In this article:

How to Make Funnel Charts in Google Sheets

Unsure which chart type to use? Click here to find the right chart for your data and the ideas that you want to convey.


A funnel chart is used to show the progress of connected stages in a specific process. The chart mimics a funnel or inverted pyramid, starting in a broad head and ending in a narrow neck. It is commonly used in the business or sales process where the starting number of users or customers are tracked through each stage. It shows how the starting whole breaks down into progressive parts. 


One common example visualizes how potential customers gradually become customers. The funnel chart can help businesses identify their potentials and areas that need improvement. 


In this tutorial, we will learn how to create funnel charts in Google Sheets.

How to format data for funnel chart

Adding your data is very straightforward, 

  • First column: enter the description or process
  • Second column: enter the corresponding count or values for each description or process.
Image: Sample dataset. Number of leads for a sales process


How to add funnel charts

We will use the stacked bar chart we learned from our previous tutorial to create a funnel chart. Here are the steps. 

Step 1. Create a helper column on your dataset by adding a column after the first column. To do that, right click on the first column header, then select Insert 1 right. 

Image: Insert 1 column to the right


Step 2. In cell B2, under the helper column, insert the following formula:

=(max($C$2:$C$5)-C2)/2


The above formula determines the maximum value in our data (usually the value in the first row), then calculates the difference between the maximum and the current value. The result is divided by 2 to center the bar. Copy the formula to other cells in the helper column. 

Image: Updated dataset, helper column added


Step 3. Select the data and insert a stacked bar chart. 

Image: Stacked bar chart of our sample dataset.

Step 4: We need to remove the helper bars to give a visual of the funnel chart. Under the Series option, on the Customize tab, choose the Helper column and set the fill opacity to 0%.  

Image: Removing the colors of the helper column 


Step 5: You now have a funnel chart. Hovering the mouse pointer over each bar shows the actual count. 

Image: Funnel chart of our sample dataset


How to change the color bars in the funnel chart

You can also change the color of the bars in your funnel chart based on your preference. To do that, go to the Series option under the Customize tab. Choose your data on the Series selector. Then, select your preferred color on the Fill color options.

Image: Fill color options

How to add data labels within the funnel chart

You can also add data labels within your funnel chart to easily see the actual number for each process. To do that, choose the Count option on the Series selector. Then, tick on the Data labels. Under data labels, you can also modify label positions, formats, fonts, and colors. 

Image: Count chosen from the series selector


Image: Data labels, ticked


How to format some aesthetics of the funnel chart 


For better presentation of the funnel charts, major gridlines and horizontal axis labels should be removed. However, you cannot delete these aspects in Google Sheets, but you can make them disappear by editing their formats and colors.


Under the Gridlines and ticks option on the Customize tab, choose the Horizontal Axis. Then, change the Gridline color to white (or any color that matches the background color of your funnel chart). 

Image: Gridline color option


To remove the horizontal axis labels, just change the text color to white under the Horizontal axis option on the Customize tab.

Image: Text color option of the horizontal axis labels


We also discussed some common modifications of charts such as changing the title, axis titles, and legends in one of our previous tutorials. 

Image: Modified Funnel Chart 


Sample Sheet

In case you want to recreate the funnel chart above, you can use this sample sheet. 


Automate repetitive tasks with Lido

Save hours on repetitive and tedious work. Lido is a new spreadsheet that connects your spreadsheets, forms, PDFs, and email inbox.

Trigger
Action
Select trigger
When a cell value in Google Sheets changes
Check Google Sheets for today's date
When a new row is added to Google Sheets
On new Google Form submission
Send me a daily reminder
On new Typeform submission
When a cell value in database changes
Check database for today's date
When a new row is added in database
When a new HubSpot customer is created
Select action
ADDCALENDAREVENT
Creates a one- or multiple-day calendar event with optional attendees
ADDHUBSPOT
Adds an object to Hubspot
ADDSLACKCHANNEL
Create a Slack channel, and optionally add a topic or members
CALLURL
Makes any HTTP request
CREATEGOOGLEDOC
Replaces [@column_name] values in a Google Doc with the corresponding table row's values
CREATEPDF
Replaces [@column_name] values in a Google Doc with the corresponding table row's values, then export it as a PDF
FETCH
Makes any HTTP request and returns the response
INSERTROWS
Inserts given array below defined values in given worksheet
SENDGMAIL
Sends an email using your Google account
SENDOUTLOOK
Sends an email using your Microsoft Outlook account
SENDSLACK
Sends a Slack message
SENDSMS
Sends an SMS message using your Twilio account
UPDATECELL
Updates cells with given values
UPDATEHUBSPOT
Updates a property of a Hubspot object
Trigger is required
Action is required
Get started