Which Chart Is Best For My Data?

Contributed by Jay Schroyer

It’s quite amusing that the whole purpose of using a chart in a presentation is to simplify information into a visual form so that your readers or listeners can easily absorb the information you’re conveying to them. Then why are some of the charts more complex than the actual information being presented?

When choosing a chart, you must look at the information that you are presenting and choose the chart that would appropriately transmit this knowledge. The following are recommendations and explanations of charts that will aid you in selecting the best chart for your situation. All of these charts are available in Microsoft® PowerPoint® and Excel® and can easily be accessed via the “Insert” option at the top of the screen. Excel is equipped with a wizard that will walk you right through the chart creation process. You can even use source files of data you have compiled in other programs or files. PowerPoint gives you a simple Excel-like spreadsheet that allows you to enter your data and then the program automatically graphs your information on the selected chart type. Should you run into any problems, just search the Excel or PowerPoint help option to look for answers to your questions. Use the following titles to fill in the blank for this question to decide what type of chart is best for your data: “My chart wants to show_____.”

How X compares to Y
Charts that compare these values are probably the most popular and easiest to understand when comparing two subjects. These types of charts are referred to as column and bar charts, but can also appear in geometrical shapes like a cylinder, cone, or pyramid. There are two variables: X and Y. The left hand of the chart will feature variable X and the bottom of the chart will house variable Y. Bars or columns are used to show how variable Y running vertically will compare to the data of variable X horizontally. The most common example of these is the back of your monthly energy bill where you will usually find a bar chart representing your energy usage for the year. Variable Y will represent your months and X, the amount of electricity or gas used.

Parts of a Whole
Charts that attempt to show how parts relate to a whole are also very popular among business presentations. These charts come in two forms: the very common pie chart and the lesser known donut chart. In a pie chart, a circle is divided into wedges that represent individual variables in a whole. The advantage to a pie chart is that there are really no limits to the number of variables as they will all divide up proportionally to the whole. You might also find a pie chart on the back of your energy bill, but more than likely you’ll see it in population and census studies. The donut chart is just that, a donut where sections represent parts of a whole by their length.

Change Over Time
Charts that plot the progress of a variable over a period of time are also very common and useful. These charts are referred to as line charts. Like a bar or column chart, they usually feature information on the left and bottom of the chart. The line will note a variable’s progress over a period of time that can range from seconds to years. The very same information that is contained in your energy bill column chart could be placed into a line chart. Line charts are very popular for sales and growth charts as they can easily represent whether an item is failing or succeeding.

How a Pair of Xs Compares to a Pair of Ys
Set up just like the column and line chart, these charts, going by the moniker of XY (scatter) or bubble charts, compare the relationship between two variables in pairs. Different colored dots are used to represent each variable. This chart would be excellent if used to compare your energy and water bill cost over a period of time. The left side of the chart would be your cost and the bottom of the chart would be the months of the year. The energy and water bill would appear as different colored dots above each month vertically and located horizontally in relation to the cost of each. This chart would allow you to compare the difference in cost of each during each month.

Area, radar, stock, and surface are other charts that are sometimes used, but tend to have more data specific applications. For example, a stock chart is used for just what it’s named after, comparing the high, low, and close of three stock values. For general business presentation purposes, I’m sure you will find yourself using one particular chart type over and over as it suits your data and is easy to produce especially if you conduct the same sorts of studies or research repeatedly.

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About the Author:
Jay Schroyer has worked in the client and customer service end of business for over five years in retail, advertising, and printing. He holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in English writing and communication.

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