How to Create a Sunburst Chart in Excel (Detailed Steps)

Introduction to Sunburst Charts

A Sunburst chart is a powerful visualization tool for displaying hierarchical data in a circular format. It resembles the sun’s rays or the rings of a tree. Each ring of the chart represents a level in the hierarchy. Here’s what you need to know about Sunburst Charts:

• Purpose: Sunburst charts help visualize the proportionate distribution of data categories using color and size.
• Hierarchy: The innermost circle represents the main categories, while outer segments represent subcategories or levels within those main categories.
• Ordering: Data in a Sunburst chart is sorted from largest to smallest amount clockwise by default.

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Steps

• Data Preparation:
  • Ensure your data is organized hierarchically.
  • For example, consider term final results of students, where each student has scores distributed across different terms.

• Calculate Total Students:
  • To find the total number of students combining all term final results, insert the formula:

• Remark on Performance:
  • Insert the following formula to remark on student performance:

• • Press Enter.

• Insert the Sunburst Chart:
  • Click on the Sunburst option under the Insert tab (available in Excel 2016 and later versions).
  • The Sunburst chart will appear in your worksheet.

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• Customize Appearance:
  • Go to the Chart Design tab and select your preferred design from the ribbon.

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• We created a Sunburst Chart quite easily.

Read More: How to Insert Sunburst Chart in Excel

Important Notes

• Selection:
  • Keep a cell selected inside the table while generating the Sunburst Chart.
  • If you don’t select the generated chart, the Chart Design tab won’t appear for design changes.
• Manual Data Update:
  • If chart data doesn’t update automatically with underlying data changes, right-click on the chart and select Edit Data to redirect it manually.

Download Practice Workbook

You can download the practice workbook from here:

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Difference Between Sunburst and Treemap Charts:
   • Both explain hierarchical patterns.
   • Sunburst: Central circle with concentric rings.
   • Treemap: Divides area into nested rectangles.
2. Use of Sunburst Diagram in Excel:
   • Display hierarchical data relationships (e.g., population across cities, states, countries, continents).
   • Useful for analyzing industry firm details.
3. Components of a Sunburst Chart:
   • Inner circle (main categories) surrounded by outer rings (subcategories).

Sunburst Chart in Excel: Knowledge Hub

• Create Sunburst Chart with Percentage in Excel
• How to Sort Excel Sunburst Chart Order
• How to Rotate Sunburst Chart in Excel
• How to Insert Sunburst Chart with Conditional Formatting in Excel

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