How to Add Data Bars Conditional Formatting

Possible Usage Scenarios

Using Data Bars in conditional formatting is a powerful (and visual!) way to understand your data at a glance.

1. Visual Comparison of Values: Data bars turn numbers into horizontal bars, making it super easy to compare values side by side — like a mini bar chart inside your cells!
2. Immediate Pattern Recognition: You can instantly see highs, lows, and outliers without sorting or scanning numbers.
3. Better Readability: Especially useful in long tables — it reduces cognitive load and helps you grasp key trends quickly.
4. Dynamic & Real-Time: As values change, the bars update automatically — great for tracking live metrics, progress, or KPIs.
5. Professional-Looking Dashboards: Adds a clean, modern, and polished look to reports or dashboards.

How to Add Data Bars Conditional Formatting Using Excel

To add Data Bars conditional formatting in Excel, here’s how you can do it step by step:

1. Select your data range, for example: C2:C20 — this could be sales, scores, or progress values.
2. Go to the Home tab on the ribbon.
3. Click Conditional Formatting in the Styles group.
4. Hover over Data Bars.
5. Choose a style: Gradient Fill(bars fade from left to right) and Solid Fill(bars have a solid color).
6. Click the style you like — and you’re done!

How to Add Data Bars Conditional Formatting Using Aspose.Cells for Python via .NET

Aspose.Cells for Python via .NET fully supports the conditional formatting provided by Microsoft Excel 2007 and later versions in XLSX format on cells at runtime. This example demonstrates an exercise for DataBars conditional formatting with different sets of attributes.

from aspose.cells import Workbook
from aspose.cells import Workbook, Worksheet, CellArea, FormatConditionType, IconSetType, FormatConditionValueType, BackgroundType, TimePeriodType
from aspose.pydrawing import Color
from datetime import datetime
import aspose.cells
import os
import pytest

class ConditionalFormatting:
    def __init__(self):
        self._sheet = None

    @staticmethod
    def run():
        # The path to the documents directory
        current_dir = os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__))
        data_dir = os.path.join(current_dir, "data")
        obj = ConditionalFormatting()
        obj.do_test(data_dir)

    def do_test(self, data_dir):
        book = Workbook()
        sheet1 = book.worksheets[0]
        self._sheet = sheet1

        self.add_data_bar1()
        self.add_data_bar2()

        self._sheet.auto_fit_column(12)
        output_dir = os.path.join(data_dir, "output")
        if not os.path.exists(output_dir):
            os.makedirs(output_dir)
        out_fn = os.path.join(output_dir, "Testoutput.out.xlsx")
        book.save(out_fn, SaveFormat.XLSX)    

    def add_data_bar2(self):
        conds = self.get_format_condition("E3:G4", Color.light_green)
        idx = conds.add_condition(FormatConditionType.DATA_BAR)
        cond = conds[idx]
        cond.data_bar.color = Color.orange
        cond.data_bar.min_cfvo.type = FormatConditionValueType.PERCENTILE
        cond.data_bar.min_cfvo.value = 30.78
        cond.data_bar.show_value = False

    def add_data_bar1(self):
        conds = self.get_format_condition("E1:G2", Color.yellow_green)
        idx = conds.add_condition(FormatConditionType.DATA_BAR)
        cond = conds[idx]

    def get_format_condition(self, cell_area_name, color):
        index = self._sheet.conditional_formattings.add()
        format_conditions = self._sheet.conditional_formattings[index]
        area = self.get_cell_area_by_name(cell_area_name)
        format_conditions.add_area(area)
        self.fill_cell(cell_area_name, color)
        return format_conditions

    def fill_cell(self, cell_area_name, color):
        area = self.get_cell_area_by_name(cell_area_name)
        k = 0
        for i in range(area.start_column, area.end_column + 1):
            for j in range(area.start_row, area.end_row + 1):
                c = self._sheet.cells.get(j, i)
                if color != Color.empty:
                    s = c.get_style()
                    s.foreground_color = color
                    s.pattern = BackgroundType.SOLID
                    c.set_style(s)
                value = j + i + k
                c.put_value(value)
                k += 1

    @staticmethod
    def get_cell_area_by_name(s):
        area = CellArea()
        str_cell_range = s.replace("$", "").split(':')
        start_row, start_col = CellsHelper.cell_name_to_index(str_cell_range[0])
        area.start_row = start_row
        area.start_column = start_col
        if len(str_cell_range) == 1:
            area.end_row = start_row
            area.end_column = start_col
        else:
            end_row, end_col = CellsHelper.cell_name_to_index(str_cell_range[1])
            area.end_row = end_row
            area.end_column = end_col
        return area