What are some best practices for creating clear and accurate charts from spreadsheet data?

1 Choose the right chart type

The first step to creating a good chart is to choose the right type for your data and your message. Different chart types have different strengths and weaknesses, and you should match them to your purpose and audience. For example, if you want to compare values across categories, you can use a bar chart or a column chart. If you want to show trends over time, you can use a line chart or an area chart. If you want to show proportions or percentages, you can use a pie chart or a donut chart. Avoid using chart types that are too complex, such as 3D charts, radar charts, or bubble charts, as they can be hard to read and interpret.

2 Organize and format your data

Before you create a chart, you need to organize and format your data in a way that makes sense for the chart type you have chosen. For example, if you want to create a bar chart, you need to have one column or row for the categories, and one column or row for the values. If you want to create a line chart, you need to have one column or row for the time periods, and one or more columns or rows for the values. You also need to make sure that your data is clean, accurate, and consistent, and that you use appropriate labels, units, and formats for your numbers, dates, and text.

3 Customize and refine your chart

Once you have created a chart, you can customize and refine it to make it more appealing and informative. You can use the chart tools in your spreadsheet software to change the colors, fonts, sizes, and styles of your chart elements, such as the title, the legend, the axes, the gridlines, and the data labels. You can also add or remove elements, such as the trendlines, the error bars, the data table, or the annotations, depending on your needs and preferences. You should aim for a balance between simplicity and clarity, and avoid cluttering or distorting your chart with unnecessary or misleading features.

4 Check and review your chart

The final step to creating a good chart is to check and review it for accuracy, relevance, and readability. You should make sure that your chart reflects your data correctly, and that it does not contain any errors, gaps, or outliers that could affect your analysis or interpretation. You should also make sure that your chart supports your message, and that it does not contradict or confuse your main points or arguments. You should also make sure that your chart is easy to read and understand, and that it follows the best practices for data visualization, such as using appropriate scales, ranges, and formats, avoiding misleading or distorted axes or shapes, and using consistent and contrasting colors and fonts.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?