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How to describe graphs, charts, and diagrams in a presentation

Why you need to know how to describe a graph

Introduce the graph, identify key features, point out important information, share your conclusions, how do you describe a line graph, how do you describe a bar graph, how do you describe a pie chart, introductory phrases, verb tenses, essential graph terms, essential chart terms, microsoft excel online, google sheets, tableau public, improve your graph presentations with online business english tutors.

Do you have to give a presentation ? But do you know how to make it attractive to your listeners? Charts, graphs, and diagrams can help you cope with this task.

When you can articulate data clearly and compellingly, you position yourself as a knowledgeable expert. You will also need this skill to pass the IELTS , which is one of the major English-language tests for non-native English speakers in the world. One of the tasks in the exam is usually to describe and discuss a diagram or any other visuals with figures and facts. Now, let’s review some helpful vocabulary and phrases to describe charts and graphs .

A lot of presentations focus on data and numbers. Sounds boring, right? Apart from essential business presentation phrases , charts, graphs, and diagrams can also help you keep your listeners’ attention . Add them to your presentation, and you will have profound evidence-based work.

When presenting and explaining data charts, graphs, and diagrams, you should help people understand and memorize their main points. Diagrams and other visuals are excellent tools for describing trends or showing relationships between two or more items.

How to describe a graph

Once you create a fascinating graph for your presentation , it is time to know how to describe graphs, charts, and diagrams. Let’s go over the general process for how to do this.

Your first step should be to present the graph to your audience. This means covering high-level information like:

• Data source

Here are some examples of how to do this:

• This graph shows the relationship between X and Y.
• This diagram is a visual representation of the process for…
• This chart uses data from the Z Database.
• The data in this graph is from 2020.

From there, you can describe the key variables that make up the graph. Graphs and charts typically have an x- and y-axis, which represent different variables. Describing these axes will help the audience understand how the graph displays data.

Here are some helpful phrases for identifying these variables:

• The vertical axis shows…
• The horizontal axis represents…
• This curve illustrates…
• The solid line shows…
• The shaded area describes…
• This colored segment is for…
• The red bar…

When describing graphs, start by recognizing the main patterns, trends, or relationships they show. For example, if the chart clearly shows an increase in revenue over the past year, you should highlight that first.

To describe the movement of the line, you should use appropriate verbs , adjectives , and adverbs depending on the kind of action you need to show. For this, you should use the following vocabulary:

• Verbs: rise, increase, grow, go up to, climb, boom, peak, fall, decline, decrease, drop, dip, go down, reduce, level up, remain stable, no change, remain steady, stay constant, stay, maintain the same level, crash, collapse, plunge, plummet.
• Adjectives: sharp, rapid, huge, dramatic, substantial, considerable, significant, slight, small, minimal, massive.
• Adverbs: dramatically, rapidly, hugely, massive, sharply, steeply, considerably, substantially, significantly, slightly, minimally, markedly, quickly, swiftly, suddenly, steadily, gradually, slowly.

You can also identify other notable information, like outliers. This shows you understand the data beyond the surface level. 

Once you’ve described what you see in the graph, you need to explain what the data means. To come up with ideas, you can ask yourself questions like:

• How does this data affect the future?
• How can we learn from this data?
• What can we do differently to improve?
• What decisions should we make based on this data?

Some ways to explain your conclusions include:

• Based on the graph, we can conclude that…
• This chart indicates that…
• As you can see, user growth has increased in the past year. This means we expect to see more users in the next six months .

This type of graph visualizes data as points on a grid connected with a line to represent trends, changes, or relationships between objects, numbers, dates, or other data . These lines show movement over time affected by the increase or decrease in the key factors.

To describe the graph, follow its progress along the horizontal access and describe whether it goes down, up, or stays the same. Here’s a sample of a line chart with the exam question for the IELTS:

The appropriate vocabulary below will help you understand how to describe such charts:

Bar graphs transform the data into separate bars or columns. Generally, these visuals have categories on the x-axis and the numbers on the y-axis. This allows you to compare statistical data between different groups over time .

Bar graphs also show which category is the largest or the smallest. Each group is independent so that the changes in one do not influence others. The bars or columns can either be drawn vertically or horizontally, as it doesn’t make any difference.

To describe the graph, follow the trend from left to right. Then explain if it goes down, up, or stays the same. The words used to describe bar charts are similar to the ones used for the line charts. Let’s have a look at the exam question for the IELTS writing test:

Here is another excellent example of writing about bar graphs prepared by the British Council as an answer to this exam question. You can also use the following vocabulary to talk about bar charts used in your presentation.

The pie chart primarily illustrates how different parts make up a whole. The best way to present your data in a pie chart is to compare each “slice” of the chart to the others to determine what share of the total each category has . The following comparison words can be used to describe a pie chart :

• compared to
• as opposed to
• the majority of
• only a small monitory
• greater than

Here we have an example of a pie chart that represents how internet users aged 16+ prefer to browse the web:

The example below demonstrates the best way to summarize data by selecting and reporting the main features:

How to choose the correct language for a chart presentation

Now that you understand how to describe various charts better, let’s zoom out to the presentation in general.

To catch your audience’s attention from the very beginning, you can use the following phrases for introduction:

• Let me show you this bar graph…
• Let’s turn to this diagram…
• I’d like you to look at this map…
• If you look at this graph, you will notice…
• Let’s have a look at this pie chart…
• If you look at this line chart, you will understand…
• To illustrate my point, let’s look at some charts…

When describing graphs, you must also be careful about grammar, especially when choosing the verb tense. When you look at the graph, ask yourself these questions:

• Is this data from the past, present, or future ?
• Does this graph represent the same point in time ?
• Is this graph predicting the future ?

Depending on your answers, you’ll end up choosing different tenses. Let’s take a look at these bar charts:

They might look very similar, but if you look more closely, you’ll see that each bar chart represents a different time period. That means they’ll each require a different verb tense.

Bar chart 1 shows data from the past, so we would use the English past simple . For example, “Sales of SUVs increased between 2005 and 2015, then dropped by 2020.”

Bar chart 2 shows data from the past and present, so we would use the English present perfect . For example, “Sales of trucks have slowly risen since 2020.”

Bar chart 3 shows data predictions for the future, so we would use the English future simple . For example, “We expect sales of vans will decrease starting in 2025.”

• Vertex (or Node) : A fundamental unit of a graph, representing a point or an entity.
• Edge : A connection between two vertices in a graph, representing a relationship or interaction.
• Directed graph (or Digraph) : A graph in which edges have a direction, indicating a one-way connection from one vertex to another.
• Undirected graph : A graph in which edges have no direction, and the connections between vertices are bidirectional.
• Weighted graph : A graph in which each edge is assigned a numerical value or weight, representing a cost, distance, or some other metric.
• Degree : The number of edges incident to a vertex. In a directed graph, the degree is often split into in-degree (incoming edges) and out-degree (outgoing edges).
• Adjacency : A pair of vertices is said to be adjacent if there is an edge connecting them.
• Path : A sequence of vertices where each adjacent pair is connected by an edge.
• Cycle : A path that starts and ends at the same vertex, forming a closed loop.
• Connected graph : A graph in which there is a path between every pair of vertices.
• Disconnected graph : A graph with at least two vertices that do not have a path connecting them.
• Subgraph : A graph formed by a subset of the vertices and edges of a larger graph.
• Graph traversal : The process of systematically visiting all the vertices and edges of a graph.
• Connected components : The maximal connected subgraphs of a graph.
• Tree : A connected acyclic graph, where there is exactly one path between any two vertices.
• Forest : A collection of disjoint trees or disconnected components.
• Graph diameter : The length of the longest shortest path in the graph.
• Eulerian graph : A graph in which a single continuous path visits every edge exactly once.
• Hamiltonian graph : A graph that contains a Hamiltonian cycle, which is a cycle that visits every vertex exactly once.
• Isomorphic graphs : Two graphs are isomorphic if they have the same structure, i.e., the same number of vertices connected in the same way.

These terms provide a foundation for understanding and discussing graph theory, a branch of mathematics that studies the properties and relationships of graphs.

• Axis : The reference lines on a chart that define the scale of the data. Typically, there’s a horizontal (x-axis) and a vertical (y-axis).
• Data series : A set of related data points that are plotted on the chart. Each series is usually represented by a distinct color or symbol.
• Data point : An individual value or set of values representing a specific element of the data, plotted on the chart.
• Legend : A key that explains the colors or symbols used to represent different data series on the chart.
• Title : A descriptive label that provides information about the content or purpose of the chart.
• Labels : Descriptive text used to identify and provide context for specific elements on the chart, such as axis labels, data labels, etc.
• X-Axis : The horizontal axis on a chart that represents the independent variable or categories of data.
• Y-Axis : The vertical axis on a chart that represents the dependent variable or values of the data.
• Bar chart : A chart that uses rectangular bars of varying lengths to represent and compare data values.
• Line chart : A chart that displays data points using a series of connected line segments, useful for showing trends over time.
• Pie chart : A circular chart divided into slices, each representing a proportion of the whole data set.
• Scatter plot : A chart that displays individual data points on a two-dimensional graph to show the relationship between two variables.
• Area chart : Similar to a line chart but with the area below the line filled with color to represent the cumulative effect of the data.
• Stacked bar/Column chart : A bar or column chart in which the various data series are stacked on top of each other.
• Histogram : A chart that displays the distribution of a dataset, showing the frequency of different values or ranges.
• Doughnut chart : Similar to a pie chart but with a hole in the center, often used to display multiple sets of data.
• Bubble chart : A scatter plot in which a third dimension of the data is shown through the size of markers.
• Axis scale : The range and increments on an axis, determining how data values are displayed.
• Gridlines : Lines on the chart that help in reading values and aligning data points.

Understanding these terms can enhance your ability to interpret and create effective visualizations.

6 tools for creating graphs and charts

Here are some of the best tools you can use to create graphs and charts, depending on your needs.

• Cost: Free for basic features; full features available starting at $6.99/month for personal use
• Best use cases: Financial modeling and analysis, budgeting and financial planning

Microsoft Excel Online is the cloud adaptation of the renowned spreadsheet software Microsoft Excel.

It’s also especially known for its ability to craft charts and graphs, making data visualization straightforward. Its integration with other Microsoft Office tools online ensures seamless data management and collaboration.

• Cost: Free for individual users; G Suite for businesses starting at $6/user/month
• Best use cases: Collaborative projects, data collection through Google Forms, real-time data sharing and editing

Google Sheets is a versatile, cloud-based spreadsheet tool that’s part of Google’s suite of office applications.

While it offers functionalities similar to Excel, its seamless integration with other Google services like Google Drive and Google Forms sets it apart. The chart-making capabilities are robust, with various templates and customization options.

