What is Radar Chart in Microsoft Excel

It was well known that the respective Radar Chart in Microsoft Excel is usually a graph that is having several axes (lines) and is starting from a single point in the middle. Each line usually depicts a data from a separate data column, connecting the data points in a circular format as well. The other name for the Radar chart is none other than the: Web, Spider, etc

Besides all this, they are very useful for performing the comparison of the multiple variables and their values in a given single chart respectively, hence making it easier to identify out the various patterns as well as the various variations associated with the data points.

Radar Chart in Microsoft Excel

A Radar Chart is basically a special type of Chart that can be effectively used to visualize multivariate data as wells, and the radar chart basically consists of a series of spokes that radiate out from the central point, in this each spokes represents a different variable, and the selected data is effectively plotted on each spoke by using of the line or area, and the outcome will be generalized as web, star, or spider-like patterns in an effective manner.

List out the types of Radar charts available in Microsoft Excel

In Microsoft Excel, the "Radar charts" primarily exist in three variations that are none other than the following ones

1. Standard Radar Chart.
2. Filled Radar Chart.
3. Polar Area Charts.

Each type of chart has advantages that can be useful for the various purposes, so now let us discuss each type of the Radar chart in detail.

Standard Radar Chart: In Microsoft Excel, the standard radar chart is termed to be one of the most basic types of the radar chart, in which the data points are usually plotted as vertices on the given Chart and are effectively connected by a line. They are very useful for simultaneously comparing out the multiple variables as well as identifying the patterns in the given data respectively.

Filled Radar Chart: In the Filled Radar Chart, the area enclosed by the respective data points and it is filled with colors as well, and hence providing a clear visual representation of the data, we can also make use of it to depict the relative importance of the different variables and how they will be contributing to an overall score respectively.

Polar Area Chart: The Polar Chart in Microsoft Excel is very similar to the filled radar chart, as in this type of the Chart the selected data points are plotted on a circular grid instead depicting by polygon. And the area which is enclosed by the data points is primarily divided into various segments and each segment represent a different variable. This could be used to depict how different variables contribute to an overall score and also to compare multiple data sets at once.

How read a Radar Chart in Microsoft Excel

Suppose that, we are required to compare the top 5 products of our electronics company sells. So for this, we will be making use of the sales data from the second quarter of 2023 to create a radar chart in Microsoft Excel, where:

• Each product is depicted by a different line.
• And the sales amount for each product can be shown by the dot present over each line

#1: Interpretation of the Radar Chart with a Single Data Point Since we have only one data point for the sales, so in that case we can easily read the radar chart in Microsoft Excel by using below-mentioned point effectively:

• If the dot is closer to the center (origin), then the sales amount will be lesser in number.
• And if in case, the dot is farther from the center, and then the sales will be higher in number in that particular scenario

Our best-selling product can be easily depicted by the data point which is farthest from the center. And in this case, the smartphone is our highest-selling product.

#2: Interpretation of the Radar Chart with Multiple Data Points As we have seen that in our previous example we had one single data point (sales), but we can also make use of it to study multiple data points as well.

To understand this clearly, let us now suppose that we are choosing a top-rated tourist spot for a particular trip, and then we can easily create a spider chart where each axis represents a specific tourist place, and the points on the lines depicts out the ratings for the Sightseeing, Food, History, and Transportation at each place.

And instead of this, we can easily interpret each data point individually, which are as follows:

1. Switzerland stands out in Sightseeing, which Italy follows
2. Italy stands out in History, as followed by Paris
3. And Paris excels in Food, while Italy comes second as well
4. Dubai and New York have higher ratings in terms of Transportation.

One can easily compare all the metrics to know which tourist spot has the highest rating while considering out all the aspects, so as from the interpretation it could be concluded that the best place to visit will be Paris, which has the highest rating in terms of all the aspect in comparison to other 4.

What are the key elements associated with the Radar Charts

We must know what the tool comprises of before creating or using the radar chart in Microsoft Excel, and it will help us to identify out the data variations to include, when to use it, and how to use it.

