How To Make A Tornado Chart In Excel

Discover the step-by-step process of creating a tornado chart in Excel, a powerful tool for sensitivity analysis and data comparison. This guide walks you through the essentials, from setting up your data to fine-tuning chart aesthetics.

After mastering the Excel technique, you'll learn why Sourcetable offers an even more streamlined and user-friendly approach for generating tornado charts.

How to Make a Tornado Chart in Excel

Understanding Tornado Charts

A Tornado Chart, a distinctive form of Bar Chart, visualizes comparative data through horizontal side-by-side bars. The layout, with bars in decreasing order and the longest bar at the top, resembles a 2D tornado, which is the origin of its name. These charts are also known as butterfly charts and incorporate negative values for creating the visual comparison.

Creating a Tornado Chart

To create a Tornado Chart in Excel, begin by inputting your comparison data into two columns. Ensure the data is organized for a descending order display, with the largest values at the top. Label your categories and values clearly for easy chart interpretation.

Setting Up the Chart

Select your data range and insert a Bar Chart from the Excel menu. Choose the 'Bar' option which will provide horizontal bars. Adjust the series to place negative values on one side, creating the tornado effect with bars extending in opposite directions from the axis.

Formatting the Chart

Format the chart by adjusting the bar colors, axis labels, and title for readability. Ensure negative values are clearly indicated. This visual distinction is crucial for the chart's effectiveness in comparison analysis.

Finalizing the Tornado Chart

Review your Tornado Chart for accuracy in the data representation and make any necessary adjustments. The longest bar should be at the top, and the bars should decrease in length as they descend, maintaining the characteristic tornado shape.

Excel vs. Sourcetable: A Comparative Insight

Excel, a longstanding leader in spreadsheet software, is versatile for data analysis and visualization. Sourcetable emerges as a modern alternative, integrating multiple data sources into a unified platform.

Sourcetable's AI copilot distinguishes it from Excel. This feature assists users in formula creation and template generation, streamlining workflow through conversational AI.

While Excel demands manual formula input, Sourcetable's AI simplifies this process. The AI copilot in Sourcetable ensures efficiency for users with varying levels of expertise.

Data integration in Sourcetable offers a competitive edge. It pulls data from various sources into one place, reducing the need for multiple tools unlike Excel's more traditional approach.

For businesses seeking to harness data from diverse streams, Sourcetable's one-stop solution is SEO-optimized for queries related to integrated data analysis platforms.