Create a Gauge Chart in Excel

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the process of creating a Gauge chart in Excel. Gauge charts are useful for visualizing data and tracking performance against a target. They provide an intuitive display of how a particular value compares to a predefined range. By following these steps, you'll be able to create a professional-looking Gauge chart for your reports or presentations.

Step 1: Prepare Your Data

Before creating the Gauge chart, you need to set up your data correctly.

• Open a new Excel worksheet.
• Create a small table with the following columns:
  • Value: This represents the current value you want to track.
  • Target: This indicates the target value.
  • Max: This is the maximum value for the gauge.

Example data layout:

| Value | Target | Max |
|-------|--------|-----|
| 70    | 100    | 100 |

Step 2: Create a Doughnut Chart

The first step in visualizing your data as a Gauge chart is to create a Doughnut chart.

• Select the data you prepared in Step 1.
• Go to the Insert tab on the Ribbon.
• Click on Doughnut Chart from the Chart options.

Step 3: Format the Doughnut Chart

Now you need to format the Doughnut chart to make it look like a Gauge.

• Right-click on the chart and select Select Data.

• In the Select Data Source window, click on Add to add a new series.

  • For the series name, you can use "Current Value".
  • For the series values, select the Value cell from your data.

• Click OK and then adjust the data range to include the Target and Max values.

• You may have to manually adjust the data series to ensure it includes all necessary components.

Step 4: Adjust the Series Overlap

To achieve the Gauge effect, you'll need to adjust the series overlap of the Doughnut chart.

• Select the Doughnut chart and right-click to open Format Data Series.
• Adjust the Series Overlap to 100% to combine the slices into one complete circle.

Step 5: Change Fill Colors

Customize the colors of your chart to represent different ranges.

• Click on each segment of the Doughnut chart.
• Right-click and select Format Data Series.
• Change the fill color of the segments to visually represent different performance levels.
  • For example, use green for values below the target, yellow for values near the target, and red for exceeding the maximum.

Step 6: Add a Pointer

To clearly show the current value, you can add a pointer.

• Insert a shape (like a line or arrow) using the Insert tab.
• Position the arrow at the current value on the Gauge.
• Adjust the size and color to ensure it stands out.

Step 7: Finalize Your Chart

Make final adjustments to enhance the chart's appearance.

• Add data labels to indicate values.
• Remove any unnecessary chart elements such as legends or gridlines.
• Resize and position your chart as needed in your worksheet.

Conclusion

You have successfully created a Gauge chart in Excel! This visual representation will help you track and present your data effectively. For further enhancements, consider exploring additional formatting options or integrating this chart into larger dashboards. Experiment with different color schemes or styles to find what best suits your data presentation needs.