The various elements that are efficiently used in the creation of the Radar Chart in Microsoft Excel are as follows:

1. Center: The center is the starting point from where all the respective radial axes extend, and it will represent each variable's baseline or minimum value, that are displayed on the Chart.
2. Radial axes: The Radial Axes in the Radar chart are the lines which extend from the central point and will then represent the compared variables or the categories as well.
3. Axis labels: The Text labels are positioned at the end of each radial axis to easily identify the corresponding variable or category.
4. Scale: A graduated scale along each radial axis will be indicating the values for each variable, and the scale can be linear, logarithmic, or customized to suit the represented data.
5. Gridlines: Circular or polygonal lines connecting to the scale markings on each radial axis help us to visualize the distribution and the relationship of the values across the different variables.
6. Data points: The actual values of each variable are usually plotted on the corresponding radial axis. Dots or other symbols typically represent our data points.
7. Data lines or polygons: Lines connecting the data points for each variable, forming a closed shape (polygon) when multiple variables are plotted. This shape allows for easy visual comparison of different categories or dimensions.
8. Fill color or shading: The area enclosed by the data lines or polygons can be filled with color or shading to enhance the visual representation and make comparisons easier. You can use different colors to compare multiple data sets on the same Chart.

How to Read a Radar chart in Microsoft Excel

1. Identify the Category that Each Axis Represents

The first key step is to determine the data category on each axis of the Radar Chart in Microsoft Excel.

• For example: For a Radar Chart, which 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.

2. Determining How Categories Relate

Once we determine each axis's category, we will be then evaluating the relationships that exist between the composite variables. And for each variable, we are required to make use of a homogenous scale to improve the reliability as well as the accuracy of the particular insights.

3. Checking out the Resulting Shape

In this particular step, we must need to evaluate the overall shapes, which are effectively created by just connecting each data point on our Radar Chart in Microsoft Excel, and in this be can easily pinpoint the hidden relationships between the data points under study.

4. Compare Key Variables

Now, the respective "Spider Chart" in Microsoft Excel is best suited to compare to the key variables in our respective data, and it makes use of the various shapes and contrasting colors to bring out the distinction insights in an effective manner

How are Radar Charts efficiently used in various Businesses

• It can be used to perform Employee Appraisals and Reviews. In this modern era, we can effectively make use of the "Radar Chart" in Microsoft Excel to visualize employee appraisals and reviews for in-depth and actionable insights. For instance, we can easily compare the variables to the desired score in a performance review.
• It can be used for the Product comparisons. The Radar Chart is also best suited for comparing variables effectively. We can leverage it to compare the performance of the various products in an inventory.

What are the benefits of using a Radar Chart in Microsoft Excel

The various benefits of making use of the Radar Chart in Microsoft Excel are as follows:

1. Making a comparison of the bulky as well as the complex set of data: One of the key advantages using the "Radar Chart" in Microsoft Excel is that we can easily display the insights into two or more significant data points, or in other words we can also display out the multiple variables within a limited space without cluttering.
2. Use to making effective comparisons: We can make use of the "Spider Chart" in Microsoft Excel with the multiple scales to compare two or more significant variables in our data. For instance, we can also compare the gross, net, and dividends effectively issued within a single chart.
3. Outliers: Other important reasons why seasoned data visualization expertsmake use the Radar Chart or the Polar Graph in Microsoft Excel is to displays the hidden outliers as well as the associated anomalies within our data.
4. Track Performance: We can also use the "Radar Chart" to track the performance of the key metrics in our business (or workplace).

How can one easily understand the Radar Chart in Microsoft Excel

Like in the column chart in the spider chart in Microsoft Excel, we also have the X-axis and the Y-axis. The X-axis is each end of the spider, and every step is efficiently considered the Y-axis.

• For example: As in the below-given image, circles marked in orange are the X-axis and circles marked in blue are considered the Y-axis, while the zero-point of the radar chart in Microsoft Excel starts from the center of the wheel. A point reaches the edge of the spike, the higher the value it will gain.

What are the key points associated with the Radar Chart in Microsoft Excel

1. A radar chart in Microsoft Excel is also termed to be the "Spider Chart," and it could be effectively used to compare out values concerning a central value as well. And the data points can be represented on the axis which is starting from the same central point with the same scales on the axes as well.
2. In the table the data are plotted on each axis, and when all this points are joined together, then a spider-web-like structure will get appears on our screen.
3. Fewer variables as well as the fewer axes efficiently help an individual to study the Chart in better way, thereby helping to interpret the performance accurately.

How to Create a Radar Chart in Microsoft Excel

It is well known that the radar chart in Microsoft Excel is very simple and quite easy to use, so let us now understand the workings of some radar charts with the help of examples.

# Example 1: Sales Analysis in 4 different quarters by making use of the Radar Chart.Now, to achieve the above task effectively, we will be following the below-mentioned steps very carefully:

Step 1: First of all, we are required to create data in the below format, which depicts the quarterly sales performance from the past 10 years. So after that, let us now represent this in a spider or Radar chart.

