less is more: Eliminating Chart Junk

A great Power BI report is like a window into the insights hidden in your data. But clutter obscures that view. Two common culprits are Chart Junk and wordy, ineffective text. Here are some tips to keep your visuals clean and text focused, so your data shines through.

Cut the Chart Junk

It's tempting to include lots of unnecessary chart elements like borders, grids, legends, and images. Resist the urge. Each additional element distracts from your core data story. Follow these principles:

• Remove chart borders and backgrounds. White space is your friend.
• Delete grid lines if they don't add meaningful context.
• Only keep legends if your audience needs them to interpret the data.
• Don't add images or icons that just decorate your charts without adding info.
• Limit the use of table column or row outlines. They are rarely necessary.
• If using a map, remove any unnecessary details that don't provide geographical context.

By streamlining the visuals, you focus attention on the data alone. The clearer view often translates to deeper insight.

Write Clear, Concise Text

When used thoughtfully, text enhances visuals. But resist the urge to explain everything. Here are some tips for maximizing text:

• Don't repeat what visuals show. Assume your audience can read the charts.
• Point out key takeaways: Use text to provide context or show change over time.
• Scan-ability is key: Favor short sentences over long paragraphs.
• Make sure fonts are large and readable, especially on mobile screens.
• Easy Connect: Place text next to related visuals for quick connections.
• Crowding overwhelms: Use text sparingly. White space improves readability.

With strategic words, you can guide your audience through the data narrative. But let the visuals pull their own weight.

Conclusion

In data visualization, clarity is king. Subtraction often achieves more than addition. Try cutting and condensing. Recognize when enough is enough.

So, embrace the minimalist mindset. Say more with less. More white space, more cleanliness, Limit your palette of colors, fonts, and effects. More on that in this article. Your data will speak volumes through simple, intuitive visuals. And your audiences will Power BI reports will shine. Readers can focus on what matters most - the data insights.