Sheets-only Updated November 2026

SPARKLINE

SPARKLINE(data, [options]) draws a tiny chart inside the formula cell from a range of numbers: a line by default, or a bar, column or winloss chart when you set charttype in the options. The options are written as a two-column array in braces, such as {"charttype","bar";"max",100}.

Syntax

=SPARKLINE(data, [options])

Part	What it is
`data`	A row or column of numbers, for example B2:M2 for twelve months.
`options`	Optional array of setting and value pairs: {"charttype","column";"color","green"}. Pairs are separated by semicolons, name and value by a comma.

Examples

=SPARKLINE(B2:M2)

Result: A small line chart of the twelve values

=SPARKLINE(B2, {"charttype","bar";"max",100;"color1","#4caf50"})

Result: A progress bar filled to B2 percent of the cell

With B2 = 65 the bar fills 65% of the cell width.

=SPARKLINE(B2:M2, {"charttype","column";"color","#1a73e8";"negcolor","red"})

Result: Column chart, negative months in red

Common mistakes

Writing options with a comma between pairs ({"charttype","bar","max",100}) gives an error; pairs are separated by semicolons (or backslashes in locales that use semicolons as argument separators).
A progress bar that always looks full is missing the max option; set "max" to the total, or to 100 for percentages stored as whole numbers.
Text or blank cells in the data stop the chart; use {"empty","zero"} or clean the range.

Practice it

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Questions

How do I make a progress bar in Google Sheets?

=SPARKLINE(A2, {"charttype","bar";"max",1}) when A2 is a fraction like 0.65, or max 100 when it is a whole percent.

Can I change the sparkline color based on the value?

Yes, by building the option with IF: {"charttype","bar";"max",1;"color1",IF(A2<0.5,"red","green")}.

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