How to Create a Sunburst Chart in Excel: Step-by-Step Tutorial (2025)

Published: December 17, 2024 - 3 min read

Julian Alvarado

A sunburst chart transforms hierarchical data into an intuitive, circular visualization where each ring represents a level in your data hierarchy. Excel users from version 2019 onward can create these dynamic charts to display complex relationships, from organizational structures to budget allocations. This tutorial walks you through creating and customizing a sunburst chart, complete with interactive elements and real-time data connections.

Create Your First Sunburst Chart in Excel

Let’s start with a basic example using a company’s sales data structure:

Format Your Data Structure

Your data must follow a hierarchical structure for the sunburst chart to work correctly. Here’s how to organize it:

  1. Open a new Excel worksheet
  2. Create column headers using this structure:

Region

Country

Product

Sales

North America

USA

Laptops

50000

North America

USA

Tablets

30000

Europe

Germany

Laptops

40000

Europe

France

Tablets

25000

  1. Verify hierarchy levels
    • Each column represents a level in your chart
    • Arrange from broadest (left) to most specific (right)
    • Include numerical values in the rightmost column

Select and Insert the Chart

  1. Select your data range
    • Click and drag to highlight all cells including headers
    • Ensure no blank rows or columns are selected
  2. Navigate to the Insert tab
    • Click Insert > Charts > Hierarchy

    • Select Sunburst from the options

  1. Verify initial visualization
    • Check that all levels appear as concentric rings
    • Confirm data hierarchy flows from center outward

Customize Your Sunburst Chart Design

Apply Colors and Labels

  1. Modify color schemes:
    • Right-click any segment
    • Select Format Data Series

    • Choose from preset color schemes or create custom colors:

Level

Suggested Colors

Purpose

Center

Dark shades

Root level visibility

Middle

Medium tones

Clear differentiation

Outer

Light shades

Detailed data emphasis

  1. Format labels:
    • Click Chart Design > Add Chart Element > Data Labels

    • Choose from these options:

Label Type

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Category

Show names only

Value

Display numbers

Percentage

Show proportions

Combined

Full detail view

Work with Chart Elements

  1. Adjust segment sizes:

Copy

Right-click > Format Data Series > Series Options

– Angle: Controls segment spread (0-360 degrees)

– Hole size: Adjusts center opening (0-100%)

  1. Add hover effects:
  • Select the chart
  • Click Format > Shape Effects

  • Choose from:
    • Shadow
    • Glow
    • Soft edges
    • 3-D rotation

Add Interactive Elements

Create Drill-Down Capabilities

  1. Enable selection:

Copy

Click chart > Format > Selection Pane

– Toggle visibility of specific levels

– Group related segments

  1. Add interactivity:
  • Right-click > Format Data Series

  • Enable these options:
    • Explosion: Separate segments on click
    • Rotation: Allow manual segment adjustment
  1. Connect to data sources:
  • Click Data > Get Data

  • Choose your source:
    • Excel workbooks
    • Databases
    • Cloud services
  1. Set up refresh parameters:
  • Click Data > Refresh All

  • Configure refresh settings:
    • Manual refresh
    • Automatic refresh (time-based)
    • Refresh on file open

Next Steps

You’ve learned to create a professional sunburst chart in Excel, from basic setup to advanced customization. To take your data visualization to the next level, consider automating your charts with real-time data.

Ready to supercharge your Excel dashboards with live data? Get started with Coefficient to automatically sync your business data directly into your spreadsheets, ensuring your sunburst charts always display the latest information.

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Julian Alvarado Content Marketing
Julian is a dynamic B2B marketer with 8+ years of experience creating full-funnel marketing journeys, leveraging an analytical background in biological sciences to examine customer needs.
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