What works against pie charts:
- Difficult to compare slice sizes & values, especially when they are close in size.
- Can unnecessarily take up the readers time trying to match each slice with the correct category.
- Can become messy.
- Can be easily manipulated to give false impressions
What works in their favor:
- Can be created quicker than your boss can blink.
- It’s a circle. which means it shows the full picture.
- Require minimal additional explanation.
A compromise has to be made. I find Stephen Few’s suggestion (see video) to be just that!
Published on: February 24, 2016
Last modified: March 8, 2023
Leila Gharani
I’ve spent over 20 years helping businesses use data to improve their results. I've worked as an economist and a consultant. I spent 12 years in corporate roles across finance, operations, and IT—managing SAP and Oracle projects.
As a 7-time Microsoft MVP, I have deep knowledge of tools like Excel and Power BI.
I love making complex tech topics easy to understand. There’s nothing better than helping someone realize they can do it themselves. I’m always learning new things too and finding better ways to help others succeed.
