Treemap and sunburst in Excel - Dashboard Guide

Dashboard Mode - Treemap and sunburst

Dashboard Goal

This dashboard helps you understand how sales are distributed across different product categories and subcategories. It answers: Which categories and subcategories contribute most to total sales?

Sample Data

Category	Subcategory	Sales
Electronics	Phones	1500
Electronics	Computers	2500
Furniture	Chairs	1200
Furniture	Tables	800
Clothing	Men	1000
Clothing	Women	1300
Clothing	Kids	700

Dashboard Components

• KPI Card: Total Sales
  Formula: =SUM(C2:C8)
  Result: 9000
• Treemap Chart: Shows sales by Category and Subcategory.
  Data source: Columns A (Category), B (Subcategory), and C (Sales).
  Use Excel Insert > Hierarchy Chart > Treemap.
• Sunburst Chart: Shows sales distribution by Category and Subcategory in a circular layout.
  Data source: Same as Treemap.
  Use Excel Insert > Hierarchy Chart > Sunburst.

Dashboard Layout

+----------------------+----------------------+
|      Total Sales      |      Treemap Chart    |
|       (KPI Card)      |                      |
+----------------------+----------------------+
|                   Sunburst Chart                |
|                                                  |
+--------------------------------------------------+

Interactivity

Add a slicer for Category to filter data. When you select a category in the slicer:

• The Total Sales KPI updates to show sales only for the selected category.
• The Treemap chart updates to show only the selected category and its subcategories.
• The Sunburst chart updates similarly to reflect the filtered data.

This helps you focus on one category at a time.

Self Check

If you add a filter for Category = Electronics, which components update and what do they show?

• Total Sales KPI: Updates to 4000 (1500 + 2500).
• Treemap Chart: Shows only Electronics category with Phones and Computers subcategories sized by their sales.
• Sunburst Chart: Shows only Electronics category and its subcategories.

Key Result

Dashboard showing total sales and sales distribution by category and subcategory using treemap and sunburst charts.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of a treemap or sunburst chart in Excel?

easy

A. To show parts of a whole with nested groups

B. To create a simple line graph

C. To calculate sums automatically

D. To sort data alphabetically

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand chart types

   Treemap and sunburst charts visualize hierarchical data by showing parts of a whole with nested groups.

2. Step 2: Compare with other chart types

   Line graphs show trends over time, sums are calculated by formulas, and sorting is a data operation, not chart purpose.

3. Final Answer:

   To show parts of a whole with nested groups -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Treemap/sunburst = parts of whole [OK]

Hint: Remember: treemap shows nested parts visually [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing treemap with line or bar charts
• Thinking treemap calculates data
• Assuming treemap sorts data

2. Which Excel menu path do you use to insert a treemap or sunburst chart?

easy

A. Formulas > Function Library > Math & Trig

B. Insert > Charts > Hierarchy Chart

C. Data > Sort & Filter > Filter

D. Review > Comments > New Comment

Solution

1. Step 1: Locate chart insertion

   Treemap and sunburst charts are found under Insert tab, then Charts group, specifically Hierarchy Chart.

2. Step 2: Eliminate unrelated menus

   Data menu is for sorting/filtering, Formulas for functions, Review for comments, none for charts.

3. Final Answer:

   Insert > Charts > Hierarchy Chart -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Insert > Charts > Hierarchy = correct menu [OK]

Hint: Charts are always under Insert tab in Excel [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Looking under Data or Formulas tabs
• Confusing chart types location
• Not finding Hierarchy Chart group

3. Given this data in Excel:

Category | Subcategory | Sales
Fruit    | Apple       | 100
Fruit    | Banana      | 150
Veggie   | Carrot      | 80
Veggie   | Broccoli    | 120

If you create a sunburst chart from this data, what will the inner ring represent?

medium

A. The sales for only the first row

B. Individual sales numbers for each Subcategory

C. The sum of all sales combined

D. The total sales for each Category (Fruit, Veggie)

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand sunburst chart rings

   The inner ring shows top-level groups (Categories), outer rings show subgroups (Subcategories).

2. Step 2: Apply to given data

   Categories are Fruit and Veggie, so inner ring slices represent total sales per Category.

3. Final Answer:

   The total sales for each Category (Fruit, Veggie) -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Sunburst inner ring = top-level groups [OK]

Hint: Inner ring = main groups, outer rings = subgroups [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking inner ring shows individual sales
• Confusing total sum with category totals
• Assuming only first row is shown

4. You tried to create a treemap chart but Excel shows an error. Which of these is the most likely cause?

medium

A. You used a formula instead of typing numbers

B. You selected the Insert tab instead of the Data tab

C. Your data has missing or blank cells in the hierarchy columns

D. You applied a filter to the data before inserting the chart

Solution

1. Step 1: Check data requirements for treemap

   Treemap requires complete hierarchy data without blanks in category columns.

2. Step 2: Analyze error causes

   Missing or blank cells break the hierarchy, causing Excel to error. Other options don't cause chart errors.

3. Final Answer:

   Your data has missing or blank cells in the hierarchy columns -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Complete hierarchy data needed [OK]

Hint: No blanks allowed in hierarchy columns for treemap [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking Insert tab is wrong
• Believing formulas cause chart errors
• Assuming filters block chart creation

5. You have sales data for regions and products:

Region | Product | Sales
North  | A       | 200
North  | B       | 300
South  | A       | 150
South  | B       | 350

You want to create a treemap chart that shows sales by region and product. Which steps should you follow to prepare your data and insert the chart correctly?

hard

A. Arrange data with Region and Product columns, no blanks; select all data; go to Insert > Charts > Hierarchy Chart > Treemap

B. Sort data by Sales descending; select only Sales column; Insert > Charts > Pie Chart

C. Create a pivot table first; then insert a line chart from pivot data

D. Filter data by Region; select filtered data; Insert > Charts > Bar Chart

Solution

1. Step 1: Prepare data with complete hierarchy

   Ensure Region and Product columns have no blanks and all sales data is included.

2. Step 2: Insert treemap chart

   Select all data, then use Insert > Charts > Hierarchy Chart > Treemap to visualize sales by region and product.

3. Final Answer:

   Arrange data with Region and Product columns, no blanks; select all data; go to Insert > Charts > Hierarchy Chart > Treemap -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Complete data + Insert > Hierarchy > Treemap = correct [OK]

Hint: Select full hierarchy data before inserting treemap [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Selecting only sales column
• Using wrong chart type like pie or line
• Filtering data before chart insertion