Mekko Charts in PowerPoint: The Ultimate Guide

When a partner asks for a market map showing both segment size and competitive share in one view, a standard stacked bar chart falls short. Equal-width columns cannot convey that the enterprise segment is three times larger than SMB. You need variable-width columns where width encodes market size and height encodes market share. That is a Mekko chart, and PowerPoint cannot make one natively.

After creating Mekko charts for 60+ market analyses and competitive landscapes, we have tested every workaround. The Excel stacked area trick takes 90 minutes, produces fragile formulas, and breaks when you add a segment. Manual shape building preserves flexibility but requires pixel-level alignment for every update. Add-ins produce professional results in under a minute but cost $49-499 per year depending on the tool.

This guide explains what makes Mekko charts uniquely powerful for market visualization, compares the workarounds honestly, and provides the formatting standards that make your competitive landscapes readable to executives who have seen hundreds of them.

What Is a Mekko Chart?#

A Mekko chart (also called a Marimekko chart) is a two-dimensional variation of a stacked bar chart where both the height AND width of columns represent data values.

The defining feature is variable-width columns. In a standard stacked bar chart, all columns have equal width. In a Mekko chart:

• Column width represents one dimension (typically total market size or revenue)
• Column height segments represent another dimension (typically market share or composition)

This dual-encoding makes Mekko charts exceptionally powerful for competitive and market analysis.

When to Use Mekko Charts#

Mekko charts excel in four scenarios:

1. Market Sizing and Share Analysis#

The most common consulting use case. Show how large each market segment is AND who owns what share.

• Column width = Market size ($B)
• Column height segments = Competitor market share (%)

2. Share of Wallet Analysis#

Understand how customers allocate spending across categories.

• Column width = Total customer spending ($)
• Column height segments = Spending by category (%)

3. Competitive Landscape Visualization#

Map competitive positions across multiple dimensions simultaneously.

• Column width = Segment attractiveness or size
• Column height segments = Competitive intensity or share

4. Portfolio Analysis#

Analyze revenue or investment across multiple business dimensions.

• Column width = Revenue by business unit
• Column height segments = Revenue by customer segment or geography

When NOT to Use Mekko Charts#

If the variable width doesn't add meaningful insight, you're adding complexity without value.

The Two Types of Mekko Charts#

Type 1: 100% Stacked Mekko (Percentage-Based)#

The most common type. Each column sums to 100%, showing composition within segments.

• Width = Segment size (absolute values)
• Height = Percentage share within each segment (always totals 100%)

Best for: Market share analysis, competitive landscape mapping, share of wallet visualization.

Type 2: Absolute Mekko (Value-Based)#

Both width and height represent absolute values.

• Width = One absolute dimension
• Height = Another absolute dimension

Best for: Revenue matrix analysis, volume and value comparisons.

The PowerPoint Problem#

PowerPoint cannot create Mekko charts natively.

PowerPoint's charting engine assumes all columns have equal width. There is no variable-width column option—it doesn't exist.

If you need variable-width columns, you have three options:

1. Build an extremely complex Excel workaround
2. Use a PowerPoint add-in designed for consulting charts
3. Export from specialized visualization software

Method 1: The Excel Workaround (Difficult)#

It's possible to create something resembling a Mekko chart using Excel's stacked area chart. Fair warning: this method is time-consuming and fragile.

How It Works#

1. Transform your data into cumulative percentages for both X and Y axes
2. Create invisible spacer series to position each "column"
3. Build a stacked area chart to create variable-width rectangles
4. Hide the spacers and add labels manually

Why This Method Is Problematic#

We've seen analysts spend entire afternoons debugging Excel Mekko charts. Unless you're building a one-time chart with data that will never change, this approach isn't practical.

Verdict: Technically possible but not recommended for professional use.

Method 2: PowerPoint Add-ins (Recommended)#

Add-ins like Deckary, think-cell, and Mekko Graphics are purpose-built for consulting charts including Mekko charts.

Comparing Mekko Chart Add-ins#

Deckary#

Website: deckary.com

Deckary offers Mekko charts as a core feature alongside waterfall charts, Gantt charts, and productivity tools.

