Chart & Visualization Issues

How to Combine Two Stacked Bar Charts in Excel

Amos Gikunda Oct 8, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to combine two stacked bar charts to compare multi-category monthly data across two different years side-by-side.

Product: Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Comparing complex datasets, such as monthly multi-category metrics, across 2023 and 2024 within a single chart.
Observed behavior: Needs to visually group stacked bar charts by month and year so that the corresponding datasets for the two years can be compared efficiently.

Before you start

Ensure your data is organized in a single continuous table with clear multi-level column headers for years, months, and categories before creating the chart.

Solution 1Recommended

Format Source Data and Create a Grouped Stacked Bar Chart

The most effective way to combine stacked bar charts in Excel is by correctly arranging your source data hierarchy and inserting a single stacked column or bar chart.

Excel does not have a direct 'combine charts' button. Instead, you achieve a combined multi-year stacked chart by organizing your dataset into a multi-level category format. By placing years and months in adjacent columns, Excel will automatically group them on the chart axis.

Arrange Source Data Hierarchy

Set up your table with 'Year' in the first column, 'Month' in the second column, and your measures (e.g., LAL, LAL videos, website visitors) as headers in the subsequent columns.

Insert the Stacked Chart

Select the entire data range including the headers. Go to the 'Insert' tab on the Excel ribbon, click on the 'Insert Column or Bar Chart' icon, and choose 'Stacked Column'.

Format the Axis Labels

Right-click the horizontal (category) axis and select 'Format Axis'. Under Axis Options, ensure the axis is set to recognize the multi-level categories, properly grouping the labels by year and month.

Adjust the Gap Width

Right-click on any data series bar in the chart, select 'Format Data Series', and decrease the 'Gap Width' to make the paired months appear closer together for a cleaner visual comparison.

Data Range Tip: Make sure there are no blank columns or rows inside your data table; otherwise, Excel might break the multi-level category grouping on the axis.

Create Charts Easily with WPS Spreadsheet

Combine Stacked Bar Charts Quickly in WPS Office

WPS Spreadsheet provides intuitive charting tools that allow you to combine and customize stacked bar charts effortlessly. It fully supports multi-level categories and is fully compatible with Microsoft Excel formats.

1. Open WPS Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office and open a new or existing spreadsheet containing your yearly and monthly data table.
2. Select Your Data: Highlight the multi-level data range, including the Year, Month, and metric categories.
3. Insert Stacked Chart: Navigate to the 'Insert' tab, click 'Chart', and select the 'Stacked Column' option from the chart library.
4. Customize Layout: Use the Chart Elements menu on the right side of the chart to adjust axis labels, gap widths, and colors for clear year-over-year comparison.

Easily combine and format complex multi-level stacked bar charts100% compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) file formatsLightweight, fast, and free to useIntuitive drag-and-drop chart customization interface

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my years and months not grouping correctly on the chart axis?

Ensure that your data table is sorted properly by Year and then by Month in adjacent columns. Also, verify that there are no blank rows separating your data, as the spreadsheet relies on contiguous ranges to build multi-level category axes.

How do I change the colors of the stacked categories?

Click on the specific data series within the chart that you want to modify. Go to the 'Format' tab on the ribbon, click 'Shape Fill', and choose your preferred color to differentiate the metrics.

Can I add a secondary axis to a stacked bar chart?

Yes, although combining a secondary axis with stacked bars can be visually complex. Right-click a specific data series in your chart, select 'Change Series Chart Type', and check the 'Secondary Axis' box for that specific metric to overlay it.

Excel & Data Problems