Types of Data-Driven Charts

Line GRAPH
Track changes over periods of time (short and long). Can compare more multiples of the same group. emphasizes trends rather than change.

AReA CHART
Tracks the relative importance of values over time. emphasizes magnitude of values more than a line chart.

BAR CHART
Compare between different groups or to track changes over time Categories along the vertical axis and values along the horizontal axis Bars are horizontal on the page Bar graphs are best when the changes are larger.

COLUMn CHART
Compare between different groups or to track changes over time Bar graphs are best when the changes are larger.

Pie CHART
Used when comparing parts of a whole. Does not show changes over time.

DOnUT CHART
Similar to Pie Chart, but can use multiple sets of Data.

SCATTeR PLOT
Used to investigate a possible correlation between two variables (ie. strength, shape, direction, presence of outliers) Useful when there is a large number of data points.

BUBBLe CHART
Similar to scatter plot, but used when you have 3 different series of data.

RADAR/SPiDeR CHART
Comparing multiple entities based on different characteristics Plots the values of each category along a separate axis that starts in the center of the chart and ends on the outer ring.

With every chart, were usually trying to show one of 4 things.

a Relationship a Comparison a Composition a Distribution

RELATIONSHIP
You want to show a connection or correlation between two or more variables through the data.
For ExamplE

Show relationship between type of professional sport and average yearly income.

IDEal Chart tYpES

Scatter Plot (if 2 variables) Bubble Chart (if 3 variables) Line Chart

COMPARISON
You want to compare one set of values with another.
For ExamplE Compare

the number of visitors to five competing web sites in a single month.

IDEal Chart tYpES

Bar Charts Column Charts Line Charts (if over time) Scatter Plots Pie Charts

COMPOSITION
You want to collect different types of information that make up a whole and display them together.
For ExamplE

Compare the countries of origin of immigrants to Alberta over the last 10 years

IDEal Chart tYpES

Pie Chart (if static) Column Chart (if changing over time) Area Chart (if changing over time)

DISTRIBUTION
You want to lay out a collection of related or unrelated information to see how it correlates
For ExamplE

You want to plot the variation of rainfall with temperature to see if theres a connection.

IDEal Chart tYpES

Scatter Chart Line Histogram Column Histogram

Chart SuggestionsA Thought-Starter

Variable Width Column Chart Table or Table with Embedded Charts Bar Chart Column Chart Circular Area Chart Line Chart Column Chart Line Chart

Two Variables per Item

Many Categories

Many Items Few Categories

Few Items

Cyclical Data

Non-Cyclical Data Many Periods

Single or Few Categories

Many Categories

Few Periods Over Time Column Histogram Few Data Points

One Variable per Item Among Items

Comparison
Scatter Chart Two Variables

Single Variable

Relationship
Bubble Chart Th ree Variables

What would you like to show? Composition

Distribution

Line Histogram Many Data Points

Scatter Chart Two Variables

Changing Over Time Few Periods Many Periods

Static 3D Area Chart Th ree Variables

Only Relative Dierences Matter Stacked 100% Column Chart

Relative and Absolute Dierences Matter Stacked Column Chart

Only Relative Dierences Matter Stacked 100% Area Chart

Relative and Absolute Dierences Matter Stacked Area Chart

Simple Share of Total Pie Chart

Accumulation or Subtraction to Total Waterfall Chart

Components of Components Stacked 100% Column Chart with Subcomponents

2006 A. Abela a.v.abela@gmail.com