Comparing data is an important part of maintaining good records and presenting business or budget plans and statistical information. When you need to show the individual parts of a whole, whether it is a budget or a group of statistics, a pie chart may be the best visual representation. Pie charts show segments of data that create a whole circle (or pie). Each section of the data in a pie chart is easily compared to both the other sections and to the whole by percentages and ratios.
Enter the names for each item of data (i.e. groceries, gas, electric bill, etc...) that makes up the whole. Type the names into one column, placing one name in the first cell of each row.
Open the spreadsheet program on your computer, and click on the word "File" at the top of the page. Next, click on the word "New" from the drop-down menu that appears. A spreadsheet will open up with several small boxes, called "cells."
Type the quantity of each item under "Number of" in the cell directly to the right of the name. The number will be the data that you have collected. It is the actual number for the parts that total the whole. Using the above example, groceries would be in the first column, and directly next to the word would be $50 (the amount spent on groceries), entered in the cell to the right.
Gather your data and write down all of the information that you want to include in the chart or graph. The information needs to be in the form of parts that make up a whole. For example, the whole might be $100.00, and the parts may represent the items purchased with that amount and their respective cost.
Click the word "Insert" at the top of the page, and select the word "Chart." A box will appear with choices for your chart style and type. Choose "Pie chart" from the standard list of chart types, and then click "Next."
Hover your cursor over the last cell of the last column, and click and hold the left mouse button. Drag the cursor up to the first cell in the first column and let go of the button. Your data and names should be highlighted.
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