• Cost: Free for public use; Tableau Desktop for private and professional use starting at $70/user/month
• Best use cases: Advanced data visualization, business intelligence and analysis, public data sharing and storytelling, interactive dashboards

Tableau Public is a premier data visualization tool catering to beginners and professionals. You can transform raw data into interactive and aesthetically pleasing dashboards and visualizations.

One of its unique features is the ability to publish and share these visualizations with a broader audience online. The tool supports drag-and-drop functionality, making it user-friendly even for those without a technical background.

• Cost: Free for basic use; professional cloud services starting at $20/month
• Best use cases: Scientific and engineering projects, integration with programming languages for custom visualizations

Plotly is a dynamic online platform dedicated to data visualization and analysis. It supports a myriad of chart types, from basic line charts to intricate 3D plots. What sets Plotly apart is its interactive nature; viewers can hover over data points, zoom in, and pan across charts.

The platform also offers APIs for various programming languages, allowing developers to integrate and customize visualizations in their applications.

• Cost: Free for basic use; advanced features with Canva Pro starting at $12.95/user/month
• Best use cases: Social media graphs, marketing and promotional materials, infographics for blogs and websites

Although predominantly recognized as a graphic design tool, Canva also boasts a suite of features for creating graphs and charts. With its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, users can design custom charts without any design experience.

Canva’s vast library of free templates and design elements, combined with its charting capabilities, makes it a go-to tool for visually appealing data representation. It’s especially popular among marketers, bloggers, and social media enthusiasts.

• Cost: Free for basic use; paid plans starting at $19/month
• Best use cases: Infographics for digital marketing, interactive reports and presentations

Infogram is a digital tool for crafting infographics, charts, and maps. It simplifies the process of turning data into engaging visual stories.

One of its standout features is the ability to make interactive visualizations, enhancing user engagement. With a user-friendly interface and many design options, Infogram is a favorite among journalists, educators, and businesses aiming to present data compellingly.

When creating charts for your presentations, keep them as simple as possible. Charts, graphs, and diagrams should explain themselves. Use the vocabulary in this article to describe your graphs and help your audience understand the importance of your data.

If you want to prepare for an important presentation in English, consulting with an expert is always a great idea . Here at Preply, you can find a massive database of online business English tutors who are always ready to answer all your questions about language learning and help you deliver a presentation like a pro.

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Candice Benjamin is an English teacher with more than 6 years of online teaching experience. Candice has taught English to children and adults alike of various levels, ensuring that each achieves their respective goals. Candice specializes in the IELTS, TOEFL, and Cambridge exams and creates courses and strategies specific to the needs and goals of each student, to help them achieve their desired grade. Candice is patient and determined to produce significant results for her students.

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Use charts and graphs in your presentation

You can make a chart in PowerPoint or Excel. If you have lots of data to chart, create your chart in Excel , and then copy it into your presentation . This is also the best way if your data changes regularly and you want your chart to always reflect the latest numbers. In that case, when you copy and paste the chart, keep it linked to the original Excel file .

To create a simple chart from scratch in PowerPoint, click Insert > Chart and pick the chart you want.

Click Insert > Chart .

Click the chart type and then double-click the chart you want.

Tip:  For help deciding which chart is best for your data, see Available chart types .

In the worksheet that appears, replace the placeholder data with your own information.

When you’ve finished, close the worksheet.

Create an org chart in PowerPoint

Create charts in Excel

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15 Interesting Ways to Use Graphs in a Presentation [Templates Included]

Remember childhood days, when most of us hated mathematics like anything on this planet? The Pythagoras theorem, never-ending formulas of trigonometry, knot theory, and some other backbreaking algorithms. Oh! What a roller-coaster ride the mathematical equations and terms have given us! Even though attending the mathematics class was a real traumatic experience, we can’t ignore the most interesting yet important chapter- graphs . Yes, the x-axis and y-axis! Graphs are visually effective tools for displaying the relationship between numerous data points. They make complex problems much simpler and easy to understand.

From childhood to us being professionals, graphs have been of great help. In this fast-paced world, there’s not enough time for entrepreneurs to give an in-depth explanation of their financial situation or structure to the spectators. Remembering a bulk of monetary statuses and telling respective authorities about it is not at all easy. That is the reason why professionals take the help of presentations, which consists of in-built graphs and charts. To be more precise, entrepreneurs love to incorporate charts and graphs in their presentations as they are the easiest and the most flexible to showcase facts or figures. Undeniably, graphs bring out the clarity in every information that a presenter needs to convey to his audience. Therefore, using graphs in business presentations is effective. Also, there are multiple ways a graph can be used in a presentation. Here, in this blog, we will talk about 15 vivid portrayals of charts and graphs along with a few added tips. The ways are demonstrated via our professionally designed templates.

So, without any further ado, let’s see what our 15 interactive graph templates have to offer you! 

15 Graph Templates To Download and Use 

The template that has a dark color in the background is always a game-stealer. Just take a look at this attractive graph template with so many colors in it. The slide is pre-designed to tailor all your needs. You only have to edit the content. That’s it! Download this template in a single click and see how your viewers get attracted to your proposed information.

Download Combo Chart Growth Rate Finance PPT PowerPoint Presentation

This template will fulfill all your business requirements. This engaging slide is a combination of both a pie chart and a graph. In this template, you can see the graph overlapping with a pie-chart which is the best option for you to display your financial summary. The color scheme that our experts have applied in this template is so appealing. Grab this slide and start filling in your information.

Download Business Women With Column Pie Chart PowerPoint Graph

As you can see in the template given below, the colors used in the slide soothes the eyes, which is a plus point. Readers often get attracted to the presentation that has pleasing backgrounds and lucrative images. With the help of this graph template, you can show the growth of your business over the past years.

Download Business Person With Column Chart PowerPoint Graph

Take advantage of this eye-catching column chart or graph template that allows you to monitor your business statistics appropriately. This slide is attainable in excel sheets as well, which gives you the benefit of editing your data quickly. The cookie point you will receive after utilizing this template is that it comes up with ample space where you can place your companies’ logo for making the presentation more recognizable.

Download Box Plots Business Column Chart PowerPoint Graph

This visually-attractive triangular chart or graph template helps you in jotting down your revenue status so far. The psychology of colors used in this slide is really aesthetic. You can add or delete the content as per your needs. 

Download Triangular Chart For Data Driven Result Display PowerPoint Slides

The slide shown below is so colorful that it holds your audience's attention at once. You can customize the template and highlight the data that you want to share with your audience.

Download Pie Chart With Line Graph Icon

This triangular-shaped bar graph template will help you in displaying your data effectively. Also, the shape and colors this slide has will impress the viewers in one-go. The graph template allows you to segregate your data and present your information precisely. 

Download Data Driven Triangular Bar Graph PowerPoint Slides

You already have an idea of how line charts work. Using this line chart template, you can easily compare the data values over specific time intervals. The color contrast will make the comparison of your quantitative data even more visible. 

Download Line Chart For Data Analysis PowerPoint Graph

This graph template comes in soothing colors and hues that will make your data more interesting than ever. The slider bar chart template helps you in showcasing your data analytics proficiently. The slide consists of amazing fonts and styles that will add more creativity to your presentation.

Download Slider Bar Chart With Target PowerPoint Graph

Template 10

This beautifully designed butterfly graph template is here to categorize your different data. With this, you can monitor the changes occurring in each business category over the two consecutive years. And also, which section needs to be focused more. You can color the graph of yearly categories as per your choice.

Download Butterfly Bar Chart For Business Performance PowerPoint Graph

Template 11

The green tone used in this bar graph template can win your audience’s attention effortlessly. You can put this template in your presentation, and without adding many effects, you are good to present the business dynamics before the viewers.

Download Column Chart With Growth Line PowerPoint Graph

Template 12

This pastel-colored conical graph with black color in the background makes your presentation a winner. You can easily seek your audiences’ attention by visualizing every bit of data systematically.

Download Data Driven 3D Chart Shows Interrelated Sets Of Data PowerPoint Slides

Template 13

This unique patterned graph will make your complex data look simpler. Our eye-catching graph template will make your presentation extra stylish yet professional. Grab this template to input your data effectively.

Download Unique Pattern Sales Data Driven Chart PowerPoint Slides

Template 14

This amazing template that contains bar graphs and pie-chart will enable you to display your business matrix in a simpler form. The graphics present in this template do not pixelate and thus, aids you in creating the best presentation of your life.

Download Project Progress With Column And Pie Chart PowerPoint Graph

Template 15

The image shown in the template below visualizes the bar graphs along with the bulbs on top. Here, you can see the bulbs are of the same color except for the one. The highlighted bulb depicts leadership qualities. You can use this template in your presentation to portray the leadership and reputation your company has achieved over the years.

Download Light Bulb On Bar Graph With Leader On Top

The blog is not over yet! Along with the graph templates, here are some cookie points for you that will make your presentation game stronger. Learn more about how to add creativity in your graphs with the help of a few key-pointers explained below! 

• Start from selecting a graph design

Firstly, segregate your data. When you create a presentation, go to the insert option and choose a graph according to your needs. The charts or graphs are of different types. Some of them are pie-chart, histogram, bar graph, waterfall, combo graph. So, select from any of these (or others) and put it on a presentation. 

• Format the data

You can easily edit your proposed data and update it, later it can automatically be shown in your chart as well. Keep the data or facts intact. Do not clutter everything on a graph.

• Fill in some vibrant colors

To compare the data, make sure each section has different yet soothing colors in it. It will help the audience to understand the information better, and also you will be able to share your message across conveniently. 

• Animation is the key

Instead of showing graph-sections all at once, use the animation option that highlights each section after a pause. This way will grab viewers' attention instantly. Also, animated effects will emphasize the information you want to convey to the spectators.

• Drawing tools are must

By using drawing tools and different shapes & arrows, you can emphasize the particular graph-section which you think needs to be focused. 

Make a smart move in your business, create an interactive presentation, show your data & analytics through our graph templates to impress the viewers instantly. And yes, do not miss out on reading the ways explained in the blog which will definitely help in making your presentation stand out!

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20 Essential Types of Graphs and When to Use Them

From stock market prices to sports statistics, numbers and statistics are all around you. 

However, numerical data alone is merely a combination of figures and doesn’t tell a story. The most meaningful data and/or data analysis in the world is useless if it’s not communicated correctly. 

In her book Storytelling with Data , Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic writes: 

“Effective data visualization can mean the difference between success and failure when it comes to communicating the findings of your study, raising money for your nonprofit, presenting to your board, or simply getting your point across to your audience.”

Identifying the relationship between your data set or data points and telling the story behind the numbers will also encourage your audience to gain actionable insights from your presentation. 

