Bullet charts came into existence to overcome the drawbacks of Gauge charts. We can refer to them as Liner Gauge charts. Bullet charts were introduced by Stephen Few. A Bullet chart is used to compare categories easily and saves on space. The format of the Bullet chart is flexible.
What is a Bullet Chart?
According to Stephen Few, Bullet charts support the comparison of a measure to one or more related measures (for example, a target or the same measure at some point in the past, such as a year ago) and relate the measure to defined quantitative ranges that declare its qualitative state (for example, good, satisfactory and poor). Its linear design not only gives it a small footprint, but also supports more efficient reading than the Gauge charts.
Consider an example given below −
In a Bullet chart, you will have the following components −
- The qualitative bands representing the qualitative states −
Band | Qualitative Value |
---|---|
<30% | Poor |
30% – 60% | Fair |
60% – 80% | Good |
> 80% | Excellent |
- Target Value, say 80%.
- Actual Value, say 70%.
With the above values, the Bullet chart looks as shown below.
![Bullet Chart](https://i0.wp.com/www.tutorialspoint.com/advanced_excel_charts/images/bullet_chart.jpg?w=740&ssl=1)
Though we used colors in the above chart, Stephen Few suggests the usage of only Gray shades in the interest of color-blind people.
Advantages of Bullet Charts
Bullet charts have the following uses and advantages −
- Bullet Charts are widely used by data analysts and dashboard vendors.
- Bullet charts can be used to compare the performance of a metric. For example, if you want to compare the sales of two years or to compare the total sales to a target, you can use bullet charts.
- You can use Bullet chart to track the number of defects in Low, Medium and High categories.
- You can visualize the Revenue flow across the Fiscal year.
- You can visualize the expenses across the Fiscal year.
- You can track Profit%.
- You can visualize customer satisfaction and can be used to display KPIs also.
Preparation of Data
Arrange the data as given below.
![Preparing Bullet Chart Data](https://i0.wp.com/www.tutorialspoint.com/advanced_excel_charts/images/preparing_bullet_chart_data.jpg?w=740&ssl=1)
As you can observe, the qualitative values are given in the column – Performance. The Bands are represented by the column – Value.
Creating a Bullet Chart
Following are the steps to create a Bullet chart −
Step 1 − Select the data and insert a Stacked Column chart.
![Create Bullet Chart](https://i0.wp.com/www.tutorialspoint.com/advanced_excel_charts/images/create_bullet_chart.jpg?w=740&ssl=1)
Step 2 − Click on the chart.
Step 3 − Click the DESIGN tab on the Ribbon.
Step 4 − Click Switch Row/ Column button in the Data group.
![Click Switch Buttons for Bullet Chart](https://i0.wp.com/www.tutorialspoint.com/advanced_excel_charts/images/click_switch_buttons_for_bullet_chart.jpg?w=740&ssl=1)
Step 5 − Change the chart type.
- Click Change Chart Type.
- Click the Combo icon.
- Change the chart type for Target to Stacked Line with Markers.
- Check the box – Secondary Axis for Target and click OK.
![Change Chart Type](https://i0.wp.com/www.tutorialspoint.com/advanced_excel_charts/images/change_chart_type.jpg?w=740&ssl=1)
Step 6 − As you can see, the Primary and the Secondary Vertical Axis have different ranges. Make them equal as follows.
- Right click on Primary Vertical Axis and select Format Axis.
- Click on the AXIS OPTIONS tab in the Format Axis pane.
- In AXIS OPIONS, under Bounds, type the following −
- 0.0 for Minimum
- 1.0 for Maximum
- Repeat the above steps for Secondary Vertical Axis.
![Primary and Secondary Vertical Axis](https://i0.wp.com/www.tutorialspoint.com/advanced_excel_charts/images/primary_and_secondary_vertical_axis.jpg?w=740&ssl=1)
Step 7 − Deselect Secondary Vertical Axis in the Chart Elements.
![Deselect Secondary Vertical Axis](https://i0.wp.com/www.tutorialspoint.com/advanced_excel_charts/images/deselect_secondary_vertical_axis.jpg?w=740&ssl=1)
Step 8 − Design the chart
- Click on the chart.
- Click the DESIGN tab on the Ribbon.
- Click Change Chart Type.
- Check the Secondary Axis box for the Value series.
![Design Chart](https://i0.wp.com/www.tutorialspoint.com/advanced_excel_charts/images/design_chart.jpg?w=740&ssl=1)
Step 9 − Right click on the column for Value (blue color in the above chart).
Step 10 − Select Format Data Series.
Step 11 − Change Gap Width to 500% under SERIES OPTIONS in Format Data Series pane.
![Change Gap Width for Bullet Chart](https://i0.wp.com/www.tutorialspoint.com/advanced_excel_charts/images/change_gap_width_for_bullet_chart.jpg?w=740&ssl=1)
Step 12 − Deselect Secondary Vertical Axis in the Chart Elements.
The chart will look as follows −
![Bullet Chart will Look](https://i0.wp.com/www.tutorialspoint.com/advanced_excel_charts/images/bullet_chart_will_look.jpg?w=740&ssl=1)
Step 13 − Design the chart as follows −
- Click on the chart.
- Click Chart Styles at the right corner of the chart.
- Click the COLOR tab.
- Select Color 17.
![Design Bullet Chart](https://i0.wp.com/www.tutorialspoint.com/advanced_excel_charts/images/design_bullet_chart.jpg?w=740&ssl=1)
Step 14 − Fine tune the chart as follows.
- Right click on the Value column.
- Change the Fill color to dark green.
- Click on the Target.
- Change the Fill and Line color of Marker to orange.
- Increase the size of the Marker.
![Fine Tune Chart](https://i0.wp.com/www.tutorialspoint.com/advanced_excel_charts/images/fine_tune_chart.jpg?w=740&ssl=1)
Step 15 − Fine-tune the chart design.
- Resize the chart.
- Select Legend in Chart Elements.
- Deselect Primary Horizontal Axis in Chart Elements.
- Deselect Gridlines in Chart Elements.
- Give a Chart Title.
![Fine Tune Chart Design](https://i0.wp.com/www.tutorialspoint.com/advanced_excel_charts/images/fine_tune_chart_design.jpg?w=740&ssl=1)
Your Bullet chart is ready.
You can change the color of the chart to gray gradient scale to make it colorblind friendly.
![Bullet Chart Ready](https://i0.wp.com/www.tutorialspoint.com/advanced_excel_charts/images/bullet_chart_ready.jpg?w=740&ssl=1)
Bullet Chart in Reverse Contexts
Suppose you want to display the number of defects found in a Bullet chart. In this case, lesser defects mean greater quality. You can define defect categories as follows −
![Bullet Chart in Reverse Contexts](https://i0.wp.com/www.tutorialspoint.com/advanced_excel_charts/images/bullet_chart_in_reverse_contexts.jpg?w=740&ssl=1)
Step 1 − You can then define a Limit for number of defects and represent the number of defects found by a Value. Add Value and Limit to the above table.
![Add Value and Limit](https://i0.wp.com/www.tutorialspoint.com/advanced_excel_charts/images/add_value_and_limit.jpg?w=740&ssl=1)
Step 2 − Select the data.
Step 3 − Create a Bullet chart as you have learnt in the previous section.
![Bullet Chart Ranges Changed](https://i0.wp.com/www.tutorialspoint.com/advanced_excel_charts/images/bullet_chart_ranges_changed.jpg?w=740&ssl=1)
As you can see, the ranges are changed to correctly interpret the context.