How do you create a sunburst chart in Excel?
Key Facts
- Sunburst charts are available in Excel 2016 and later versions, with no support in Excel 2013 or earlier.
- A sunburst chart uses concentric rings to visualize hierarchical data, with the top level at the center.
- Each level of a hierarchy in a sunburst chart is represented by one ring, ideal for showing proportional breakdowns.
- Creating a sunburst chart requires hierarchical data organized in columns, with numerical values in the final column.
- Over 500,000 professionals and 50,000 companies use Coefficient to sync business data into Excel automatically.
- Manual data preparation, like using SUM formulas, is required before creating a sunburst chart in Excel.
- Sunburst charts can be customized with colors, labels, percentages, and rotation from 0 to 360 degrees in Excel.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make a sunburst chart in Excel if I'm using an older version like Excel 2013?
Sunburst charts are only available in Excel 2016 and later versions, so you won't be able to create one in Excel 2013 or earlier. To use this feature, you’ll need to upgrade to a newer version of Excel, such as Excel 2019 or Microsoft 365.
What kind of data do I need to create a sunburst chart in Excel?
You need hierarchical data organized in columns, such as Region > Country > Product > Sales, with numerical values in the final column. For example, data like North America/USA/Laptops = 50,000 works well, and totals should be calculated using formulas like SUM for accuracy.
Can I automatically update my sunburst chart when my data changes?
Sunburst charts don’t always update automatically; you may need to right-click and refresh or manually adjust the chart if your underlying data changes. For smoother updates, consider syncing data from external systems using tools like Coefficient to reduce manual exports.
Why does my sunburst chart look cluttered or hard to read?
Clutter can occur if too many categories or levels are included—keep the hierarchy simple and limit detail to avoid confusion. Sources recommend focusing on clear, high-level breakdowns to maintain readability and visual impact.
Is there a way to automate sunburst chart creation without manual data entry?
While Excel requires manual setup, repetitive data handling can be reduced by syncing live data from CRMs or databases using automation tools. This aligns with broader solutions like custom AI-powered dashboards that auto-generate visualizations from integrated sources.
How is a sunburst chart different from a treemap in Excel?
A sunburst chart uses concentric rings to show hierarchy levels, with the top level in the center, while a treemap uses nested rectangles sized by value. Sunburst charts are better for showing proportional breakdowns across levels, whereas treemaps emphasize relative sizes.
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