How do you do this? 

You visualize data points through charts and different types of graphs. 

The good news is you don’t need to have a PhD in statistics to make different types of graphs and charts. This guide on the most common types of graphs and charts is for you. 

Keep reading if you’re a beginner with no data visualization background but want to help your audience get the most out of your numerical data points, both in-person and via a web conference . You’ll also discover data visualization best practices , advice from experts in the craft,  and examples of well-thought-out charts and graphs below! 

Most Common Types of Charts and Graphs to Communicate Data Points With Impact

Whether you’re about to create a collection of business graphs or make a chart in your infographic , the most common types of charts and graphs below are good starting points for your data visualization needs. 

• Scatter plot
• Column chart
• Bubble chart
• Gauge chart
• Stacked Venn
• Mosaic plot
• Gantt chart
• Radar chart
• Waterfall chart
• Funnel chart
• Pareto chart
• Stacked bar graph

1. Bar chart

A bar chart , also known as a horizontal column chart, is popular for a reason — it’s easy on the eyes and quickly visualizes data sets. With bar charts, you can quickly identify which bar is the highest or the lowest, including the incremental differences between bars. 

When to use bar charts 

• If you have more than 10 items or categories to compare.
• If your category labels or names are long.

Best practices for bar charts

• Focus on one color for a bar chart. Accent colors are ideal if you want to highlight a significant data point. 
• Bars should be wider than the white space between bars. 
• Write labels horizontally (not vertically) for better readability in your bar chart. 
• Order categories alphabetically or by value to ensure consistency across your bar chart. 

Pro-tip for bar charts from Jessica Witt of the Witt Perception Lab , a lab that focuses on information visualization and action-specific perception: 

“ Bar charts must always have a zero baseline (y-axis value at zero) to ensure consistency.”

Customize your bar graph with Piktochart’s bar graph maker . Create your free Piktochart account . 

2. Line chart

Not to be confused with line graphs, you can use a line chart to plot continuous data or data with infinite values. For example, the line chart below highlights the increase in keyword searches for “remote work” across the US from February 1, 2020, to March 22, 2020. 

When to use line charts

• Compare and present lots of data at once.
• Show trends or progress over time.
• Highlight deceleration.
• Present forecast data and share uncertainty in a single line chart.

Best practices for line charts

• Use solid lines only because dotted or dashed lines are distracting. 
• Ensure that points are ordered consistently.
• Label lines directly and avoid using legends in a line chart. 
• Don’t chart more than four lines to avoid visual distractions.
• Zero baseline is not required, but it is recommended for a line chart.

Pro-tip for line charts from Mike Cisneros , an award-winning data visualizer: 

“The range from your smallest value to your largest values should take up about 70 to 80 percent of your graph’s available vertical space.”

3. Area graph

An area graph is like a line chart as it also shows changes over time. One difference with these types of graphs is that area graphs can represent volume which is typically filled with color. 

The area graph example by the BBC below shows a simple comparison of two data sets over a period of time. 

When to use area graphs

• Display how values or multiple values develop over time.
• Highlight the magnitude of a change.
• Show large differences between values.

Best practices for these types of graphs

• Don’t display more than four categories on these types of graphs.
• Use transparent colors to avoid obscuring data in the background on these types of graphs.
• Add annotations and explanations to these types of graphs.
• Group tiny values together into one bigger value to prevent clutter on these types of graphs.

Pro-tip for area graphs from Lisa Charlotte Rost at Datawrapper on these types of graphs:

“Bring the most important value to the bottom of the chart and use color to make it stand out. Your readers can compare values easier with each other if they have the same baseline.”

4. Scatter plot 

A scatter plot or a scatter chart helps show the relationship between items based on two different variables and data sets. Dots (or plot data) are plotted in an x-y coordinate system. In some scatter plots, a trend line is added (like in the example below) to a scatter plot. 

When to use a scatter plot

• Show relationships between two variables.
• You have two variables of data that complement each other.

Best practices for scatter plots

• Start the y-axis value at zero to represent data accurately.
• Plot additional data variables by changing dot sizes and colors.
• Highlight with color and annotations.

Pro-tip for scatter plots from Mike Yi of Chartio on incorporating data visualization:

“Add a trend line to your scatter plot if you want to signal how strong the relationship between the two variables is, and if there are any unusual points that are affecting the computation of the trend line.”

5. Pie chart

Pie charts highlight data and statistics in pie-slice format. A pie chart represents numbers in percentages, and the total sum of all pies should equal 100 percent. When considering charts and graphs to employ to visualize data, pie charts are most impactful to your audience if you have a small data set. 

The donut pie chart, a variation of the pie chart, shows a design element or the total value of all the variables in the center. 

When to use pie charts

• Illustrate part-to-whole comparisons — from business to classroom charts and graphs.
• Identify the smallest and largest items within data sets.
• Compare differences between multiple data points in a pie chart.

Best practices for using a pie chart

• Limit categories to 3-5 to ensure differentiation with the pie chart slices. 
• Double-check if the total value of the slices is equal to 100 percent.
• Group similar slices together in one bigger slice to reduce clutter. 
• Make your most important slice stand out with color. Use shades of that specific color to highlight the rest of the slices. 
• Order slices thoughtfully. For example, you can place the largest section at the 12 o’clock position and go clockwise from there. Or place the second largest section at the 12 o’clock position and go counterclockwise from there. 

Pro-tip for pie charts from visual communication researcher Robert Kosara of Eager Eyes when considering charts and graphs:

“The pie chart is the wrong chart type to use as a default; the bar chart is a much better choice for that. Using a pie chart requires a lot more thought, care, and awareness of its limitations than most other charts.”

Customize your charts and graphs with Piktochart’s pie chart maker . Create your free Piktochart account . 

6. Pictograph 

Despite having ‘graph’ in the name, a pictograph doesn’t fall into types of graphs. Instead, a pictograph or a pictogram is a type of chart that uses pictures or icons to represent data. Each icon stands for a certain number of data sets, units or objects. For example, the infographic below contains a pictogram — each human icon represents 10 percent of CEOs. 

When to use pictographs

• When your target audience prefers icons and pictures instead of data sets (to illustrate data).
• Show the progress of a goal or project to show continuous data.
• Highlight ratings to compare data.
• Share survey results or data distribution.
• Share level of proficiency or data sets.

Best practices for pictographs

• Keep your icons and pictures simple to avoid distracting your audience with these types of graphs.
• Do not use contrasting colors for your icons. Instead, use shades of one specific color.
• Limit rows to five or ten for better readability on these types of graphs.

7. Column chart 

A column chart is ideal for presenting chronological data.  Also known as the vertical bar chart, this type of chart works if there are only a few dates to highlight your data set like in the example below. 

When to use column charts

• Display comparison between categories or things (qualitative data).
• Show the situation at one point in time using various data points.
• Share relatively large differences in your numeric data values.

Best practices for column charts

• Plot bars against a zero-value baseline.
• Keep your bars rectangular and avoid 3D effects in your bars.
• Order category levels consistently: from highest to lowest or lowest to highest. 

Pro-tip for using column charts for a data set from Storytelling with Data:

“As you add more series of data, it becomes more difficult to focus on one (bar) at a time and pull out insight, so use multiple series bar charts with caution.”

8. Bubble chart

A bubble chart or a bubble plot is a lot like a scatter plot. However, bubble charts have one or two more visual elements (dot size and color) than a scatter plot to represent a third or fourth numeric variable. 

When to use a bubble chart

• Show relationships between three or more numeric variables

Best practices for bubble charts 

• Scale bubble area by value, not diameter or radius.
• Use circular shapes only in a bubble chart.
• Label key points clearly in a bubble chart.

Pro-tip from Elizabeth Ricks , a data visualization instructor on creating a bubble chart: 

“Include words for static bubble charts.  It’s always a good idea to label your axes, provide clear chart titles, and annotate important data points with illuminating context. This is especially true when you are using a data-dense chart type like a bubble chart, and you aren’t standing next to it ready to explain away any confusion that viewers might have at first glance.”

9. Gauge chart 

A gauge chart, also known as a dial chart,  is an advanced type of chart that shows whether data values fit on a scale of acceptable (good) to not acceptable (bad). For example, you can create a gauge chart to display current sales figures and use your quarterly sales targets as thresholds. Not all charts are able to show data in this way. 

Gauge charts are particularly helpful where the expected value of the data is already known. This helps organizations create actionable reports and help employees understand where they stand in terms of metrics by looking at the chart. 

When to use gauge charts

• Share target metrics and display the percentage of the target goal that has been achieved for a certain period.
• Highlight the progress of linear measurement.
• Compare variables either by using multiple gauges or through multiple needles on the same gauge.

Best practices for gauge charts 

• Limit two to three colors for each gauge or avoid high-contrast color combinations. 

10. Stacked Venn 

A stacked Venn chart is used to showcase overlapping relationships between multiple data sets. This type of graph is a variation of the original Venn diagram, where overlapping shapes or circles illustrate the logical relationships between two or more variables. 

When to use the Stacked Venn

• Emphasizing growth within an organization or business
• Narrow down a broad topic 

Best practice for Stacked Venn

• Avoid high contrast color combinations to ensure readability. 

11. Mosaic plot

A mosaic plot is a graphical representation of the multivariate categorical data. It is a rectangular grid that displays the frequency or proportion of variables. The area of each rectangle corresponds to the proportion of occurrences of a category, considering the multiple variables.

Source: JMP

When to use mosaic plots

• When you want to visualize the distribution of categorical variables across different categories.
• If you’re trying to understand the relationship between two or more categorical variables.
• When you need to show hierarchical relationships within data.

Best practices for mosaic plots

• Use contrasting colors to distinguish between categories.
• Provide a clear legend to explain the categories and color coding.
• Ensure the size of rectangles accurately represents the proportion of the data category.

Pro-tip for Gantt charts from Data Scientist, David Farrugia :

“Mosaic plots can quickly become intricate if the number of categories is too high or if the categories demonstrate an even distribution.”

12. Gantt chart

A Gantt chart is a type of bar chart that illustrates a project schedule. It lists tasks on one axis, and the project timeline on the other axis. Each task is represented by a horizontal bar spanning the duration of the task.

Source: Piktochart

Love this template ? Sign up today for free to create your own Gantt chart!

When to use Gantt charts

• When planning and scheduling projects.
• If you need to visualize task dependencies and sequencing.
• When you want to track project progress.

Best practices for Gantt charts

• Include milestones to break down the project into manageable parts.
• Ensure that task durations and dependencies are accurately represented.
• Regularly update the Gantt chart to reflect the actual progress of the project.

