2.11. Pie Charts: Stay Away or Do It Right! Looker Studio Masterclass - Data Studio Tutorial

🚀 https://lookerstudiomasterclass.com → Enroll in the full version of the program ✨ https://lookerstudio.tips → Get my free Looker Studio Tips via email. I get it. Pie charts can be appealing. They're colorful, they're circular, they're... problematic. Yes, it's true. Pie charts have their flaws, and in this lesson, I'm pulling back the curtain to reveal the real deal with these deceptive beauties. In this tutorial, I'm taking you on a guided tour of the pie chart's role in Looker Studio, breaking down its strengths, weaknesses, and optimal usage conditions. Pie charts, though generally avoided due to their inherent complexity and potential for miscommunication, can occasionally find their rightful place in your data visualization toolkit. I'll show you the exact scenarios where pie charts might be the best fit, from contrasting binary categories to showcasing a limited number of values. But that's not all, I'm also introducing alternative solutions, like the beloved bar chart, that can better serve your data story, helping you make easy-to-understand, insightful presentations. It's all about communicating your data, about making it compelling, accessible, and informative. You want your audience to grasp your point without having to squint at obscure pie slices. More than this, you'll learn that pie charts are not inherently evil - they're just misunderstood and, more often than not, misused. Learn when and how to use them right, and when to step away and employ other, more effective visualizations. The use and misuse of pie charts in data visualization. Pie charts are usually avoided due to their complexity but have specific use cases. Pie charts are best used for limited values or binary categories. Other visualization methods, like bar charts, are often more effective and clear. 00:00 The Issue with Pie Charts 00:32 Pie Charts' Usefulness 00:45 Difficulty of Comparing Parts in Pie Charts 01:11 Right Way to Use Pie Charts 01:51 When to Use Pie Charts 02:14 Introduction to Donut Charts 02:34 Alternatives to Pie and Donut Charts 03:01 The Bar Chart Alternative 03:36 Horizontal Stacked Bar Chart In this lesson we will learn why Pie Charts and Donut Charts are not useful and better to be avoided at all costs. We will also cover better alternatives to a pie chart visualization. We will also discuss the best practices in cases when we cannot avoid using a pie chart or donut chart and will see some alternatives. 2.11. Pie Charts -- Why Pie Charts Are Not Ideal Pie charts are often discouraged in data visualization. They can be difficult to read and interpret, as our brains struggle to compare angles and curved lines. Determining which slice is larger or smaller can be a challenge without hovering over the data points. -- Best Practices for Pie Charts If you must use pie charts, follow these guidelines to make them more bearable: 1. Limit the number of categories: Use pie charts only when you have a few categories. The fewer slices, the easier it is to read and interpret the chart. 2. Display actual numbers: Including the data values or percentages on the chart can make it easier for your audience to understand the information. 3. Stick to two or three values: Pie charts are more effective when you have a limited number of categories, such as male vs. female or new vs. returning visitors. -- Donut Charts Donut charts are a variation of pie charts, with a hollow center. The same rules apply—avoid using them if possible, and use them only for a few categories when necessary. Including the actual numbers can make them more readable. -- Pie Chart Alternatives One alternative to pie charts is the vertical bar chart, which displays the same data but with straight bars that are easier to compare. Color-coding the bars can help distinguish categories at a glance. Another option is the single horizontal stacked bar chart, which shows distribution on a straight line instead of a curved one. This format is more space-efficient and easier to read than a traditional pie chart. While pie charts can sometimes be useful for visualizing limited categories, they are generally less effective than other chart types like vertical bar charts and horizontal stacked bar charts. Always consider the most appropriate visualization type for your data to ensure clear and effective communication.