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How to Input Data and Create a Pie Chart in Excel

INSTRUCTIONS
(MacBook Preferred)

Nathan Thatcher
ENG 313
Professor OHara
July 9, 2017
Introduction
These instructions will tell you how to input data into a spreadsheet and create a pie chart
using Microsoft Excel 2016 on a MacBook. This version of Excel is not compatible with Windows
computers.

These instructions are targeted toward beginners to create a personal budget or school project.
Thus, it is imperative to learn how to input information into a cell and create a pie chart, or
some other chart from the data to effectively do their project or budget correctly.

Equipment and Materials


MacBook running Excel 2016

Directions
Logging In

1. Go to a computer, log on and double click on Microsoft Excel icon to access it.

Input Data
NOTE: Place your desired X axis values in the first column to make sure to create your pie chart
correctly. Otherwise, Excel will not create the pie chart you want.

1. Click on to the first cell (A1). Type in your data using the keyboard as needed.

2. Click the enter key to send your cursor to the box (cell) right below it (A2).

Create Pie Chart

1. Click on the first cell. Hold down on the mouse, drag the mouse down until you get to
the bottom right of your information.
2. Click on the Insert tab. Click on the Insert tab which is on the menu bar directly to the
right of the Home tab.

3. Click on pie chart graphic. Under the Insert tab, select the pie graphic which is to the
left of the graphic that says Sparklines.

4. Left click on the pie chart design that you want.

Customizing the Pie Chart Layout

1. Click on the background of the pie chart to activate the Chart Design tab.

2. Click on the Chart Design tab. Click on the Chart Design tab which is directly to the right
of the View tab in the menu bar.
3. Click on the Add Chart Element tab. This is right below the Home tab on the menu bar.

4. Scan the mouse over any of these tools and you will be able to customize your pie chart
to your liking.

5. Click on the More Title Options. This will open another panel on the far-right hand side
of your screen and let you add colors to the background of the title and the color of the
text.
Customizing the Pie Chart Design

1. Click on the background of the pie chart to activate the Chart Design tab.

2. Click on the Chart Design tab on the menu bar. In the middle of the screen there are
multiple different layouts to choose from. Click on one and it will change the layout of
your pie chart to that design.

3. Your chart is now complete.

Trouble Shooting
1. My computer is not responding | Solution: Make sure your computer is charged and on

2. My pie chart is not giving me the correct numbers | Solution: Make sure you typed the
data in correctly

3. Accidentally chose the wrong chart and want to change it | Solution:


a. Click on the chart

b. Click on to the Chart Design tab in the menu bar

c. Click on Change Chart Type which is directly to the right of the Select Data tab

d. Scroll over the chart type

e. Click on the chart design from the drop box that appears that you would like to
use
4. Im having trouble with the correct data not being on the axis you want it | Solution:
a. Click on to the chart you created

b. Click on the Chart Design tab in the menu bar

c. Click on the Switch Row/Column tab which is right next to the chart design and
directly to the left of the Select Data tab.

d. If that did not work, then click on the Select Data tab.

e. Click on the white box next to the Y-values formula

f. Drag your mouse from the top of what you want your y-values to consist of, all
the way down to where you want your y-values to stop. Then, click the enter key

g. Click the same white box next to the Horizontal (Category) axis labels formula

h. Drag your mouse from the top of what you want your y-values to consist of, all
the way down to where you want your y-values to stop. Then, click the enter key

i. Click the OK button on the bottom

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