bar chart race data / Data guide
Bar Chart Race Data: CSV Format and Dataset Ideas
Good bar chart race data has at least two periods, at least two categories, and a numeric value for each category-period combination you want to rank.
Recommended CSV format
Use date, category, and value columns. This makes your data portable across preview tools, Flourish, Python, and BI tools.
Good dataset themes
GDP, population, subscribers, emissions, sports scores, market share, app downloads, and revenue rankings all work well.
Avoid misleading zeros
Only use zero when the real value is zero. Empty cells should stay missing.
Copyable data
CSV example
Use this small dataset to test whether the chart structure fits your use case.
date,category,value
2020,United States,21322950
2020,China,14687744
2021,United States,23594031
2021,China,17820459FAQ
How many periods do I need?
At least two. More periods create smoother ranking changes.
How many categories should I use?
Use enough to show competition, but limit the visible chart to Top 10 or fewer for readability.
Last updated: 2026-06-23