Pro-tip for Gantt charts from Project Management expert, David Miller :

“Using charts, you can simply document progress on projects and HR processes such as employee evaluations, interviews, selections, job postings, etc”

13. Radar chart

Radar charts, also known as spider or web charts, use a circular display with several different quantitative axes looking like spokes on a wheel to show multiple variables.

Source: Datapine

When to use radar charts

• When comparing multiple quantitative variables.
• If you need to analyze performance in several categories simultaneously.
• When you want to visualize multidimensional data.

Best practices for radar charts

• Limit the number of variables to avoid clutter and confusion.
• Clearly label each axis and ensure all scales are consistent.
• Use different colors or symbols to distinguish between different data sets.

Pro-tip for radar charts from Senior Analytics Consultant Jeevan A Y :

“Make sure you are not using more than two variables. Otherwise, it will be tedious for a user to understand and conclude.”

14. Waterfall chart

Waterfall charts are a type of data visualization used to show how an initial value is increased and decreased by a series of intermediate values, leading to a final value.

Source: Microsoft

When to use waterfall charts

• When visualizing financial statements and understanding revenue growth.
• If you need to breakdown cumulative effect of sequentially introduced positive or negative values.
• When you want to show the contribution of different elements to a total.

Best practices for waterfall charts

• Clearly label each bar to describe what it represents.
• Use contrasting colors to differentiate between positive and negative values.
• Include a ‘total’ bar at the end to sum up the final result.

Pro-tip for waterfall charts from Professor Emeritus of Decision Sciences, Dr. Wayne Winston :

“A waterfall chart highlights how a value either increases or decreases over time to reach an end value. Waterfall charts are great for telling the story of how a quantity of interest (for example, cash position) changes over time.”

15. Heat map

Heat maps use colors to represent different values, allowing you to view patterns, variance, and clusters in large data sets.

When to use heat maps

• When visualizing geographic or spatial data.
• If you need to show data density on a map.
• When you want to identify clusters and outliers in your data set.

Best practices for heat maps

• Use a color scheme that has a logical progression.
• Avoid using too many different colors as it can lead to confusion.
• Ensure that the map is properly labeled and a legend is provided.

Pro-tip for heat maps from Urban Planning and Geospatial Data Science Consultant Abdishakur Hassan :

“Heat maps make it easy to understand relationships between data points and the overall trend.”

16. Funnel chart

A funnel chart is a type of diagram that shows the flow of users through a conversion process. Each stage of the process is represented by a proportional section of a funnel, which is wider at the top and narrower at the bottom, illustrating the decrease in numbers that occurs at each stage.

Source: Netsuite

When to use funnel charts

• When visualizing a process or system with stages that have decreasing quantities.
• If you’re tracking the success of sales or marketing funnel.
• When you want to identify potential problem areas in an organization’s processes.

Best practices for funnel charts

• Clearly label each stage of the funnel.
• Use different colors to distinguish between each stage.
• Make sure the width of the funnel segments accurately represents the proportion of the whole at each stage.

Pro-tip for funnel charts from Andy Morris , Principal Product Marketing Specialist:

“Funnel charts can represent data so that it’s easy to read, understand and identify problem areas. They’re well suited to illustrate connected, sequential steps in a linear process.”

17. Pareto chart

A Pareto chart is a type of chart that contains both bars and a line graph. The bars represent individual values (sorted in descending order), and the line indicates the cumulative total. This chart is named after Vilfredo Pareto, who observed the 80/20 principle.

Source: CEC NSW

When to use pareto charts

• When you want to prioritize problems or causes in a process.
• If you need to identify areas of improvement.
• When you want to demonstrate the Pareto principle (80/20 rule).

Best practices for pareto charts

• Sort data categories from the largest to the smallest.
• Ensure the vertical axis on the left starts at 0% and the one on the right at 100%.
• Label your categories clearly and concisely.

Pro-tip for pareto charts from User Experience Specialist, Evan Sunwell :

“Investing exclusively on the 20% for too long can lead to stagnation and overoptimization of a few metrics to the detriment of others. It can also reinforce stakeholder beliefs that just a few metrics should drive product vision and design work. Avoid this trap of all-or-nothing thinking.”

18. Stacked bar graph

A stacked bar graph breaks down and compares parts of a whole. Each bar represents a total, and segments in the bar represent different categories or parts of that total.

When to use stacked bar graphs

• When you need to compare the total and one part of the totals across different categories.
• If you want to visualize part-to-whole relationships.
• When you want to show how a category is divided into sub-categories. For example, if you’re measuring specific app engagement metrics , such as conversion rate by feature.

Best practices for stacked bar graphs

• Use contrasting colors to differentiate between categories.
• Arrange segments consistently across bars to make comparison easier.
• Include a legend to explain what each color represents.

Pro-tip for stacked bar graphs from Data Visualization Expert Vitaly Radionov :

“Stacked bar charts are designed to help you simultaneously compare totals and notice sharp changes at the item level that are likely to have the most influence on movements in category totals.”

19. Flow chart

Flow charts represent workflows or processes showing the steps as boxes of various kinds, and their order by connecting them with arrows.

Source: Zen Flowchart

When to use flow charts

• When you want to diagram a process.
• If you need to understand and communicate how different steps in a process relate to each other.
• When you need to identify bottlenecks or inefficiencies in a process.

Best practices for flow charts

• Use clear, concise labeling for each step.
• Make sure the flow of the process is logical and follows a consistent direction.
• Use different shapes to signify different types of actions or steps in the process.

Pro-tip for flow charts from Regional Coordinator Kelly Halseth :

“In deciding how much detail to put in the flowchart (i.e., how much to break down each general step), remember the purpose of the flowchart. Steps that do not affect waiting times can be left without much detail.”

20. Box plot (box and whisker plot)

A box plot, also known as a whisker plot, displays a summary of the range and statistical distribution of a dataset based on a five-number summary: minimum, first quartile, median, third quartile, and maximum.

Source: Tableu

When to use box plots

• When you want to see the spread and skewness of your data.
• If you need to identify outliers in your data set.
• When you are comparing distributions between multiple groups or datasets.

Best practices for box plots

• Label your axes accurately and include a title for the chart.
• Clearly mark outliers in the data set.
• Use horizontal or vertical box plots depending on the context and data.

Pro-tip for box plots from Data Science expert Michael Galarnyk :

“Although box plots may seem primitive in comparison to a histogram or density plot, they have the advantage of taking up less space, which is useful when comparing distributions between many groups or data sets.”

What About the Other Types of Graphs and Charts?

There are plenty of other types of graphs and charts—line graphs, multiple line graphs, candlestick charts, and the list goes on. They are almost always specific to a particular industry, and the charts and graphs we’ve listed should be enough to address your basic to intermediate data visualization needs to illustrate hierarchical data and beyond. 

Choose Charts and Graphs That Are Easiest for Your Audience to Read and Understand

Thoughtfully designed charts and graphs are a result of knowing your audience well. When you understand your audience, you can communicate your data points more effectively . 

Before you share your chart or graph, show it to a couple of colleagues or a small group of customers. Pay attention to their questions, their observations, and how they react to your chart or graph. 

If you’re looking for a graph maker , create a free Piktochart account and sharpen your data visualization chops by making the right types of graphs and charts in minutes from multiple data sets and beyond. 

With a Piktochart account, you can also create beautiful  infographics ,  brochures ,  posters , presentations , and more to communicate your message visually.

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PowerPoint Charts, Graphs, & Tables Made Easy | Tips & Tricks

In today's digital world, effective communication is key, especially in presentations. After all, in a world saturated with information, the power to express your message clearly and impactfully can make all the difference.

We know that conveying complex information can be challenging, but guess what? It doesn't have to be! After discussing this with our 200+ expert presentation designers , I've gathered their best practices and strategies to create this comprehensive guide.

Below, you will find expert tips and tricks for making, customizing, and presenting PowerPoint charts, graphs, and tables. Stay with us!

Today, we'll explore the following topics:

• PowerPoint Charts and Graphs 

Tables in PowerPoint

Free powerpoint charts, graphs, and tables templates, ready to enhance your presentations our team at 24slides is here to help, powerpoint charts and graphs.

If you are thinking of adding tables to your PowerPoint presentation, let me first show you two other great options: charts and graphs.

Charts and graphs stand out for making complex information easy to read at a glance. They’re ideal for identifying trends, representing patterns, and making decisions easier. In addition, charts and graphs capture the audience's attention.

You have many types to choose from, and we'll go over the most important ones later. In the meantime, here are some examples:

Undoubtedly, one of the best ways to take your presentations to the next level.

But you may have a question in mind: What is the difference between a chart and a graph in PowerPoint? Charts refer to any visual representation of data, whether graphical or non-graphical (such as tables). Graphs, on the other hand, refer specifically to the graphical representation of data (such as bar charts).

In other words, all graphs are charts, but not all charts are graphs.

People often confuse these terms in PowerPoint, but they actually refer to different visual elements.

How to Make a Chart in PowerPoint?

First, go to the Insert tab. Then, click on Chart and select your favorite chart type. Finally, enter your data or copy it from somewhere else. Simple!

Here you have the detailed step-by-step instructions:

• Select the slide where you want to add the chart. Choose the Insert tab, then select the Illustrations group's Chart option.

• A dialog box for inserting charts will appear. Choose a category on the left, then double-click the chart you want on the right.

• When inserted, the chart appears alongside a spreadsheet. Here, you have to replace the placeholder data with your own details. 

To edit your chart's content, use the selection handles in the spreadsheet to add or remove data.

• When inserting a chart, you will see small buttons on the upper right side of the chart. 

Format using the Chart Elements button. Click on “+” to tweak the chart title, data labels, and more. Use the Chart Styles button (brush) to change the chart's color or style. Finally, the Chart Filters button (funnel) will show or hide data from your chart.

Customizing Charts in PowerPoint

We already know about the power of PowerPoint charts, but we still have one more step to take: customizing them.

• Edit data: You can modify data directly in PowerPoint. Just double-click on the chart to open the associated Excel spreadsheet. Here, you can add, delete, or edit data. If you want to do it like a pro, check out how to Link or Embed an Excel File in PowerPoint. 
• Change the design: Go to the design tab. Here, you can add or remove elements such as titles, captions, labels, etc.
• Change color and style: Select the format tab. In this section, you will find options to change the chart's color and style. You can even make individual changes.
• Add shape effects: Go to the format tab and unleash your creativity. You can add shadows, reflections, and 3D effects.

And there you have it; now you know how to customize your PowerPoint Chart. If you are looking for more inspiration, take a look at our detailed Flowchart and Gantt Chart articles.

Chart vs table

Is a chart better than a table?

We already know the importance of using tables in PowerPoint presentations. However, you may have a question in mind: are charts better than tables? The short answer is: it depends.

