So whenever you can, replace isolated legends with direct chart labels. By default, our scatterplots allow users to hover over data points to reveal precise values, making direct labeling unnecessary. High-density charts like scatterplots can get cluttered quickly when you start adding labels.įortunately, Venngage supports chart interactivity. High-density charts that display many points in a small area should not be labeled directly. And if the legend wasn’t there, the chart would have to have 13 extra labels (to indicate whether each bubble falls in the “male” or “female” category). The legend for this bubble cloud, for example, works well because it features only two categories, which don’t take much effort to remember. Legends can be useful when you have multiple data points that belong to a few categories, when adding a legend can help you eliminate many labels. There are, however, some exceptions to this rule. Every time they make that switch, they’re using some of their limited memory resources to keep the details of the legend in mind.Ī more effective way of representing that same information is to label data points and data series directly on the chart.īy placing labels as close as possible to their respective data points, you can reduce the work required of your reader to interpret your chart. To understand a chart with a legend, readers are forced to scan back and forth between the legend and the chart itself. These legends are used to tell readers which colors, patterns, or symbols represent which data series in the chart.īut most of the time, legends actually hinder readers’ understanding of charts. Most tools like Excel and Google Sheets give charts a legend by default. Don’t (necessarily) use legends in your chart design Now, if I were to go ahead and outline the best chart for type of data, we would never get to the other important principles of chart design.īut if you’re intrigued and want to learn more, check out my complete rundown on how to choose the best charts for your data. They’re effective because the format of each chart aligns properly with the type of data it’s displaying. ![]() These two charts above show two different types of data and tell two different stories. Line charts, on the other hand, are better suited to tracking changes over time with continuous data (data that falls along a scale). With all of these different options and ways to customize your designs, how should you choose the best chart for your data?īar charts, for example, are best for showing comparisons of categorical data (data broken up into discrete categories). Just select the settings tab and you’ll see the alignment options below. You can also choose the horizontal and vertical alignment of you text within each cell. Open the table widget, and you’ll see the options under the data tab. You can choose unique font styles and background colors for each cell. Conventional tools like Excel give you easy access to the most basic chart types, like the pie chart, the bar chart, and the line chart.Įach of these charts can be created with a single click in Venngage.īut with Venngage, creating less conventional charts like bubble clouds, treemaps, icon charts, pyramids, timelines, word clouds, tables and maps is just as easy.įor example, we’ve updated Venngage tables to be easily customized in the editor. If you’re like most people, you probably choose your charts based on how easy it is to create said chart in a basic charting tool. We can’t talk about chart design without first discussing chart choices. ![]() Click it, select your CSV file, and your data gets visualized automatically. Double-click it and under the DATA tab, spot the green IMPORT button. In the editor, select the type of chart you want to use. I’ve taken what we know about human perception and cognition to give you 10 tips on how to design charts that communicate effectively.īut first things first, how do you get your data into your charts? How to upload your data into Venngage chartsīefore you start choosing and customizing your charts, you need to know how to upload your data! In Venngage, it’s simple. That’s why I’ve compiled this comprehensive list of chart design do’s and don’ts. It’s far too easy to overlook the basics of good chart design. They can help reveal patterns, provide context, and describe relationships within datasets.īut have you ever stopped to wonder what makes a chart effective?ĭo you know what separates a good chart design from a bad one? That’s because charts, when done right, can help viewers understand complex data. These days we see charts as commonplace-a type of visual that everyone can, and should, make for infographics, reports, and presentations. ![]() Charts have been used to communicate information clearly and effectively for centuries.
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