Donut Charts

Learn how to build donut charts using categories and values

Donut charts are a variation of pie charts with a central hole, used to represent proportions of a whole. They make it easy to compare different segments and see how each part contributes to the total.

When to use Donut Charts

Donut charts are ideal when you want to:

• Show how parts make up a whole (percentage composition)

• Compare the relative sizes of categories

• Display simple distribution of a single dimension

• Emphasize one or two major segments

Configuring Your Donut Chart

Donut charts work differently from time-series charts. Instead of X-Axis and multiple Series, you configure categories and a single value:

Setting the Category (Segments)

The category field determines how the donut is sliced. Each unique value becomes a segment:

Best practices for Categories:

• Status fields: Lead Status, Order Status, Task Status

• Single option select: Priority, Category, Type

• Categorical text: Department, Product Name, Region

• Boolean fields: Active/Inactive, Paid/Unpaid

Example: For showing ticket distribution by status, set your Category to the "Status" field.

Setting the Value

The value determines the size of each segment. You'll specify:

1. Value Field: The numeric field to measure (or count of records)

2. Aggregation Method:

   • Count: Number of records in each category (most common)

   • Sum: Total of a numeric field for each category

   • Average: Mean value for each category

Example Configuration

Scenario: Show distribution of support tickets by status

Category Configuration:

• Field: Status

Value Configuration:

• Aggregation: Count (count records in each status)

This creates a donut chart where each status (Open, In Progress, Closed) is a segment, sized by the number of tickets in that status.

Another Example with Sum

Scenario: Show revenue distribution by product category

Category Configuration:

• Field: Product Category

Value Configuration:

• Field: Revenue

• Aggregation: Sum

This shows how much each product category contributes to total revenue.

Understanding the Donut Display

Each segment of the donut represents:

• Segment size: Proportional to its value relative to the total

• Percentage: Automatically calculated (segment value ÷ total × 100)

• Actual value: The raw count or sum for that segment

The center of the donut often displays the total value, providing context for the segments.

Common Use Cases

Status Distribution

• Category: Task Status, Ticket Status, Lead Status

• Value: Count of records

• Shows how work is distributed across different stages

Revenue by Category

• Category: Product Category, Service Type, Region

• Value: Sum of Revenue

• Shows which categories contribute most to revenue

Customer Segmentation

• Category: Customer Type, Subscription Tier, Industry

• Value: Count of customers OR Sum of revenue per segment

• Shows customer base composition

Budget Allocation

• Category: Department, Project, Cost Category

• Value: Sum of Budget or Spending

• Shows how budget is distributed

Conversion Funnel Stages

• Category: Stage (Lead, Qualified, Proposal, Won)

• Value: Count of opportunities

• Shows distribution across funnel stages

Tips for Better Donut Charts

1. Limit categories: 3-7 segments work best. Too many small segments are hard to read

2. Group small values: Consider filtering or grouping small categories into an "Other" segment

3. Use meaningful categories: Ensure your category field has clear, distinct values

4. Choose the right aggregation:

   • Use Count when you want to show distribution of records

   • Use Sum when you want to show distribution of a total value (like revenue)

5. Add context: Include a clear chart title explaining what the donut represents

6. Consider alternatives:

   • Use a bar chart if you have many categories or need precise comparisons

   • Use a funnel chart if showing a sequential process

Donut Chart vs. Pie Chart

Donut charts are generally preferred over pie charts because:

• The center space can display the total value

• They're easier to read when segments are similar sizes

• Multiple donuts can be compared side-by-side more effectively

Common Questions

Q: How do I show only top categories? Use view filters or Sort & Limit settings to show only the top N categories by value.

Q: Can I have multiple donuts on one page? Yes! Add multiple chart widgets to a blank page, each configured to show different categorical breakdowns.

Q: What if I have too many categories? Consider using a bar chart instead, or filter to show only the most significant categories.

Q: Can I show percentages instead of values? Most donut charts automatically display both the value and percentage for each segment when you hover or click on them.