Last Updated: 03/07/2026
Pie charts are one of the easiest ways to visualise how a total breaks down into parts and LibreOffice Calc makes building one refreshingly simple, even if you’ve never made a chart before.
In this tutorial, we’ll walk through the exact steps used in the DCP web tutorial video to turn a simple list of monthly expenses into a polished, presentation-ready pie chart.
Step 1: Open LibreOffice Calc
Start by launching LibreOffice and selecting the Spreadsheet option to open LibreOffice Calc. (If you haven’t installed LibreOffice yet, check out DCP’s dedicated installation tutorial first.)
Step 2: Rename Your Sheet
Once Calc is open, rename the default sheet tab to something descriptive – in this example, it’s renamed to “Monthly” to represent monthly expenses. This isn’t required, but it keeps your workbook organised, especially if you plan to track multiple months or categories over time.
Step 3: Set Up Your Labels and Values
Zoom in a little for comfort, then structure your data in two columns:
- Column A – Labels (categories)
- Column B – Values (amounts)
For this example, the categories used are everyday personal expenses:
- Water
- Electric
- Gas
- Council Tax
- Petrol
- Food
- Travel
Step 4: Format the Values as Currency
Before entering numbers, select column B, right-click, and choose Format Cells. Set the format to Currency so your values display properly (e.g., £25.00 instead of a plain number). Click OK to apply.
Then enter sample values for each category:
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
Water | £25 |
Electric | £35 |
Gas | £45 |
Council Tax | £95 |
Petrol | £125 |
Food | £400 |
Travel | £110 |
Step 5: Select Your Data
Step 6: Insert the Chart
With your data selected, go to Insert > Chart. This opens the Chart Wizard, where you’ll choose Pie Chart as the chart type.
LibreOffice offers a few pie chart styles to choose from:
- Normal – A flat, standard 2D pie chart
- 3D – A fuller three-dimensional look
- Simple 3D – Flat shapes with a 3D-style layout
- Exploded/Realistic – Includes gradient shading for a light-reflection effect
For this tutorial, the Normal (simple) pie chart is selected for a clean, straightforward look.
Step 7: Customise Chart Elements
Because you already selected your data range beforehand, LibreOffice automatically detects your data series and labels – no extra setup needed.
Next, click into Chart Elements and add a title, such as “Monthly Cost.” This places a title banner across the top of your chart.
You’ll also be able to control the legend:
- Show or hide it entirely
- Position it on the right, left, top, or bottom
In this example, the legend stays in its default position on the right.
Click Finish once you’re happy with your selections.
Step 8: Exit Chart Edit Mode
After clicking Finish, you’re still inside the chart’s edit view. To exit, simply double-click anywhere outside the chart in a blank area of the spreadsheet. You can then click the chart once to select it and use the green resize handles to adjust its size as needed.
Step 9: Read Your Results
With the chart complete, you can instantly see which category takes up the largest slice. In this example:
- Food – the largest expense
- Petrol – second largest
- Travel – third largest
This is the real power of a pie chart – instantly visualising proportions without having to compare raw numbers.
Bonus Tip: Watch Out for Print Page Breaks
If you go to File > Print Preview, you’ll see how your chart and data will appear on a printed page. Once you exit print preview, you’ll notice a dotted line on your spreadsheet – this represents the page boundary for printing.
Important: Make sure your chart fits entirely within one page (inside the dotted line). If your chart spans across two separate pages, it won’t print correctly. Resize or reposition your chart as needed to keep it fully contained on a single page.
Final Thoughts
And that’s it – you’ve successfully created a fully customised pie chart in LibreOffice Calc! From formatting currency values to choosing a chart style and fine-tuning the legend and title, this process takes just a few minutes once you know the steps.
Pie charts like this are perfect for budgeting, expense tracking, and any scenario where you need a quick visual breakdown of how a total is divided.