Step 2: Now, in this step, we must need to move to the "Insert" tab available in the Microsoft Excel sheet. Then, in the "Other Charts," we must select the "Radar with Markers" Chart. Doing this will also insert a blank radar chart in the Excel sheet

Step 3: After that, we will right-click on the Chart and select "Select Data," as depicted below in the figure

Step 4: And in this step we will be clicking on the "Add" option respectively.

Step 5: Then we will select the "Series name" as "Q-1" and "Series values" as values, and after selecting this, we are required to click on the "OK" button.

Step 6: We will repeat this procedure for all the respective quarters. And just after that, our screen should look like this.

Step 7: After performing the entire step as mentioned above, we will be then clicking on the "OK" button, and by doing this, we will be inserting the Radar Chart in our Excel sheet in an effective manner. Below is the illustration of how the radar chart in Excel looks before formatting

Step 8: In this step, we must format the Chart as per requirement and wish.To achieve this, we will right-click on each line and change the line color and the marker style option as per our needs. Next, we need to add chart titles to tell the user what it is. And finally, our Chart will look like this.

Interpretation of the above used data:

Looking at the Radar outset, we can see that in 2012, Q1 revenue was the highest among all the 10 years of revenue, while in 2011, Q1 revenue was the lowest.

And in Q2, the highest revenue was in the year 2011, and the lowest point was in the year 2014.

Similarly, in Q3, the highest revenue was in 2009, and the lowest was in 2010.

In Q4, the highest revenue was in 2011, while the lowest revenue was in the year 2012.

And in none of the years, there has been a consistent growth of revenue over 4 quarters. There is always volatility in revenue generation across quarters as well.

#2 Examples: Target with the Customer Satisfaction Level

Step 1: In this step we are required to create the data in the below format after that we need to apply chart type 1.

Step 2: Now in this particular step, we will be then selecting out the data to apply chart type 1. Insert > Other Charts > Select Radar Chart respectively.

Initially, our Chart will looks like the one mentioned below.

Step 3: In this step, we will be formatting as per our ideas. Change the target line color to red and the achieved line color to green, respectively.

• We must change the spider line color to light blue and the line style to dotted lines
• Also, we need to change X-axis values to word art styles.
• We must also insert the header for the Chart and format it nicely.

After all the formatting, our Chart should look like the one below

Step 4: Remove the legends and use manual legends to adjust the Chart neatly. To insert manually, go to the "Insert" tab and "Insert Shapes."

Before removing and inserting manual legends

After removing and inserting manual legends.

Interpretation of the Radar Chart in Microsoft Excel

• he red line shows the target level of each category, and similarly, the green line indicates the achieved level of each category.
• The politeness category achieved a 100% score by reaching 9 out of 9.
• Next, the closest categories are responsiveness and skill set, scoring 8 out of 9.
• The least anchored category is urgency level. It achieved only 2 out of 9.
• There is conclusive evidence that customer care executives need to work on the urgency level and gain more knowledge on the product.
• Maybe they require training to know more about the product.
• They need to create an urgency level to close more deals often.

List out the various Advantages of using Radar chart in Microsoft Excel

The various advantages of making use of the Radar Chart in Microsoft Excel are as follows:

• While presenting a two-dimensional dataset, it is very useful to tell the story of the data set just by creating the radar chart in Microsoft Excel sheet.
• The Radar chart is very much suitable in the condition when the exact values are not critical for a reader, but the overall Chart tells some story.
• We can easily compare each category along with its axis, and the overall differences are quite apparent by the size of each radar.
• Moreover the Radar charts in Microsoft Excel are more effective when comparing target and achieved performance.

List out the various Disadvantages of using Radar chart in Microsoft Excel

The various disadvantages associated with the use of Radar chart in Microsoft Excel are as follows:

• Comparing observations on a radar chart in Microsoft Excel could be confusing once more than a couple of websites are on the Chart respectively.
• It will be create too much of the confusion when there are multiple variables with multiple axes
• Though multiple axes have gridlines connecting them for reference, issues arise when comparing values across different axes.

Things to remember:

1. One individual must remember not to use more than two variables, if used them it will be difficult for a user to understand and draw conclusion from it.
2. We must try to cover the background with light colors to tell the story colorfully.
3. We must need to make use of the different line styles to attract users' attention.
4. And we are also required to arrange the data schematically.
5. Enlarge the spider web to give clear visualization