
C Choose Column chart
D Type a chart title
Line B — Charts are made from the Insert menu. The Format menu only changes how things look.
Question 5
A A1: Pet, B1: Votes
B A2: Dog, B2: 8
C A3: Cat, B3: 6
D Select A1:A3
E Insert a column chart
Line D — Only the labels in column A are selected, so there are no values to draw as bars. Select A1:B3.

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