How To Make An Excel Speedometer (GAUGE) Chart

Introduction

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to create an Excel Speedometer (Gauge) Chart. This visual representation is excellent for displaying percentages in a way that resembles a car dashboard gauge. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you'll be able to set up your data, create the chart, and customize it effectively.

Step 1: Set Up Your Data

Before creating the gauge chart, you need to prepare your data.

1. Create a new Excel worksheet.

2. Enter your data in the following format:

   • A cell for the target value (e.g., the percentage to display).
   • A cell for the maximum value of the gauge.
   • A cell for the minimum value, if applicable.
   • A cell for the remaining value (this can be calculated as: Maximum - Target).

   Example layout: | Metric | Value | |------------------|-------| | Target Value | 75 | | Maximum Value | 100 | | Remaining Value | 25 |

3. Calculate the Remaining Value using a formula:

   = Maximum Value - Target Value
   

Step 2: Build the Gauge Chart

Once your data is set up, you can create the gauge chart.

1. Select the data range that includes your target value and remaining value.

2. Insert a Doughnut Chart:

   • Go to the Insert tab.
   • Click on Doughnut Chart from the Charts group.

3. Format the Chart:

   • Right-click on the chart and select Select Data.
   • Click on Add to add a new series for the remaining value.
   • Set the series name and values accordingly.

4. Adjust the Doughnut Chart:

   • Right-click the doughnut chart and choose Format Data Series.
   • Set the Angle of first slice to 270 degrees to start the gauge from the left.

Step 3: Create the Gauge Appearance

To make the gauge visually appealing, you'll need to format the chart.

1. Change the Fill Colors:

   • Select the slices of the doughnut and change the fill color for the target value to a bright color (e.g., green).
   • Change the fill color of the remaining value to a neutral color (e.g., grey).

2. Add a Secondary Chart (if needed):

   • Insert another doughnut chart to represent the total gauge area.
   • Format this chart to be behind the main chart.

Step 4: Add Percentage Label

To show the actual percentage on the gauge:

1. Insert a Text Box:

   • Go to the Insert tab and select Text Box.
   • Click on the chart area to place the text box.

2. Format the Text Box:

   • Type in a formula to display the percentage (e.g., =Target Value/Maximum Value).
   • Format the text to be larger and centered in the gauge.

Step 5: Group the Charts

To keep your gauge chart organized:

1. Select both charts (the main gauge and the background).
2. Right-click and select Group to group them together.

Conclusion

You have successfully created an Excel Speedometer (Gauge) Chart! This visually engaging chart can effectively represent percentage data and can be customized further to suit your needs. For next steps, consider exploring other types of progress charts or diving deeper into Excel's charting capabilities to enhance your data visualization skills.