# Overlapping Data Labels
URL: https://docs.valsight.ai/overlapping-data-labels/
Description: Why some data labels are missing when they collide in a chart, and the two ways to get the values back.
Where data labels overlap in a chart, not all values can be shown. The values are still correct, only some of the labels are dropped.

## Which label wins

In **area charts** and **line charts**, the sort order of the nodes decides which label wins. If a chart shows two nodes and node B is sorted above node A, the chart prioritizes node B's label, so where labels collide only node B's is shown.

![A chart showing only node B's label where the two collide](./images/5094216526.png)

This does not mean the numbers are wrong.

## Reorder the nodes

To change the priority, reorder the nodes: in the **Axes** section of the chart editor, click the sort button next to the level the nodes sit on and drag them into the order you want. See [Sorting Level Values](/sorting-level-values/).

## Show a total instead

The other route is [stack totals](/stacking-and-stack-totals/). Below, the **Combined sum** option shows the total of both nodes instead of the two colliding labels.

![The same chart with a combined sum instead of colliding labels](./images/5094216461.png)

Data behind both examples:

| Node | 2021 | 2022 |
| ---- | ---- | ---- |
| A    | 4000 | 6000 |
| B    | 30   | 50   |

## Related

* [Sorting Level Values](/sorting-level-values/): the order that decides which label wins.
* [Stacking and Stack Totals](/stacking-and-stack-totals/): stack the data series and label the total of each stack.
* [Styling Data Series, Columns and Rows](/styling-data-series-columns-and-rows/): hide the values of one data series entirely.