Pie charts are one of the top three most misused visuals in slideshows. If you’re accustomed to creating pie charts using Excel then chances are that your chart-making skills may be underdeveloped when it comes to using a pie chart maker.
The problem with creating pie charts using Excel is that you are limited to the number of segments, colors, and formatting you can apply. This may make your pies look appealing but they are more likely to cause confusion or misunderstandings because of the poor design choices you’ve made. If you don’t want this to happen then read on and learn what to avoid when creating pie charts.
Avoid Too Many Segments On Your Pie Chart Creator
The more segments you add, the harder it becomes for the human brain to read the values represented by each segment. People perceive values represented in a section of a circle as though they were denser than those near the edge of a circle. This is because our brains are hardwired to think this way. So, if you have more than 5-7 segments, your pie chart is going to be difficult to read.
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Avoid Using Too Many Colors On Your Pie Graph Maker
When you use too many colors in a pie chart, it becomes difficult for people to distinguish between the different colors and the values they represent. This can be especially confusing when you are trying to compare data across different pie charts.
Avoid Using The Same Color To Represent Multiple Values
If you use the same color to represent multiple values, then it becomes hard for people to tell which value is larger and which is smaller. If your chart maker lets you label a particular segment of a pie chart, you should use this feature so that people can understand how each unit compares to the others.
For example, people who visit Israel may come from many different countries. If you have a pie chart in your slideshow about visitors to Israel, you should label each segment with the country where the visitors came from so that people can see how much of each color is present in your data.
Avoid Using Too Many Fonts Or Font Styles On Your Pie Chart Generator
Using too many fonts makes your pie chart look unprofessional and can also discourage people from trying to read it. This is especially true if you are using novelty fonts that do not have much significance or meaning. Stick to using 2 or 3 fonts at the most and make sure that they all have the same level of legibility.
Avoid Making Your Pie Chart Too Tall Or Too Wide On Your Free Pie Chart Maker
Making your pie chart too tall or wide can lead to problems with legibility. When you are creating a pie chart, try to keep it between 6-8 inches tall. This height is ideal for a pie chart that has up to 12 segments. If you have more than 12 segments and need to make your pie chart taller than this, consider dividing it into two separate pies or using a smaller font size.
Avoid Using 3D Effects On Your Pie Charts
The use of 3D effects on a pie chart can make it difficult for people to compare the different colors and the proportions between them because they are likely to focus on the main body of the pie chart instead of the angle at which the pie chart is displayed. This can also make your data difficult to understand.
Avoid Aligning Your Pie Chart Vertically On Your Online Pie Chart Maker
When you align a pie chart vertically, it becomes more difficult for people to compare the different colors and values because they are no longer able to see them side-by-side. This is especially true if you have a lot of data that needs to be displayed in your pie chart.
Avoid Labeling Your Pie Chart With Values That Are Too Small
If you label your pie chart with values that are too small, then it becomes difficult for people to read them. Make sure that the labels on your pie chart are large enough that they can be read without straining the eyes of your readers.
Avoid Using Too Many Pie Charts In One Slideshow
If you need to include more than 4-5 pie charts in one slideshow, consider using another graph instead because it is easy for people to lose track of how different segments compare when they are looking at too many pie charts. Use a bar graph maker from Venngage if you need a bar graph instead of another pie chart.
Takeaway
Use pie charts to show the relationship between parts and wholes. You can also use more than one pie chart in a slideshow, but make sure that you label each segment on every pie chart so that your readers know which color represents which value. Also, avoid using too many fonts and colors. If you follow these guidelines, people will be able to understand your data more easily.