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A Radar Chart in Excel is one of the informative graphical designs you can use to compare two or more key variables on a two-dimensional plane, such as your dashboard.
The chart (also called a Spider or Polar Graph) is incredibly easy to read and interpret. Besides, it displays a lot of information using limited space.
So how can you generate the chart?
Excel seems to be the obvious choice because it’s almost free to access. However, the spreadsheet application does not natively support Polar graphs. In other words, the spreadsheet app is not the best suited to create a Radar Chart.
Think beyond Excel if you intend to access ready-made, visually appealing, easy-to-read Radar Charts.
The tested and proven option is downloading and installing a particular add-in (which we’ll talk about later) into your Excel.
In this blog, you’ll learn:
Before jumping into the heart of the blog, let’s address the following question: what is a Radar Chart in Excel?
Definition: A Radar Chart in Excel is a two-dimensional chart you can use to display two or more key variables on an axis that starts from the same point.
The chart is straightforward to understand and customize. Furthermore, you can show several metrics across a single dimension.
Radar charts in Excel are best used for showing outliers and commonalities in your data. You can use the Radar Chart in Excel to display performance metrics, such as clicks, sessions, new users, and page views, among others.
Also, the graph can help you to display insights into different data points on a radial axis. The visualization design is often used to compare multivariate data sets.
You can plot the chart in a Cartesian plane where the x-axis is wrapped around the perimeter.
Georg Mayr first used the visualization design in 1877. Besides, it has multiple monikers, such as
Check out the benefits of a Radar Chart in Excel below:
One of the key advantages of a Radar Chart in Excel is you can easily display insights into two or more significant data points. In other words, you can display multiple variables within a limited space without cluttering.
You can use a Spider Chart in Excel to compare two or more significant variables in your data. For instance, you can compare gross profits, net profits, and dividends issued within a single chart.
One of the reasons why seasoned data visualization experts use the Radar Chart/ Polar Graph in Excel is that it displays hidden outliers and anomalies within your data.
You can also use the charts to track the performance of key metrics in your business (or workplace).
Keep reading because we’ll cover how to create a Radar Chart in Excel in the coming section.
We understand that Excel is among the best data visualization tools for professionals and business owners.
However, it lacks Polar Graphs in its library. In other words, you cannot enjoy the benefits of a Radar Chart by relying on Excel.
You don’t want your audiences to struggle to decode the meaning of the raw data. That’s not their job. Their job is to decide the viability (and profitability) of the ideas or findings you’re trying to sell to them.
You have the option to supercharge your Excel with third-party add-ins to access ready-made and visually stunning Radar Chart in Excel. We recommend you download and install the ChartExpo add-in in your Excel.
ChartExpo is a super user-friendly add-in you can install in your Excel to access ready-to-use and visually appealing Radar Graphs.
Also, the Radar Chart Generator has many ready-made and advanced visualization designs like the Sankey Diagram, Pareto Chart, Likert Chart, and Spider Chart to help you succeed in data storytelling.
This section will use the Radar Chart in Excel to display insights into the table below.
| Product | Month | Orders |
| TV | Jan | 80 |
| TV | Feb | 65 |
| TV | Mar | 75 |
| TV | Apr | 80 |
| TV | May | 90 |
| TV | Jun | 85 |
| TV | Jul | 65 |
| TV | Aug | 70 |
| TV | Sep | 80 |
| TV | Oct | 93 |
| TV | Nov | 99 |
| TV | Dec | 80 |
| Smart Phones | Jan | 100 |
| Smart Phones | Feb | 60 |
| Smart Phones | Mar | 95 |
| Smart Phones | Apr | 75 |
| Smart Phones | May | 100 |
| Smart Phones | Jun | 60 |
| Smart Phones | Jul | 95 |
| Smart Phones | Aug | 75 |
| Smart Phones | Sep | 109 |
| Smart Phones | Oct | 80 |
| Smart Phones | Nov | 109 |
| Smart Phones | Dec | 75 |
| Computers | Jan | 50 |
| Computers | Feb | 55 |
| Computers | Mar | 51 |
| Computers | Apr | 40 |
| Computers | May | 45 |
| Computers | Jun | 30 |
| Computers | Jul | 39 |
| Computers | Aug | 45 |
| Computers | Sep | 56 |
| Computers | Oct | 39 |
| Computers | Nov | 48 |
| Computers | Dec | 44 |
To install the ChartExpo add-in into your Excel, click this link.
ChartExpo does not natively support a Radar Chart with multiple scales. The tool has only a Dual Axis Radar Chart, supporting two scales.
Keep reading because we’ll show you how to create a Radar Chart in Excel with the help of video.
In the following video, you will learn how to create a Radar Chart in Excel without any coding in a few clicks.
Keep reading because we’ll address the following question in the coming section: How to read a Radar Chart?
The first key step is determining the category of data each axis of the Radar Chart in Excel represents.
For example, for a Radar Chart that displays the sales metrics of an employee, the expected key categories can be lead response time, customer acquisition cost, customer lifetime value, monthly new leads, and time spent selling, among others.
Once you’ve determined the category each axis depicts, evaluate the existing relationships between composite variables. Besides, each variable should use a homogenous scale to improve the reliability and accuracy of insights.
Evaluate the overall shape created by connecting each data point on your Radar Chart in Excel. You can easily pinpoint the hidden relationships between data points under study.
The Spider Chart in Excel is best suited for comparing key variables in your data. More so, it uses shapes and contrasting colors to bring out distinction insights.
You can use the Radar Chart in Excel to visualize employees’ appraisals and reviews for in-depth and actionable insights. For instance, you can compare variables that sum up to the desired score in a performance review.
The chart is also best suited in comparing variables. You can leverage it to compare the performance of products in inventory.
One of the key advantages of a Radar Chart in Excel is you can easily display insights into two or more significant data points.
You can use a Radar Chart to compare two or more significant variables in your data. Data visualization experts use the Radar Chart in Excel to display hidden insights within your data.
Avoid using Radar Chart in Excel if you expect comparison insights with a significant degree of accuracy of strategic decision-making. Radar Charts are not the best alternative for comparing values across each variable.
Also, the chart is not best suited in visualizing bulky and complex data because it’s prone to clutter.
A Radar Chart in Excel is one of the informative graphical designs you can use to compare two or more key variables on a two-dimensional plane, such as your dashboard.
The chart (also called a Spider or Polar Graph) is incredibly easy to read and interpret. Besides, it displays a lot of information using limited space.
Excel seems to be the obvious choice because it’s almost free to access. However, the spreadsheet application does not natively support Polar graphs. In other words, the spreadsheet app is not the best-suited Radar Chart generator.
Think beyond Excel if you intend to access ready-made, visually appealing, easy-to-read Radar Chart in Excel.
We recommend installing third-party apps, such as ChartExpo, into your Excel to access ready-made Radar Charts. It’s an add-in you can easily download and install in your Excel spreadsheet.
ChartExpo is loaded with ready-to-use to interpret Radar Chart, plus over 50 more advanced visualization designs.
Sign up for a 7-day free trial today to access easy-to-interpret and visually appealing Radar Graphs in Excel.
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