How to Make Pie Chart in Excel with Subcategories (with Easy Steps)

Suppose you have sales data categorized by different product types. However, you want to see how individual subcategories contribute to the total sales within each category. In this case, a Pie Chart with subcategories will be helpful.
In this article, we will walk you through a step-by-step procedure to make a Pie Chart with subcategories in Excel. You will also learn about creating a Pie to Pie and Bar to Pie charts.
So let’s get started.

How to Make Pie Chart in Excel with Subcategories: with Easy Steps

Step 1: Build Dataset to Draw a Pie Chart with Sub-categories

To demonstrate, we will consider sales data.

First, create three columns named Main Category, Subcategory and Sales >> input desired values within mentioned columns.

Step 2: Calculate Unique Main Categories and Sum Values

Choose cell B13 >> insert the following formula >> hit Enter.

Next, select cell C13 >> apply the formula below >> drag the Fill Handle icon to C15.

Step 3: Draw a Typical Pie Chart Using Main Categories and Sum Values

At this point, select range B13:C15 >> go to Insert >> expand Insert Pie >> click on Pie.

Due to this, we will see a Pie Chart like the following one.

Click on Chart Area >> then click on Chart Elements (Plus Icon) >> check Data Labels and Legend >> click on Outside End followed by Data Callout.

Step 4: Insert Another Pie Chart Using Subcategories and Sales

At this point, choose range B4:D10 >> go to Insert >> expand Insert Pie >> click on Pie.

Due to this, we will see another pie chart like the following one.

Click on Chart Styles >> go to Color >> choose Monochromatic Palette 13.

Next, click on Chart Elements >> check Data Labels and Lagend >> expand Legend >> choose Right.

Currently, right-click on Chart Area to show the context menu >> click on Format Chart Area.

Due to this, the Format Chart Area pane will open.

Click on Fill & Line >> expand Fill >> check No Fill.

Step 5: Create a Pie Chart with Subcategories by Combining Two Charts

In this context, we will combine two previously created charts to form a Pie Chart with subcategories.

To begin, drag the Subcategory chart and place it over the Main Category chart.

Now, keep the Subcategory chart being selected >> click on Fill & Line >> expand Border >> check No Line.

Select both charts >> right-click on any Chart Area >> expand Group >> click on Group.

Thus, we have made a Pie Chart with Subcategories.

2 Suitable Examples of Making Advanced Excel Pie Chart from Subcategories Columns

The following table has the Month and Profit columns. We are considering these columns as the subcategories columns. We are not mentioning any main category here. Using this table, we will make an advanced Pie chart in Excel. Here, we will go through 2 methods to do the task. In this article, we used Excel 365. You can use any available Excel version.

1. Using Pie of Pie Chart Feature to Make Pie Chart from Subcategories Columns

In this method, we will use the Pie of Pie chart to make a Pie chart in Excel from subcategories columns.

Step-1: Inserting a Pie of Pie Chart

In this step, we will insert a Pie of Pie chart.

• First of all, select the entire data table.
• After that, we will go to the Insert tab.
• Next from Insert Pie or Doughnut Chart >> select Pie of Pie chart.

Next, you can see the Pie of Pie chart.

Step-2: Adding Data Labels to Pie of Pie Chart

In this step, we will add Category Name and Value to the Pie of Pie chart.

• In the beginning, we will click on the chart.
• Furthermore, we will click on Chart Elements, which is a Plus sign situated at the top-right corner of the chart.
• Afterward, from the Chart Elements >> click on Data Labels.

Therefore, you can see the Values in the Pie chart.

Next, we will add Category Name to the Pie of Pie chart.

• To do so, we will click on the chart.
• Moreover, from Chart Elements >> click on the rightward arrow of the Data Labels.
• At this point, select More Options.

A Format Data Labels dialog box will appear on the left side of the Excel sheet.

• Next, we will click on the Category Name under the Label Options.

As a result, you can see a Pie of Pie chart with both the Values and Category Name.

Read More: How to Make Two Pie Charts with One Legend in Excel

Step-3: Adding More Value in Second Plot

Here, the Above created Pie of Pie chart has more values in the first plot than in the second plot. Therefore, to make the chart more visible and presentable, we will add more value to the second plot.

• First of all, we will right-click on the first plot of the Pie chart.
• After that, select the Format Data Series option from the Context Menu.

Next, a Format Data Series dialog box will appear.

• Afterward, from the Series Options >> set Values in second plot to 4.

Here, you can set the Values in second plot according to your choices.

Hence, you can see that 4 slices are now present in the second plot of the Pie chart. As a result, the chart has become more visible.