First off, think about what type of data you are dealing with and, most importantly, what message you are trying to get across.

Charts are great for showing trends, making comparisons, and connecting data points. They’re also visually appealing. Conversely, tables could be your perfect selection for numerical data and comprehensive details.

The most important types of charts in PPT and which one is best for you

We have checked out why adding visuals is a game-changer for your presentations. However, which one is best for your needs? 

Based on our more than 10 years of expertise and creating around 17,500 slides per month, these are the charts most requested by our customers. Let's explore each one!

“Columns, bars, lines, and pie charts are top picks for clients because they're more descriptive and easier to get for the audience.” Briana/ Design Manager

Column Chart

Ideal for making comparisons. You can represent data in an attractive and clear way. It’s also a great option for showing changes over time. Here, you can emphasize the difference in quantities.

Imagine you're tracking sales for a store. If you have many categories of sales data and need to compare them, a column chart could be just what you need.

Download our Free Column Chart Template here.

Like the column chart, the bar chart can simplify complex information quickly , especially when comparing data. But, the horizontal layout might influence how people see things, potentially altering how they understand your data. Keep this in mind!

When you have long category labels or many categories, choose a bar chart instead of a column chart. Horizontal bars are easier to read and take up less space in the presentation.

Download our Free Bar Chart Template here.

The top choice for showing trends over time. You can even combine it with other charts. For example, you can add them to a column chart to display different data at a glance. This makes it easier for viewers to understand complex information.

But how to make a line graph in PowerPoint? First, click on the Insert tab. Then, click on Graph and select Line Graph. That's it—it's as simple as that.

Download our Free Line Chart Template here .

The best for showing proportions. Not only is it easy to understand, but you will also be able to illustrate percentages or parts of a whole.

Pie charts are easy to create, you need to figure out the percentages or proportions of each data category. But remember, keep the chart to six or fewer sections. This maintains data impact, avoiding confusion.

Download our Free Pie Chart Template here .

How to Use Charts and Graphs Effectively?

We already know how to use PowerPoint charts, graphs, and tables, but we want to go one step further. Here are the best tips for making effective PowerPoint presentations.

• Choose the right type of chart. Choose graphics that best suit your data. For example, use column or bar charts to compare categories, line charts to show trends over time, and pie charts to display parts of a whole.
• Be selective. Avoid using too much information, eliminate irrelevant details, and keep it simple. By focusing on the most important data points, you enhance the clarity of the information for your audience.
• Pay attention to color. When presenting data , keep in mind the consistency of the colors and make sure essential information stands out. Avoid using too many colors here, as this can be distracting.
• Add context. Make your titles clear and descriptive. Labels should also serve as a guide for viewers to understand everything easily. This could mean explaining trends, defining terms, or just describing where the data comes from.
• Consistency. Use the same style and format for your graphics and data. Ensure brand consistency in a presentation is key. This creates a professional and polished visual presentation.
• Be creative. Try unique ways to showcase your data, like infographics or custom graphics. For example, you can use a bar chart to compare categories and a line chart to show the trend over time.

Pro Tip: Creating a PowerPoint infographic is one of the most creative ways to present data. They provide a visually engaging and easy-to-follow format for presenting complex information. Briana/ Design Manager

PowerPoint tables help organize and display data in a structured way for presentations. They’re made up of rows and columns containing text, numerical data, or other information.

Tables are awesome for showing comparisons, summarizing information, sharing research findings, and planning. Because of all that, they are a top choice for visualizing financial or statistical data. They’re incredibly versatile and practical!

All you need to do is put the right labels on, and reading should be a breeze. Believe us, your audience will appreciate it. Do you want to present data in detail and make comparisons? Then, this is your best option.

People have been using PowerPoint tables for a long time. Why? That's simple: they’re easy to read.

Here's an example:

Download our Free Table Template here .

How to Make a Table in PowerPoint?

Inserting tables in PowerPoint is quite simple. Just click on Insert and then on Table . Next, just drag the mouse down to choose the number of rows and columns you need.

Should you require a bigger table? You can manually select the values for the columns and rows. 

Customizing tables in PowerPoint

Now that we know how to create a table in PowerPoint, let's customize it. But first, let's learn how to add rows and columns in PowerPoint.

• How to add a row to a table in PowerPoint?

Click on a cell in the existing table. Go to the Layout tab in the ribbon and select Insert . Select Insert Rows Above or Insert Rows Below , depending on where you want to add the new row.

• How to add a column to a table in PowerPoint?

Click on an adjacent cell in the table. Go to the Layout tab in the ribbon and then select Insert . Choose either Insert Columns Left or Insert Columns Right , depending on where you want to add the new column.

Now that you have the structure of your table ready, let's give it some styling:

• Applying style in your table presentation

To edit your tables, first select a cell. Then, click on the Design tab to pick the style you like best. Finally, click on the drop-down arrow to see the complete Table Styles gallery .

That's it. Now you know how to use tables in PowerPoint.

How to Use Tables Effectively?

Tables are powerful tools for presenting data in a structured format. They can enhance clarity, facilitate comparisons, and convey complex information.

However, when you don't use them correctly, they can have the opposite effect, making the information flat and boring. So here are golden rules to help you:

Keep it simple

Don't overload your table with too much information. Focus on the most important information to keep it clear and easy to read. Remember, the powerful presentation of data is in simplicity.

Consider whether gridlines are necessary for your table. Removing them can make your board look cleaner and more professional.

Although many don't mention it, choosing the right words is vital. The more you can say of the same idea in fewer words, the better. Avoid using words or connectors that add nothing to the message.

Highlight key data points

Make your table pop using bold, italics, or fun colors to highlight important data or headings. This will make the table easier to read.

Consider adding shades for alternate rows to make your table easier to read. Make the shadow subtle, to avoid distraction from the data itself.

You can use color to emphasize backgrounds or text. No matter which method you opt for to add contrast, remember that “less is more” when creating an effective table.

Consistency

Consistency is crucial in tables, as it is in graphics. Ensure that the font style, size, and color are the same across the entire table. This helps maintain visual harmony.

Align your text and numbers properly so they're easier to read and give your table a polished look. If you will use decimals, think about aligning them to facilitate comparisons.

In this article, we have explored the benefits of incorporating visuals like charts, graphs, and presentation tables in PowerPoint . We also know how to add them and ensure they look good. 

Just remember to pick the right chart and keep your presentations consistent.

And as I said at the beginning, conveying complex information doesn't have to be challenging! Our Templates by 24Slides platform has hundreds of free PowerPoint charts, graphs, and table templates. 

You can download and combine different templates to create a shiny PowerPoint Presentation. All the examples in this article are fully customizable, allowing you to insert your data without worrying about design. Enjoy them!

Knowing how to use PowerPoint charts, graphs, and tables can make the difference between a successful presentation and a failed one. However, mastering the art of presenting data takes more time and effort. 

The good news? You can always trust professionals to do the heavy work, allowing you to focus on improving your product or service — what really matters to your business.

With an average satisfaction score of 4.8 out of 5 from over 1.3 million redesigned slides, it's safe to say we're incredibly proud of the product we deliver.

We're the world's largest presentation design company.

Not only will you receive an attractive presentation, but we will create one that fits your brand's visual guidelines. Most importantly, it will help emphasize your message and engage your audience.

Ready to elevate your PowerPoint presentations? Explore this content:

• Mastering the Art of Presenting Data in PowerPoint
• 20+ Free PowerPoint and Google Slides Templates for Data Presentations
• The Ultimate Brand Identity Presentation Guide [FREE PPT Template]
• The Cost of PowerPoint Presentations: Discover the hidden expenses you might overlook!

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Presentation Guru

The 2 most effective strategies for presenting data and graphs.

Far too many presenters pack their slides with far too much information: text, bullet points, graphs, data markers, data labels, and collections of images. This information-dump encourages the audience to read the slides and spend less time listening to you speak.

Graphs present a particular challenge for many presenters, especially those used to working with detailed data and numbers. In my experience, researchers and analysts tend to put all of their data on the screen, filling up graphs with lines and bars and packing tables full of numbers.

Even what seem to be the simplest graphs can give your audience difficulties discerning patterns or trends. Take this slide, for example. With only four lines, this graph doesn’t have so much information, but the different (ugh, Excel default!) colors and the crisscrossing patterns make it difficult to identify a single trend.

There are (at least) two strategies you can take to make this graph easier for your reader.

Strategy #1: “Layer” the Graph

One strategy I often use is something I call “Layering.” Here, you present each data element sequentially, building up your story one data element at a time and walking your audience through your argument. The Layering technique can be applied to almost any slide object including images, graphs, and text.

In this example, instead of throwing the entire slide on the screen for the audience to decipher at one time, you can build up the graph one series at a time. (In some cases where the graph type may be non-standard or more complex, you may find it valuable to first show just the axes, describe what the graph is going to do, and then sequentially add the data.) Notice how in this case, the final graph has all four series, but you have brought the audience along with you to that final graph.

Strategy #2: Small Multiples

Another strategy is to take the “Small Multiples” approach. With small multiples, you create multiple, small versions of the graph. For presentations, you can also use small multiples with a layering approach, by sequentially adding each additional graph.

In either case, when using these approaches, be sure to make your last graph first and get everything arranged exactly the way you like. Then, when you start deleting the different data series, only the data values will change and not the axes or gridlines.

It’s especially important to lock the minimum and maximum values of the y-axis, because the software may change the axis values once you start deleting different data series.

When it comes to coloring the particular series of interest, the presenter needs to consider what is most important. Perhaps presenting every single line is not as important as focusing on a single data series. In that case, the Layering and Small Multiples approaches may not be entirely necessary and instead a single graph is best. I find that I begin building your graphs in the same color—gray works great—and then purposefully add color to help support the written or spoken word.

In the end, presentations are a fundamentally different form of communication than what you might write down and publish in a journal, report, or blog post. Simply copying and pasting portions of text, tables, and graphs disrupts how the speaker communicates information.

Instead, consider how you can visualize your content, unify what you say and what you show, and focus your audience’s attention where you want it when you want it.

These, and other important lessons about designing, creating, and delivering presentations can be found in my forthcoming book, Better Presentations: A Guide for Scholars, Researchers, and Wonks.

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15 Creative Ways to Use Charts and Graphs in Presentations

Emily Bryce

12 December 2022

In today’s data-driven world, presentations are no longer just about presenting ideas and concepts, but also about presenting data in an engaging and easy-to-understand manner. This is where charts and graphs come in. They help to visualize data, making it easier for the audience to grasp and retain information. In this blog post, we will explore creative ways to use charts and graphs in presentations.

