How to make it here
- Paste a list like “Rent 1200” or drop an Excel or CSV file.
- Choose the category column and either a value to add up or a count of rows.
- Read the percentages, then copy the pie chart as an image.
What is a pie chart?
A pie chart is a circle divided into slices, where each slice is a share of the whole. The full circle is always 100%, which makes pie charts good at one thing: showing that one part is about half, a quarter or a small fraction of the total.
A donut chart is a pie chart with the centre removed. The centre is a handy place for the total, and the slices are judged by their length around the ring, which many people find easier to compare. SheetGlance draws a donut by default.
When a pie chart works, and when it doesn’t
Use a pie chart when:
- the parts add up to a meaningful whole (100% of the budget, all survey answers);
- there are about six slices or fewer;
- the message is about share, such as “coffee is almost half of sales”.
Pick a different chart when:
- you compare values across many categories: use a bar graph;
- you show change over time: use a line graph;
- the values don’t form a whole, such as average scores per class.
Pie chart or bar graph?
| Pie chart | Bar graph | |
|---|---|---|
| Shows | Share of a whole | Size of each category |
| Number of categories | 2–6 | 2–15 or more |
| Exact comparison | Hard for similar slices | Easy |
| Good for | “Half of our sales are coffee” | “Store A sold 20% more than store B” |
How to make a pie chart in Excel
- Put the categories in one column and their values in the next, with headers.
- Select both columns.
- Go to Insert → Charts → Insert Pie or Doughnut Chart and choose Pie or Doughnut.
- Click + → Data Labels → More Options and tick Percentage to show shares.
Excel draws one slice per row, so if a category appears on many rows you need to total them first with a PivotTable. SheetGlance groups the rows and computes the percentages for you.
How to make a pie chart in Google Sheets
- Select the data and choose Insert → Chart.
- Under Setup → Chart type, choose Pie chart (or Doughnut chart).
- Under Customise → Pie chart, set Slice label to Percentage.
Tips for a clearer pie chart
- Order slices from largest to smallest, starting at 12 o’clock.
- Group small slices into “Other”: SheetGlance keeps the top seven and merges the rest.
- Label slices with percentages, not just a legend.
- Avoid 3D pies: the tilt makes front slices look bigger than they are.
Questions people ask
Can I make a pie chart from a count of rows?
Yes. Choose row count as the metric to see what share of records falls in each category, for example the share of survey answers or of orders by payment method.
Why are some slices grouped as “Other”?
To keep the chart readable, slices beyond the top seven are combined. The written summary still lists the full breakdown.
Can I make a donut chart?
The pie chart is drawn as a donut with the total in the centre, which reads well in reports and slides.
What if my values include negative numbers?
A pie chart can only show positive shares of a whole. For values like profit and loss, use a bar graph instead.