Which visual is advisable to use in Power BI when showing the proportion of a small number of categories?

Using a pie chart in Power BI is advisable when you want to illustrate the proportion of a small number of categories because it effectively displays how individual segments contribute to the whole. Pie charts excel in visualizing part-to-whole relationships, allowing viewers to quickly gauge which categories are dominant or minor within the dataset.

When a limited number of categories are involved—ideally three to five—a pie chart provides a clear and immediate visual representation of the percentages each category holds in relation to the total. This makes it easier for the audience to compare the size of segments visually. The use of color differentiation in the segments adds further clarity, enhancing the understanding of the proportions.

In contrast, line charts and scatter plots are more effective for showing trends over time or distributions rather than proportions. Bar charts can represent proportions as well, but they may not convey the instant visualization of a whole as clearly as a pie chart does with a small number of categories. Therefore, pie charts are particularly useful for this specific scenario.