How to Make a Donut Chart in Tableau with an Example?

This tutorial will help you with an easy-to-follow guide on creating a donut chart in Tableau to take your data visualization skills to the next level. ProjectPro

Donut charts are a visually appealing and effective way to represent proportions and percentages within a dataset. Their sleek circular design and central void offer a modern twist on traditional pie charts, making data visualization informative and aesthetically pleasing. How do I make a donut chart in Tableau? This tableau donut chart tutorial will cover a step-by-step guide that will walk you through creating compelling donut charts. From selecting the correct data to customizing the design and adding interactivity, we'll also showcase a real-life example to demonstrate how donut charts can be applied to analyze and visualize data meaningfully.

What is a Donut Chart in Tableau? 

A donut chart in Tableau is a type of visualization that represents data in a circular form, similar to a pie chart. However, unlike a traditional pie chart where the entire circle is filled, a donut chart has a hole in the center, hence the name "donut." This central blank space can be used for additional information or to enhance the visual appeal of the chart.

When to Go With a Donut Chart in Tableau

Donut charts display categorical data and the proportional distribution of various categories within a dataset. They are particularly effective when you want to emphasize a single metric or display a limited number of categories. Moreover, donut charts can enhance the aesthetic appeal of your visualization, adding a modern touch to your dashboards or presentations.

How to Create a Donut Chart in Tableau?

Let’s understand creating a donut chart with an example. Consider you have a sample_superstore dataset and want to make a donut chart to analyze the percentage of sales by shipping mode. Check out the video below for a step-by-step guide on creating a donut chart in Tableau using the 'sample-superstore' dataset. Each stage is demonstrated, from preparing the data to customizing the chart appearance. 

You can also follow the on-screen instructions below to get a clear understanding -  

Step 1: Ensure you have the "sample-superstore" dataset loaded into Tableau.

 

Step 2: Start by opening a new sheet in Tableau for your visualization.

 

Step 3: Drag the "Orders" table onto the sheet to start working with the dataset.

 

Step 4: Place the "Ship Mode" dimension onto the Columns shelf and the "Sales" measure onto the Rows shelf.

 

Step 5: Access the "Show Me" tab and select the pie chart option from the available types.

 

Pie chart showing the percentage of sales by shipping mode

 

Step 6: Create a calculated field with a constant value of "0" and add it to the Rows shelf as a placeholder.

 

Creating a null Calculated field

 

Step 7: Repeat the previous step to add another instance of the calculated field to the Rows shelf. Right-click on the second chart, select "Dual Axis," then right-click again and choose "Synchronize Axis" to align both charts.

 

Steps on how to make a donut chart in Tableau

 

Step 8: Customize the appearance of the second chart (added later) by removing all fields from its "Marks" shelf, changing its color to white, and adjusting its size to control the thickness of the donut.

 

How to make donut pie chart in tableau

 

Step 9: For additional context, drag and drop relevant fields into the "Tooltip" section under the "Marks" shelf to provide tooltip information.

 

Tableau donut chart

 

Gain Tableau Expertise with ProjectPro! 

We hope this tutorial has helped you learn how to build a donut chart to convey complex data with clarity and precision. However, actual expertise in Tableau and any data-related field is not solely achieved through theoretical knowledge. ProjectPro offers over 270+ projects grounded in data science and big data - So why wait? Begin your journey toward mastering data visualization and analysis through practical, real-world projects.

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