Pie Chart
A Pie Chart is a circular chart that is divided into wedges of different sizes, much like
a pie. Each wedge stands for a different item and its size represents a certain percentage
of the whole.
Typical Uses
Pie Charts make a simplistic visual when trying to see at first glance how something has been
divided up, such as company spending, consumer feedback, or employment and hiring.
Best Practices
- Identify a purpose. Decide what topic will be illustrated using the pie chart. The main topic should be written as a short title at the top of the page.
- Determine the pieces. Divide the topic into the subcategories that will make up the slices of the pie.
- Determine percentages. Determine the percentage of the whole that each item holds. Make a piece of the circle that represents that percentage and label the piece with its percentage and category. Do this for each of the categories. If a wedge is too small to hold text, draw a line from the wedge area to a blank space on the page and write the label there. This step can be made quick and easy using the Pie Chart template offered by SmartDraw.
- Make a key. If there are many different pieces on the pie such that labeling each of them would cause the chart to be overcrowded, create a key off to the side and use colors to identify between different pieces. Write what each color represents inside the key.
- Verify accuracy. Consult with coworkers or team members to ensure that the diagram is accurate before presenting it.