---
title: "Multi Variate Column"
description: "Compare multiple categories or metrics across multiple grids using column (vertical bar) charts with optional grouping or stacking."
group: Charts
tags: [Visualization, Chart, Dashboard, Categorical Comparison, Multi-Variate, Small Multiples]
---

import { Aside, Steps } from '@astrojs/starlight/components';

# Multi Variate Column

A **Multi-Variate Column Chart** is an extension of a standard column chart that allows you to compare multiple categories or metrics simultaneously using side-by-side or stacked columns. It can display multiple **Axis dimensions** each mapped into its own grid panel, optionally grouped by a **Group dimension**.

**Use Cases:**
- Compare sales or metric performance across multiple product categories.
- Visualize KPIs for multiple regions, divisions, or periods side by side.
- Stacked bar comparisons for grouped data (e.g., revenue split by department within each country).
- Heatmap-style coloring based on value ranges.

<Aside>
  Use a **Multi-Variate Column Chart** when you need to display multiple vertical bar charts side by side for independent category comparisons.
</Aside>

---

## ⚙️ Setup

<Steps>
1. Drag the **Multi-Variate Column Chart** widget from the chart library onto your designer workspace.
2. Select the chart.
3. Go to the [Widget Configuration](/insights-v8/guide-to-infoboard-designer/customize-panel/configure/) tab in the Configuration panel.
4. Under the Configuration panel tab, select the [Basic Configuration](/insights-v8/guide-to-infoboard-designer/customize-panel/configure/#basic) option to access the essential settings.
5. Select the [Source](/insights-v8/guide-to-infoboard-designer/customize-panel/setup/#sources) which the chart will pull the data from.
6. Map:
   - **[Measure (Value)](/studio-v8/datasources/measures-dimensions-and-hierarchies/)** — The numeric metric to be shown as column height.
   - **[Dimension (Axis)](/studio-v8/datasources/measures-dimensions-and-hierarchies/)** — Up to 10 categorical dimensions to display as separate grids.
   - **[Group (Dimension)](/studio-v8/datasources/measures-dimensions-and-hierarchies/)** — (Optional) Second category for stacking or grouping columns within each panel.
7. Optionally add a **Date** field for time-based filtering.
8. Enable **Hide Zero Values** if necessary.
</Steps>

---

## 📊 Basic Configuration

| Configuration Item | Description |
|:------------------|:----------------------------|
| **[Source](/insights-v8/guide-to-infoboard-designer/customize-panel/setup/#sources)**        | Source providing the data for measures and dimensions. |
| **[Measure (Value)](/studio-v8/datasources/measures-dimensions-and-hierarchies/)** | Numeric measure shown as column height. |
| **[Dimension (Axis)](/studio-v8/datasources/measures-dimensions-and-hierarchies/)** | One or more categorical labels for each grid (up to 10). |
| **[Group (Dimension)](/studio-v8/datasources/measures-dimensions-and-hierarchies/)** (optional) | Second dimension to group or stack columns. |

---

## 🎨 Chart Customizations

| Category | Options & Description |
|:---------|:-------------------------------------------------|
| **[General](/insights-v8/guide-to-infoboard-designer/customize-panel/customization-tab/#general)** | Modify background, borders, shadows, and drill-out settings. |
| **[Title](/insights-v8/guide-to-infoboard-designer/customize-panel/customization-tab/#title)** | Configure chart title text, alignment, font, and color. |
| **[Sorting](/insights-v8/guide-to-infoboard-designer/customize-panel/customization-tab/#sorting)** | Set sort order for Axis dimension values. |
| **[Grid](/insights-v8/guide-to-infoboard-designer/customize-panel/customization-tab/#grid)** | Adjust margins, spacing, and layout for multiple grids. |
| **[Legend](/insights-v8/guide-to-infoboard-designer/customize-panel/customization-tab/#legends)** | Enable and customize legends when a Group dimension is used. |
| **[HeatMap](/insights-v8/guide-to-infoboard-designer/customize-panel/customization-tab/#heatmap)** | Configure heatmap coloring for value intensity. |
| **[Categorical Axis](/insights-v8/guide-to-infoboard-designer/customize-panel/customization-tab/#categorical-axis)** | Customize labels, intervals, rotation, and range sliders for axes. |
| **[Numerical Axis](/insights-v8/guide-to-infoboard-designer/customize-panel/customization-tab/#numerical-axis)** | Set axis type (linear/log), scale, and formatting. |
| **[Series](/insights-v8/guide-to-infoboard-designer/customize-panel/customization-tab/#series-customization)** | Customize column width, color schemes, stacking, border radius, and shadows. |
| **[Tooltip](/insights-v8/guide-to-infoboard-designer/customize-panel/customization-tab/#tooltip)** | Control tooltip content, formatting, and hover behavior. |
| **[Others]** | Enable stacking, colorize single-series mode, and customize border radius and box shadows. |

<Aside>
* **Stacking**: Stacks multiple group values within each axis category.
* **Colorize Single Series**: Distinct colors for each category when no Group is used.
</Aside>

---

## 📊 Example Visualization

![multi variate column chart](/images/Insights/Infoboards/Infoboard-Designer/Chart-Library/multi-variate-column.png)