1. Use charts and graphs to compare data

One of the most common uses of charts and graphs is to compare data. Whether you are comparing sales figures, market trends or customer feedback, charts and graphs can help you present the information in a visually compelling way. Use bar charts, line graphs, pie charts, and scatter plots to showcase the data in a way that makes it easy to understand and compare.

2. Use charts and graphs to show trends

Another way to use charts and graphs in presentations is to show trends over time. For example, if you are presenting the growth of your business over the last five years, use a line graph to show the upward trend. If you want to show the fluctuations in your business over a period of time, use a scatter plot to highlight the highs and lows.

3. Use charts and graphs to show relationships

Charts and graphs can also be used to show the relationship between different sets of data. For example, if you are presenting the correlation between customer satisfaction and sales, use a scatter plot to show the relationship between the two variables. You can also use bubble charts to show the relationship between three different variables.

4. Use charts and graphs to show distribution

If you are presenting data that is distributed across a range, such as the ages of your customers, use a histogram to show the distribution. Histograms are great for showing the frequency distribution of data, and they can help you identify patterns and trends in the data.

5. Use charts and graphs to show proportions

Pie charts are a great way to show proportions. Use pie charts to show the proportion of sales for different products or the proportion of the budget allocated to different departments. Make sure to keep the number of categories to a minimum to ensure that the chart is easy to read.

6. Use creative chart and graph designs

Charts and graphs don’t have to be boring. Use creative designs and colors to make your charts and graphs stand out. For example, you can use a bar chart with a gradient background to make it more visually appealing. You can also use icons and images to make your charts and graphs more engaging.

7. Use charts and graphs to tell a story

Finally, use charts and graphs to tell a story. Don’t just present the data, but use it to support your message. Use a combination of charts and graphs to create a narrative that engages your audience and leaves them with a clear understanding of your message.

In conclusion, charts and graphs are a powerful tool for presenting data in an engaging and easy-to-understand manner. Use them creatively to showcase data, tell a story, and leave a lasting impression on your audience. With the right use of charts and graphs, you can take your presentations to the next level.

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How to Make Great PPT Charts & Graphs in Microsoft PowerPoint (+Video)

PowerPoint charts and graphs are powerful visual aids. Learn how to create great-looking charts and graphs in Microsoft PowerPoint using this tutorial.

“Visual learners” use graphics to understand the world.

It makes perfect sense that it’s easier to look at PowerPoint charts or graphs and draw conclusions than work through an oversized spreadsheet. I think of PowerPoint charts as the alternative to messy lists of data.

With presentations, don’t forget about visual learners. If our audience is full of visual learners, you need PowerPoint graphs to drive the key points of a presentation. A few well-placed PPT charts and graphics will ensure your audience understands your important points.

PowerPoint makes it easy to create charts. Build and customize PowerPoint charts and graphs right inside the app.

In this tutorial, learn how to make a chart in Microsoft PowerPoint. Instead of overwhelming your audience with a spreadsheet, show them PowerPoint graphs that summarize your findings.

How to Quickly Make a Chart in PowerPoint (Watch & Learn – Video)

Are you ready to start learning about PowerPoint charts and PowerPoint graphs? Watch this quick screencast to find out what you need to know to get started with charts in PPT:

To learn even more about using charts and graphs in PowerPoint, study the complete written tutorial below.

5 Effective PowerPoint Chart & Graph Templates from Envato Elements

PowerPoint has built-in charting tools that make it easy to tell stories with your data. But what’s even better is when you use advanced PowerPoint chart and graph presentation templates.

That’s where Envato Elements comes into play. It’s an all-you-can-download service for creatives that unlocks more than 4,000 templates for PowerPoint presentations, including advanced templates for PPT charts and graphs .

It’s not that PowerPoint can’t do charts and graphs on its own. But these PowerPoint chart templates are better and more eye-catching than the built-in options. Let’s learn more:

1. Organizational & Data Chart Presentation

This PowerPoint charts template has advanced options that bring your data to life. Best of all, it matches the many color schemes that are included in the download package. Use this to bring some life to your chart and graphs in PowerPoint.

2. Finance & Economics Infographics

Finance and economics rule the world, but they can be difficult to understand. So, make sure that you use a template like this to condense challenging concepts down into easy-to-understand visuals.

3. Corporate Report PowerPoint Template

Companies periodically issue reports that update the public and investors on the progress. use a template like this one to showcase your company’s progress with data and visuals that help drive understanding of your trends.

4. Charts PowerPoint Presentation

Infographics are particularly useful for describing the steps in a process with visuals. You can take basically any set of simple steps and dress them up with an informative infographic. Use this template to choose from many infographics and charts in PPT to show your data and systems off.

5. Diagrams for PowerPoint

Rounding out our selections, this PowerPoint charts template has both graphs and infographics that can help you drive stories with data. Whether you use it to show numeric figures or the steps in a sequence, this template has over 2,000 unique slides to do it all.

Quick Tip: Use a PowerPoint Template With Great Charts

To save time, you can work with ready-made charts, infographics, and premade styles with a professional PowerPoint template . For one with dozens of professional PPT charts and graphs built in, check out the popular Infographic PowerPoint template :

Now let’s dig into the written part of this tutorial to learn more about working with PowerPoint charts. Download the template above to follow along.

How to Make Your First Chart in PowerPoint

To insert your first PowerPoint chart, create a blank slide. Then, find the Insert tab on PowerPoint’s ribbon menu. Click on the Chart icon to launch the Insert Chart menu.

The Insert Chart menu will open with a variety of chart templates. On the left side, you’ll see a variety of PowerPoint chart types, such as Column , Line, Pie, Bar and more.

Start by clicking on a chart type on the left side. You’ll want to consider the type of data you’re showcasing when choosing a chart type. Here are a few common PowerPoint chart types, and the type of data they’re used to show:

• Column . Column charts are a classic way to show values, with vertical lines showing values based on their height.
• Line . Line charts are used to show data over a series of time, and how the value fluctuates over a time series.
• Pie . Pie charts show parts of the whole as slices, and help you relate the individual pieces to the total.
• Bar . Bar charts are the horizontal counterpart to column charts, showing values as bars running from left to right.
• Area . Area charts are like line charts but highlight the area underneath the line as a sum.

There are several other advanced charts (like Histograms and Waterfalls) inside of PowerPoint, so try them out for more advanced charting.

After you’ve selected a chart category, there are several variants of those PPT charts available at the top. Click on one of the thumbnails above to select a more specific chart style.

Input Data Into PowerPoint

No matter which chart style you choose, you’ll need to input data into PowerPoint to bring a chart to life.

These days, you really can’t only install just one app from the Microsoft Office suite. They work too well together. You can easily see why after inserting a chart, as an Excel spreadsheet window opens inside of PowerPoint to add your data. That’s useful.

For my example, I’m going to create a pie chart. After inserting the chart, you’ll see an Excel spreadsheet window open to add your data in.

Depending on the type of chart you chose, your spreadsheet may look different than my example. A stacked bar chart, for example, might have multiple columns with numeric values inside of the spreadsheet.

Here’s the reason I love using PowerPoint to build charts: as I input the data, the chart will update in real time. Each time that I change the values in the spreadsheet, the chart will change to align with my data.

What if we wanted to add another slice to our PowerPoint pie chart? In this case, we’ll need to add another row to our data. Grab the handles of the box around your data and pull it down to include other rows.

In the screenshot below, you can see what I mean. I clicked on the purple box (first column) and pulled it down two rows to add more months to my data. Then, I pulled down the values column (in blue) to include other amounts in the pie chart.

These are the basics of adding data to your PPT charts. PowerPoint starts with basic data populated in a spreadsheet. Change it to include your own data.

To reopen this spreadsheet view and edit your data, simply right click on the chart and choose Edit Data. The embedded spreadsheet view will reopen so that you can update the data.

After you’ve finished updating your data, we can think about styling it and changing the look and feel of the PowerPoint chart.

Customize Chart Styles in PowerPoint

I always master the data in a chart before I begin styling it. But when I’m finished with building out my charts, PowerPoint has plenty of options to change the look and feel of a chart.

You can work quickly with PowerPoint chart tools. Here are a few of my favorite ways to style PowerPoint charts with just a few clicks:

1. Work With PowerPoint Chart Styles

With your chart selected, find the Design button on the PowerPoint ribbon, just under the Chart Tools tab. No matter which type of chart you’re working with, there are many preset styles to change the look of your chart in PowerPoint.

Click on one of these styles to apply it to your chart. Many of these will add some shadow or depth to the chart, which can really help your chart stand out. Try out some of these styles for different ways to view the same data.

2. Change Chart Colors in PowerPoint

Besides styles that add depth or contours to your charts, you can also easily change the color scheme with a couple of clicks within PowerPoint chart tools.

While you’re still on the Chart Tools > Design menu, find the Change Colors button near the left side of the ribbon.

The built-in color schemes will pair with your presentation. You can also typically select monochromatic styles for something less flashy.

3. Format Chart Area in PowerPoint

To really get under the hood with your PowerPoint presentations, right click on the chart and choose Format Data Point.

In Excel, a panel will open on the right side. This menu has every imaginable feature to customize your charts.

The good news is that this menu is easy to use and has every feature you could possibly need. Try out some of the self-explanatory options to add Fill (background color of a chart) or a Border around the edge of a chart.

As you can see, it’s easy to change up the style of your presentation with just a few clicks. Try the built-in styles and color schemes as a way to make your charts in PPT stand out from the rest of your presentation

What Is a Chart vs. Graph (in PowerPoint)?

The terms charts and graphs are used interchangeably, but in fact—they serve different purposes.

Charts in PPT don’t have to include numeric values. They can be solely based on showing information in a structured format, like the periodic table of elements for example. A chart is a general term for many types of data, organized in a structured format.

Graphs are typically based on numerical data. For example, a line graph will show data over time or a numeric comparison. In short: graphs are charts, but not all charts in PPT are graphs.

Remember: premium templates for PowerPoint can help you create PowerPoint charts and PowerPoint graphs. S pend some time thinking about how your data is best shown in a visual and if a chart or graph is more fitting.

Keep Learning More About PowerPoint

In this tutorial, you built your first chart in Microsoft PowerPoint. Use well-placed charts in your presentations to break up thick sections of data or bullet points.

Check out our Ultimate Guide to the Best PowerPoint Templates or jump over to trending PowerPoint graphs and best-selling PPT templates on Envato Elements or GraphicRiver. Also, if you need more PowerPoint designs to work with that have plenty of great charts and infographics built into them, then browse through the 35 Best Infographic PPT Templates .

