What is a Waterfall Chart?


A waterfall chart shows how a value changes after being affected by various factors that either increase the value, or decrease it. The resulting value is then presented.

The chart can, for example, be used to visualize the development of values over time or to visualize the contributions of different factors to a total.

The initial value and the resulting total value are represented by bars in the visualization, and the value changes in-between are shown as floating blocks that indicate the ups and downs. As a means to follow the development of the value from start to end, transition lines can be added between the blocks.

By default, positive value changes are indicated by a green color, and negative value changes by a red color. If you want, you can specify another coloring.  

Example

Consider a data table containing a company's revenues and costs for the months in Q1.

waterfall_intro_table.png

The waterfall chart visualizes how the different revenue and cost factors contribute to the total for the quarter.

waterfall_intro.png

In this waterfall chart, the default color scheme has been applied. The green and red coloring makes it easy to discern ups from downs, and to follow the general trend.

Note: In the image above, a certain selection on the color axis, "(Value axis values)" is used. For more information about this non-column selection, see Axis Values.

Total bars

Calculated totals can be added in form of bars. A total bar can represent the resulting value for an entire waterfall as shown above, or bars can represent intermediate running totals.

The intermediate totals can be displayed in waterfall charts with a hierarchy on the category axis, and in waterfall charts where a categorical coloring is applied. Examples are shown below.

waterfall_intro_subtotal_hierarchy.png

 

waterfall_intro_subtotal_cat_color.png

See also:

How to Use the Waterfall Chart

Waterfall Chart Properties