Chart Types

Essential
Chart Types
Why Use Charts?
Charts are an essential part of working with data,

as they are a way to condense large amounts of
data into an easy-to-understand format.
Visualizations of data can bring out insights to

someone looking at the data for the first time, as
well as convey findings to others who won’t see
the raw data.
Transforming data into an effective visualization

or dashboard is the first step towards making
your data make an impact.
Bar Chart
Bar charts are used to compare different

categories of data. They consist of a series of
bars that represent the values of each category.
Bar charts can be used with a wide variety of data

types, including numerical, categorical, and
ordinal data. They can also be used to display
data in different formats, such as stacked,
grouped, or clustered bars.
Line Chart
Line charts are used to display trends in data

over time. They are made up of a series of points
connected by a line.
Line charts allow viewers to easily see how data

values change over time, and how different
trends may be related to each other such as
monthly sales or weather patterns.
Pie Chart
Pie charts are used to show how different parts

make up a whole. They consist of a circle divided
into sections that represent the proportions of
different parts.
A pie chart alone does not give the viewer a way

to quickly and accurately compare information so
we should use them alongside other charts
and graphs to drill down into the data.
Scatter Plot
Scatter plots are used to show the relationship

between two variables. They consist of a series
of points on a graph, with each point representing
a data point.
Scatter plots can help to identify patterns in data,

such as clusters or outliers. They can also be used
to investigate the correlation between two
variables.
Bubble Chart
Bubble charts are used to show the relationship

between three variables. They consist of a
series of bubbles on a graph, with the size and
color of each bubble representing different
variables.
Bubble charts can be visually engaging,

particularly when you use bright colors or
interesting shapes for the bubbles.
Heat Map
Heat maps are used to show the density of data

in a two-dimensional space. They use colors to
represent the density of data in different areas of
the space.
Heat maps are particularly useful for displaying

large datasets, as they can show patterns that
would be difficult to see in a table or other data
visualization tool.
Histogram
Histograms are used to show the distribution of

a dataset. They consist of a series of bars that
represent the frequency of data within certain
intervals.
Histograms can be used to visualize things like

the number of customers by company size,
student performance on an exam, or frequency of
a product defect.
Gantt Chart
Gantt charts are used to show the progress of a

project over time. They consist of a horizontal
bar chart that represents the timeline of the
project and the tasks that need to be completed.
Gantt charts can also be used to represent any

data related to a time series like the duration of a
machine’s use or the availability of players on a
team.
Map
If you have geographic information associated

with your data, maps are a simple and
compelling way to show how location correlates
with trends in your data.
For example, sales by city, product export

destinations by country, and car accidents by
state.
Bullet Chart
Bullet charts allow you to quickly compare

progress against a goal.
A bullet chart is a variation of a bar chart. A bullet

chart shows more information and provides more
points of comparison while using less space.
Because it doesn’t display history, this chart is
best suited for quick “how are we doing”
dashboards, rather than deep analysis.
Treemap
Treemaps relate different segments of your

data to the whole.
As the name of the chart suggests, each rectangle

in a treemap is subdivided into smaller
rectangles, or sub-branches, based on its
proportion to the whole. They make efficient use
of space to show the percent total for each
category.
Box-and-Whisker Plot
Box-and-whisker plots, or boxplots, are a

common way to show distributions of data.
The name refers to the two parts of the diagram:

the box, which contains the median of the data
along with the 1st and 3rd quartiles (25% greater
and less than the median), and the whiskers,
which typically represent data within 1.5 times the
interquartile range (the difference between the
1st and 3rd quartiles).
The right type of chart
for your analysis
Selecting the right type of chart for your data is

important, as it can help you to effectively
communicate your message to your audience.
Here are some steps you can follow to select the
right type of chart.
By following these steps, you can choose a chart

type that effectively communicates your message
and engages your audience
for your analysis
1. Identify your message: The first step in selecting the
right type of chart is to identify the message you want to
convey with your data. Do you want to compare values,
show trends over time, or display proportions? The
answer to this question will help you to select the most
appropriate chart type.
2. Consider your data: The type of data you have will

also influence the type of chart you select. For example, if
you have categorical data, a bar chart or pie chart might
be appropriate, while if you have continuous data, a line
chart or scatter plot might be better.
3. Evaluate the chart types: Once you have identified

your message and considered your data, evaluate
different chart types to see which one best
communicates your message.
for your analysis
4. Test your chart: Once you have selected a chart type,
test it with your data to see how it looks and whether it
effectively communicates your message. Make any
necessary adjustments to the chart to ensure that it is
clear and effective.
5. Consider your audience: Finally, consider your

audience when selecting a chart type. Think about their
level of familiarity with the data and their preferences for
different types of visualizations. Choose a chart type that
will be easily understood by your audience and that they
will find engaging.
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Essential

Charts are an essential part of working with data,

Visualizations of data can bring out insights to

Transforming data into an effective visualization

Bar charts are used to compare different

Bar charts can be used with a wide variety of data

Line charts are used to display trends in data

Line charts allow viewers to easily see how data

Pie charts are used to show how different parts

A pie chart alone does not give the viewer a way

Scatter plots are used to show the relationship

Scatter plots can help to identify patterns in data,

Bubble charts are used to show the relationship

Bubble charts can be visually engaging,

Heat maps are used to show the density of data

Heat maps are particularly useful for displaying

Histograms are used to show the distribution of

Histograms can be used to visualize things like

Gantt charts are used to show the progress of a

Gantt charts can also be used to represent any

If you have geographic information associated

For example, sales by city, product export

Bullet charts allow you to quickly compare

A bullet chart is a variation of a bar chart. A bullet

Treemaps relate different segments of your

As the name of the chart suggests, each rectangle

Box-and-whisker plots, or boxplots, are a

The name refers to the two parts of the diagram:

Selecting the right type of chart for your data is

By following these steps, you can choose a chart

2. Consider your data: The type of data you have will

3. Evaluate the chart types: Once you have identified

5. Consider your audience: Finally, consider your

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