Which is the best chart Selecting among 14 types of charts Part II
How do you pick the right chart or graph for your data?
If you have data you want to visualize, make sure you use the right charts. While your data might work with multiple chart types, it’s up to you to select the one that ensures your message is clear and accurate. Remember, data is only valuable if you know how to visualize it and give context.
We’ll give you an overview of the different chart types and explain how to pick the right one.
What story does your data tell?
Before making a chart it's important to understand why you need one. Charts, maps, and infographics help people understand complicated data, find patterns, identify trends, and tell a story. Think about the message you want to share with your audience.
Follow best charting practices. Your numbers need to add up and charts need to be scaled accordingly. What would you like to show?
Being able to choose the right chart type for the data you are working with is not an exact science, but I’m sure you will agree something went wrong with these examples. One can’t be certain whether they have been taken from a horror movie or a hippie fest.
In 99.9% of cases, we don’t want to show this to our audience.
Charts are an opportunity.
A storytelling tool.
A chance to make a convincing argument through visualizing data. And that’s of major importance if you want to become an outstanding data science professional.
If we work with chart types that are not the right fit for the data, we won’t convince anybody. To help you overcome or avoid this issue, in this article we’ll discuss:
the different chart types, and
the type of data different chart types are suitable for
When to use these charts and when to avoid using certain chart types.
Clear and intuitive visualizations should be the main focus. There is no point in using sophisticated chart types that must be packaged with a translator or a 5-page legend.
We are confident you understand that and will be able to create stunning and crystal-clear graphs right away.