How to Create a Donut Chart in Excel (Step-by-Step)
Donut charts are a native Excel chart type available in all versions — the same data as a pie chart, inserted in one click. The center hole creates space for a label showing a total, percentage, or KPI. This guide covers inserting the chart, adjusting hole size for a modern look, adding a dynamic center label, and formatting slice colors.
What is a donut chart in Excel?
A donut chart in Excel is a pie chart with a circular hole cut from the center. Each arc segment represents a category's proportion of the total — larger arcs are larger values. The center hole serves two purposes: it reduces visual weight compared to a filled pie, and it provides a space to display a summary value (total, percentage, or label) via a text box. Donut charts are available under Insert → Pie or Donut Chart in all modern Excel versions.
6 steps to make a donut chart in Excel
Prepare your data
Create two columns: category labels and their values. Donut charts use the same structure as pie charts — each row is one segment. Values should be positive numbers that together represent a meaningful total (market share, budget split, survey breakdown). There is no limit on rows, but 3–8 segments is the readable range.
Select your data range
Click and drag to select both columns including headers. If your labels are in column A and values in column B, select A1:B8 (or however many rows you have).
Insert the donut chart
Go to Insert → Charts → Insert Pie or Donut Chart (the pie icon) → Donut. Excel creates a donut chart immediately. It will use default colors and a small hole size — both of which you'll adjust next.
Adjust the hole size
Right-click any slice → Format Data Series → Donut Hole Size. Drag the slider or type a percentage. The default 50% looks dated. Set to 60–70% for a modern thin-ring appearance, or 40% for a bold thick-ring look. The hole size applies to the entire chart — you can't vary it per segment.
Add a center label
Go to Insert → Text Box → draw a text box directly over the center hole. To show a static label, type it. To link to a live cell value: click inside the text box, click the formula bar at the top, type = then click the source cell. The text box now updates automatically. Set a large, bold font (20–28pt) and center-align.
Add slice labels and format colors
Click the chart → Chart Elements (+) → Data Labels → choose what to show (Category Name, Value, Percentage, or a combination). Right-click any slice → Format Data Point to change its fill color individually. For a consistent look, set all slices to your brand palette and remove the chart border (Format Chart Area → Border: No Border).
When to use a donut chart in Excel
KPI dashboards with a center metric
The center hole is ideal for displaying a total or key number. A completion rate donut with '74%' in the center is more scannable than a bar or pie at a glance.
Market share and budget breakdowns
Classic use for 3–6 categories where the part-to-whole relationship is the message. The ring format feels more modern than a filled pie in presentations and reports.
Progress toward a goal
A two-segment donut (progress + remainder) with the percentage in the center reads instantly as a progress indicator — similar to a gauge chart but simpler to build.
Executive slide decks
Donut charts have become the standard alternative to pie charts in modern PowerPoint and Google Slides presentations. Excel's native donut exports cleanly as an image or embedded object.
Components of a donut chart in Excel
Arc segments
Each colored arc represents one category. Arc length is proportional to value. Wider arcs are larger values.
Donut hole
The circular gap in the center. Size is set via Format Data Series → Donut Hole Size (0–90%). The hole itself has no fill — it shows the background behind the chart.
Center text box
An optional text box placed over the center hole. Not part of the chart object — it's a separate shape that floats above it. Link to a cell for live values.
Data labels
Text showing category name, value, or percentage on or near each arc segment. Positioned outside slices for thin rings, inside for thick rings.
Frequently Asked Questions
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