How to Show Percentage in Excel Pie Chart (3 Ways)

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Pie charts are important for their ability to visually represent the proportion of different categories within a data range. Adding the feature of percentages in a pie chart makes the data analysis in Excel more effective and understandable to readers. This feature of Excel is heavily used in daily calculations. Along with the proportions, you can also show the percentage of each segment in the pie chart.

In this Excel tutorial, you will learn how to show percentage in an Excel pie chart.

Here, we have the population percentage by major ethnic groups in Southern California. We have created a pie chart based on this data and added percentages to it.

Excel Pie Chart percentage


Why Show Percentage in Excel Pie Chart?

Showing percentages in an Excel Pie Chart helps us understand how much each part contributes to the whole. It makes the information clear and easy to see, so we can quickly figure out which category is more or less significant.

Percentages in the chart make it easier to make decisions based on the data. It’s like putting labels on the slices so everyone can easily understand what the chart is saying. In simpler terms, percentages in Excel Pie Charts just make everything clearer and more understandable.


3 Ways to Show Percentages in Excel Pie Chart

Here, we have the population percentage by major ethnic groups in Southern California. To illustrate how to show percentages in a pie chart, we have created a pie chart in Excel based on this data.

Excel pie chart

You can add percentages to your pie chart using Chart Styles, Format Data Labels, and Quick Layout features.

Here are 3 ways to show percentages in an Excel pie chart:

Using Chart Styles Feature

If you want to add a percentage to your pie chart, using the Chart Style feature is the easiest way to do this task. The Chart Design tab includes some built-in design that shows the percentage of each segment of the pie chart.

To show the percentage in Excel pie chart using the Chart Style feature, follow these steps:

  1. Click on the pie chart.
  2. Go to the Chart Design tab >  Chart Styles group.
  3. Choose the 3rd style (it will show Style 3 when you take your cursor on that style).
    Or, you can also choose style 8.Excel Pie Chart Percentage

This command shows the percentages for each of the parts of your pie chart.

Excel Pie Chart Percentage

Note: All the options in the Char Style group will also show percentages if you select them after clicking Style 3 or Style 8.

Read More: How to Show Total in Excel Pie Chart


Applying Format Data Labels

Another way of showing percentages in a pie chart is to use the Format Data Labels pane. The Format Data Labels pane allows you to customize various aspects of data labels, including font, color, and size. With the Format Data Labels pane, you can individually control the display of data labels for each data point in the pie chart. This level of control is beneficial when you want to emphasize specific data points or exclude labels for others.

Here are 2 ways to open the Format Data Labels pane to show percentages in a pie chart:


a) Using Chart Elements Option

The Chart Elements button is the “Plus” (+) sign at the top right corner of a chart that shows some chart element options to show it on the chart.
To show percentages in a pie chart using the Chart Elements option, follow these steps:

  1. Click on the pie chart > Chart Elements button > Data Labels checkbox.
  2. Now, click the right arrow sign at the right of the Data Labels.
  3. Select More Option from the dropdown.
    Excel Pie Chart PercentageThe Format Data Labels pane will appear on the right side of the worksheet.
  4. In the Format Data Labels pane:
    • Go to the Label Options tab > Label Options group.
    • Put a checkmark on Percentage.

    Format Labels pane

Hence, Excel will show the percentage in the pie chart.

Note: If you select the Value option along with the Percentage option, the pie chart shows the actual value for each of the segments in the data along with its portion in percentage.


b) Using Context Menu

To add percentages to an Excel pie chart, you can also use the context menu. Here’s how:

  1. Right-click on the pie chart to open the context menu.
  2. Choose the Add Data Labels option.
    It will add labels to your data.
  3. Again, right-click the pie chart.
  4. Select Format Data Labels.
    Excel Pie Chart PercentageIt will launch the Format Data Labels pane on the right side of the worksheet.
  5. In the Format Data Labels pane:
    • Go to the Label Options tab > Label Options group.
    • Put a checkmark on Percentage.

Hence, Excel will show the percentage in the pie chart.

Read More: How to Create Pie Chart Legend with Values in Excel


Applying Quick Layout Feature

The Quick Layout feature is a quick way to display percentages in a pie chart, like its name. One of the advantages is that one layout style of this feature can also show the segment name of the pie chart along with the percentage. So, when you need to show the percentage and segment name quickly at the same time, the Quick Layout feature can suit you in this case. Moreover, some layouts of this feature also show percentages, excluding segment names.

To show percentages in an Excel pie chart using the Quick Layout feature, follow these steps:

  1. Click on the pie chart.
  2. Go to the Chart Design tab > Quick Layout dropdown > Layout 1.

Hence, Excel will add percentages to your pie chart.

Excel Pie Chart Percentage

Note: To show only the percentage excluding the segment title, choose Layout 2 or Layout 6.

Read More: How to Create Pie Chart for Sum by Category in Excel


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Conclusion

Throughout the article, you have learned how to add percentages in the pie chart using the “Chart Style” feature, the “Format Data Labels” pane, and the “Quick Layout” feature. If you are in a hurry, then the “Chart Style” feature can be best suited to you. If you have any questions or suggestions, don’t forget to put them in the comment box below.


Frequently Asked Question

What is an Excel Pie Chart?

An Excel Pie Chart is a visual representation of data where a circle is divided into sectors, each representing a proportion of the whole dataset.

How Do I Customize Data Labels in an Excel Pie Chart?

To customize data labels, right-click on the chart, choose “Add Data Labels,” and further customize by right-clicking on the labels and selecting “Format Data Labels.”


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Al Arafat Siddique
Al Arafat Siddique

Al Arafat Siddique, BSc, Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, has worked on the ExcelDemy project for two years. He has written over 85+ articles for ExcelDemy. Currently, he is working as a software developer. He is leading a team of six members to develop Microsoft Office Add-ins, extending Office applications to interact with office documents. Other assigned projects to his team include creating AI-based products and online conversion tools using the latest... Read Full Bio

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