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 radar chart is useful for comparing two or more entities based on several parameters in a two-dimensional manner. It can be a better visualization than column charts as it can easily depict multiple variables without creating confusion. Radar charts are also referred to as web, polar, star, or spider charts.
A radar chart has a center point which is the core located at the center of the chart. From the center point, axes are drawn. These represent the variables and are given names and values. The grids are then formed after linking the axes, and it divides the graph for better presentation.
In this tutorial, we will learn how to make and customize radar charts in Google Sheets.
How to format data for radar charts
The format is straightforward.
- First column: labels of the radar charts
- First row: categories
- The intersection of the row and column entries: values
How to add a radar chart
Step 1: Select the data. Do not forget to select the row and column headings.
Step 2. Go to Insert, then click Chart.
Or look at the near end of the main toolbar and click the chart icon.
Step 3. Google Sheets will automatically create a graph based on your data. If the chart is not on the radar chart type, go to the Chart Editor, which pops out at the right side of your google sheet. Select Setup. Under chart type, click the drop-down menu, then scroll down and look for the radar chart located under the subsection Other.
If you accidentally closed the Chart editor, you can still open it by selecting the chart on your sheet. Click on the vertical ellipsis icon located at the upper right corner of your chart. Select Edit chart.
Step 4. You now have a radar chart where data points are drawn clockwise.
How to customize the radar chart
Adding labels to your radar charts
Initially, Google Sheets do not label your radar charts. To add the labels, go to Setup. Then, tick on Use Column A as labels. Column headings may change depending on the location of your data set. If the labels are not shown correctly or missing, drag on the four edges of your graph until all of the data labels are shown.
Smooth and non-smooth radar charts
If you do not want the lines of your radar charts to be smooth, just tick off the Smooth under the Customize tab.
Still, it’s up to you when to use the smooth and non-smooth lines. Just always make sure that the chart presents the idea or story you want to communicate.
Adding a chart and axis titles
You can add and change the chart and axes titles by going to the Customize tab of the Chart Editor. Select a title to change from the drop-down menu of the Title type selector under the Chart and axis titles option. You can also modify the corresponding font size, font style, format, and color of the titles.
Changing the formats of the legend
To format the legend, click on Legend under the Customize tab. Its position, font style, font size, and font color can be modified here.
Changing the series colors
To change the colors of each category in your radar chart, go to Series under the Customize tab. Choose the series or categories you wish to modify. Below it, you can change the color, opacity, thickness, and type. You can also add a point to easily display the value of a variable in a specific category.
Switching labels and categories
If you want to put the entries in the first column as the categories and the entries in the first row as labels, just tick on the Switch rows/columns on the Setup tab in our Chart editor.
Sample Sheet
For your practice, you can try this sample sheet.
Recommended articles
More resources
