How-to
How to build a Google Slides waterfall chart with ChartKit
A waterfall chart is useful when the story is about movement from one total to another. If the point is “what changed?” rather than just “how large is each segment?”, a waterfall chart is often the right visual.
When to use it
- Revenue bridge from prior period to current period
- Profit walk from gross margin to EBITDA
- Headcount movement across hires, exits, and transfers
Build steps
1. Start with the opening total
Anchor the chart with the baseline value so the audience knows the starting point immediately.
2. Add each driver in sequence
Order the positive and negative contributors in the sequence that best explains the movement.
3. Label the big moments
Use labels and deltas where they improve readability, not on every minor movement.
4. End on the closing total
Make the destination explicit so the audience can connect the bridge back to the headline number.
What makes it presentation-ready
The chart should answer the question without forcing the audience to decode it. Keep the category names plain, emphasize the largest changes, and use annotations only where they sharpen the takeaway.