Don’t stop learning here. Check out these tutorials to learn more about improving your PowerPoint presentations:

• SmartArt is like charts in PPT but is more focused on data overlaid on top of graphics. Check out How to Get Started With Using SmartArt in PowerPoint.
• Animations pair well with charts, and Sven Lenaerts’ 10 Simple PowerPoint Animation Tips and Tricks is the perfect primer on PowerPoint animation.
• If a chart isn’t the right tool to showcase your data, a table might be a good alternative. Check out How to Style Tables in PowerPoint in 60 Seconds.

Make Great Presentations (Free eBook Download)

We’ve got the perfect complement to this tutorial, which will walk you through the complete presentation process. Learn how to write your presentation, design it like a pro, and prepare it to present powerfully.

Download our eBook: The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations . It’s available for free with a subscription to the Tuts+ Business Newsletter.

Design Charts and Graphs in PowerPoint Today

A chart or graph can help you tell stories about data or processes easily in PowerPoint. Don’t forget that you can use advanced PowerPoint charts or PowerPoint graphs from Envato Elements or GraphicRiver to add even better visuals to your next presentation.

Related Articles

Top Tips for Using Graphs and Charts in your Presentations

Graphs and charts are a great way to convey complex information.  But it is also easy to deliver information overload. We asked a range of expert presenters for their hints and tips on using graphs and charts in presentations.

Types of Graphs

Although texts carry ideas among individuals, there is no replacement for the pictorial representations that exist right from the days men lived in caves.  In order to standardise the communication, many types of graphs evolved in the man’s quest for quick, easy and precise representation of data. Graphs range from simple lines to complex cosmograms that even animate.

The below infographic will share some interesting information about different graph types:

1.     Less is more

I think one of the big things is to make sure you are using the right kind of chart to display the story you want your data to tell. Also, less is more. Charts are busy enough and any extra axis numbers, tick marks and such should be removed and the gridlines should be subtle colours that don’t overwhelm the image.

2.  Highlight key data points

I am asked to do a lot of creative tinkering with charts, and one of the most requested items is to highlight particular data points on a line chart. An easy and effective way to do this is by assigning a unique graphic to selected data points.

To do this you simply have to insert the graphic (could also be a text box with a relevant symbol character or wingding) somewhere on the slide. Then cut the graphic item to the clipboard. Go into your chart and select the single data point you want to affect (make sure you have the single data point and not the data series selected) and paste the graphic.

Valary Oleinik

Now that data point will carry the unique appearance even as the chart figures change.

I use this in instances such as a stock price timeline where you want to highlight the price at a certain date or you want to highlight where a change occurred in a business and you want a visual marker to make a comparison of the effects prior to and after the change. I could work up a chart sample if you would like.

3.  Simplify your slides

Many graphs can be simplified to make them easier to read.

Take this example.

• Too much clutter, what I call mumblers and what Edward Tufte calls chartjunk. These mumblers are like the dense foliage in a jungle; you need to hack away at them with effort to work your way further into the jungle. Mumblers in this chart include horizontal lines, unnecessarily large numbers on the x- and y-axes, unnecessary detailed text.
• Large gaps between the columns. The rule of thumb is the bars should be TWICE as large as the gap.
• Sideways numbers above the bars, which are unnecessarily hard to read. In fact, you don’t need the y-axis at all if the bar values are included.
• No pictures. Whenever possible, try to convert your graphs into concrete pictures. Adding a pictures of Bush and Obama can replace the legend.

Here is an example of how this slide can be improved.

Bruce Gabrielle

4.  Pie charts are not always easy to understand

Use the correct graph to display data. Pie charts are generally poor because viewers cannot quickly understand relative sizes of pie slices. Horizontal bar charts, sorted from high to low, communicate more clearly and are easier for the reader to scan quickly.

Both have their place, depending on what the audience needs.

Bruce Gabrielle – author, Speaking PowerPoint – www.speakingppt.com

5. Create better-looking graphs in PowerPoint 2010

PowerPoint 2010 creates much better graphs than the standard graphs that you get with PowerPoint 2003. Something we often do here if we are creating a PowerPoint 2003 presentation and the client does NOT need to edit the graphs themselves: we would create much better-looking graphs in PowerPoint 2010 and then copy them into the 2003 presentation as images. We know we are in the very fortunate position of having easy access to all versions of PowerPoint and this might not be possible for everyone.

6. Be careful of embedding sensitive data

But there are more reasons for doing this than just more visually aesthetic graphs. Whatever version of PowerPoint you are using, it’s still a good idea to keep the editable graph separate from your main presentation.

We know of a horror story where a presentation was left behind after an event and the Excel files that linked to the graphs contained some very commercially sensitive information.

7. Convey data in other ways than PowerPoint

Very few people remember the numbers. Convey them in some other meaningful way.

I had a participant on a course recently who was talking about a number of people that had been taken out of poverty in recent years. The number is meaningless, because I wouldn’t remember and cannot comprehend the number of people.

When he paused for a moment and said “That’s the same as the population of America”, it was easily understandable and extremely memorable.

8. Use props to convey data

Use props – check out Hans Rosling at TED on population statistics. He uses boxes and models of cars, planes and flip flops.

Paul Hayden

I once used steel buckets and coins – for the effect of the noise. If you show your market share by tipping in a (proportional number of ) few coins and then show the size of the available market left by tipping in another proportional number, people will not remember the number, but they will remember how long that noise lasted and how much share is up for grabs.

9. Only present key information

Think of what it means to the audience, perhaps just some of the data is enough (e.g. top 3 or 5 instead of the whole chart)

10. Concentrate on trends and changes

Concentrate on trends and changes rather than numbers and data.

11. 3D graphs are hard to read

Avoid 3-d graphs as much as possible, they are hard to read.

12. Animate your graphs

Try to animate the data instead of showing everything at once (overwhelming). By animating I don’t mean the custom animation on the software, but show the data gradually, one bar at a time for comparisons, one year at a time on a line chart, one piece of the pie on pie charts.

It will be like storytelling your data and the audience will be able to keep up.

Dr.Ahmad Al-Ani

13.  Take a look at data visualisation

Yolanthe Smit

I find graphs and charts usually rather boring unless they are on paper or a webpage so I can study them at my leisure.

We recently devoted an entire TEDxTheHague Salon to data visualisation and watched these great presentations:

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18 Best Types of Charts and Graphs for Data Visualization [+ Guide]

Published: May 22, 2024

As a writer for the marketing blog, I frequently use various types of charts and graphs to help readers visualize the data I collect and better understand their significance. And trust me, there's a lot of data to present.

In fact, the volume of data in 2025 will be almost double the data we create, capture, copy, and consume today.

This makes data visualization essential for businesses. Different types of graphs and charts can help you:

• Motivate your team to take action.
• Impress stakeholders with goal progress.
• Show your audience what you value as a business.

Data visualization builds trust and can organize diverse teams around new initiatives. So, I'm going to talk about the types of graphs and charts that you can use to grow your business.

And, if you still need a little more guidance by the end of this post, check out our data visualization guide for more information on how to design visually stunning and engaging charts and graphs.  

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Charts vs Graphs: What's the Difference?

A lot of people think charts and graphs are synonymous (I know I did), but they're actually two different things.

Charts visually represent current data in the form of tables and diagrams, but graphs are more numerical in data and show how one variable affects another.

For example, in one of my favorite sitcoms, How I Met Your Mother, Marshall creates a bunch of charts and graphs representing his life. One of these charts is a Venn diagram referencing the song "Cecilia" by Simon and Garfunkle. 

Marshall says, "This circle represents people who are breaking my heart, and this circle represents people who are shaking my confidence daily. Where they overlap? Cecilia."

The diagram is a chart and not a graph because it doesn't track how these people make him feel over time or how these variables are influenced by each other.

It may show where the two types of people intersect but not how they influence one another.

Later, Marshall makes a line graph showing how his friends' feelings about his charts have changed in the time since presenting his "Cecilia diagram.

Note: He calls the line graph a chart on the show, but it's acceptable because the nature of line graphs and charts makes the terms interchangeable. I'll explain later, I promise.

The line graph shows how the time since showing his Cecilia chart has influenced his friends' tolerance for his various graphs and charts. 

Image source

I can't even begin to tell you all how happy I am to reference my favorite HIMYM joke in this post.

Now, let's dive into the various types of graphs and charts. 

Different Types of Graphs for Data Visualization

1. bar graph.

I strongly suggest using a bar graph to avoid clutter when one data label is long or if you have more than 10 items to compare. Also, fun fact: If the example below was vertical it would be a column graph.

Best Use Cases for These Types of Graphs

Bar graphs can help track changes over time. I've found that bar graphs are most useful when there are big changes or to show how one group compares against other groups.

The example above compares the number of customers by business role. It makes it easy to see that there is more than twice the number of customers per role for individual contributors than any other group.

A bar graph also makes it easy to see which group of data is highest or most common.

For example, at the start of the pandemic, online businesses saw a big jump in traffic. So, if you want to look at monthly traffic for an online business, a bar graph would make it easy to see that jump.

Other use cases for bar graphs include:

• Product comparisons.
• Product usage.
• Category comparisons.
• Marketing traffic by month or year.
• Marketing conversions.

Design Best Practices for Bar Graphs

• Use consistent colors throughout the chart, selecting accent colors to highlight meaningful data points or changes over time.

You should also use horizontal labels to improve its readability, and start the y-axis at 0 to appropriately reflect the values in your graph.

2. Line Graph

A line graph reveals trends or progress over time, and you can use it to show many different categories of data. You should use it when you track a continuous data set.

This makes the terms line graphs and line charts interchangeable because the very nature of both is to track how variables impact each other, particularly how something changes over time. Yeah, it confused me, too.

Line graphs help users track changes over short and long periods. Because of this, I find these types of graphs are best for seeing small changes.

Line graphs help me compare changes for more than one group over the same period. They're also helpful for measuring how different groups relate to each other.

A business might use this graph to compare sales rates for different products or services over time.

These charts are also helpful for measuring service channel performance. For example, a line graph that tracks how many chats or emails your team responds to per month.

Design Best Practices for Line Graphs

• Use solid lines only.
• Don't plot more than four lines to avoid visual distractions.
• Use the right height so the lines take up roughly 2/3 of the y-axis' height.

3. Bullet Graph

A bullet graph reveals progress towards a goal, compares this to another measure, and provides context in the form of a rating or performance.

In the example above, the bullet graph shows the number of new customers against a set customer goal. Bullet graphs are great for comparing performance against goals like this.

These types of graphs can also help teams assess possible roadblocks because you can analyze data in a tight visual display.

For example, I could create a series of bullet graphs measuring performance against benchmarks or use a single bullet graph to visualize these KPIs against their goals:

• Customer satisfaction.
• Average order size.
• New customers.

Seeing this data at a glance and alongside each other can help teams make quick decisions.

