how to make a pie chart in excel using my own data

How to make a pie chart in excel using my own data how to#

Avoid using 3-D imagery or tilt your pie chart - This often makes your data impossible to read, because your viewer is trying to quickly compare angles.īar and column charts are used to compare different items.If the pie slices have roughly the same size, consider to use a bar or column chart instead. Compare just a few categories to get your point across. Make sure your segments add up to 100 - Sounds obvious, but this is a common mistake. A pie chart represents numbers in percentages, and the total sum of all the divided segments equals 100 percent.

Pie charts are used to show parts of a whole. The pie chart is one of the most used and hated chart types of all time. Visualize the data you need to tell your story, nothing more.

Avoid comparing more than 5-7 lines - You don't want your chart to become cluttered or hard to read.

Zoom in on the y-axis if your data set starts above zero - In certain cases, changing the scale of the y axis makes it easier for. Remove distracting chart elements - Grids, varying colors, and bulky legends can distract the viewer from quickly seeing the overall trend. Line charts can be used to show relationships within a continuous data set, and can be applied to a wide variety of categories, including daily number of visitors to a site or variations in stock prices.Ĭlearly label your axes - Make sure the viewer knows what they are evaluating. While scatter plots and treemaps are helpful if you have a lot of data to visualize.Ī line chart reveals trends or change over time. Pyramids and pie charts display parts-of-a-whole. Line, bar and column charts represent change over time. Selecting the right chart typeĪsk yourself how many variables do you want to show, how many data points you want to display and how you want to scale your axis. Distributionĭistribution charts are used to show how variables are distributed over time, helping identify outliers and trends. CompositionĬomposition charts are used to display parts of a whole and change over time. Relationship charts are used to show a connection or correlation between two or more variables. They can compare items or show differences over time. ComparisonĬomparison charts are used to compare one or more datasets.

How to make a pie chart in excel using my own data how to#

Learn how to use storytelling best practices to create stunning images and powerful presentations that drive audience engagement. What would you like to show? There are four main types of charts: Your numbers need to add up and charts need to be scaled accordingly. Think about the message you want to share with your audience.įollow best charting practices. Charts, maps, and infographics help people understand complicated data, find patterns, identify trends, and tell a story.

What story does your data tell?īefore making a chart it's important to understand why you need one. We’ll give you an overview of the different chart types and explain how to pick the right one. Remember, data is only valuable if you know how to visualize it and give context. While your data might work with multiple chart types, it’s up to you to select the one that ensures your message is clear and accurate. If you have data you want to visualize, make sure you use the right charts. How do you pick the right chart or graph for your data?