Turn raw numbers into a clear pie chart by learning how to prepare, format, and import your data correctly.
To convert data into a pie chart, put it in two columns, a category name and a number, merge tiny categories into Other, then paste the two columns into the editor or upload them as a CSV. The editor reads the first column as the label and the second as the value, and skips any row whose value is not a number, so a header row is ignored.
Before touching your data, define what you want the pie chart to show. A pie chart answers the question 'What proportion does each category contribute to the whole?' If your data does not fit this pattern — for example, if categories overlap or do not sum to a meaningful total — a different chart type may be more appropriate.
Structure your data into two columns: one for category names and one for numeric values. If your raw data is a list of individual transactions, aggregate them first — for example, sum all electronics sales into a single 'Electronics' row with a total value of 340.
Remove duplicate categories, fix typos in category names, and ensure all values are positive numbers. Check for missing values and decide how to handle them — either exclude the row or assign a default value. The cleaner your data, the more accurate the chart.
If you have many categories where some represent tiny portions (below 3-5%), merge them into a single 'Other' category. This keeps the chart readable. A pie chart with 15 tiny slivers is less useful than one with 6 clear slices.
Either type your prepared data directly into the pie chart generator or import it as a CSV file. If using CSV, ensure the file has a header row and uses comma separation. Our tool reads the first column as the label and the second as the value, and skips rows whose value is not a number, so a header row is ignored.
After the data is loaded, verify that every category appears with the correct value. Check that the total makes sense and no data was lost during import. Add a title, set colors, and export the finished chart.
Practice what you learned with our interactive pie chart editor below. The chart is pre-filled with sample data to get you started.
The editor has logged 3,074 data imports since January 29, 2026. 2,906 of them (94.5%) were a paste from a spreadsheet and 168 (5.5%) were a CSV upload. The median import is 5 rows, and 623 imports (20.3%) had 10 rows or more.
If your table is in Excel or Google Sheets, copy the two columns and paste them. A CSV upload is the better path for a file someone emailed you.
| Pasted from a spreadsheet | 94.5% | 2,906 imports |
|---|---|---|
| CSV upload | 5.5% | 168 imports |
| Median import | 5 rows | |
| 10 rows or more | 20.3% | 623 imports |
Source: this site's own download log (15,737 chart downloads from January 29 to October 3, 2026), counted by us on October 3, 2026. Anonymous: no chart contents are stored.