Free Pareto chart template for Excel

A Pareto table with formulas for the percentage and the cumulative percentage of each cause, the same table filled with a worked example, and short instructions. You enter the causes and their counts; the file does the arithmetic.

In short

A Pareto template is a table that lists the causes of a problem from largest to smallest and calculates each one’s share and the cumulative percentage. It shows where the few causes that explain most of the effect end, so the team knows where to act first.

pareto-chart-template.xlsx

Works in Excel, Google Sheets and LibreOffice. No sign-up.

Download the template (.xlsx)

What is in the file

—“Template” sheet: columns for the cause, the count, the percentage and the cumulative percentage, with bordered empty rows.
—Formulas calculate the percentage and the cumulative percentage of each row. They do not sort: enter the causes already sorted from largest to smallest, with “Other” last.
—“Example” sheet: the same table filled in for a plant that wants new operators to reach standard output sooner.
—“How to use” sheet: the steps to complete it, in short.

How to use it

1Decide what to count and over what period. One unit for every cause — occurrences, days lost or cost — and a period long enough to be representative.
2Enter the causes sorted largest first. One cause per row, with its count. “Other” always goes last, and should stay small.
3Read the cumulative column. The formulas fill in the percentages. Note where the cumulative percentage starts to rise slowly: that is where the vital few end.
4Confirm the vital few with the team. Check the causes at the top with the people who know the process before acting.

Read the full guide →

Frequently asked questions

Does the template sort the causes for me?

No. The formulas calculate the percentages in the order you enter the rows, so enter the causes from largest to smallest, or sort the table in Excel before reading the cumulative column.

Does the file include the chart?

The file holds the table and its formulas. To draw the chart, select the cause, count and cumulative columns and insert a combined bar and line chart in Excel or Google Sheets.

Excel or a dedicated tool?

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