How to Make a Sunburst Chart in Google Sheets with ChatGPT
Creating a sunburst chart is a fantastic way to visualize hierarchical data, showing how different segments contribute to a whole. Unlike a standard pie or donut chart, a sunburst lets you see multiple levels of your data at once. This article guides you on how to make a powerful, multi-level sunburst chart in Google Sheets using the coding help of ChatGPT.
What is a Sunburst Chart?
A sunburst chart, also known as a radial treemap or multi-level pie chart, displays hierarchical data in a circular format. The chart consists of a central circle representing the root node, surrounded by concentric rings. Each ring represents a level in the hierarchy, with the innermost ring being the highest level and the outermost ring showing the finest details.
In simple terms, a sunburst chart is an advanced version of a traditional pie chart that adds levels of detail to different components of the chart. Sunbursts can contain as much or as little detail as the graph's designer wishes to encode into the system. The key differentiator for sunburst charts is the tiered hierarchy of details, which branch off into subsets of information via radial formatting.
When should you use a sunburst chart?
Sunburst charts offer a compelling means of data visualization where hierarchical, proportional relevance is expressed by both the angle of a slice of the sunburst pie chart and the depth of its tiered subsets. The larger the slice of a specific aspect of the whole data set in a tiered hierarchy, the higher up or more important it becomes for business key performance indicators.
For example, IT teams use sunburst charts to visualize data storage on their servers effectively, showing how important data takes up different proportions of resources. This method helps prioritize the analysis of key performance indicators using contemporary visualization methods.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Multi-Level Pie Charts
Like all data visualizations, a sunburst chart presents data for the reader to derive specific conclusions or actionable insights.
Advantages:
Sunburst charts excel in complex data visualization.
They save time by representing complex details in a single chart, which might otherwise take many pages to convey.
They offer a bird’s eye view, allowing users to easily perceive important data segments through interactive interfaces.
Disadvantages:
Overcrowding can occur when too much data is included, making the chart difficult to interpret.
With more levels of tiered subsets, it can become confusing for users unfamiliar with such charts, making it crucial to know your audience.
Sunburst charts are not suitable for all data types, as their circular presentation may not always convey information as effectively as other formats.
Data Preparation: How to Structure and Clean Your Data for an Elegant AI Generation in Modern BI Conversational Dashboards Experience
Preparing your data is crucial for generating effective sunburst charts. Use clear, hierarchical data structures where relationships are defined, such as “category” and “sub-category” levels. Consistency in naming and data formatting is vital to avoid errors in your charts.
Using the Apps Script Code Snippet from ChatGPT
Using Google Apps Script to create sunburst charts in Google Sheets requires a more technical approach. However, ChatGPT helps by generating code snippets for the task, making chart creation possible even with limited technical knowledge.
Open the Apps Script Extension in Google Sheets
Open your formatted data in Google Sheets, click on "Extensions," and select "Script Editor." Copy the code snippet from ChatGPT into the editor. Name and save your project, allowing Google Sheets to run the code and create your sunburst chart.
How You Will Make Sunburst Charts More Quick, Effective Reporting Processes Possible using AI
Modern business intelligence reporting apps now use AI to simplify the complex process of creating sunburst charts. These tools, alongside platforms like ChatGPT, make it easy to generate charts efficiently, saving time on data preparation and chart creation.
Final Thoughts
While Google Sheets does not have native sunburst functionality, modern AI tools like ChatGPT offer innovative ways to create high-quality reporting visuals. Businesses can achieve efficient internal analysis and manage time effectively by embracing these advancements. Explore what's possible with Graphed and save yourself from the days of busy work that has held back your company too.