Funnel charts, also known as funnel graphs, are useful for visualizing stages in a sales or marketing process. The stages are typically shown as progressively decreasing sizes, resembling a funnel shape. This guide will show you how to make funnel charts from scratch in Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
Creating a Funnel Chart in Excel
Excel provides a built-in funnel chart type that’s easy to create. Follow these steps:
- Enter the data
- In a blank Excel sheet, enter categories as labels in the first column. In the next columns enter corresponding values. See the example data below.
- Select the data
- Select the data range, including the category labels and values. Do not include subtotals or grand totals.
- Insert funnel chart
- On the Insert tab, in the Charts group, click the Funnel chart icon.
- In the dialog, select the 2-D Funnel chart type.
- Modify and format funnel chart
- The chart will insert automatically.
- To change the chart style, size, axes, data labels etc., use the Chart Tools Design and Format tabs.
- Use Chart Filters to simplify the view.
Below is an example funnel chart in Excel created from sample sales data:
Funnel chart in Excel
Creating a Funnel Chart in PowerPoint
It takes a few more steps to create funnel charts in PowerPoint since there’s no built-in type. Here is how to make them from a stacked column chart:
- Enter and select the data
- On a PowerPoint slide, enter the categories and data just like in Excel. Select the entire data range.
- Insert stacked column chart
- On the Insert tab, in the Charts group, select the Stacked Column chart icon.
- Change the chart layout
- With the chart selected, under Chart Tools Design > Chart Layouts, choose the Layout with no legend at the side.
- Change chart type to funnel
- With the chart still selected, under Chart Tools Design > Change Chart Type, change the chart to Funnel.
- Refine funnel chart design
- Use options under Chart Tools Format and Design to refine the funnel chart’s shapes, colors, axes etc.
Below is an example of a funnel chart created in PowerPoint:
Funnel chart in PowerPoint
Creating a Funnel Chart in Word
Word does not have built-in charting capabilities. But you can create basic funnel charts by inserting SmartArt graphics.
Follow these steps:
- Enter data
- On a Word document, enter the stages and values, each on separate lines. Select the data.
- Insert SmartArt
- On the Insert tab, click SmartArt. In the dialog, select the funnel type like Segmented Pyramid.
- Refine funnel design
- With the SmartArt selected, use the SmartArt Tools Design tab to refine the colors, sizes, and other formatting.
Below is an example of a basic funnel chart created in Word using SmartArt:
Funnel chart in Word
So in summary, Excel has a dedicated funnel chart type, PowerPoint requires converting a stacked column chart, and Word needs you to use SmartArt graphics.
