Pareto Chart in Excel created by QI Macros

A pareto chart shows where effort can be focused for maximum benefit. The pareto chart combines a sorted bar graph with a cumulative line graph. The bars are placed from left to right in descending order. The cumulative line graph shows the percent contribution of all preceding bars. Often, two or three "big bars" represent most of the problem (80/20 rule).

Creating and Using Pareto Charts

To create a pareto chart in Excel requires some Excel wizardry: 1) the creation of formulas for the cumulative line graph; 2) the creation of the line-column chart; 3) adjustment of the scale of both axes; and 4) changing the color of the chart.

Compare a pareto chart created by hand in Excel (left below) with one created by the QI Macros (right). Excel's plot area is gray; bars aren't full sized; cumulative line starts in the middle of the first bar instead of bottom left corner. And you can't read the cumulative percentages off of the line.

Competitive Analysis

Compare the pareto charts created by our competitors (left) with one created by the QI Macros (right):

Minitab $1200                                                     QI Macros

The left axis isn't scaled properly and cumulative line graph doesn't extend through the chart as it should. And you can't read the cumulative percentages off of the line.

ChartRunner $990                                                  QI Macros

Notice there's no cumulative line graph. So this isn't really a pareto, just a sorted bar chart.

SigmaXL $249                                                        QI Macros

Their pareto is gray; bars aren't expanded; left axis isn't scaled properly; and cumulative line graph doesn't extend through the chart as it should. And you can't read the cumulative percentages off of the line.

SPC XL $249                                                        QI Macros

The bars aren't expanded; and cumulative line graph doesn't extend through the chart as it should. And you can't read the cumulative percentages off of the line.

With the QI Macros you get a pareto chart that's correct and more professional at a lower cost.

• Watch Video of Creating a Pareto Chart using the QI Macros
• Pareto Case Study
• Pareto Principle
• Pareto Analysis
• Pareto Chart Mistakes
• How to Compare Pareto Charts
• Pareto Chart Template for Excel
• Pareto Chart Examples for Excel

To learn more about how to analyze Excel tables using the Pareto chart, click here.

The Pareto Chart is just one of the tools included in the QI Macros for Excel SPC Software for Excel.

Download the FREE 30-day Evaluation copy of the QI Macros Excel SPC Software for Six Sigma