If you’re into stocks, crypto, or any kind of market data, candlestick charts are one of the most powerful visual tools for understanding price movement over time. The best part? You don’t need expensive software to use them — Google Sheets has built-in support for candlestick charts, and it’s easier to get started than you might think.
In this beginner-friendly guide, you’ll learn what candlestick charts are, how they work, and how to create your own using real financial data in Google Sheets. Whether you’re tracking investments or exploring historical prices, this tutorial will help you turn numbers into visual insights.
What Is a Candlestick Chart?
A candlestick chart shows the high, low, opening, and closing prices of an asset for a specific time period. Each “candle” represents one day (or hour/week), with the color and shape of the candle helping you quickly identify market trends like growth, decline, or volatility.
Real-Life Example: Analysing Stock Price Trends
Let’s say you’re tracking the stock price of ABC Corp for the past week and want to spot trends — like when prices dipped or peaked. Instead of just looking at rows of numbers, you can create a candlestick chart that shows the daily price range, opening, and closing price — all at a glance.
Sample Data Table
| Date | Low | Open | Close | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-04-15 | 142 | 145 | 148 | 150 |
| 2024-04-16 | 140 | 144 | 143 | 149 |
| 2024-04-17 | 138 | 141 | 139 | 144 |
How to Create a Candlestick Chart in Google Sheets
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Enter your data in the following column order: Date, Low, Open, Close, High.
- Select the full data range (including headers).
- Go to Insert > Chart.
- In the Chart Editor, change the Chart Type to Candlestick chart.
- If needed, go to Customize to edit chart colors, title, and axis labels.
Important Notes
- Google Sheets requires the data to follow this order: Low, Open, Close, High.
- Each candlestick represents one row of data (e.g., one day).
- If data is missing or not numeric, the chart may not render properly.
Key Benefits of Candlestick Charts
- Visual Insights: Instantly spot price movements, trends, and volatility.
- Minimal Setup: Create charts in seconds with built-in tools.
- Better Analysis: Helps identify bullish/bearish days without complex calculations.
- Great for Dashboards: Pair with other charts or KPIs for a complete view.
Pro Tips
- Use conditional formatting to highlight big gains/losses in your data table.
- Combine candlestick charts with volume bars for more detailed analysis.
- Pull live market data using
=GOOGLEFINANCE()(e.g.,=GOOGLEFINANCE("NASDAQ:GOOGL","price",TODAY()-7,TODAY())). - Always double-check that Open and Close are in the right order — this affects candle color.
Quick-Reference Cheat Sheet
| Task | Action |
|---|---|
| Insert Candlestick Chart | Insert > Chart > Chart Type > Candlestick |
| Required Column Order | Date, Low, Open, Close, High |
| Highlight Trend Days | Use conditional formatting or custom colors |
| Pull Stock Data | =GOOGLEFINANCE("ticker", "attribute") |
Candlestick charts bring life to your financial data and help turn rows of numbers into clear, actionable insights. With just a few clicks in Google Sheets, you can create professional-looking charts that traders and analysts use every day. Whether you’re tracking investments or just learning how markets work, this is a skill worth mastering.
Now it’s your turn — pick a stock or crypto, load up your data, and let those candlesticks shine!