Finally, it’s much easier to distort the data on a pie chart than any other type. Because we’re already so bad at distinguishing between the different slices of the pie, if you tilt a pie chart or make it “3D,” as is so popular in many programs, you quickly make it even harder to read and distort your data even more.

The following pages describe the different parts of a pie chart.

• The Title. The title offers a short explanation of what is in your graph.
• The Legend. The legend tells what each slice represents.
• The Source. The source explains where you found the information that is in your graph.
• The Data.

A pie chart (or a circle chart) is a circular statistical graphic, which is divided into slices to illustrate numerical proportion. In a pie chart, the arc length of each slice (and consequently its central angle and area), is proportional to the quantity it represents.

Reading Pie Charts To calculate the percentage each slice is worth, measure the angle of each slice and divide this by 360 then multiply it by 100. To find the number of pieces of data each slice represents, multiply the percentage that each slice is worth by the total number of the data sets.

Right click the chart and choose Chart Options. On the Data Labels tab what is checked? If it’s Percentage the percentages will add up to 100%. If it’s Value and the series contains percentages they need not add up to 100%, because only the actual amounts plotted are shown.

Whenever there is similarity in the information available, a pie chart is not the right chart to use. Whenever there are multiple (3 or more) different points of data, a pie chart is not the right chart to use. Pie charts are very easy to abuse.

The problem with pie charts is that they force us to compare areas (or angles), which is pretty hard. Comparing objects along one dimension is a lot easier than along two, which makes comparing the length of bars a lot easier than the areas of pie slices.

Stacked Bar Charts are the closest linear equivalent to Pie Charts, in terms of both one-to-one mapping and layout. They may be the best alternatives to Pie charts. A single-series Pie chart with N slices is actually equivalent with N series of Full 100% Stacked Bars, each with one single value.

A pie chart is best used when trying to work out the composition of something. If you have categorical data then using a pie chart would work really well as each slice can represent a different category. A good example of a pie chart can be seen below.

When deciding between a pie chart or a donut chart for your presentation, make sure the data you’re using is for comparison analysis only. If you have an extra data point to convey (e.g. all of your categories equal an increase in total revenue), use a donut chart so you can take advantage of the space in the middle.

So, if you must use a pie chart, try to abide by these rules:

1. Don’t use more than five sections. Too many skinny slices are hard to read.
2. Place the largest slices from “12” at the top (like on a clock) and work your way around the circle. Like this:
3. Avoid comparing one pie chart to another.
4. Don’t use 3-D pie charts.

What is the MOST important thing you should consider when creating a pie chart? You should never create a pie chart. They are inaccurate. Ensure that the area of each of the slices is proportional to the frequency with which the observation occurs.

A second argument is that you can’t use many data points. With more than, say, five or six slices the chart becomes overcrowded and even more difficult to read. The more slices the less variation between them, so the harder to compare the arcs/angles/areas.

What can be added to a pie chart to remove doubt about the size of the slices?

• Data labels.
• A title.
• A legend.

7 slices

In short, a pie chart can only be used if the sum of the individual parts add up to a meaningful whole, and is built for visualizing how each part contributes to that whole. Meanwhile, a bar chart can be used for a broader range of data types, not just for breaking down a whole into components.

A circle graph/pie chart is constructed by converting the share of each component into a percentage of 360 degrees.

Right -click on the pie chart and choose Format Data Series. Select Series Options, then Split Series by. This example uses Split Series by Percentage Value….To create a Bar of Pie chart,

1. Select a cell inside the data you want created as a pie chart.
2. On the ribbon, select Insert > Charts group > Pie.
3. Select Bar of Pie.

How To Make Your Data Visually Appealing

1. Step 1: Add a table style. Adding a table style is a quick and easy way to make your data stand out.
2. Step 2: Add visualization to your data with in cell data bars. Now that the table is styled, let’s add some visualization.
3. Step 3: Add spark line graphs. To add an extra special touch let’s add some spark line graphs.