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Which Chart When A Data Analysts Guide 1684073962

This document provides guidance on choosing the right type of chart for data visualization. It describes 15 common chart types such as bar charts, line charts, scatterplots, and funnels charts. For each chart type, it indicates what kind of data it is best suited for, when to use it, what information it conveys, and when it may not be appropriate. The goal is to help analysts select charts that effectively communicate insights from their data.

Uploaded by

Olivier Rachoin
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
76 views19 pages

Which Chart When A Data Analysts Guide 1684073962

This document provides guidance on choosing the right type of chart for data visualization. It describes 15 common chart types such as bar charts, line charts, scatterplots, and funnels charts. For each chart type, it indicates what kind of data it is best suited for, when to use it, what information it conveys, and when it may not be appropriate. The goal is to help analysts select charts that effectively communicate insights from their data.

Uploaded by

Olivier Rachoin
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 19

WHICH

CHART
WHEN?
The Data Analyst's Guide to Choosing
the Right Charts

ANDREW MADSON
Introduction: Unlock
the Power of Your
Data!
Are you tired of spending hours crafting the perfect data
visualization only to have your audience squinting, scratching
their heads, or simply losing interest? As a data analyst, you
know how crucial it is to present your findings in an easy-to-
understand and engaging manner. After all, the insights you
uncover are only as powerful as your ability to communicate
them effectively.

Fret not, fellow data enthusiasts! I've got you covered. This guide
is your ultimate resource for choosing the right charts to bring
your data to life. No more confusion or glazed-over eyes—just
clear, compelling visualizations that will have your audience
eagerly following along and enjoying the journey through your
data.

By reading this guide, you'll discover the following:

How to identify the perfect chart type for your specific data
and goals
15 popular chart types, explained in detail, with tips on when
and how to use each one
How to avoid common pitfalls that can make your
visualizations less effective

Keep your valuable insights from getting lost in translation. Dive


into this guide and unlock the full potential of your data by
mastering the art of choosing the right charts. Your audience will
thank you, and your career as a data analyst will soar to new
heights!
1. Bar Chart

Type of data: Categorical, quantitative

When to use it: Use a bar chart to


compare data across categories.

What it shows: Bar charts display data


using rectangular bars, with the length of
the bar representing the value. The bars
can be horizontal or vertical.

When to avoid it: Avoid using a bar chart


when there are too many categories or if
the data is continuous.
2. Line Chart

Type of data: Continuous, time-series

When to use it: Use a line chart to show


trends over time.

What it shows: Line charts plot data


points connected by lines. The X-axis
usually represents time, and the Y-axis
represents the value.

When to avoid it: Only use a line chart


when there is a logical order or
relationship between data points.
3. Donut Chart

Type of data: Categorical, proportional

When to use it: Use a donut chart to show


the proportion of each category.

What it shows: Donut charts represent


data as slices of a circle, each
representing a percentage of the total.

When to avoid it: Avoid using donut charts


when there are too many categories or
comparing data across groups.
4. Scatterplot

Type of data: Continuous, bivariate

When to use it: Use a scatterplot to


display the relationship between two
variables.

What it shows: Scatterplots plot data


points on a two-dimensional plane, with
one variable on the X-axis and the other
on the Y-axis.

When to avoid it: Don't use a scatterplot


when the relationship between variables
is irrelevant or when comparing multiple
categories.
5. Area Chart

Type of data: Continuous, time-series

When to use it: Use an area chart to show


the volume or magnitude of data over
time.

What it shows: Area charts are similar to


line charts, but the area between the line
and the X-axis is filled, emphasizing the
volume or magnitude.

When to avoid it: Avoid using an area


chart with multiple data series with
overlapping areas, as it can be confusing.
6. Bubble Chart

Type of data: Continuous, multivariate

When to use it: Use a bubble chart to


display the relationship between three
variables.

What it shows: Bubble charts are a


variation of scatterplots, with the size of
the bubbles representing the third
variable.

