Sunburst charts

A sunburst chart is useful for visualizing hierarchical data structures. A sunburst chart consists of an inner circle surrounded by rings of deeper hierarchy levels. The angle of each segment proportional to either a value or divided equally under its inner segment. The chart segments are colored based on the category or hierarchical level to which they belong.

Creating a simple sunburst chart

  1. In the Chart Builder's Chart Types section, click the Sunburst icon.
    Sunburst chart icon

    The canvas updates to display a sunburst chart template.

  2. Select a categorical (nominal or ordinal) variable from the Columns list. The categories in this variable determine the number of segments in the chart.
  3. Click Add another column and select another categorical (nominal or ordinal) variable from the Columns list. The categories in this variable determine the number of segments in the chart's second ring and represent a hierarchical level.
  4. Select a statistical summary function for the graphic element (count-based statistic or a sum). The result of the statistic determines the size of each segment. When Sum is selected, choose a scale variable from the Value list to represent the value in the dataset to summarize.
  5. Select a Sunburst layout option (either Traditional or Divergent).

Additional features

Columns
Select a categorical (nominal or ordinal) variable that determines the number of segments in the chart.
Summary
Select a statistical summary function for the graphic element (count-based statistic or a sum). The result of the statistic determines the size of each slice.
There are two types of statistical summary functions. The distinction is important because it determines whether you need to specify a Value variable.
  • Functions that do not require a value variable. These are functions that do not require a Value variable. All count and percentage statistics are in this category. These statistics are available when there is no defined Value variable.
  • Functions that do require a value variable. These are functions that do require a Value variable. For example, the Sum function requires a variable on which the summary is calculated.
Value
This field displays when a Summary function, that requires a scale variable, is selected. Select a variable to serve as the scale variable.
Sunburst layout
Available options are Traditional and Divergent.
Primary title
The chart title.
Subtitle
The chart subtitle, which displays directly beneath the chart title.
Footnote
The chart footnote, which displays beneath the chart.