How to Make a Wind Rose in Excel (2 Suitable Methods)

The wind rose is a graphical interpretation of the wind direction and speed in a certain place. It represents the path of the wind along with its speed. This chart helps you to realize the wind speed and the direction of the wind in that place. Excel has provided us with a lot of charts. Among them is a Radar chart that we have used to create the wind rose in Excel. In this article, we have described the methods of how to make a wind rose in Excel. So, let’s get started.

What Is Wind Rose Diagram?

The tried-and-true way of graphically displaying wind conditions, direction, and speed over time at a particular site is the wind rose. A wind rose is made by logging average wind direction and speed statistics at a location for a lengthy period of time, such as a week, month, or longer. In order to calculate the percentage of time that the wind was blowing from each direction, the collected wind data is then sorted by wind direction or wind guidance. With the wind data, you can create a wind rose.

The sailor used the wind rose diagram to find the routes while sailing over the ocean. They also use the wind rose to navigate the ocean’s narrow path. It also helps meteorologists to give a concise visual representation of how the wind speed and direction are scattered in a particular location. It also worked as a compass in past history, as it showed the cardinal direction as well.

How to Make a Wind Rose in Excel: 2 Methods

There are two possible ways to make a wind rose in Excel. But first, we need to insert the wind speed and cardinal directions in a specific location. Here, we have taken a dataset of Wind Speed with their Direction for a specific span of time. We will make a wind rose with this data.

Not to mention, we have used the Microsoft 365 version. You may use any other version at your convenience.

1. Using Recommended Charts Command

You can use the Recommended Charts command from the Insert tab to generate a wind rose diagram in Excel. To accomplish this, you must first create a dataset of wind direction and speed. We have taken some random data on wind speed and the direction of the wind.

After creating the dataset, select the entire range of the data, then navigate to the Insert tab >> choose Insert Column or Bar Chart>> pick More Column Charts.

Eventually, the Insert Chart window appears. Choose Radar from the All Charts tab >> Pick Filled Radar and hit OK.

Note: You can bring the Insert Chart dialog box from any other More Charts option from the Charts group of the Home tab.

Finally, a wind rose will be created, as you can see in the image, and you can customize the chart according to your preferences.

2. Inserting PivotTable to Make a Wind Rose

In this section, we will insert a Pivot Table to compress the dataset, and then, with the data, we will create a wind rose. When dealing with a large set of data, it is difficult to select the data and insert it into the radar chart. Also, there will be a large group of Legends. So, inserting a Pivot Table helps you through it. Follow the below steps to do it.

Steps:

Firstly, select the entire dataset. As it is a large dataset, we select the entire dataset with the CTRL + A key.
Secondly, hover over the Insert tab >> choose the PivotTable >> From Table/Range.

Consequently, a PivotTable from table or range window appears. Check the New Worksheet in Choose where you want the PivotTable to be placed. Hit OK.

In the PivotTable Fields sidebar, put the Direction in the Columns and in the ∑Values. Also, drag the Speed in the Rows section.

At this moment, we will convert the Row Labels to Groups. So, right-click on any data of the Row Labels and pick Group from the Context Menu.

Subsequently, the Grouping window appears. Uncheck the Starting at and the Ending at boxes. Put the Starting at the value of 0 and Ending at the value of 10 and insert the By to 2.
Finally, hit OK.

Now again, right-click on the Speed data and pick Show Values As >> % of Grand Total from the Context Menu.

Finally, PivotTable has been created. Now copy the values of the table to create a new dataset.

After pasting the new dataset, created with the PivotTable, select the entire range except for the Grand Total row and navigate to the Insert tab >> choose Insert Column or Bar Chart >> pick More Column Charts.

Consequently, the Insert Chart window appears. Pick Radar from the All Charts tab.
At last, hit OK.

Finally, a wind rose with the corresponding data has been created, as shown in the image below. You can customize it through the Chart Design as your preference.

Practice Section

We have provided a practice section on each sheet on the right side for your practice. Please do it by yourself.

Download Practice Workbook

Download the following practice workbook. It will help you to realize the topic more clearly.

Creating Wind Rose.xlsx

Conclusion

That’s all about today’s session. And these are some easy methods to make a wind rose in Excel. Please let us know in the comments section if you have any questions or suggestions. For a better understanding please download the practice sheet.

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