When to avoid it: Don't use a bubble


chart when the size of the bubbles is not
meaningful or when comparing multiple
categories.
7. Histogram

Type of data: Continuous, univariate

When to use it: Use a histogram to


display the data distribution.

What it shows: Histograms are similar to


bar charts, but the data is divided into
equal intervals, and the bar's height
represents the data frequency in each
interval.

When to avoid it: Avoid using histograms


when the data is categorical or
comparing data across groups.
8. Heatmap

Type of data: Continuous, multivariate

When to use it: Use a heatmap to display


the relationship between two variables
using color intensity.

What it shows: Heatmaps use a color


scale to represent the value of each cell
in a matrix, with one variable on the X-
axis and the other on the Y-axis. Darker
colors indicate higher values, while
lighter colors represent lower values.

When to avoid it: Don't use a heatmap


when the relationship between variables
is irrelevant, when the data is
categorical, or when comparing multiple
categories.
9. Treemap

Type of data: Categorical, hierarchical

When to use it: Use a treemap to display


hierarchical data or to show the
proportion of each category as a whole.

What it shows: Treemaps use nested


rectangles to represent data, with the
size of each rectangle proportional to its
value. Color can be used to indicate
additional information.

When to avoid it: Avoid using treemaps


when there are too many categories or
the data is not hierarchical.
10. Radar Chart

Type of data: Continuous, multivariate

When to use it: Use a radar chart to


display the performance or
characteristics of different categories
across multiple dimensions.

What it shows: Radar charts use a


circular layout with multiple axes, each
representing a dimension. Data points
are plotted on each axis and connected
to form a shape.

When to avoid it: Don't use a radar chart


when there are only a few dimensions or
when comparing data across groups.
11. Box Plot

Type of data: Continuous, univariate

When to use it: Use a box plot to display


the distribution of data and detect
outliers.

What it shows: Box plots use a


rectangular box to represent the
interquartile range (IQR) and whiskers to
show the range of data. The median is
represented by a line inside the box, and
outliers are plotted as individual points.

When to avoid it: Avoid using box plots


when the data is categorical or when
showing trends over time.
12. Stacked Bar
Chart

Type of data: Categorical, quantitative

When to use it: Use a stacked bar chart


to compare data across categories and
show the composition of each category.

What it shows: Stacked bar charts


display data using stacked rectangular
bars, with the length of each segment
representing the value. The total length
of the bar represents the sum of all
values in a category.

When to avoid it: Don't use a stacked bar


chart when there are too many
categories or if the data is continuous.
13. Gantt Chart

Type of data: Time-based, project


management

When to use it: Use a Gantt chart to


visualize project schedules, tasks, and
milestones.

What it shows: Gantt charts use


horizontal bars to represent tasks, with
the length of the bar indicating the
duration. The X-axis represents time, and
tasks can be grouped by category.

When to avoid it: Avoid using Gantt


charts when the data is not time-based
or when showing relationships between
variables.
14. Waterfall Chart

Type of data: Quantitative, sequential

When to use it: Use a waterfall chart to


visualize the cumulative effect of
sequential data, such as financial or
inventory changes.

What it shows: Waterfall charts use


vertical bars to represent the value of
each step, with the bars connected to
show the cumulative effect. Positive and
negative values can be represented using
different colors.

When to avoid it: Don't use a waterfall


chart when there is no logical order or
relationship between data points.
15. Funnel Chart

Type of data: Categorical, process stages

When to use it: Use a funnel chart to


visualize the stages of a process, such as
sales, conversions, or customer journeys.

What it shows: Funnel charts use a series


of decreasing trapezoids to represent
each stage in a process, with the width of
each trapezoid proportional to the
number of items at that stage.

When to avoid it: Avoid using funnel


charts when there is no straightforward
process, or the data is continuous.
Summary: You Did
It!
Now that you understand these 15
chart types, you'll be better
equipped to choose the correct
chart for your data visualization
needs.

Remember, selecting the


appropriate chart type can make
all the difference in how your data
is perceived and understood. Keep
this guide handy as a reference,
and happy visualizing!

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