Occasionally you may want to show percentage labels in a stacked column chart in Excel.

This tutorial provides a step-by-step example of how to create the following stacked bar chart with percentage labels inside each bar:

Let’s jump in!

Step 1: Enter the Data

First, let’s create the following dataset that shows the total sales made in each quarter by retail stores in various different regions:

Step 2: Calculate the Percentage Values

Next, we’ll calculate the percentage of sales made in each quarter for each region.

We’ll type the following formula into cell B7:

=B2/SUM($B2:$E2)

We can then click and drag this formula to the right to each quarter, then click and drag it down to each region:

Next, highlight the cell range B7:E10 and then click the % symbol within the Number group on the Home tab to display these values as percentages:

Step 3: Create Stacked Column Chart

Next, highlight the cell range A1:E5, then click the Insert tab along the top ribbon, then click Stacked Column within the Charts group.

Step 4: Add Percentage Labels

Next, click any of the yellow bars on the chart. Then click the tiny green plus sign in the top corner. Then click the dropdown arrow next to Data Labels and then click More Options:

In the Format Data Labels panel that appears on the right side of the screen, uncheck the box next to Values, then check the box next to Value From Cells and choose B10:E10 as the range.

Once you click OK, percentage labels will be added to the yellow bars:

Repeat this process for the grey, orange and blue bars:

Step 5: Customize the Chart (Optional)

Feel free to add a title, customize the colors, and adjust the font size of the text to make the plot more aesthetically pleasing:

Additional Resources

The following tutorials explain how to perform other common tasks in Excel: