There are many ways you can visually represent your data in Google Sheets. Using visual elements can remove a lot of unnecessary tedium when going through tons of data.
One of the ways you can represent your data over time is by using a funnel chart. It’s unfortunate that when trying to build a funnel chart Google Sheets doesn’t have native options.
Yet, this article will tell you some uses of funnel charts and two ways you can create a funnel chart in Google Sheets.
Table of Contents
What Is a Funnel Chart?
A funnel chart can be explained as an inverted pyramid-like shape that can show linear, interconnected processes.
It’s a fantastic way to represent data visually, and it helps you understand more about your numbers at a glance. It allows you to understand the trends that data may follow and gives you insight into the expansive data in your spreadsheet.
Using charts and graphs makes your data very accessible, even for those who may have trouble understanding raw data from a spreadsheet.
For example, a college admission department can easily show the number of applicants who inquired about college admissions and those who enrolled in that college. Representing this data on a spreadsheet is very confusing, while showing the same data using a funnel chart makes it extremely simple to understand.
Here are a few rules to follow when creating a funnel chart to represent your data:
- The data has to be connected, linear, and sequential
- The data is interconnected, meaning the first process needs to be complete before moving on to the next one
The first stage should consist of the most significant figure, and the final stage should consist of the smallest one to give the funnel chart its recognizable shape.
Uses for Funnel Charts in Google Sheets
There are several advantages of using funnel charts. Some of these are:
Data Representation
Sifting through a large amount of raw spreadsheet data can be very tedious. Visual representation of this raw data is a great technique to help the viewer understand this data. For example, using a funnel chart in sales is a great way to gauge what works and what doesn’t, as in how many clients make it to the next part of the sales funnel, and it lets you change your strategy accordingly.
Bottleneck Identification
A funnel chart is very concise, and it shows you the workflow in every stage. This can help you identify sections in your work that aren’t performing as well as the others. These bottlenecks can hamper the progress in other departments. Identifying and ironing out these bottlenecks can help you improve your workflow.
Data Overview
Reading through heaps of raw data in a spreadsheet is very time-consuming and tiresome. Instead, using colorful representations of the data is a great way to gauge the progress and help others view it. It’s a great way to check up on the areas performing well and others that may need a lot of work.
Workflow Tracking
Funnel charts can help you track many processes that enable you to analyze your workflow. Suppose you create a funnel chart for an assembly line. Funnel charts can be a great way to track the assembly process from beginning to end and fix errors along the way if needed.
Ways to Create Google Sheets Funnel Charts
Google Sheets doesn’t have a funnel chart builder natively. However, this doesn’t mean that building a funnel chart is impossible. Essentially, there are two methods you can choose to create a funnel chart.
1. How to Setup Funnel Chart in Google Sheets With the Native Chart Builder
Step 1 – Add the Values
Start by inserting the values in your spreadsheet. These are the ones that will make up the funnel chart. You can see the attached image to get an idea of a few sample values.
- Column AÂ represents the names of the data values. These could be names of products or subjects, for example.
- Column B is the column that we will be made transparent. This will make much more sense later on. This is the data that will be used to offset the chart.
- Column C This column is the one used to represent the actual data, and it will be used to determine the length of every stage in your funnel chart.
Step 2 – Create the Chart
To create a chart, first, ensure that all the cells are selected. In this example, we need to select cells A1:C6.
Now click on the Insert tab on the top toolbar and click on Chart. This will create a chart in the middle of the screen. You will also see a sidebar appear on the right side of the screen. This will allow you to tweak various options in your chart, allowing you to change its appearance and colors.
Step 3 – Change the Chart Type
You will note that this chart isn’t the funnel chart we intend to make. To do this, you need to first change the type of the chart. Click on the Chart type box, and you should see the “Stacked bar chart” in the Bar section of the dropdown menu.
As soon as you select it, you will see the chart take shape similar to what you want as your end product. The blue bars are the distance between the start of the chart and the red bars that will make up the funnel chart.
We now need to hide the blue bars to get the proper funnel shape of the chart.
Step 4 – Remove the Helper Bars
To hide the blue bars, click on them on the chart to select them and head over to the chart editor on the right side of the screen. Note that you will hide the blue bars, not thoroughly remove them. To do that, we just make them fully transparent.
After you click them, you will be taken to the Format data point section. There set the Fill opacity and Line opacity to 0%. You should see, the chart actually looks like a funnel chart now.
Step 5 – Export the Chart
Now you need to export the chart. Whether to use in a document or a presentation, having an image file of the graph can be very useful. Follow the following steps to download the image locally.
- Select your chart by left-clicking on it. You will see the blue border, which indicates the chart being in focus.
