Pie chart with multiple column?

[#1]

Hi

I have some problem in creating a pie chart . I have six different columns(A,B,C...) each consists of number from 1 to 1000 and also some negative values. Now i have a field with respect to 'state'. I want to create a pie chart showing contribution of columns from A to F as percentage in individual state for eg  if i choose 'State 1' then the pie chart would show Column A percentage as 20%(just assuming actual values may differ),Column B percentage as 10% and so on . Same goes with other states.

I know pie chart can't be created with negative values but is there any way to pick only positive values from columns and then creating a pie chart?And if not can we create any other chart which represent data in a meaningful manner as I tried creating block chart using rangesum function but it didn't work?

Thanks!!

[rajeshvaswani77]

Hi Vaneet,

The Bar chart would be suitable for you. The negative values would have bars that will show below the X-Axis.

Pie chart on the other hand will distort the information by ignorong the negative values. The Bar chart will still be helpful for you to have a comparison the same way as the Pie chart.

There are many places where the Bar chart is useful than a Pie chart. Please  look for Stephen Few - information dashboard design regarding Pie chart and Bar chart.

thanks,

Rajesh Vaswani

[Anonymous]

Stephen Few is against using pie charts.

I'm not as categorical, but agree that pie charts are often used when they are not helpful.

Regards,

Michael