Communicating with Data

Chapter 4. Visualizing Data Differently

If you choose to just use tables, bar charts, and line charts, you will be able to fulfill most data communication needs. However, by using only these basic forms of communicating with data, you may restrict your analysis and risk boring your audience.

Using alternate chart types can help you find different messages in the data. Using two measures on a chart instead of one can show relationships you would not see otherwise. Comparing one metric directly to another means that you don’t have to look at two separate charts and form the analysis in your head. And showing the individual data points, instead of aggregating values to show a summary metric, can uncover new trends in the data.

This chapter looks at some alternate charts and ways to use them.

Chart Types: Scatterplots

I’m going to have to mention this at the outset: I love scatterplots. There, I’ve said it. Of course, I’ll give you an unbiased opinion, but I will also share why I think they are so powerful.

I love scatterplots because of their flexibility; they can cover several use cases. Many people also find them easy to interpret. The combination of multiple metrics is useful for analysis. Finally, scatterplots allow you to combine hundreds, if not thousands, of data points on a single chart, which can uncover stories in the data that might be lost if you filtered the data to fit on a single page. (Color can help here, highlighting the key data points.)

With so many options, ...