Creating a pie chart in pie chart excel combination—officially known as a "Pie of Pie" or "Bar of Pie" chart—is one of the most practical tricks for anyone working with data that includes many small categories or significant outliers. In Excel, this chart type allows you to split a main pie chart into secondary segments, ensuring that tiny slices don’t become invisible or clutter the visual. Now, by grouping less significant values into a secondary "pie" or "bar," you maintain clarity while preserving the overall distribution of your data. This technique is especially useful in business reports, academic presentations, and dashboard designs where space is limited and readability matters.
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Step‑by‑Step Guide to Building a “Pie of Pie” or “Bar of Pie” Chart
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Prepare Your Data
Organize the values in a two‑column table: the first column should contain the category names, the second column the corresponding numbers. Make sure the numbers are numeric (not stored as text) so that Excel can aggregate them correctly. -
Insert the Base Pie Chart
Highlight the entire table and go to Insert → Pie → 2‑D Pie. Excel creates a basic pie that reflects the full distribution of your data Small thing, real impact.. -
Select the Chart and Open the “Split” Options
Click the pie, then under Chart Design → Move Chart choose “Chart” to keep it on the same sheet (or “New Worksheet” if you prefer a dedicated view). With the chart selected, go to Chart Elements (+) → More Options and tick Secondary Axis only if you plan to use the “Bar of Pie” variant; otherwise leave it unchecked. -
Access the “Split” Feature
Right‑click the pie and choose “Split Pie” (for the “Pie of Pie”) or “Change Chart Type” → “Bar of Pie” (for the bar version). A dialog appears asking how many smallest slices you want to move to the secondary chart. -
Define the Threshold
Decide on a practical cutoff—commonly the bottom 5‑10 % of values or any slice below a specific numeric threshold. Enter that number in the dialog and click OK. Excel automatically extracts the selected slices, creates a smaller pie (or a clustered bar chart) that sits next to the main pie, and links the two charts so that any updates to the source data propagate instantly. -
Fine‑Tune the Layout
- Positioning: Drag the secondary chart so that it aligns neatly beside the primary pie, or place it below if space is limited.
- Size: Resize both charts to maintain visual balance; a common practice is to keep the secondary chart about one‑third the width of the primary.
- Labels: Use Chart Elements → Data Labels to show percentages on the main pie and raw values (or percentages) on the secondary chart. Avoid clutter by displaying only the most critical information.
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Apply Consistent Formatting
- Colors: Assign a distinct palette to each chart or use the same colors for corresponding categories across both charts to reinforce the relationship.
- Border & Shadow: Light borders and subtle shadows can separate the two visuals without adding visual noise.
- Title & Caption: Add a concise title such as “Revenue Distribution – Main vs. Minor Segments” and a brief caption explaining the purpose of the split.
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Validate the Result
Verify that the sum of the main pie and the secondary pie (or bars) equals the original total. Hover over each slice to confirm that the displayed numbers make sense. If any discrepancies appear, revisit the source data to ensure there are no hidden spaces or formatting issues Most people skip this — try not to. Simple as that..
When to Use This Technique
- Sparse Categories: When a few categories account for the majority of the total while many others contribute negligible amounts.
- Outlier Emphasis: When a single outlier dominates the dataset and you want to showcase the remaining portions without distortion.
- Space‑Constrained Reports: In dashboards where a full‑size pie would overwhelm the layout, the split view delivers the same information in a compact form.
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
| Pitfall | Why It Happens | Remedy |
|---|---|---|
| Too many slices in the secondary chart | Selecting a low threshold can fragment the data, making the secondary chart unreadable. Here's the thing — | Keep the secondary chart’s axis consistent (use a fixed scale) or avoid 3‑D effects that exaggerate size differences. |
| Inconsistent colors | Different colors for similar categories confuse the audience. | Show only percentages on the main pie and raw counts on the secondary chart, or use call‑outs for key segments. |
| Misleading proportions | The secondary chart’s scale may differ, causing visual distortion. | |
| Cluttered labels | Overlapping labels can obscure important data. | Use a unified color scheme or assign the same hue to matching categories across both charts. |
Counterintuitive, but true.
Best Practices for Presentation
- Narrate the Chart: Accompany the visual with a short verbal or textual explanation that highlights why the split is necessary.
- Maintain Simplicity: Resist the urge to add excessive decorative elements; clarity trumps aesthetics in data communication.
- Update Regularly: Because the chart links to the source data, any change in the underlying numbers will refresh the
