Recently, we were analyzing the sales performance of our products in different regions. For this, we were using metrics (measures) such as Sales, Profit, and Quantity. To compare these measures side by side within each category, we created a stacked bar chart in Tableau using multiple measures.
Our dimension was Region, and we used Sales, Profit, and Quantity as separate measures stacked together for a specific region.
In this blog, I will explain how to create a stacked bar chart using multiple measures in Tableau.
Create a Stacked Bar Chart Using Multiple Measures in Tableau
In Tableau, we have two options for creating a stacked bar chart using multiple measures.
- Stacked bar chart using a separate bar for each dimension
- Stacked bar chart using a separate bar for each measure
Stacked Bar Chart Using a Separate Bar for Each Dimension
To create a stacked bar chart in Tableau using a separate bar for each dimension, select the data source and follow the steps below.
- Set the chart type from Automatic to Bar and drag the dimension Region to the Columns.
- After this, drag and drop the Measure Names to the Color card in the Marks section. Click on the dropdown of Measure Names and select Filter.
- In the Measure Names filter, select the check boxes for the measures to display, and then click OK.
- After this, drag the Measure Values to the Rows section.
The selected measures will appear in the stacked chart, as shown in the image below. Here, we can see the sales for specific regions with different measures: Discount, Profit, Quantity, and Sales.
Check out: Create Stacked Bar Charts Dashboard in Salesforce
- To display the data values of sales, profit, quantity, and discount, add the Measure values to the label tag.
This will show the values for each measure for a specific region in the stacked bar chart.
This way, we can create a stacked bar chart in Tableau using a separate bar for each dimension.
Check out: Add Charts to Reports in Salesforce
Stacked Bar Chart Using a Separate Bar for Each Measure
To create a stacked bar chart using a separate bar for each measure, follow the steps below.
- Set the chart type to Bar and drag the dimension Region to the Color card in the Marks section.
- After this, drag the Measure Names to Columns section. Then, click on the dropdown for Measure Names and select “Filter“.
Check out: Donut Chart in Tableau
- Select the checkboxes for the measures that you want to include in the stacked bar chart. After selecting the measures, click the OK button.
Check out: Divergent Stacked Bar Chart in Tableau
- After this, drag the Measure values to the Rows section, and it will contain the same values selected in the Measure Names.
- Set the chart view as Entire View to display the stacked bar chart in the appropriate proportion.
- To display the values for each measure, drag the Measure Values to the Label card in the Marks section.
Now, we see the measure value specific to each region in the stacked bar chart.
This way, we can create a stacked bar chart using multiple measures by using a separate bar for each measure.
By following the above two methods, you can easily create a stacked bar chart in Tableau by including multiple measure values. These methods of creating stacked bar charts are useful in scenarios where you need to compare more than two measures.
To choose between the two methods, if you want to compare a dimension like region with different metrics like sales, profit, and quantity, then use multiple measures stacking within each dimension.
When you want to compare the measures themselves, for example, to see whether sales are higher than profit or how quantity varies across different regions, in that case, it’s better to create a separate bar for each measure.
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I am Bijay Kumar, the founder of SalesforceFAQs.com. Having over 10 years of experience working in salesforce technologies for clients across the world (Canada, Australia, United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand, etc.). I am a certified salesforce administrator and expert with experience in developing salesforce applications and projects. My goal is to make it easy for people to learn and use salesforce technologies by providing simple and easy-to-understand solutions. Check out the complete profile on About us.
