A multi-level pie chart is an efficient tool for visualizing and comparing data with each other at different levels. If you are curious to learn about this type of chart, this article may come in handy for you. In this article, we are going to show how you can make a multi-level pie chart in Excel with elaborate explanations.
Step-by-Step Procedure to Make a Multi-Level Pie Chart in Excel
In the below article, we made a multilevel pie chart in Excel with step-by-step explanations. Not only that, we also formatted the style of the chart to make it more understandable.
Step 1: Prepare Dataset
Before we delve into creating the pie chart, we need to collect and organize the information that we are going to plot in the chart. Here we have information about the student’s marks in different subjects. This information is going to be plotted in different layers where each layer denotes each subject.
Step 2: Create Doughnut Chart
After we have collected and organized the information, we can create a pie chart.
- To begin with, we need to select the dataset, and then from the Insert tab, click on the Insert Pie or Doughnut Chart. Then from the dropdown menu, click on the Doughnut chart option.
- Right after clicking the Doughnut chart option, you will notice that there is a doughnut chart with multiple layers presented now.
- This chart needs some modifications as it is too vague to understand appropriately right now.
Read More: How to Make Multiple Pie Charts from One Table
Step 3: Place Legends on Right Side
In the beginning, we need to put the legends on the right side of the chart. Right now, the legends are set at the bottom of the chart plot area, which is not a very suitable place.
- Click on the Plus Icon on the right side of the chart.
- And from there, click on Legend > Right.
- After this, the legends will shift to the right side of the chart.
Read More: How to Make Pie of Pie Chart in Excel
Step 4: Set Doughnut Hole Size to Zero
To modify the chart further, we first reduce the chart’s circle size to zero, in that way the doughnut chart would convert to a Pie chart.
- Select the innermost circle of the chart, and right-click on it.
- Then from the context menu, click on the Format Data Series.
- Then on the side panel named the Format Data Series, go to the Series Options.
- Then from the Series Options, notice the Doughnut Hole Size.
- The Doughnut Hole Size is now set to 75%.
- We need to make it to 0%.
- Drag the slide until the percentage is shown as 0 percent or select the box and type 0%.
- Right after setting the Percentage to 0, the doughnut chart middle circle will be zero.
- And the doughnut will start looking like a pie chart with multiple layers.
- Where the middle layer now shows the number distribution of students in the Math subject.
- And middle layer shows the number distribution of students in English subjects.
- And the outer layer shows the number distribution of students in the Social Science subject.
- But it still missing the data labels.
Read More: How to Create a 3D Pie Chart in Excel
Step 5: Add Data Labels and Format Them
Adding data labels can help us analyze the information precisely.
- Right-click on the outermost level on the chart and then right-click on the chart.
- Then from the context menu, click on the Add Data Labels.
- After clicking on the Add Data Labels, the data labels will show accordingly.
- Right-click on the middle level on the chart and then right-click on the chart.
- Then from the context menu, click on the Add Data Labels.
- After clicking on the Add Data Labels, the data labels will show accordingly.
- Right-click on the central level on the chart and then right-click on the chart.
- Then from the context menu, click on the Add Data Labels.
- After clicking on the Add Data Labels, the data labels will show accordingly.
- After adding all the data labels and setting the chart title, the chart will look like this.
- But still, the fonts are not looking as clear as they are supposed to be.
- To make them visible and clear enough, select the data labels of the first row and right-click on them.
- Then in the context menu, click on the Font.
- In the Font dialog box, click on the Font style box and set the Font style to Bold.
- And set the Font Size to 11.
- Click OK after this.
- Again select the outermost levels data label and right-click on it. Then from the context menu, click on the Change Data Label Shapes.
- Then from the shapes select the Rectangular with a Rounded Corner.
- After selecting the shape, you will notice that there is a shape with white filler.
- Repeat the same process for the rest of the data labels.
- The chart will look like this.
Read More: How to Make a Gender Pie Chart in Excel
Step 6: Finalize Multi-Level Pie Chart
To easily identify which data level belongs to which subject, we can add text boxes.
- From the Insert tab, click on the Shapes, then from the dropdown menu.
- Then draw the text boxes on the chart area.
- In the text box, enter the name of the lowest level of the chart, which is the Math Subject.
- Then add an arrow line and connect it with the text box and the Math circle level.
- Repeat the same process for the rest of the layers.
- The final output will look something like the below image.
Read More: How to Create & Customize Bar of Pie Chart in Excel
💬 Things to Remember
✐ The order of the chart levels depends on the table header serial. Place them accordingly.
✐ Resizing or moving the charts can make the text boxes move away and misplace them. So, add text boxes as the final steps.
Download Practice Workbook
Conclusion
Here, we made a multi-level pie chart in Excel with detailed explanations in step-by-step instructions.
For this problem, a workbook is available for download where you can practice these methods.
Feel free to ask any questions or feedback through the comment section. Any suggestion for the betterment of the Exceldemy community will be highly appreciable.