Read More: How to Create a Pie Chart in Excel from Pivot Table

Step-4: Formatting Pie of Pie Chart

In this step, we will format the Pie of Pie chart.

• First, we will click on the first plot of the Pie chart, and then we will click on the slice we want to format.
• After that, we will go to the Format tab.
• Next, form the Shape Style group >> select the Shape Fill option.
• Moreover, we will select a color for our selected slice.
• In the same way, we select some other slices of the first and second plots of the Pie of Pie chart, and we format those slices with a color according to our choices.

Finally, we can see the Pie chart in Excel with subcategories.

Read More: How to Make Pie Chart with Breakout in Excel

2. Use of Bar of Pie Chart to Make Pie Chart from Subcategories Columns

In this method, we will use the Bar of Pie chart to make a Pie chart in Excel from subcategories columns.

Steps:

• First of all, select the entire data table.
• After that, we will go to the Insert tab.
• Next from Insert Pie or Doughnut Chart >> select Bar of Pie chart.

Next, you can see the Bar of Pie chart.

• After that, we add Data Labels to the Bar of Pie chart by following Step-2 of Method-1.
• Next, we add More Values to the Second plot of the Pie chart by following the Step-3 of Method-1.
• Along with that, we format the Bar of Pie chart by following the Step-4 of Method-1.

As a result, we can see the Pie chart in Excel with subcategories.

Read More: How to Make a Pie Chart with Multiple Data in Excel

Multi Layering in Pie Chart

Multi-layer Pie charts are a cycle of centered circles. In this Pie chart, each item’s size reflects its donation to the interior core group. The chart begins with one or two objects at the center of the circle. A cycle of circles is set around the central circle so that the breakdown of that object can be seen properly. The Multilayer Pie Chart effectively presents the values of a ranking structure.

Here, we will use the following dataset for multilayering in a Pie chart.

Step-1: Inserting a Pie Chart

In this step, we will insert a Pie chart to make a multi layer Pie chart.

• First of all, select the entire data table.
• After that, we will go to the Insert tab.
• Next from Insert Pie or Doughnut Chart >> select Doughnut chart.

• After that, you can see the Doughnut chart.

Next, we will add a Chart Title to the Doughnut chart.

• To do so, we will click on the Chart Title and edit the Chart Title.

Step-2: Setting Doughnut Hole Size to 0%

In this step, we will make the doughnut hole size to 0%. Therefore, the chart will become a multi-layer Pie chart.

• First of all, we will right-click on the first circle of the Doughnut chart.
• After that, select Format Data Series from the Context Menu.

A Format Data Series dialog box will appear.

• At this point, from the Series Options >> set Doughnut Hole Size to 0%.

Hence, you can see a Multilayer Pie Chart.

Step-3: Highlighting Border

In this step, we will highlight the Border of the multilayer Pie chart.

• First, we will click on the middle slices of the first circle of the Pie chart.
• Then, select Format Data Series from the Context Menu.

A Format Data Series dialog box will appear.

• Next, from the Fill & Line group >> select Border.
• Afterward, click on the drop-down arrow of the color box >> select a color for the Border.

Here, we selected Black as the Border color. You can select any color according to your choices.

• In the same way, we selected the Second and Third circles and set a Border color of Black for their slices as well.

As a result, you can see the multilayer Pie chart with a Black border.

Step-4: Adding Category Name in Multilayer Pie Chart

In this step, we will add the Category Name to our Pie chart.

• In the beginning, we will click on the chart.
• Moreover, from Chart Elements >> click on the rightward arrow of the Data Labels.
• At this point, select More Options.

A Format Data Labels dialog box will appear on the left side of the Excel sheet.

• Next, we will click on the Category Name under the Label Options.
• Along with that, we unselected the Values, as we only want to see the Category Name.

Hence, we can see the Category Name in the multilayer Pie Chart.

Step-5: Formatting Multilayer Pie Chart

In this step, we will format the multilayer Pie chart to make it more presentable.

• First, we will click on the chart >> and then click on the slice we want to format.
• After that, we will go to the Format tab.
• Next, form the Shape Style group >> select the Shape Fill option.
• Moreover, we will select a color for our selected slice.
• In the same way, we select other slices of the first, second, and 3rd circles. And we add the same color to a subcategory and their product so that the chart looks more understandable.

Finally, we can see the Multilayer Pie Chart.

Read More: How to Make a Pie Chart in Excel without Numbers

Practice Section

You can download the above Excel file to practice the explained methods.

Download Practice Workbook

Conclusion

Here, we tried to show you a step-by-step procedure to make pie chart in Excel with subcategories. Thank you for reading this article, we hope this was helpful. If you have any queries or suggestions, please let us know in the comment section below. Please visit our website Exceldemy to explore more.

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