Mekko chart capabilities:

• 100% stacked and absolute Mekko charts
• Automatic width calculation from data
• Excel data linking with live updates
• Cross-platform (Windows and Mac)

Price: $49/year (Starter), $119/year (Premium), $199 lifetime

Best for: Consultants who build Mekko charts regularly and want both charting and productivity tools at a fraction of think-cell's price.

Think-cell#

Website: think-cell.com

Think-cell is the industry standard at MBB and investment banks. Its Mekko charts are excellent but come at a premium.

Price: $299/year minimum

Best for: Organizations with existing think-cell licenses or heavy daily charting needs.

Mekko Graphics#

Website: mekkographics.com

Mekko Graphics focuses specifically on Marimekko and related business charts.

Price: $499/year

Best for: Organizations already using Mekko Graphics.

Which Add-in Should You Choose?#

For most consultants and small firms, Deckary offers the best value: professional Mekko charts at $49-119/year versus $299-499 for alternatives.

Step-by-Step: Building a Market Share Mekko Chart#

Here's how to build a standard market share Mekko chart using Deckary.

The Data#

In Deckary (60 seconds)#

1. Select your data range in Excel — Include headers, market sizes, and percentages
2. Click "Mekko" in the Deckary ribbon
3. Drag the chart onto your PowerPoint slide
4. Configure settings: Width data, segment data, enable "100% stacked" mode
5. Set colors and add labels

The chart automatically calculates column widths proportional to market size.

In Excel Workaround (60+ minutes)#

1. Calculate cumulative X-coordinates for each country boundary
2. Create area chart data series for each vendor
3. Build spacer series to position columns correctly
4. Insert stacked area chart and format
5. Hide spacer series, add labels manually
6. Debug overlapping areas
7. Repeat when data changes

Mekko Chart Best Practices#

Color Coding#

Use color to direct attention to the insight.

Labeling Strategy#

Column labels: Show segment name AND absolute value (e.g., "Germany\n$15.2B")

Segment labels: Show percentage OR absolute value, not both. Remove labels from segments smaller than 5%.

Data Ordering#

Column ordering:

Segment ordering: Keep consistent across all columns. If AWS is on top in UK, it should be on top everywhere.

Annotations#

Add context that accelerates understanding:

• Column totals above each column
• Key insight callouts
• Reference lines for benchmarks

Common Mekko Chart Mistakes#

Too Many Segments#

Problem: Showing 12 competitors when 4 matter. Fix: Group minor players into "Other."

Inconsistent Segment Order#

Problem: AWS is on top in one column and middle in another. Fix: Lock segment order across all columns.

Missing Width Labels#

Problem: Viewers can see relative widths but not actual values. Fix: Always label column widths with absolute values.

Unclear Axis Purpose#

Problem: Audience doesn't know what width represents. Fix: Add explicit axis labels and a chart title stating both dimensions.

Overloading the Chart#

Problem: Trying to show three or four dimensions. Fix: Mekko charts show two dimensions well. Use multiple charts for more.

Mekko Chart Checklist#

Before presenting any Mekko chart, verify:

Data Accuracy

• Column widths sum to correct total
• Segment heights sum to 100% (or correct absolute total)

Visual Clarity

• 6-8 columns maximum
• 4-6 segments maximum per column
• Consistent segment order across all columns

Labels and Annotations

• Column width values labeled
• Chart title states both dimensions
• Key insight called out

Mekko Charts vs. Alternatives#

The Bottom Line#

Mekko charts are among the most powerful visualizations in the consulting toolkit. They solve a specific problem: showing market size and market share in a single, information-dense chart.

The challenge is that PowerPoint can't create them natively. You either spend an hour building fragile Excel workarounds, or you use a tool designed for the job.

Key takeaways:

1. Mekko charts show two dimensions — width and height both encode data
2. Use for market sizing and competitive analysis — the classic consulting applications
3. Native PowerPoint cannot create Mekko charts — this is an architectural limitation
4. Add-ins are the practical solution — 60 seconds versus 60+ minutes
5. Limit to 6-8 columns and 4-6 segments — more creates visual noise
6. Always label widths with absolute values — relative width without scale is meaningless

For consultants building Mekko charts regularly, the right tools pay for themselves immediately. Deckary offers Mekko charts at $49-119/year with a 14-day free trial—no credit card required.