Excel 3-D Pie charts

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Pie charts are often used to present various kinds of data. You can create a pie chart in Excel that looks like the ones in popular glossy magazines. In addition, using 3D effects, you can display even not very presentable data colorfully and profitably.

For example, you can create a pie chart that shows some company (in this example - Company B) in the greatest positive light:

Pie Chart in Excel 365

To create a chart like the one above, do the following:

Create a 3D pie chart

   1.   Select the data range.

In this example, B3:C8:

Data for Pie Chart in Excel 365

   2.   On the Insert tab, in the Charts group, click the Insert Pie or Doughnut Chart button:

Pie Chart in Excel 365

From the Insert Pie or Doughnut Chart dropdown list, choose the 3-D Pie chart:

3D Pie chart in Excel 365

Excel creates a simple 3D pie chart:

The simple pie chart in Excel 365

Format the chart

Add and format data labels

   3.   Right-click on the chart area, then select Add Data Labels and click Add Data Labels in the popup menu:

Add Data Label in Excel 365

   4.   Click on one of the labels to select all of them, then right-click on the selection and choose Format Data Labels... in the popup menu:

Format Data Labels in popup menu Excel 365

   5.   On the Format Data Labels pane, on the Label Options tab, in the Label Options section:

  • Under Label Contains:
    • Select the Category Name checkbox:
      Labels Options in Format Labels Excel 365
    • Optionally, select the Value checkbox and choose the appropriate separator:
      Separator for chart Labels in Excel 365
    • Unselect all other checkboxes.
  • Under Label Position, select the one you prefer.

    For example, Inside End:

    Chart Label Position in Excel 365

Rotate the chart

   6.   Right-click on the data series and select Format Data Series... in the popup menu:

Format data series in popup menu Excel 365

   7.   On the Format Data Series pane:

  • On the Series Options tab, in the Series Options section:
    • Under Angle of first slice, move the sliding handle to the rotation degree that you want, or type, or select a number between 0 and 360 degrees in the appropriate field. The default setting is 0 degrees.
    • Under Pie Explosion, move the sliding handle to the percentage of the explosion that you want, or type, or select a percentage between 0 and 400 in the appropriate field. The default setting is 0%.
    Format Data Series in Excel 365
  • On the Effects tab, in the 3-D Format group, make the changes you want.

    For example, in the 3-D Format section, from the Top bevel list, select the Round type:

    3-D Format pie chart in Excel 365

The more important pie slice will look more presentable:

3-D formatted pie chart in Excel 365

Add a perspective

   8.   Right-click on the plot area and select 3-D Rotation... in the popup menu:

3D Rotation in popup menu Excel 365

   9.   On the Format Plot Area pane, on the Effects tab, in the 3-D Rotation section, choose the appropriate value for the Perspective field.

For this example, 30o:

Perspective for pie chart in Excel 365

You can then make any other adjustments to get the look you desire.

See also this tip in French: Graphiques à secteurs 3-D.

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