bar chart race maker / generator / creator
Preview a bar chart race from CSV data.
Upload a CSV, paste data, or load a sample. The tool detects long and wide formats, validates the data, and renders an SVG ranking preview in the browser.
Sample CSV
Download a long-format GDP sample and test the preview immediately.
Supported CSV formats
Use long format for maximum portability, or wide format when your data starts in a spreadsheet.
Long format
date,category,value
2020,United States,21322950
2020,China,14687744Wide format
date,United States,China
2020,21322950,14687744
2021,23594031,17820459Current tool limits
- Preview only; no server-side MP4/GIF export.
- CSV limit is 1MB.
- Large previews should stay under 200 categories or 500 periods.
- No font upload, avatars, audio, captions, or saved projects in Phase 1.
Alternative workflows
| Option | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| This site | Fast CSV preview, validation, templates | Phase 1 does not export MP4/GIF |
| Flourish | Editorial interactive race charts | Plan/export limits vary |
| Canva | Social packaging, thumbnails, simple visuals | Less suited to heavy data workflows |
| Python | Repeatable code workflows and advanced control | Requires setup and rendering knowledge |
FAQ
What CSV formats are supported?
Long format with date, category, value columns and wide format where the first column is date and the other columns are series.
Can I export MP4 or GIF?
No. This Phase 1 tool supports browser preview only, not server-side video export.
What is the file size limit?
CSV files are limited to 1MB in Phase 1 to protect browser performance.
What errors does the validator catch?
Missing date, category, or value columns, non-numeric values, too few periods, too few categories, oversized files, and parse failures.