Creating a pie chart from your data in Google Sheets
A pie chart in Google Sheets takes your numbers and turns them into slices that show how each part compares to the whole. You select the data you want to visualize, insert a chart, and Google Sheets builds the pie chart automatically. The process takes about two minutes and works whether your data is in two columns or spread across a larger range.
Pie charts work best when you have one category column and one number column — for example, a list of months with sales amounts, or expense categories with dollar totals. If your data has more than five or six slices, the chart becomes hard to read, so consider grouping smaller categories together first.
Key Takeaways
- Select your data (the labels and numbers you want to show), then go to Insert > Chart to open the chart editor.
- Google Sheets automatically detects that your data works as a pie chart, but you can also choose Chart Type and select Pie Chart manually.
- Use the Setup tab in the chart editor to change which data appears in your chart, and the Customize tab to add a title, change colors, or adjust the legend.
- Click outside the chart when you are done editing to lock it in place, and double-click it later if you need to make changes.
Selecting the right data before you insert the chart
Start by highlighting the cells that contain the information you want to show. Click on the first cell, then drag to the last cell that holds your data. Your selection should include both the labels (the names of each slice) and the numbers (the values that determine the slice size).
If your labels are in column A and your numbers are in column B, select from the top of column A through the bottom of column B. Include the header row if you have one — Google Sheets will recognize it as a label and not count it as data. For example, if you have "Expense Category" in A1 and "Housing" in A2, select from A1 down through B10 if your data ends in row 10.
You do not need to select cells in order. If your labels are in column A and your numbers are in column C, with other data in column B, select column A first, then hold Ctrl (or Cmd on Mac) and click column C. Google Sheets will use only the columns you selected.
Inserting the chart and letting Google Sheets detect the type
With your data selected, click the Insert menu at the top of the sheet, then click Chart. A chart editor window opens on the right side of your screen, and Google Sheets shows a preview of your chart in the middle of the sheet.
Google Sheets usually recognizes that your data works as a pie chart and displays one automatically. If it shows a different chart type instead — a bar chart or line chart, for example — you can change it. Look for the Chart Type option in the editor. Click the dropdown menu, scroll down to find Pie Chart, and click it. The preview updates when ready.
Adjusting what data appears in your chart
The Setup tab in the chart editor controls which data the chart uses. If your chart is showing the wrong columns or including data you do not want, you can fix it here. Look for the Data Range field — it shows the cells you selected, like "$A$1:$B$10". You can edit this directly if you know the cell range, or click the range selector icon (a small grid symbol) to highlight the cells on your sheet instead.
Below the data range, you will see options for Series. This is where you tell Google Sheets which column holds the labels (the slice names) and which holds the values (the numbers that size each slice). Usually Google Sheets gets this right on its own, but if your chart looks wrong, check here. The Labels field should point to your category column, and the Values field should point to your number column.
Adding a title and customizing the appearance
Click the Customize tab in the chart editor to change how your chart looks. The first option is usually Chart & Axis Titles. Click in the Title field and type a name for your chart — something like "Monthly Sales" or "Budget by Category". This title appears at the top of the chart on your sheet.
Scroll down in the Customize tab to find Series. Here you can change the colors of each slice. Click on a slice color to open a color picker, then choose a new color. You can also adjust the Legend — the box that explains which color represents which category. The legend usually appears to the right of the pie chart, but you can move it to the bottom or top, or hide it entirely.
If you want to show the actual numbers or percentages on each slice, look for Slice Label or Data Labels in the Customize options. Click the dropdown and choose whether to show values, percentages, or category names on the slices themselves.
Finalizing and editing your chart later
When your chart looks the way you want it, click outside the chart area on your sheet. The chart editor closes, and your pie chart is now part of your spreadsheet. The chart stays connected to your data — if you change a number in your original cells, the chart updates automatically.
To edit the chart again later, double-click it. The chart editor opens on the right side again, and you can make any changes you need. When you are done, click outside the chart to close the editor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make a pie chart from data that is not in adjacent columns?
Yes. Select the first column or range you need, then hold Ctrl (or Cmd on Mac) and click the second column or range. Google Sheets will use only the cells you selected, even if other data sits between them.
What if my pie chart has too many slices and looks cluttered?
Pie charts with more than six or seven slices become hard to read. Consider grouping your smallest categories into an "Other" row before creating the chart. Add a new row, type "Other" as the label, and use a formula to sum the values you want to group.
How do I show percentages instead of numbers on the pie slices?
Double-click the chart to open the editor, click the Customize tab, and look for Slice Label or Data Labels. Click the dropdown menu and select the option that shows percentages. The chart updates when ready.
Can I change the colors of individual slices after I create the chart?
Yes. Double-click the chart, go to the Customize tab, find the Series section, and click on each slice color to change it. You can assign a different color to each slice or use a consistent color scheme.
What happens to my chart if I change the numbers in my original data?
The chart updates automatically. Google Sheets keeps the chart connected to the cells you selected, so any change to those numbers is reflected in the pie chart right away.