Pie charts are one of the most popular and versatile types of charts, and they can be used to represent a wide variety of data. If you're using PowerPoint to create your presentations, you'll be happy to know that it's very easy to make a pie chart. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps involved in creating a pie chart in PowerPoint, from start to finish. We'll also cover some tips and tricks for making your pie charts look their best.
Part 1: Benefits of Using Pie Charts in PowerPoint
Pie charts are a popular type of data visualization that can be used to represent a wide variety of data. They are especially well-suited for showing how different parts of a whole relate to each other.
Simplicity and Clarity: Pie charts are visually simple and easy to understand. They provide a clear representation of data, making it ideal for conveying key points in presentations.
Data Comparison: Pie charts excel in showcasing the proportional distribution of data categories. Audiences can quickly grasp the relative sizes of each segment, making comparisons intuitive.
Emphasis on Key Data: You can use pie charts to emphasize specific data points or categories, making it an effective tool for highlighting critical information in your presentations.
Visual Appeal: The circular shape of pie charts adds visual appeal to your slides, making them more engaging and memorable.
Easily Customizable: PowerPoint allows you to customize pie charts with different colors, labels, and 3D effects, enhancing their aesthetic and informational value.
My experience using pie charts in PowerPoint
I have used pie charts in PowerPoint many times to present data to a variety of audiences, including clients, colleagues, and students.
One of the things I like most about using pie charts is that they are so easy to understand. Even people who are not familiar with data visualization can quickly grasp the main message of a pie chart. This is because pie charts are very intuitive and visual.
Part2: How to Make a Pie Chart in PowerPoint
Please follow these steps:
Step 1: Open PowerPoint:
Step 2: Insert a New Slide:
Click on "New Slide" to create a new slide where your pie chart will be inserted.
Step 3: Insert a Pie Chart:
In the "Insert" tab, select "Chart" from the Illustrations group. Choose "Pie" from the Chart types.
Step 4: Enter Data:
A spreadsheet will appear. Enter your data into this spreadsheet. The categories will be the labels of your pie chart, and the values will determine the size of each slice.
Step 5: Customize Your Chart:
After entering your data, PowerPoint will generate a basic pie chart. You can further customize it by clicking on various chart elements (slices, labels) and formatting them using the options in the ribbon.
Step 6: Finalize and Save:
Once you are satisfied with your pie chart, you can finalize your slide and save your presentation.
My experience making pie charts in PowerPoint
I have found that making pie charts in PowerPoint is very easy. The steps involved are simple and straightforward. I also like the fact that PowerPoint offers a variety of formatting options for pie charts. This allows me to customize the appearance of my pie charts to match the overall style of my presentation.
Part3: How to Change Style of a Pie Chart in PowerPoint
Styles of Pie Charts in PowerPoint:
2-D pie charts: These are the most common types of pie charts. They show the relationship between different categories of data in a circular format.
3-D pie charts: These pie charts are similar to 2-D pie charts, but they have a three-dimensional effect. This can make them more visually appealing, but it can also make them more difficult to read.
Pie of pie charts: This type of pie chart shows a smaller pie chart within a larger pie chart. This can be useful for showing how different parts of a whole relate to each other at different levels.
Bar of pie charts: This type of pie chart shows a bar chart next to a pie chart. This can be useful for comparing the data in the pie chart to other data.
Doughnut charts: Doughnut charts are similar to pie charts, but they have a hole in the middle. This can be useful for showing how different parts of a whole relate to each other when the whole does not represent 100%.
How to Change the Style of a Pie Chart in PowerPoint:
Step 1: Select Your Pie Chart:
Click on your existing pie chart in the PowerPoint slide to select it.
Step 2: Chart Tools Format Tab:
The "Chart Tools" tab will appear on the ribbon when the chart is selected.
Click on the "Design" tab under "Chart Tools."
Step 3: Change Chart Style:
Look for the "Chart Styles" section. Here, you can choose different predefined styles, such as 3D, exploded, or various color schemes.
Once you are satisfied with the style changes, your pie chart will be updated accordingly.
Part4: Tips to Make Your Pie Charts Standing Out
Here are some useful tips for making good pie charts in PowerPoint:
Use the right type of pie chart. There are several different types of pie charts, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Choose the type of pie chart that is best suited for your data and your audience.
Keep it simple. Pie charts are best suited for displaying a small number of data points. If you have a lot of data, it is better to use a different type of chart, such as a bar chart or a line chart.
