Pie charts are great for showing how different parts contribute to a whole. Each slice of the pie represents a proportion of a total value, which makes it easy to quickly see the distribution of data.
Unlike bar graphs or line charts that are used to compare different categories or changes over time, pie charts are perfect for illustrating the proportions of a single dataset. They’re most effective when you want to highlight how much each category contributes to the overall total.
This guide will walk you through how to create and customize pie charts using Microsoft Excel.
Making a Pie Chart in Excel
First, you’ll need your data organized. Use a simple table format where the first column contains the labels for each slice, and the second column has the numerical values.
For example, imagine you want a pie chart that shows the different big cat populations:
After your data is ready, select the entire table including headers.
Then, go to the Insert tab on the Excel ribbon, and click on the pie chart icon in the Charts section.
Select the type of pie chart you want from the dropdown menu. For this example, let’s go with the 2-D pie chart.
Now you will see a basic pie chart on your sheet.
Customizing Your Pie Chart
Once you have your chart created, it’s time to customize it to make it more readable and appealing.
Formatting Data Labels
To display data labels on your chart:
- Click on the chart to bring up the chart element icons.
- Click the plus icon (Chart Elements) on the right.
- Check the Data Labels option. Choose your desired placement.
You can also access these options by clicking on the chart and selecting the Design tab, then Add Chart Element.
To adjust the position of the legend or the chart title, click the Chart Elements icon again, then choose Legend or Chart Title and pick a location.
For advanced formatting options, right-click any data label on the chart and choose Format Data Labels.
In the Format Data Labels pane, you can change the size, alignment, color, and effects of the labels. You can also select what information the labels display. For example, show percentages by selecting the Percentage option and deselecting Value.
Now, the labels show percentages.
Customizing the Legend
To change the look of the legend, right-click on the legend area and select Format Legend.
The Format Legend pane lets you adjust its position, fill, border, and text styles to better fit your chart’s design.
Adjusting Chart Style and Colors
To change the overall look of your pie chart, click the brush icon (Chart Styles) next to the chart. In the Style tab, select from several predefined styles.
To change the color scheme, go to the Color tab in the same menu and choose a color palette that matches your data.
Formatting the Data Series
The data series is the collection of slices in your chart. To format the entire series, right-click any slice and select Format Data Series.
In the Format Data Series pane, under Series Options, you can rotate the pie chart by adjusting the Angle of first slice. This changes the starting point of the first category.
Exploding the Pie Chart
To emphasize all slices equally, you can separate all slices from the center. In the same Series Options tab, adjust the Pie Explosion slider.
This will make your pie chart look like this, with slices pulled apart.
Alternatively, you can manually drag any slice away from the center to explode it.
Highlighting a Single Slice
To focus on one category, explode just that slice. Double-click the slice to select it individually, then click and drag it away from the pie.
Now the selected slice is highlighted.
Formatting Individual Data Points
You can customize each slice separately. Double-click a specific slice and choose Format Data Point from the context menu.
This lets you change the fill, border, and effects of that specific slice.
Adding Images to Pie Slices
To make the chart more visually appealing, you can fill slices with images instead of solid colors.
- In the Format Data Point pane, under the Fill & Line tab, select Picture or texture fill.
- Click Insert and choose an image from your computer, clipboard, or online.
This technique will make your chart much more visually interesting.
Apply these steps to each slice to finish your custom pie chart. Your final chart might look something like this.
