This tutorial will show you how to create a radial bar chart in Excel using stunning visualization to compare sales performance.
Good to know that a radial bar chart is one of the best solutions to create impressive infographic-style dashboard templates. Data visualization is king!
First, let’s see a short introduction! After this, we’ll take you through the process of creating the chart step by step. Finally, we’ll show you the VBA-based solution.
At some places, they call it a multilayered doughnut chart because of its layout, but it is better to call it appropriately by its usual name because its origin is from the bar charts. It can help you get a better perspective on the numbers in your data, whether it relates to sales comparison, production, demographics, and many more.
Radial Bar Chart: Differences between Cartesian and Polar coordinate systems
The radial bar chart evolved from the classical bar chart. All the difference between them is that one of them uses polar and the other Cartesian coordinate systems.
Let’s see the comparison with the help of a simple figure. On the left-hand side, we can see the info-graphics-style graph and, on the other hand, the classical bar chart.
Even if you are not familiar with data visualization, you can easily decide that the bar chart is very easily understandable at first glance. But the radial bar chart represents a much higher level in visualization (it is a lot more spectacular).
What is the reason behind all this, and when is it more useful to apply one solution?
As we have said before, the radial bar chart is a tool capable of higher-value data visualization. The problem is that our eyes are used to boring, ordinary charts and may misinterpret their meaning. Every column (bar) closes at a different angle, so the differences look relatively larger / smaller. This is most true about the outer rings.
Finally, we can come to the following conclusion:
Use a bar chart if the goal is to create an old-school report. But if our object is to build an impressive presentation, we can bravely choose the new generation of data visualization. If you follow this subject closely, you indeed have seen that, for example, Tableau can create the chart in question. The time has come finally to enable Excel for this task.
How to create a radial bar chart in Excel?
Steps to create the base chart
This detailed tutorial will show you how to create a radial bar chart to measure sales performance. This unique Excel graph is useful for sales presentations and reports. First, let us see the initial data set! Then, we’ll compare five products.
Step 1: Check this range below! You can include the Product Name and Sales fields. The first field is placed in column ‘B’. The second field is in column ‘C’. We’ll build a colorful radial bar chart in Excel using this data set.
Step 2: We’ll insert a helper column using column D. Enter the formula “=MAX(C12:C16)*1.30” on cell D11.
Step 3: Add the formula “=$D$11-C12” to cell D12 and fill down the formula using the range “D12:D16”
Step 4: Select the range “B11:D16”. Then, go to Ribbon and Insert tab, Chart, and Insert a Doughnut Chart.
Step 5: Click on the inserted chart. Select the chart area. Right-click on the chart, finally click on “select data”. A new popup window will be opened.
Step 6: Click on the Switch Row/Column button.
Step 7: Now, right-click on the doughnut and click on Format Data Series. Choose the donut hole size slider and set it to 25%.
Step 8: The most important step! Select the outer ring. Use the right-side pane and fill the orange area as No fill. Repeat these steps for the inner slices too.
Step 9: Select the first blue slice and fill it in as your favorite color. We strongly recommend using divergent color schemes. You can create stunning schemes using ColorBrewer.
Prepare the labels for the radial bar chart
First, create a helper column for the data labels on column E. Then enter the formula =B12&” (“&C12&”)” on cell E12. You can use the CONCATENATE function also. Finally, fill down the formula for “E12:E16”.
Go to the Ribbon, click on the Insert tab. Insert a Text box.
Now we’ll create a linked cell to the Text box. First, select the inserted text box. Next, jump to the formula bar and type: “=$E$12”.
Insert the four more textboxes and link with cells D13, D14, D15, and D16.
Format the labels together to create Groups
Hold Ctrl and select the five text boxes. Right-click, then choose Group from the list. You can apply various formatting methods. First, use No fill to create a transparent background for text boxes. Next, remove the border and select your favorite font.
Our radial bar chart is ready to use! Download the chart!
Radial bar chart add-in for Excel
As you can see, it is not rocket science to create such a visualization in Excel. It needs manual work, but it’s manageable with some time spent. But what if we need to make ten, twenty, or even more charts in a short time?
Excel doesn’t contain this type of chart as a default. Fortunately, there’s an automated solution for this problem (also).
UDT is a professional data visualization and chart add-in for Excel that contains many special chart functions.
Altogether, in two steps (in a mare of seconds), you can create spectacular presentations. The dynamical radial bar chart is ready after giving the initial data sets with only one click. I think we don’t need to explain how much easier this makes the life of those involved in infographics daily.
The add-in is very easy to use, and best of all, you don’t have to go outside Excel to get these done. The workflow is easy and allows you more productivity. You can focus on your primary business goals!
Final thoughts
The “relationship” between Excel and the radial bar chart didn’t start easy because we had to fill a missing function. For example, if we meet a sales comparison type of tasks, we strongly recommend its use.
We recommend using VBA to create unique charts if you are a developer. But then, virtually, you can automate EVERYTHING with its help that has anything to do with Microsoft Office. Let it be Excel, Word, or even PowerPoint.
Soon we’ll continue our series where we’ll create never before published tutorials for your benefit.
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