How to Format Pie Charts in Looker Studio

Formatting your pie charts in Looker Studio is like adding the perfect toppings to your favorite pizza; it is an easy way to make your data stand out and more visually attractive. Whether you want to change the colors, labels, or percentages, you have lots of options to design your chart exactly the way you want. In this guide, we'll walk you through some basic on how to format pie charts in Looker Studio so you can clean, clear, and eye-catching pie charts for your reports. Let's get started!

How to Format Pie Charts in Looker Studio:

Step 1: Convert your Pie Chart to a Doughnut Chart

1. Locate the Chart dropdown menu in the right panel

2. Click to open the menu

3. Select "Doughnut" as your chart type

   
   

Step 2: Style Your Chart

1. Click on STYLE in the right panel

2. Follow these steps to customize your chart:

   
   

A. Add Title

1. Locate the Title section

2. Enter your title text

3. Customize the font, size, and color as needed

   
   

B. Configure Slices

1. Find "Number of Slices" setting

2. Set maximum slices to 20

3. Under "Group Others" option:

   • Check to combine remaining values into one slice

   • Uncheck to show all values as individual slices

     
     

C. Set Slice Colors

1. Find "Color by" option

2. Choose one method:

   • Single color: Select one color for gradient effect

   • Slice order: Pick different colors for each slice

   • Dimension values: Assign specific colors to dimensions

     
     

D. Adjust Visual Elements

1. Modify slice size using size controls

2. Change label appearance:

   • Select font type

   • Adjust font size

   • Pick label color

3. Choose slice value display:

   • Percentage

   • Numbers

   • Labels (dimension names)

     
     

E. Format Legend

1. Customize legend text:

   • Set font type

   • Adjust size

   • Choose color

2. Set legend position:

   • Click alignment options (middle, bottom, top, right)

3. Optional: Remove legend entirely using visibility toggle

   
   

F. Final Touches

1. Add background color:

   • Select color picker

   • Choose desired shade

2. Add borders:

   • Set border width

   • Choose border color

   • Pick border style

Frequently Asked Questions on Formatting Pie Charts in Looker Studio:

How can I change the order of slices in my pie chart in Looker Studio?

Go to the "Data" tab, find the "Sort" section and choose how you want to order your slices (e.g., by dimension, metric, or custom order).

For custom ordering: Select "Custom" in the Sort dropdown, click "Add sort rule", choose your dimension, and arrange values in your desired order.

How do I format the numbers displayed on my pie chart in Looker Studio?

In the "STYLE" tab, under "Slice label," click on "More options." Here you can set the number format, including decimal places, use of abbreviations (K, M, B, etc.), currency symbol (if applicable), percentage display, and thousands separators.

Is it possible to highlight a specific slice of the pie chart in Looker Studio?

Yes, to highlight a specific slice, you can navigate to the "STYLE" tab, find the "Slice explosion" section, and enable the "Explode slices" option. You can then choose which slices to explode:

• All slices: This will separate all slices slightly.

• Biggest slice: This automatically highlights the largest slice.

• Custom: This allows you to select specific slices to highlight.

Can I animate my pie chart in Looker Studio?

Looker Studio doesn't offer built-in animations for pie charts. However, you can create a sense of dynamism by using interactive features like drill-downs or filters.