

5 Questions to Ask When Deciding Which Type of Chart to Use 1. Reviewing customer documents and recordsĭownload the Excel templates mentioned in the video here.These are some other ways you can gather data for your data visualization: Besides quantitative data tools that measure traffic, revenue, and other user data, you might need some qualitative data. Most businesses collect numerical data regularly, but you may need to put in some extra time to collect the right data for your chart. If you don't already have the kind of data you need, you might need to spend some time putting your data together before building your chart. So, while all graphs are a type of chart, not all charts are graphs. Graphs usually represent numerical data, while charts are a visual representation of data that may or may not use numbers. Figure out what data you need to achieve your goal.ĭifferent types of charts and graphs use different kinds of data.

Charts and graphs can also be useful for recognizing data that veers away from what you’re used to or help you see relationships between groups.Ĭlarify your goals, then use them to guide your chart selection.

Identify your goals for presenting the data.ĭo you want to convince or clarify a point? Are you trying to visualize data that helped you solve a problem, or are you trying to communicate a change that's happening?Ī chart or graph can help you compare different values, understand how different parts impact the whole, or analyze trends. What should you be tracking? What matters most? How do you visualize and analyze the data so you can extract insights and actionable information? 1. Select the right type of graph or chart.Ĭhannels like social media or blogs have multiple sources of data and when you manage these complex content assets it can get overwhelming.Figure out what data you need to achieve your goal.Identify your goals for presenting the data.
