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Pie and doughnut charts in Excel - Cell-by-Cell Formula Trace

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Sample Data

This data shows different fruits and their quantities. It is used to create pie and doughnut charts that visually represent the parts of the whole.

CellValue
A1Fruit
B1Quantity
A2Apples
B230
A3Bananas
B320
A4Cherries
B410
A5Dates
B540
Formula Trace
=SUM(B2:B5)
Step 1: SUM(30, 20, 10, 40)
Cell Reference Map
    A       B
1 | Fruit | Quantity |
2 | Apples|   30    |
3 |Bananas|   20    |
4 |Cherries|  10    |
5 | Dates |   40    |

Arrows: B2 -> SUM, B3 -> SUM, B4 -> SUM, B5 -> SUM
Cells B2 to B5 contain the quantities of fruits. These cells are referenced by the SUM formula to calculate the total quantity.
Result
    A       B       C
1 | Fruit | Quantity | Total |
2 | Apples|   30    |  100  |
3 |Bananas|   20    |       |
4 |Cherries|  10    |       |
5 | Dates |   40    |       |
The total quantity 100 is shown in cell C2 as the result of the SUM formula. This total is used to understand the whole for pie or doughnut charts.
Sheet Trace Quiz - 3 Questions
Test your understanding
What does the formula =SUM(B2:B5) calculate?
AThe average quantity of fruits
BThe quantity of Apples only
CThe total quantity of all fruits
DThe difference between Dates and Bananas
Key Result
SUM(range) adds all numbers in the specified range to find the total.

Practice

(1/5)
1. What is the main purpose of a pie chart in Excel?
easy
A. To display data trends over time
B. To compare two sets of data side by side
C. To show parts of a whole as slices of a circle
D. To list data in rows and columns

Solution

  1. Step 1: Understand pie chart basics

    A pie chart divides a circle into slices representing parts of a whole.

  2. Step 2: Compare with other chart types

    Unlike line or bar charts, pie charts focus on showing proportions, not trends or comparisons.

  3. Final Answer:

    To show parts of a whole as slices of a circle -> Option C

  4. Quick Check:

    Pie chart = parts of whole [OK]
Hint: Pie charts show slices of a circle representing parts [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Thinking pie charts show trends over time
  • Confusing pie charts with bar charts
  • Using pie charts for unrelated data types
2. Which of the following is the correct way to insert a doughnut chart in Excel?
easy
A. Select data, press Ctrl+C, then Ctrl+V
B. Select data, go to Insert tab, click on Doughnut chart icon
C. Right-click data and choose 'Create Pie Chart'
D. Use the formula =DOUGHNUTCHART(A1:A5)

Solution

  1. Step 1: Locate chart insertion method

    Excel inserts charts from the Insert tab where chart types are listed.

  2. Step 2: Identify doughnut chart option

    Under Insert, the Doughnut chart icon is available to create this chart type.

  3. Final Answer:

    Select data, go to Insert tab, click on Doughnut chart icon -> Option B

  4. Quick Check:

    Insert tab -> Doughnut chart icon [OK]
Hint: Insert tab has all chart types including doughnut [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Trying to create charts with formulas
  • Copy-pasting data instead of inserting charts
  • Right-click menu does not create doughnut charts
3. Given this data in cells A1:B4:
Category | Value
Food | 30
Rent | 50
Utilities| 20
What percentage will the 'Rent' slice show in a pie chart?
medium
A. 50%
B. 33.3%
C. 30%
D. 20%

Solution

  1. Step 1: Calculate total value

    Total = 30 + 50 + 20 = 100

  2. Step 2: Calculate Rent percentage

    Rent = 50; Percentage = (50 / 100) * 100 = 50%

  3. Final Answer:

    50% -> Option A

  4. Quick Check:

    Rent is half of total = 50% [OK]
Hint: Divide slice value by total sum, multiply by 100 [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Adding percentages instead of values
  • Using wrong total sum
  • Confusing category names with values
4. You created a pie chart but the slices do not add up to 100%. What is the most likely cause?
medium
A. Chart is not selected
B. Chart type is set to bar chart
C. Data labels are missing
D. Data includes blank or zero values

Solution

  1. Step 1: Check data values

    Blank or zero values reduce total sum, causing slices not to add to 100%.

  2. Step 2: Verify chart type and labels

    Bar chart or missing labels do not affect slice percentages adding to 100%.

  3. Final Answer:

    Data includes blank or zero values -> Option D

  4. Quick Check:

    Missing data affects pie slice totals [OK]
Hint: Check for blanks or zeros in data range [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Confusing chart type with data issues
  • Assuming labels affect slice sums
  • Not checking data completeness
5. You want to create a doughnut chart showing sales by region, but also want to highlight the top region slice with a different color. What is the best way to do this in Excel?
hard
A. Create the doughnut chart, then click the top region slice and change its fill color
B. Use a formula to color the slice automatically
C. Insert a pie chart instead and change the chart type later
D. Add data labels and remove the legend

Solution

  1. Step 1: Insert doughnut chart with sales data

    Select data and insert a doughnut chart from the Insert tab.

  2. Step 2: Highlight top region slice

    Click the slice representing the top region, then change its fill color manually.

  3. Final Answer:

    Create the doughnut chart, then click the top region slice and change its fill color -> Option A

  4. Quick Check:

    Manual slice color change highlights parts [OK]
Hint: Click slice, then change fill color to highlight [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Expecting formulas to color slices automatically
  • Changing chart type instead of slice color
  • Removing legend instead of highlighting slice