How to Make a Pie Chart in Excel with Non-Adjacent Ranges: A Step-by-Step Guide

Pie charts are one of the most widely used and effective ways to visualize data, but they can be limiting when it comes to showing non-adjacent ranges or complex relationships between different values. In this article, we will explore how to create a pie chart in Excel with non-adjacent ranges using waterfall charts.

Waterfall charts are particularly useful for displaying the cumulative total of a series of positive and negative values over time. They show the difference between each data point and the previous one, allowing you to visualize the changes between different points in time. This can be especially helpful when tracking things like sales, inventory levels, or cash flow.

To create a waterfall chart in Excel, start by selecting the cells that contain your data. Make sure that the data is organized with the dates in one column and the corresponding values in another. You should also ensure that the values are listed in chronological order.

Next, go to the 'Insert' tab on the ribbon and click on the 'Waterfall Chart' button. This will open up a new window where you can customize your chart. In the 'Chart Type' section, select the 'Waterfall' option.

In the 'Data Range' section, select the range of cells that contain your data. Make sure to include both the dates and values in this range. You can also choose to group your data by date or category if you want to see the changes over a specific period or for a particular group.

Once you have selected your data range, click on the 'OK' button to create your chart. Excel will automatically generate a waterfall chart based on your data.

Tips and Tricks:

* To add more detail to your chart, you can use different colors or fill patterns to distinguish between positive and negative values.

* You can also customize the appearance of your chart by adding titles, labels, and legends.

* If you want to compare multiple series of data, you can create a stacked waterfall chart by selecting multiple data ranges in the 'Data Range' section.

Waterfall charts are a powerful tool for visualizing non-adjacent ranges or complex relationships between different values. By following these steps, you can easily create a pie chart in Excel with non-adjacent ranges using waterfall charts. Whether you're tracking sales, inventory levels, or cash flow, a waterfall chart can help you better understand the changes over time and make more informed decisions.

With the ability to display both positive and negative values, waterfall charts are particularly useful for showing the cumulative total of a series of transactions. They also offer a clear and easy-to-understand visual representation of the data, making them an ideal choice for presentations or reports.

How to make a pie chart in excel with non adjacent ranges