4 graphs / one sheet / cramming for space

ORLANDO VAZQUEZ · External Since: Aug 31, 2009 Posts: 2

Hi,

I have four pie charts that are displayed on one 8.5" x 11" worksheet.
I am having a difficult time resizing so that that all play nice on the same
sheet.

Is there an easy way to size multiple charts so they fit nicely on one page ?
I have been dragging corners for hours but can't seem to get it right.

Thanks,
Orlando

Jon Peltier · External Since: Feb 01, 2004 Posts: 179

In general, pie charts are not a good choice for data displays. Human
perception is not so precise when judging angles or areas as lengths and
distances, and pie charts use a lot of area to show a small amount of data.

In most cases, data from multiple pie charts can be shown more
effectively in a single bar or column chart. For example, see

Column Chart to Replace Multiple Pie Charts
http://peltiertech.com/WordPress/column-chart-to-replace-multiple-pie-charts/

Simple Bar Chart Beats Complex Multiple Sized Pies
http://peltiertech.com/WordPress/simple-bar-chart-beats-complex-multip...sized-p

- Jon
-------
Jon Peltier
Peltier Technical Services, Inc.
http://peltiertech.com/

ORLANDO VAZQUEZ wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I have four pie charts that are displayed on one 8.5" x 11" worksheet.
> I am having a difficult time resizing so that that all play nice on the same
> sheet.
>
> Is there an easy way to size multiple charts so they fit nicely on one page ?
> I have been dragging corners for hours but can't seem to get it right.
>
> Thanks,
> Orlando

ORLANDO VAZQUEZ · External Since: Aug 31, 2009 Posts: 2

I totally agree with you, however, this won't change. Any other suggestions ?

"Jon Peltier" wrote:

> In general, pie charts are not a good choice for data displays. Human
> perception is not so precise when judging angles or areas as lengths and
> distances, and pie charts use a lot of area to show a small amount of data.
>
> In most cases, data from multiple pie charts can be shown more
> effectively in a single bar or column chart. For example, see
>
> Column Chart to Replace Multiple Pie Charts
> http://peltiertech.com/WordPress/column-chart-to-replace-multiple-pie-charts/
>
> Simple Bar Chart Beats Complex Multiple Sized Pies
> http://peltiertech.com/WordPress/simple-bar-chart-beats-complex-multip...sized-p
>
> - Jon
> -------
> Jon Peltier
> Peltier Technical Services, Inc.
> http://peltiertech.com/
>
>
>
> ORLANDO VAZQUEZ wrote:
> > Hi,
> >
> > I have four pie charts that are displayed on one 8.5" x 11" worksheet.
> > I am having a difficult time resizing so that that all play nice on the same
> > sheet.
> >
> > Is there an easy way to size multiple charts so they fit nicely on one page ?
> > I have been dragging corners for hours but can't seem to get it right.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Orlando
>

Jon Peltier · External Since: Feb 01, 2004 Posts: 179

I'm reluctant to offer advice on how to make a better pie chart, because
I have a reputation to uphold. However, I know what it's like being in
an inflexible position.

Make one pie chart, do all the formatting you need. Make three copies of
this chart, and change the source data so that all four data ranges are
represented.

- Jon
-------
Jon Peltier
Peltier Technical Services, Inc.
http://peltiertech.com/

ORLANDO VAZQUEZ wrote:
> I totally agree with you, however, this won't change. Any other suggestions ?
>
>
> "Jon Peltier" wrote:
>
>> In general, pie charts are not a good choice for data displays. Human
>> perception is not so precise when judging angles or areas as lengths and
>> distances, and pie charts use a lot of area to show a small amount of data.
>>
>> In most cases, data from multiple pie charts can be shown more
>> effectively in a single bar or column chart. For example, see
>>
>> Column Chart to Replace Multiple Pie Charts
>> http://peltiertech.com/WordPress/column-chart-to-replace-multiple-pie-charts/
>>
>> Simple Bar Chart Beats Complex Multiple Sized Pies
>> http://peltiertech.com/WordPress/simple-bar-chart-beats-complex-multip...sized-p
>>
>> - Jon
>> -------
>> Jon Peltier
>> Peltier Technical Services, Inc.
>> http://peltiertech.com/
>>
>>
>>
>> ORLANDO VAZQUEZ wrote:
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> I have four pie charts that are displayed on one 8.5" x 11" worksheet.
>>> I am having a difficult time resizing so that that all play nice on the same
>>> sheet.
>>>
>>> Is there an easy way to size multiple charts so they fit nicely on one page ?
>>> I have been dragging corners for hours but can't seem to get it right.
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>> Orlando