What are the best practices for choosing a chart for your data?

1 Know your data

Before you select a chart, you need to know what kind of data you have and what you want to show. Data can be categorized into different types, such as quantitative, categorical, or hierarchical. Quantitative data are numerical values that can be measured or counted, such as sales, revenue, or temperature. Categorical data are values that belong to a group or a category, such as gender, region, or product. Hierarchical data are values that are organized into levels or subgroups, such as departments, teams, or employees. Depending on the type of data you have, you can choose a chart that best suits your purpose and message.

2 Know your audience

Another factor to consider when choosing a chart is your audience. Who are they, what do they need to know, and how do they prefer to see the data? Different audiences may have different levels of familiarity with the data, different expectations, and different preferences. For example, if your audience is senior management, they may want to see a high-level overview of the key trends and insights, and prefer a simple and elegant chart that highlights the main points. If your audience is technical or analytical, they may want to see more details and comparisons, and prefer a complex and interactive chart that allows them to explore the data.

3 Know your chart

Finally, you need to know the strengths and weaknesses of each chart type and how to use them effectively. There are many types of charts, such as bar charts, pie charts, line charts, scatter plots, and so on. Each chart has its own advantages and disadvantages, and some are more suitable for certain types of data than others. For example, bar charts are good for showing comparisons and differences among categories, pie charts are good for showing proportions and percentages of a whole, line charts are good for showing trends and changes over time, and scatter plots are good for showing relationships and correlations between two variables. You should also pay attention to the design and layout of your chart, such as the colors, labels, titles, legends, and axes, and make sure they are clear, consistent, and accurate.

Choosing the right chart for your data can help you communicate your message more effectively and persuasively. By following these best practices, you can create charts that suit your data, your audience, and your purpose.