how to make a pareto chart using exel pivot tables 01

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© 2013 Rocío Muñoz Zárate

How to make a Pareto Chart using Excel Pivot Tables

I recently started working in a PDCA to solve a problem regarding customer complaints.

As you know, the PDCA applied to problem solving involves writing the problem statement based in facts and I

had to enter the last twelve months data – rows and rows of information.

I needed the historical data to create a Pareto chart and prioritize the focus of the PDCA and now, in the stage

of “Check” I have to monitor the data and then validate if the solutions proposed have been effective.

This means that I have to continuously enter new data and update Paretos and Run charts, so I tried to do it

in the easiest and fastest way possible so the charts I was showing to my colleagues were accurate.

Because this is an approach widely used in many other contexts, I want to share this tool that can help in

saving time and prevent errors while entering data and refreshing pivot tables and pivot charts in Excel.

I hope it is useful for you.

I decided to use an example involving an imaginary downtime problem.

Automating tasks is important and helpful, so I converted range data into a table. This allows me to enter new

data by dragging the last row of the table and makes the update of pivot tables easier.

I’m using Excel 2013 but I had tested the method described in Excel 2007 and it works the same.

Enter data in a spread sheet

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Convert Data Table into a Table with Total Row 1. Select all data and then INSERT>Table>Create Table>OK

a. Result




2. Click on the table then TABLE TOOLS>DESIGN and click on Total Row

3.

Add a % of Total Column 1. Click in the cell beside the table headers and type "% of Total"




2. In the first cell enter a formula to calculate percentage (in this particular case is “=B2/C13”)

a. Result

3. Select the % column and give the number format for %




Create the Pivot Table 1. Click on the Table and then INSERT>PivotTable>PivotTable>OK

a. Result




2. Drag "Downtime Cause" to the section Row Labels, "Time [min.]" and "% of Total” to the section "

Values"

3. Click on the Pivot Table, on any value of "Sum of Time [min.]" then DATA>Sort & Filter>Sort

Largest to Smallest




4. Click on "Sum of % of Total" and then Value Field Settings...>Number Format>Percentage>OK




5. Back in the Value Field Settings dialog box, click on Show Value As>Running Total In>OK>OK

Note: To ensure that the cumulative column is well calculated, make sure that the Base field is the

one in the Rows section, if it is not so, you will have a N/A in the Pivot Table.




a. Result

6. Change the cell names to match your analysis (just click on the cell and type)




Create the bar chart 1. Click on the Pivot Table and then PIVOTTABLE TOOLS>ANALYSE>PivotChart>OK (chart type must be

Column)

a. Result




2. Two slow clicks on the % Cumulative series legend and then right-click Change Series Chart

Type……>Combo> Clustered Column - Line on Secondary Axis>Line (in roll down menu)




Note: if you are using Excel 2007 or 2010 the Combo option is not available and you have to change %

Cumulative series for Line with markers and then manually set up the secondary axis.

3. Click on Line with markers and then OK




a. Result

4. Right-click on the values of the secondary Axis and then Format Axis… and change major units to 0.2




5. Right-click on any of the buttons and then Hide All Field Buttons on Chart




a. Result

6. Click on the chart and then PIVOTCHART TOOLS> DESIGN> Chart Layout> either Quick Layout or Add

Chart Element and format the chart as you need adding titles, axis titles, etc.




a. Result

And this is your Pareto chart.


how to make a pareto chart using exel pivot tables 01

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