> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.toucanai.cloud/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.toucanai.cloud/build/charts/chart-types/bar-chart.md). # Bar chart {% hint style="info" %} **Target Audience**: Non-technical users and builders configuring charts in the Library. {% endhint %}
Bar chart example
## Overview A bar chart compares a **measure** across **categories**. Each bar’s length reflects **Bar height**; categories come from **Bar category** (vertical: horizontal axis; horizontal: category axis for rankings). * **Dimension:** **Bar category** plus optional **Orientation** (vertical or horizontal). * **Measure:** **Bar height** — one query column, with optional **Aggregation**. * **Optional:** **Group bars** for side-by-side bars, or a **Line** overlay (vertical orientation only). In the **Library**, enable **Manual Edit**, set **Type** to **Bars**, and map columns under **Data**. Shared fields (**Title**, **Narrative**, **Data**) are in [Chart types](/build/charts/chart-types.md#shared-chart-level-settings). ## When to use it **Good fit** * Compare values across categories (sales by region, headcount by team). * Show **rankings** with horizontal bars and optional **Show rank**. * Combine bars with a second metric as a **line** (vertical only). **Prefer another chart** * Trend over time → [Line chart](/build/charts/chart-types/line-chart.md). * Part-to-whole within each category → [Stacked bar chart](/build/charts/chart-types/stacked-bar-chart.md). * Share of a total (few slices) → [Circular chart](/build/charts/chart-types/circular-chart.md). * One big number → [Value](/build/charts/chart-types/value.md). **Examples:** top products by revenue, department headcount, monthly sales with a target line. **Common setups** * **Vertical bars:** default orientation, **Bar category** + **Bar height**. * **Ranking:** **Horizontal** + **Show rank** under *More dimension options*. * **Grouped bars:** **Group bars** under *More dimension options*. * **Bar + line:** vertical orientation, **Line Y-Axis** in the **Line** section. ## Configuration options Open the chart in the **Library**, turn on **Manual Edit**, select **Data**, then set **Type** to **Bars**. Panels: **Dimension**, **Measure**, and **Line** (vertical only). Advanced fields: *More dimension options* / *More measure options*. Prerequisites: [connected database](/build/data-connections/how-to/add-a-database.md), Manual Edit ([how-to](/build/charts/how-to/customize-a-chart-manually.md)). ### Dimension | Option | How it works | | -------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Orientation** | **Vertical** (default) or **Horizontal**. Horizontal hides the **Line** section. | | **Bar category** | Category axis (X when vertical, Y when horizontal). | | **Date granularity** | When **Bar category** is a date: **Year**, **Quarter**, **Month**, **Week**, or **Day**. | | **Date format** | How date labels appear on the category axis. | | **Order bars** | *More dimension options.* Sort by a column, ascending or descending. | | **Group bars** | *More dimension options.* Side-by-side bars per category value. | | **Show all labels** | Only shown when **Orientation** is **Vertical**. *More dimension options.* Label under each bar. | | **Show rank** | Only shown when **Orientation** is **Horizontal**. *More dimension options.* Rank numbers on the category axis. | ### Measure | Option | How it works | | ---------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Bar height** | Column for bar length. Often numeric; use **Aggregation** (e.g. Count rows) otherwise. | | **Aggregation** | Reduces rows before plotting (see below). | | **Format number** | Shown when the measure is numeric (after aggregation). Standard, Percent, Currency, decimals, **Unit**. | | **Show value on bar** | *More measure options.* Values on bars (on by default). | | **Automatic y-axis scaling** | *More measure options.* On by default; off for **Min** / **Max**. | | **Exclude 0 values** | *More measure options.* Removes rows where the measure is **0**, **null**, or empty. | ### Line (vertical orientation only) | Option | How it works | | ----------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Line Y-Axis** | Second metric as a line. Clear the column to remove the line. | | **Aggregation** | Shown after **Line Y-Axis** is selected. | | **Show value on line** | Values on line points. | | **Unify scales for bars and lines** | On by default: bars and line share one scale. | **Aggregations on Bar height and Line Y-Axis** | Aggregation | Typical column types | | --------------------------- | -------------------- | | Sum, Cumulated sum, Average | Integer, float | | Minimum, Maximum | Integer, float, date | | Count rows, Count distinct | All types | | Standard deviation | Integer, float | The AI assistant can pre-fill these fields; use **Manual Edit** to adjust. **Suggested next steps:** [Chart types](/build/charts/chart-types.md) · [Line chart](/build/charts/chart-types/line-chart.md) · [Customize a chart manually](/build/charts/how-to/customize-a-chart-manually.md) · [Create a chart with AI](/build/charts/how-to/create-a-chart-with-ai.md)