Pie Chart Maker

When it comes to summarizing data powerfully the pie chart has few peers. With this short guide you'll learn how to use this pie chart generator for maximum effect in your existing project. Soon you'll be an expert in custom pie chart design.

What is a Pie Chart?

It's a type of circle graph that represents each value as a slice of a pie, where each represents percentages of the whole. It's a popular and easy-to-understand template that's used for data set visualization. This allows quickly grasping the overall structure of the data and making comparisons between different categories.

Pie Chart Maker Features

Free pie chart makers give users the ability to easily start editing professional graphs without any technical skills. Here are some features you can expect from our free pie chart maker:

• Data import (from Excel, Google spreadsheet, or a CSV file)
• User-friendly interface
• Ability to work with large datasets
• Multiple chart types
• Color adjustment features
• Format data labels
• Publish, share, and download your pie chart template in a variety of sizes

Can I share my chart online or print it?

Yes, once you create your free pie chart online, you can easily share it with one click using the download button. If you're publishing to platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest you can use the size menu to select useful canvas sizes (ie Facebook Stories). Then select the best file type for your needs before you click download. It's completely free, no signup needed.

What are some different types of pie charts?

There are a variety of related graphs including: doughnut charts, nested pie charts, 3D pie charts, and exploding pie charts. Often differences are primarily aesthetic, however there are reasons you may prefer one over the other. Standard pie chart templates are the easiest to read at a glance for a single-layer data set. While nested pie charts (or a multi-ring doughnut chart) enables users to compare multi-layer data values together in one image file.

Build a perfect visual according to your data

To create an effective and informative pie chart, it’s important that your data labels are well-structured and accurate. To ensure your graph is in line with the data values you want to represent, make sure you:

• Choose relevant data: Select ONLY the data you want to represent in the pie chart, focusing on the most relevant information.
• Calculate percentages: Pie charts are separated by percentages of a whole, so all data should be in this format to ensure it’s accurately represented.
• Arrange Data: Order the data points in descending order based on their values. This is easy to do in Google Sheets or Excel.
• Label Clearly: Once the data is uploaded, provide clear and concise labels for each slice to indicate what it represents.
• Add a Title: Include a descriptive title for your pie chart, summarizing the main point you want to convey.

Adjust the colors to get the look you want

Color choice plays a significant role in enhancing the visual appeal of your graph. Make sure to use contrasting colors to help easily differentiate slices and avoid similar colors that could blend together. Colors also provide a great opportunity to inject your company's branding into the design by incorporating logo colors.

Embed an interactive pie chart

For online content and blogs an interactive pie chart can help engage your audience more effectively. Interactive features like hover-over details, interactive legends, and animations enhance user experience. To embed your pie chart template you’ll need to sign up for Excelkits. Then you’ll gain access to all features, including a download link to your interactive graph.

I want to create a pie chart for commercial purposes

You are free to use your image download for commercial purposes. However if you'd like to embed an interactive widget of your pie chart, you'll need to sign up for an Excelkits subscription. It's free to try.

Can I upload my own data from a spreadsheet?

Yes, the pie chart generator supports data imported from Excel, Google Sheets, Numbers, CSV and other spreadsheet files. Simply click "edit data" then "upload" to provide your raw data to the free pie chart maker.

How to create a pie chart in Google Sheets

To create a pie chart in Google Sheets, have a spreadsheet with your data set ready. Highlight the data you'd like to work with and then click on "Insert". In the dropdown, select "Chart". The chart editor will pop up on the right-hand side, and under "Chart Type," you can select the pie chart template from the dropdown. From there, you can customize your chart as desired.

How to create pie charts in Excel

To create a pie chart in Excel, select the data from your spreadsheet you'd like to work. Then click on the "Insert" tab. In the "Charts" section of the toolbar, click on the picture of the pie chart, which will drop down to reveal various pie chart options like 2D and 3D pie charts. You can customize the chart using the "chart elements" and "chart styles" options.

What is the best pie chart maker?

It's easy to find an online pie chart maker, each with unique features. While you can create a pie chart template manually, the best pie chart maker will auto-populate a circle for you using your data values. It should also allow you to download design assets in various file formats based on your needs. Ultimately, the tool shouldn't require excessive design skills, while streamlining use of images in your presentation or infographic.

Why would a pie chart be misleading?

They can sometimes be misleading if various data points are close in value. While slices of data may appear to be the same, each quantity or percent is actually different. For a report that hinges on accuracy, a bar chart is often a better choice.

What is a disadvantage of using a pie chart?

When using pie chart templates, you are limited to the number of data points you can effectively compare. If you have too many data points, the pie chart can become cluttered and confusing, making a treemap preferable.

Are donut charts better than pie charts?

Both pie and donut charts have a similar shape for effectively displaying proportional data. Each type serves a similar purpose, but a doughnut chart allows for summary text within a circle for additional context. A pie chart maker has more visual impact and can help drive home an important point when extra context isn't necessary.

Are treemaps better than pie charts?

It depends on the data you're trying to visualize. Both are proportional illustrations of a whole, however a pie chart template is more simplistic. Treemaps create complicated, yet immersive, illustrations of a hierarchy, divided by group. While a finished pie chart is preferable for conveying a simple take-away point.

What type of chart is recommended instead of a pie chart?

A bar chart is better for a data set of similar amounts. A line chart is effective for rends over time. However when your data is deeply hierarchical, try a treemap instead.

Start effectively communicating your data by creating visually appealing pie charts with ease using a pie chart maker.