A Speedometer Chart is a gauge where a needle points to the values at a certain point of time. Users create Speedometer Chart in Excel to track value change. There is no direct feature to create a Speedometer Chart in Excel. We need to insert a Combo Chart to create a Speedometer Chart.
Let’s say we have 3 kinds of data directing 3 types of properties of a Speedometer Chart.
This article demonstrates the basic Speedometer Chart’s components and how to create it.
Speedometer Chart and Its Components
A gauge chart with a needle indicating the ongoing change in values is known as the Speedometer Chart.
Performance Labels: Multiple types of performance labels, such as Poor, Average, Good, etc., are indicated on the dial.
Range Labels: For displaying the instant speed, a Speedometer Chart has range labels on it for displaying the instant speed.
Pie Chart Data: To indicate a certain point or number, a different data source needs to be assigned to create the indicator needle on the chart.
Step-by-Step Procedures to Create a Speedometer Chart in Excel
A Speedometer Chart is a Combo Chart. Users need to insert two Doughnuts and a Pie Chart to create a Speedometer Chart. Follow the below steps to insert a speedometer chart into Excel.
Step 1: Setting up Data to Create a Speedometer Chart
🔼 As we mentioned earlier, a speedometer chart has 3 components, and users need an individual dataset for each of them. Enter the values for each component as shown in the below image.
Step 2: Inserting Doughnut Charts in Excel
🔼 After entering the data, go to Insert > Insert Pie or Doughnut Chart (in the Charts section) > Doughnut.
🔼 Excel inserts a Doughnut Chart. You can choose any desired color for each portion within the doughnut chart as the Fill Color by right-clicking on the chart. Also, there is the Format Data Point option among the Context Menu options.
🔼 The Format Data Point side window appears. In the window, type 270° as the Angle of first slice.
🔼 Now, select the other half (same colored), right click on it. Choose No Fill as the Fill Color for the portion.
Read More: How to Create a Gauge Chart in Excel
Step 3: Inserting Range Labels Doughnut Chart
🔼 Performance Labels indicate the different types of range, such Poor, Good, Average or Others. But to indicate an exact value, users need to add the Range Labels to the chart. Right-click on the chart > Select Data.
🔼 Excel fetches the Select Data Source dialog box. In the box, click on Add (under Legend Entries (Series)).
🔼 The Edit Series dialog box appears. Assign the respective ranges, then click OK.
🔼 After clicking OK, Excel returns to the Select Data Source dialog box. You can see the newly added Range Labels in the dialog box. Click on OK.
🔼 As we trim the first slice at 270°, select the portion and fill the portion with No Fill.
Step 4: Inserting a Pie Chart (Combo Chart)
🔼 Now, adding data sources to the doughnut chart results in two doughnut charts with individual data sources. Follow Step 3 for adding another data source to insert a Pie Chart. Afterward, click OK.
🔼 Right-click on the newly inserted chart, and the Context Menu appears. Choose the Change Series Chart Type.. option to insert a Pie Chart from the Change Chart Type window.
🔼 In the Change Chart Type window, Excel automatically selects the Combo Chart under Recommended Charts. Select a Pie Chart for the Pie Chart Data Series. Finally, click OK.
🔼 Go through Step 2 to cut the first slice at 270° for the Pie Chart. The Pointer reverses. Select the entire portion of the Pie Chart, right-click on it. Choose No Fill as Fill Color.
🔼 Also, select any other fill color (in this case, Green) for the needle.
Step 5: Adding Data Labels to the Speedometer Chart in Excel
🔼 After inserting all 3 components, users need to assign data labels to individual portions. Right-click on the chart, then select any of the data sources (i.e., Series 1, Performance Labels, Range Labels, or Pie Chart Data).
🔼 Click Chart Elements > Tick Data Labels > More Options.
🔼 The Format Data Labels window appears. From the Label Options, tick Value from Cells, then tick on Select Range. The Data Labels dialog box appears. Insert the Performance Labels (i.e., Poor, Average, Good, etc.) as data labels.
🔺 You see, all the Performance Labels values get inserted as data labels.
🔼 Repeat the above process for the other 2 data sources (i.e., Range Labels and Pie Chart Data) to create a Speedometer Chart as depicted in the following image. A Text Box (Insert > Text > Text Box) with a number indicates the current speed on the Speedometer Chart.
Conclusion
In this article, we describe the components of a Speedometer Chart and how to create one. We hope this article explains all the aspects you are looking for. Comment if you have further inquiries or have anything to add.
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This is great, however, what is the formula for where the needle points? You can clearly see even in your graph that the chart says 45 and the needle is pointing to around 55. The further you go toward 100, the bigger the difference. So how do you get it to match?
Hello Kevin,
Here the needle is pointing at 45 but as we kept the number inside the pie chart may seem 55 but actual point is 45. For your better understanding I am attaching another article for the clear view. Sorry for the confusion.
Please read this article from step 6: How to Create a Gauge Chart in Excel (With Easy Steps)
You can watch these two images to clear the confusion.
Regards
ExcelDemy