Waterfall Chart Maker

Explain the movement between two totals

A waterfall chart displays an opening amount, the increases and decreases that change it, and the resulting balance. It is useful when the question is how a total was reached rather than which independent category is largest.

Use it for reconciliation

Revenue bridges, headcount changes, and budget variances benefit from a step-by-step account of movements. Each change should contribute to the same quantity; unrelated measurements cannot form a meaningful bridge.

Make the bridge add up

1. Use signed movements. An increase and a decrease need opposite signs.
2. Keep one unit and period. Mixing timeframes or currencies breaks the reconciliation.
3. Separate totals from changes. A subtotal summarizes previous steps and is not added again.
4. Check the running balance. Each movement should start from the previous result.
5. Inspect the bar geometry. Labels can be numerically right even when floating bars are positioned incorrectly.

Draft and inspect a numerical bridge

MyMap can turn supplied movements into a waterfall-style chart and revise it by request. The fixed example uses revenue and cost categories leading to net profit. Check its bar positions and subtotal treatment before treating the visual as a reusable accounting model.