[bar-diverging] bar-diverging: Diverging Bar Chart

[MarkusNeusinger]

Plot Request

Bars extending from center, positive/negative values with different colors.

Use Cases

• Sentiment analysis (positive/negative)
• Net promoter scores
• Political polling (left/right)

Expected Features

• Center baseline at zero
• Different colors for +/-
• Horizontal or vertical orientation

[claude]

✅ Spec ID: bar-diverging

Rationale: "Diverging" describes bars extending from a center baseline in opposite directions, which is the defining characteristic of this visualization.

This is a valid and useful plot type for visualizing positive/negative values, survey responses, and comparative data. No existing duplicate found in the plots catalog.

[github-actions]

✅ Specification Ready: bar-diverging

PR: #2020

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specification.md

bar-diverging: Diverging Bar Chart

Description

A diverging bar chart displays bars extending in opposite directions from a central baseline, typically at zero. This visualization is ideal for comparing positive and negative values, showing responses above and below a neutral point, or contrasting opposing categories. Different colors distinguish positive from negative values, making it easy to identify magnitude and direction at a glance.

Applications

• Visualizing survey responses (agree/disagree, satisfied/dissatisfied scales)
• Displaying net promoter scores or sentiment analysis results
• Comparing political polling data across ideological spectrums
• Showing profit/loss or growth/decline metrics across categories

Data

• category (str) - Category label for each bar (e.g., product name, demographic group)
• value (float) - Numeric value that can be positive or negative
• Size: 5-30 categories works well; too many categories reduces readability
• Example: Survey responses with scores ranging from -100 to +100

Notes

• Use contrasting colors for positive and negative values (e.g., blue/red, green/orange)
• Consider horizontal orientation for long category labels
• Add a vertical line or clear visual indicator at the zero baseline
• Sort bars by value to enhance pattern recognition

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Next: Add approved label to merge this specification to main.

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