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How to Create a Tree Map Chart in Google Sheets

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Without coding, you can create a Tree Map Chart. Use Google Docs Spreadsheets. The Tree Map Chart in Google Sheets is easy to create and interactive.

Treemapping is the visualization of hierarchical data using nested rectangles. In Google Sheets, the data structure used in Tree Map follows the hierarchy system similar to the Organizational Chart. The difference lies in the additional number column in the Tree Map.

You can learn here how to create a useful Tree Map chart in Google Sheets.

The below Tree Map shows the approximate waiting time in each clinical department in a Hospital.

Tree Map Showing Patient Waiting Time in a Hospital - 1 Level

From this chart, you can understand the pattern very easily. The waiting time in the first four departments is higher than the others.

You can learn how to create the above 1 level Tree Map chart. In a multiple-level Tree Map, you can change the level by double-clicking on the chart. I’ll explain it later.

Steps to Create a Tree Map Chart in Google Sheets (1 Level Tree Map)

The data structure is important in creating charts using hierarchical data like the Organizational Chart and Tree Map Chart. I can explain to you below how to format data for Treemapping.

Here is the sample data that I’ve used for the above chart.

One Level Tree Map - Sample Dataset

How to Format the Data for Treemapping

The Peculiarity of the above data:

1. There are three columns in this dataset. The first column contains the object (box) names.

[1] Please ignore row # 1 for the time being. The objects’ names are in the range A2: A14, that’s the names of different departments in a hospital.

2. In the second column, you should enter the parent/parents of the objects.

The parent of the object here is the “Clinical Departments”. You can see this parent’s name against the objects in the range A2: A14, in B2: B14.

[1] Here there is one condition that the parent’s name must also appear in the first column. So I’ve put the name Clinical Departments in the first row in Cell A1.

3. The third column in the range C2: C14 contains the waiting time for the objects in the range A2: A14.

This column should always contain numbers. That’s a must in Treemapping in Google Sheets.

Finally, I’ve summed the waiting time of each object (child) and keyed in cell C1 (the number column).

How to Insert The Tree Map Chart in Google Spreadsheet

To create a Tree Map Chart in Google Sheets based on the above sample data follow the below steps.

1. Select the data range A1: C14.

2. Go to the menu Insert and click on Chart.

3. In the Chart Editor under chart type select “Tree Map Chart”.

That’s all. Your Tree Map Chart is ready.

If you use this chart in real-life, that in a hospital, you can show this graph on your display screen. But you should find a way to auto feed the waiting time in Column C so that the chart shows the live waiting time.

See one more example of treemapping. The following is a two-level Tree Map.

Two Level Tree Map in Google Sheets

Here I am using a hotel menu to visualize the price of different food items. First, see the chart.

Two Level Tree Map - Food items

How to create this type of treemapping? See the sample data below.

sample data for two tier tree map

In this dataset, the items Seafood, Chicken, and Fried Rice are directly under the Meals. That means the parent of all these three items is the Meals.

Now the items Seafood, Chicken, and Fried Rice are the parents of other items. So there are only two levels.

The price of the items has been totaled accordingly in the third column. Below are the formulas used to total the price.

C1

=C2+C5+C9

C2

=sum(C3:C4)

C5

=sum(C6:C8)

C9

=sum(C10:C14)

By default Google Sheets shows the chart at its top level. Then how to change the level of Tree Map Chart in Google Sheets?

Just double-click on the chart and change the level from the chart editor as below.

example showing how to change tree chart level

I am sure about one thing. From the above example, by now, you may have already learned how to create a Tree Map Chart in Google Sheets. It all lies in the formatted data.

You should learn how to structure the data hierarchically. I hope the sample data in the above two examples and the following one can shed some light on it.

To make you more familiar with the Levels here is one more example.

Below you can see a three-level treemapping. I am only giving you the sample data. You can insert the map using the tips provided above.

Just switch between the levels by double-clicking on the chart. The current level is set to three by default.

3 level Tree Map in Google Sheets

Features of Google Sheets Tree Map

Treemapping is easy in Google Sheets. It all depends on how you are formatting your data. The chart is interactive. You can easily change the levels. Also, you can double-click on any box to see the details.

That’s all about Google Sheets Tree Map. Thanks for the stay. Enjoy!

Related Reading:

1. Create Gantt Chart Using Wrike Online Project Management Software

2. How to Create a McKinsey Style Waterfall Chart in Google Sheets

3. How to Create Radar Chart in Google Sheets [Step by Step Guide]

4. How to Create 3D Pie Chart in Google Sheets – With Pictures

Prashanth KV
Prashanth KVhttps://infoinspired.com/about-me/
Introducing Prashanth KV: Your Trusted Google Sheets and Excel Guide Prashanth KV brings a wealth of experience in Google Sheets and Excel, cultivated through years of work with multinational corporations in Mumbai and Dubai. As a recognized Google Product Expert in Docs Editors, Prashanth shares his expertise through insightful blogging since 2012. Explore his blog for practical tips and guidance on maximizing your spreadsheet skills.

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2 COMMENTS

  1. By default, the Treemap is created with one level. If you think your chart needs two levels, but there’s a problem with your data, then CUSTOMISE is ghosted out and you can’t change the level. I keep getting error’s with ‘found two entries with the same label’.

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