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1. Duplicate Data source to create an enlarged pie to emphasize a special data series.
In Excel, we usually explode one pie from the whole pie chart to emphasize a special data series. But I also find a different solution, which enlarges that pie and highlight data series by size. The left of the following picture is the normal scenario and the right one is a different one. (Please see the green arrow!)
In fact, we can duplicate the data source and add a new chart series (I use doughnut here) to create the right one quickly and easily. Suppose we have the raw data 14 and 86.
A. Insert a blank doughnut chart into workbook. Select data 14 and 86 and press Ctrl+C to copy data to clipboard.
B. Pick new chart and press Ctrl+V twice.
C. Right click on the inner doughnut chart and change its type to pie. (We've done this in the gauge chart)
D. Adjust the outside doughnut chart's "Hole Size" and enlarge the size of pie chart until it satisfies you.
E. Select the data point for 86 from the outside doughnut chart and change its fill to "No Fill".
F. Apply the color and theme you've prepared.
Add decoration and title to your chart. At last you can get the result chart
2. Duplicate Data source to create the second edge for a pie chart.
In fact, take the similar operation as the above chart, you can also create personal chart like the following one, which comes from a popular magazine. The special feature of the chart is the edge. Even though it's not very useful, it improves the whole chart.
A. Insert a blank doughnut chart into workbook. Select data 14 and 86 and press Ctrl+C to copy data to clipboard.
B. Pick new chart and press Ctrl+V twice.
C. Right click on the inner doughnut chart and change its type to pie.
We can also create other interesting chart via duplication of data source. Here are some other examples:
1. Area chart with highlight edge.
We've used this technology in our previous post. "Always markup Min & Max point of line chart". You'd insert an area at first and then insert a line chart or scatter line chart over the area chart. Then highlight the line chart.
2. Simulate "double" compound typed line chart.
Line chart with "double" compound type is easy to create. But you can also add two line charts into your workbook and then widen one line chart but keep the other one thin, which looks like a hollow of the thick one. This post just gives you a different solution. Maybe, you can create cooler chart base on this ideal.
