How to Create a Pie Chart in Microsoft Excel: Simple Steps

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Learn how to create a pie chart in Excel easily
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Do you want to create a pie chart in Microsoft Excel? Pie charts work best if you have one data series to showcase (or two columns). Charts can be made to show percentages , values, and more in 2D or 3D form. This wikiHow will show you how to make a pie graph in Excel using your Windows or Mac computer, from preparing your data to customizing your pie chart.

Quick Steps to Add a Pie Chart

  1. Prepare your chart data in Microsoft Excel
  2. Select your data.
  3. Click the Insert tab.
  4. Click the Pie chart icon.
  5. Select a 2-D Pie or 3-D Pie Chart.
  6. Double-click your pie chart to view customization options.
Section 1 of 3:

Creating a Pie Chart in Excel

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  1. To do so, click the A1 cell, hold down the Shift key, and then click the bottom value in the B column. This will select all of your data. [1]
    • If your chart uses different column letters, numbers, and so on, simply remember to click the top-left cell in your data group and then click the bottom-right while holding the Shift key.
    • If you don't already have your data, skip to our section on preparing the data .
  2. It's at the top of the Excel window, to the right of the Home tab. [2]
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  3. This is a circular button in the "Charts" group of options, which is below and to the right of the Insert tab. You'll see several options appear in a drop-down menu: [3]
    • 2-D Pie : Create a simple pie chart that displays color-coded sections of your data.
    • 3-D Pie : Uses a three-dimensional pie chart that displays color-coded data.
    • Donut : Displays color-coded data with a hole in the center for a series of data.
    • You can also click More Pie Charts… to view all available options.
  4. Doing so will create a pie chart with your data applied to it; you should see color-coded tabs at the bottom of the chart that correspond to the colored sections of the chart itself. [4]
    • You can preview options here by hovering your mouse over the different chart templates.
    • Now that your chart is created, you can format it .
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Section 2 of 3:

Formatting Your Pie Chart in Excel

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  1. This is the tab on the top toolbar, next to Help and Format . You'll be able to change the way your graph looks, including the color schemes used, the text allocation, and whether or not percentages are displayed. [5]
    • If you don't see this tab, you'll need to click on your chart first.
  2. 2
    Format your data labels. If you don't see all your data in the pie chart, such as the values of your percentages, you can enable them by doing the following:
    • Double-click the chart to open the Format Chart Area panel on the right.
    • Click the down-arrow on the left of Chart Options .
    • Select Series [chart title] Data Labels .
    • Click the bar-graph icon ( Label Options ).
    • Expand the Label Options drop-down menu.
    • Check the box for Value and/or other labels you want to include.
  3. Switch between styles by clicking the previews above Chart Styles . [6]
    • Only one style preset can be applied at a time.
    • You can also click the paintbrush icon next to the chart to find Chart Styles in the Styles tab.
  4. Click the Change Colors icon. This looks like a color palette. A drop-down menu will appear with multiple color themes listed. [7]
    • Click the color scheme you want to apply.
    • You can also click the paintbrush icon next to the chart and click the Color tab to change your chart colors.
  5. Click your chart, then click the + from the side icons. [8]
    • To remove data and percentage labels from your chart, uncheck Data Labels underneath Chart Elements .
    • To remove category or percentage labels separately, click the arrow next to Data Labels , then More Options . Use the right panel to uncheck Percentage or Category name .
  6. With the chart selected, the Format Chart Area will be visible in the right panel. If you don't see it, double-click the chart. [9]
    • Fill & Line : Customize Fill and Border options.
    • Effects : Add effects such as Shadow, Glow, Soft Edges, and 3-D Format.
    • Size & Properties : Customize the height, width, and scale of your chart.
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Section 3 of 3:

Preparing the Data for a Pie Chart

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  1. You can use an existing project or create a new spreadsheet .
    • Microsoft Excel is available on Windows and Mac. You can also use the online web version at the Microsoft 365 website .
    • You can use Excel to make tables , type formulas , make graphs , and more.
    • Pie charts work best when you have only one data series, values greater than 0, and no more than seven categories. If your data doesn't match these requirements, you can try using a bar graph , line graph , or another option.
  2. To do so, click the B1 cell and then type in the chart's name.
    • For example, if you're making a chart about your budget, the B1 cell should say something like "2022 Budget".
    • You can also type in a clarifying label—e.g., "Budget Allocation"—in the A1 cell.
  3. You'll place prospective pie chart sections' labels in the A column and those sections' values in the B column.
    • For the budget example above, you might write "Car Expenses" in A2 and then put "$1000" in B2 .
    • The pie chart template will automatically determine percentages for you.
  4. Once you've completed this process, you're ready to create a pie chart using your data.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I create a pie chart without percentages?
    Community Answer
    You'll have to make percentages. A pie chart by definition is 100%. If your data is not in percent, then Excel will create percentages for you.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Not Helpful 43 Helpful 54
  • Question
    How do I change the color of the pie chart?
    Community Answer
    Once you have the pie chart on the board, there are different shades next to it that says "change color"; click on that.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 16 Helpful 19
  • Question
    What am I doing wrong if I tried this method and the pie chart didn't show up?
    Community Answer
    You might have entered information wrongly and it can't process. Try re-entering your data.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      • You can copy your chart and paste it into other Microsoft Office products (e.g., Word or PowerPoint).
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      • If you want to create charts for multiple sets of data, repeat this process for each set. Once the chart appears, click and drag it away from the center of the Excel document to prevent it from covering up your first chart.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/select-data-for-a-chart-5fca57b7-8c52-4e09-979a-631085113862
      2. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/add-a-pie-chart-1a5f08ae-ba40-46f2-9ed0-ff84873b7863
      3. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/add-a-pie-chart-1a5f08ae-ba40-46f2-9ed0-ff84873b7863
      4. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/add-a-pie-chart-1a5f08ae-ba40-46f2-9ed0-ff84873b7863
      5. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/change-the-layout-or-style-of-a-chart-a346e438-d22a-4540-aa87-bce9feb719cf
      6. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/change-the-layout-or-style-of-a-chart-a346e438-d22a-4540-aa87-bce9feb719cf
      7. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/change-the-color-or-style-of-a-chart-in-office-f4db3f23-f5a1-4b30-abb3-62e8c2c33d9b
      8. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/add-or-remove-data-labels-in-a-chart-884bf2f1-2e29-454e-8b42-f467c9f4eb2d
      9. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/format-elements-of-a-chart-b6c787d5-f90a-41d2-a901-9d3ed9f0dbf0

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Open Excel .
      2. Enter your data.
      3. Select all of your data.
      4. Click the Insert tab.
      5. Click the "Pie Chart" icon.
      6. Click a pie chart template.

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