- Click the three dots in the top right corner. A menu will show up with a download option. Click on it and select the format you want to download your chart. The supported formats are SVG, PNG, and PDF.
- Select your desired file type and click on it to start downloading through your browser.
Even though this method is excellent for creating a basic chart, it’s not the best if you’re looking to create an accurate chart. For a detailed chart, we recommend using the second method.
2. How to Make a Funnel Chart in Google Sheets With the Add-on Method
Using an extension to create a funnel chart is a great way to seamlessly make it with just a few clicks. In this example, we are using the ChartExpo extension.
Step 1 – Setup and Create the Chart
To create the chart, first, you need to install the add-on in Google Sheets. To do this:
- Click on Extensions>Add-ons>Get add-ons.
- Type “ChartExpo” in the search bar and go to its page.
- Click on the blue install button to add the extension into Google Sheets. Â If you choose a different charting add on, make sure it has a high rating to avoid disappointment.
Once it’s installed, refresh the page, and you should see ChartExpo in the Extensions menu to use it:
- Click on ChartExpo and click on Open. Similar to the first method, you should see a sidebar show up
- Select the Create new chart option, and you should see a myriad of options in the menu
- Look for the Funnel Chart and click on the option
- Select the sheet’s name you’re on and choose the dimensions and the columns in the menu
- Click on Create Chart. A black screen will show up
- Let it load; the chart should show up in a moment
Step 2 – Edit the Funnel Chart
When the chart shows up, you will see several options that will allow you to change the appearance to your liking. Click on Edit Chart; then, various settings can help you change multiple elements in the chart.
The pencil icon will allow you to change different elements such as text, font, label, data, stats, and a lot more. To change the visual appearance of the chart, click on Chart Settings. Several options should be margin, padding, border, and background.
To make your chart look cohesive, give your chart a proper title using the chart header option.
Once you’re done, click on apply, and Google Sheets will automatically save the options.
Step 3 – Export the Chart
Just like we did in the first method, we will save the chart onto your computer locally to use it in different presentations and documents.
To do this, click on the Export button. You should see several options that allow you to export the funnel chart as a JPG or a PNG file.
Simply click on the option, and the download should start.
Tips to Know When Creating Funnel Charts
Have Three Stages or More
A good funnel chart always contains more than two stages. Having only two steps in the chart means only two sets of data that you can compare. In this case, using a funnel chart isn’t recommended. Instead, a pie chart can better represent this type of data.
Keep Consistent Spacing Between Stages
The spaces between the bars in your funnel chart should be consistent; otherwise, they run the risk of misinterpreting the data in each step. The width of the bar at every stage is what’s used to represent the data, not the spacing between them.
Use a Bar Funnel Chart
Having a bar-style funnel sheets char is significantly better than using a line-style one as it bars that correlate to the actual values rather than an ‘artistic’ impression of it. Line-style charts are great for drawing the viewer’s attention, but other than that don’t provide much value.
Google Sheets Funnel Chart Templates, and Why They’re Bad
Using a template can be an excellent way to create a general funnel chart, but it’s not a good option if you want to create a specialized funnel chart. Related Reading: Google Sheets Workout Tracker Template
Making charts using templates can often make them have visual oddities, which are not pleasing to the eye and can often misrepresent your data.
So, using a Google Sheets sales funnel template may actually cause you to make bad decisions about the future of your business.
We recommend using an add-on as they are specialized pieces of software that can help you create the funnel charts with ease.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is There a Funnel Chart in Google Sheets?
A Google Charts funnel doesn’t exist, so neither does a one-click option. Instead, you have to use one of the workarounds mentioned in this article. Using a candlestick chart, or installing an add-on.
How Do You Make a Pyramid Chart in Sheets?
A pyramid chart can be made very similar to the first method we used to create a funnel chart. Once you create the bar chart, go to the customization options and checkmark the Reverse box to flip the chart. You can also check the Stack option to get a better-looking pyramid chart.
Final Word
By creating a funnel chart, Google Sheets can show data over time extremely well. Yet without a native solution, it can seem tricky, but you can do it easily if you know the steps you need to follow. We hope this article gave you more insight into funnel charts, how you can create them, and tips that can help make them better.
Want to make more charts in Google Sheets? Learn more from our easy tutorials:
- Google Sheets Charts: An Easy Guide to Making Beautiful Charts
- How to Make a Gantt Chart in Google Sheets
- How to Make a Waterfall Chart in Google Sheets
- How to Make an Organization Chart in Google Sheets (Org Chart)
- How to Make a Google Sheet Pivot Table [Step-by-Step]
- How to Switch x and y Axis in Google Sheets
- How To Add a Secondary Axis in Google Sheets
