Choosing the Right Chart

Start with the question

Choose a chart based on what the reader needs to compare.

Examples

When a table is better

A good compromise is a table with conditional formatting (colour scales or data bars).

Common mistakes

• Pie charts with many categories: angles are hard to compare.
• 3D charts: perspective distorts proportions.
• Line charts for unrelated categories: lines imply a continuous sequence, such as time.
• Dual-axis charts that imply a relationship by aligning two scales.
• Unsorted bar charts when ranking matters.

Key takeaways

• The best chart isn't the most decorative one.
• It's the one that makes the intended comparison easiest to understand.

Try it: Choose a chart type for each question: monthly sign-ups, sales by region, relationship between price and demand, and distribution of customer ages.