How to Create a Diverging Bar Chart with Net Profit Comparison in Tableau

A diverging bar chart is used to show both positive and negative values relative to a central axis or baseline, making it ideal for comparing values like profits (positive) and losses (negative). In this chart, the positive (green) and negative (red) bars diverge from a central point, effectively visualizing the difference between sales and costs for each quarter, with the net values positioned between sales and cost for a clear comparison. Measure Values are used to create the rounded bar chart for sales and costs, while the metrics themselves (sales/cost) create markers—darker circles within the bars that represent the max value. Costs are flipped by adding a negative sign to the measure, and the data is blended by quarter-year to build a calculated field for net profit. The net values are positioned between sales and cost for a clear comparison. Then, the data is filtered for the last 8 quarters using field containing a sequential numbering pattern linked to the quarter - year string field. Tableau: https://public.tableau.com/app/profil... Excel: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/... Image - Empty Shape: https://drive.google.com/file/d/19AoL... Formulas: Quarter - Year: STR(YEAR([Order Date])) + " Q" + STR(QUARTER([Order Date])) Max Sales: WINDOW_MAX(SUM([Sales])) = SUM([Sales]) Sales - Quarter Total: {FIXED [Quarter - Year]: SUM([Sales])} Net: SUM([Sales - Quarter Total]) - SUM([Cost Data (Sample 3)].[Cost - Quarter Total])