Finance charts
Revenue bridge chart in Google Slides
A revenue bridge chart is useful when the headline is not only that revenue changed, but why it changed.
Quick answer
Build a revenue bridge by starting with the prior period revenue total, adding positive and negative drivers in a logical order, and ending with the current revenue total. Label the drivers that explain the story.
Revenue story
A bridge chart explains the drivers behind the total
Revenue movement can come from new customers, churn, expansion, contraction, pricing, currency, product mix, or timing. A single bar chart can show the total change, but it cannot explain the path.
A revenue bridge works because it decomposes the movement. In other words, the audience can see which drivers helped, which hurt, and which ones deserve discussion.
Bridge structure
A clear revenue bridge has three parts
Opening total
Anchor the chart with the revenue number the audience already knows.
Ordered drivers
Group drivers in the order that best explains the business movement.
Closing total
End with the new revenue total so the bridge resolves cleanly.
Lead magnet
Revenue bridge structure template
Use this structure when turning revenue movement into a board or management slide.
- Start with prior period revenue.
- Add expansion, new business, pricing, or other positive drivers.
- Subtract churn, contraction, currency, or negative timing effects.
- End with current period revenue and label the largest movement.
Build the bridge directly in the deck
ChartKit helps finance and operating teams create waterfall charts inside Google Workspace.
Where ChartKit fits
Build revenue bridges without leaving Google Slides
ChartKit supports waterfall charts for teams working in Google Workspace. That makes it a practical fit for revenue bridges in board decks, operating reviews, and finance updates.
The workflow is especially useful when the bridge chart will be updated every month or quarter.
FAQ
Common questions about revenue bridges
Is a revenue bridge the same as a waterfall chart?
A revenue bridge is a common use case for a waterfall chart. The waterfall format shows how drivers move one total to another.
Which drivers should I include?
Include the drivers that change the interpretation of the revenue movement. Small drivers can often be grouped as other.
Should positive and negative drivers be separated?
Often yes. Separating positive and negative drivers can make the bridge easier to follow, especially in finance presentations.