Use clear and concise labels. The labels on your pie chart should be clear and easy to read. Avoid using jargon or technical terms that your audience may not understand.
Use contrasting colors. The colors of your pie chart should be contrasting enough so that the slices are easy to distinguish from each other. Avoid using too many colors, as this can make your chart difficult to read.
Highlight the most important data points. If you have a few data points that are more important than the others, you can highlight them by using a different color or a larger font size.
Use a title and legend. Your pie chart should have a title that clearly explains what the chart is showing. You should also include a legend that identifies the different data points.
Part5: Free Alternatives for Microsoft PowerPoint - WPS Presentation
WPS Office Presentation, part of the WPS Office suite, is a powerful and free alternative to Microsoft PowerPoint. It offers a range of features and benefits, especially when compared to older versions of MS Office:
● Free download and free to use Word, Excel, and PPT: WPS Office is completely free to use, with no hidden fees or subscriptions.
● Powerful PDF toolkit: WPS Office includes a powerful PDF toolkit that allows users to create, edit, and convert PDF files.
●Rich template store: WPS Office has a rich template store with over 10,000 templates to choose from, including a variety of scheduling templates.
● Rich functions: WPS Office offers a wide range of features and functions, including the ability to collaborate with others online and to create and edit documents on the go.
● Light weight: WPS Office is a lightweight application that takes up very little space on your computer.
● Support online documents: WPS Office allows users to save and access documents online, making it easy to collaborate with others and to access your files from anywhere.
● Safe and stable: WPS Office is a safe and stable application that has been used by millions of people around the world.
How to Make a Pie Chart in WPS Presentation
Creating a pie chart in WPS Presentation is straightforward. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Open WPS Presentation
Step 2: Insert a New Slide
Step 3: Insert a Pie Chart:
Click on the "Insert" tab in the toolbar. Select "Chart" from the dropdown menu.
Choose "Pie" from the list of chart types.
Step 4: Enter Data:
In the “ChartTools” tab, choose “Edit Data”. A spreadsheet will appear. Input your data into this spreadsheet, where categories and values determine the pie chart's segments.
Step 5: Customize Your Pie Chart:
After entering your data, WPS Presentation will generate a basic pie chart. You can further customize it by adjusting colors, labels, and other formatting options.
Once satisfied with your pie chart, complete your presentation and save your work.
Multiple Templates in WPS Presentation:
WPS Presentation offers a wide range of templates, including those for pie charts. These templates cater to various presentation themes, styles, and content types. You can find templates for business presentations, educational slideshows, and more. To access and use templates:
Step 1: Open WPS Presentation:
Step 2: Choose a Template:
When you start a new presentation, you can select a template from the available options, or you can browse the template library for more choices.
Step 3: Customize Your Template:
Once you've chosen a template, you can customize it to suit your specific presentation needs.
How to Download WPS Office
You feel WPS Office is the best choice for you and want to download? Don’t worry, below is step by step how to download WPS Office:
Step 1: Visit the WPS Office website: wps.com.
Step 2: Click “ Free Download” button
Step 3: Select the place you want to save WPS Office -> Save
Step 4: Double click on the WPS Office file in your Download file, click “Run” and follow the on-screen instructions to install
Step 5: After complete, you can enjoy all the power of WPS Office
FAQs about how to make a pie chart in powerpoint
Why can't I edit a chart in PowerPoint?
There are three main reasons why you can't edit a chart in PowerPoint:
The chart is linked to an external data source.
The chart is a pasted image.
The chart is protected.
If you are unsure why you can't edit a chart, you can try unprotecting the chart or opening the external data source. If you are still having trouble, you can try recreating the chart in PowerPoint.
How do I save a chart as a template in PowerPoint?
To save a chart as a template in PowerPoint:
Open the presentation with the chart you want to save.
Click the chart to select it.
Click the Chart Tools Design tab.
In the Save as Template group, click Save as Template.
Enter a name for your template and click Save.
Your chart template will be saved in the My Templates folder. You can then use this template to create new charts in PowerPoint.
Summary
The article "How to Make A Pie Chart in PowerPoint [A Complete Guide]" offers comprehensive guidance on creating pie charts in PowerPoint. It highlights the user-friendly nature of Microsoft PowerPoint for chart creation and customization. It also introduces WPS Office as a powerful and free alternative to PowerPoint, emphasizing its compatibility with low-configuration computers, free usage, and wide range of templates, making it an attractive choice for creating visually appealing presentations.
