Learn how to select the perfect chart for your data with our comprehensive tutorial. Get expert guidance and make informed decisions.
PlotSet team|Sep 12, 2023|4 min|2In today's world, where huge chunks of data surround us, data analysis has gained an undeniable place for itself in various businesses, industries, etc.
However, understanding hard data could be challenging for many people. Using different types of data visualizations can contribute to making the information more accessible.
Surely, data visualization is now an essential tool for interpreting and communicating the target data. Learn Why Data Visualization Is Important.
The good news is that you can choose from different charts and visualizations the one that is best-suited for your data.
How do we know if the chart we've chosen is appropriate for the data?
The following are some of the most commonly used charts, as well as what kind of data they can best illustrate.
Use a Bar Chart to display comparisons between categories or show changes in data over time. For instance, if you wish to compare life expectancy rates in different countries and how they have changed over time, you can use a bar chart.
Use a Pie Chart to represent the percentage distribution of categorical data. A Pie Chart shows how each category contributes to the whole dataset. In the Donut Chart above, which is a type of Pie Chart, each slice displays Berkshire Hathaway's stocks.
Want to know more about Donut Charts? Read the following blog post: Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Donut Chart
If you want to represent two continuous variables and their relationships to each other, you can use a Scatter Plot. Each point on the plot represents a pair of values, with one value plotted along the x-axis and the other along the y-axis.
The pattern of the points can reveal the degree and direction of the relationship between the two variables. This includes positive or negative correlation or no correlation. Scatter Plots can also be used to identify outliers or clusters of points.
Note: The chart you see above is a Bubble Chart, a kind of Scatter Plots. The size of the circles represents certain information about the data points as well.
To display multiple series of data stacked on top of each other to show how the whole data set is composed, a Stacked Area Chart can be quite handy. It is similar to a regular area chart.
However, instead of showing each series individually, the values are stacked on top of each other to show the total value for each point in time or category. A Stacked Area Chart illustrates how different components contribute to a whole over time, such as how a business's product lines perform over time.
A line chart often shows the relationship between two or more variables, representing continuous data, such as changes over time or trends.
Learn more about Line Charts by reading the following blog post: [How to Create a Line Chart that Stands Out](https://plotset.com/blog/how-to-create-a-line-chart-that-stands-out
Remember:
Your choice of chart depends on the type of data you have and the message you are trying to convey. Consider your audience when selecting a chart, and make sure it is easy to understand and visually appealing.