Bullet graphs are one of the best ways to display year-over-year data analysis. YBullet graphs can also visualize:

• Customer satisfaction scores.
• Customer shopping habits.
• Social media usage by platform.

Design Best Practices for Bullet Graphs

• Use contrasting colors to highlight how the data is progressing.
• Use one color in different shades to gauge progress.

4. Column + Line Graph

Column + line graphs are also called dual-axis charts. They consist of a column and line graph together, with both graphics on the X axis but occupying their own Y axis.

Download our FREE Excel Graph Templates for this graph and more!

Best Use Cases

These graphs are best for comparing two data sets with different measurement units, such as rate and time. 

As a marketer, you may want to track two trends at once.

Design Best Practices 

Use individual colors for the lines and colors to make the graph more visually appealing and to further differentiate the data. 

The Four Basic Types of Charts

Before we get into charts, I want to touch on the four basic chart types that I use the most. 

1. Bar Chart

Bar charts are pretty self-explanatory. I use them to indicate values by the length of bars, which can be displayed horizontally or vertically. Vertical bar charts, like the one below, are sometimes called column charts. 

2. Line Chart 

I use line charts to show changes in values across continuous measurements, such as across time, generations, or categories. For example, the chart below shows the changes in ice cream sales throughout the week.

3. Scatter Plot

A scatter plot uses dotted points to compare values against two different variables on separate axes. It's commonly used to show correlations between values and variables. 

4. Pie Chart

Pie charts are charts that represent data in a circular (pie-shaped) graphic, and each slice represents a percentage or portion of the whole. 

Notice the example below of a household budget. (Which reminds me that I need to set up my own.)

Notice that the percentage of income going to each expense is represented by a slice. 

Different Types of Charts for Data Visualization

To better understand chart types and how you can use them, here's an overview of each:

1. Column Chart

Use a column chart to show a comparison among different items or to show a comparison of items over time. You could use this format to see the revenue per landing page or customers by close date.

Best Use Cases for This Type of Chart

I use both column charts to display changes in data, but I've noticed column charts are best for negative data. The main difference, of course, is that column charts show information vertically while bar charts  show data horizontally.

For example, warehouses often track the number of accidents on the shop floor. When the number of incidents falls below the monthly average, a column chart can make that change easier to see in a presentation.

In the example above, this column chart measures the number of customers by close date. Column charts make it easy to see data changes over a period of time. This means that they have many use cases, including:

• Customer survey data, like showing how many customers prefer a specific product or how much a customer uses a product each day.
• Sales volume, like showing which services are the top sellers each month or the number of sales per week.
• Profit and loss, showing where business investments are growing or falling.

Design Best Practices for Column Charts

• Use horizontal labels to improve readability.
• Start the y-axis at 0 to appropriately reflect the values in your chart .

2. Area Chart

Okay, an area chart is basically a line chart, but I swear there's a meaningful difference.

The space between the x-axis and the line is filled with a color or pattern. It is useful for showing part-to-whole relations, like showing individual sales reps’ contributions to total sales for a year.

It helps me analyze both overall and individual trend information.

Best Use Cases for These Types of Charts

Area charts help show changes over time. They work best for big differences between data sets and help visualize big trends.

For example, the chart above shows users by creation date and life cycle stage.

A line chart could show more subscribers than marketing qualified leads. But this area chart emphasizes how much bigger the number of subscribers is than any other group.

These charts make the size of a group and how groups relate to each other more visually important than data changes over time.

Area charts  can help your business to:

• Visualize which product categories or products within a category are most popular.
• Show key performance indicator (KPI) goals vs. outcomes.
• Spot and analyze industry trends.

Design Best Practices for Area Charts

• Use transparent colors so information isn't obscured in the background.
• Don't display more than four categories to avoid clutter.
• Organize highly variable data at the top of the chart to make it easy to read.

3. Stacked Bar Chart

I suggest using this chart to compare many different items and show the composition of each item you’re comparing.

These charts  are helpful when a group starts in one column and moves to another over time.

For example, the difference between a marketing qualified lead (MQL) and a sales qualified lead (SQL) is sometimes hard to see. The chart above helps stakeholders see these two lead types from a single point of view — when a lead changes from MQL to SQL.

Stacked bar charts are excellent for marketing. They make it simple to add a lot of data on a single chart or to make a point with limited space.

These charts  can show multiple takeaways, so they're also super for quarterly meetings when you have a lot to say but not a lot of time to say it.

Stacked bar charts are also a smart option for planning or strategy meetings. This is because these charts can show a lot of information at once, but they also make it easy to focus on one stack at a time or move data as needed.

You can also use these charts to:

• Show the frequency of survey responses.
• Identify outliers in historical data.
• Compare a part of a strategy to its performance as a whole.

Design Best Practices for Stacked Bar Charts

• Best used to illustrate part-to-whole relationships.
• Use contrasting colors for greater clarity.
• Make the chart scale large enough to view group sizes in relation to one another.

4. Mekko Chart

Also known as a Marimekko chart, this type of chart  can compare values, measure each one's composition, and show data distribution across each one.

It's similar to a stacked bar, except the Mekko's x-axis can capture another dimension of your values — instead of time progression, like column charts often do. In the graphic below, the x-axis compares the cities to one another.

Image Source

I typically use a Mekko chart to show growth, market share, or competitor analysis.

For example, the Mekko chart above shows the market share of asset managers grouped by location and the value of their assets. This chart clarifies which firms manage the most assets in different areas.

It's also easy to see which asset managers are the largest and how they relate to each other.

Mekko charts can seem more complex than other types of charts, so it's best to use these in situations where you want to emphasize scale or differences between groups of data.

Other use cases for Mekko charts include:

• Detailed profit and loss statements.
• Revenue by brand and region.
• Product profitability.
• Share of voice by industry or niche.

Design Best Practices for Mekko Charts

• Vary your bar heights if the portion size is an important point of comparison.
• Don't include too many composite values within each bar. Consider reevaluating your presentation if you have a lot of data.
• Order your bars from left to right in such a way that exposes a relevant trend or message.

5. Pie Chart

Remember, a pie chart represents numbers in percentages, and the total sum of all segments needs to equal 100%.

The image above shows another example of customers by role in the company.

The bar chart  example shows you that there are more individual contributors than any other role. But this pie chart makes it clear that they make up over 50% of customer roles.

Pie charts make it easy to see a section in relation to the whole, so they are good for showing:

• Customer personas in relation to all customers.
• Revenue from your most popular products or product types in relation to all product sales.
• Percent of total profit from different store locations.

Design Best Practices for Pie Charts

• Don't illustrate too many categories to ensure differentiation between slices.
• Ensure that the slice values add up to 100%.
• Order slices according to their size.

6. Scatter Plot Chart

As I said earlier, a scatter plot or scattergram chart will show the relationship between two different variables or reveal distribution trends.

Use this chart when there are many different data points, and you want to highlight similarities in the data set. This is useful when looking for outliers or understanding your data's distribution.

Scatter plots are helpful in situations where you have too much data to see a pattern quickly. They are best when you use them to show relationships between two large data sets.

In the example above, this chart shows how customer happiness relates to the time it takes for them to get a response.

This type of chart  makes it easy to compare two data sets. Use cases might include:

• Employment and manufacturing output.
• Retail sales and inflation.
• Visitor numbers and outdoor temperature.
• Sales growth and tax laws.

Try to choose two data sets that already have a positive or negative relationship. That said, this type of chart  can also make it easier to see data that falls outside of normal patterns.

Design Best Practices for Scatter Plots

• Include more variables, like different sizes, to incorporate more data.
• Start the y-axis at 0 to represent data accurately.
• If you use trend lines, only use a maximum of two to make your plot easy to understand.

7. Bubble Chart

A bubble chart is similar to a scatter plot in that it can show distribution or relationship. There is a third data set shown by the size of the bubble or circle.

In the example above, the number of hours spent online isn't just compared to the user's age, as it would be on a scatter plot chart.

Instead, you can also see how the gender of the user impacts time spent online.

This makes bubble charts useful for seeing the rise or fall of trends over time. It also lets you add another option when you're trying to understand relationships between different segments or categories.

For example, if you want to launch a new product, this chart could help you quickly see your new product's cost, risk, and value. This can help you focus your energies on a low-risk new product with a high potential return.

You can also use bubble charts for:

• Top sales by month and location.
• Customer satisfaction surveys.
• Store performance tracking.
• Marketing campaign reviews.

Design Best Practices for Bubble Charts

• Scale bubbles according to area, not diameter.
• Make sure labels are clear and visible.
• Use circular shapes only.

8. Waterfall Chart

I sometimes use a waterfall chart to show how an initial value changes with intermediate values — either positive or negative — and results in a final value.

Use this chart to reveal the composition of a number. An example of this would be to showcase how different departments influence overall company revenue and lead to a specific profit number.

The most common use case for a funnel chart is the marketing or sales funnel. But there are many other ways to use this versatile chart.

If you have at least four stages of sequential data, this chart can help you easily see what inputs or outputs impact the final results.

For example, a funnel chart can help you see how to improve your buyer journey or shopping cart workflow. This is because it can help pinpoint major drop-off points.

Other stellar options for these types of charts include:

• Deal pipelines.
• Conversion and retention analysis.
• Bottlenecks in manufacturing and other multi-step processes.
• Marketing campaign performance.
• Website conversion tracking.

Design Best Practices for Funnel Charts

• Scale the size of each section to accurately reflect the size of the data set.
• Use contrasting colors or one color in graduated hues, from darkest to lightest, as the size of the funnel decreases.

10. Heat Map

A heat map shows the relationship between two items and provides rating information, such as high to low or poor to excellent. This chart displays the rating information using varying colors or saturation.

Best Use Cases for Heat Maps

In the example above, the darker the shade of green shows where the majority of people agree.

With enough data, heat maps can make a viewpoint that might seem subjective more concrete. This makes it easier for a business to act on customer sentiment.

There are many uses for these types of charts. In fact, many tech companies use heat map tools to gauge user experience for apps, online tools, and website design .

Another common use for heat map charts  is location assessment. If you're trying to find the right location for your new store, these maps can give you an idea of what the area is like in ways that a visit can't communicate.

Heat maps can also help with spotting patterns, so they're good for analyzing trends that change quickly, like ad conversions. They can also help with:

• Competitor research.
• Customer sentiment.
• Sales outreach.
• Campaign impact.
• Customer demographics.

Design Best Practices for Heat Map

• Use a basic and clear map outline to avoid distracting from the data.
• Use a single color in varying shades to show changes in data.
• Avoid using multiple patterns.

11. Gantt Chart

The Gantt chart is a horizontal chart that dates back to 1917. This chart maps the different tasks completed over a period of time.

Gantt charting is one of the most essential tools for project managers. It brings all the completed and uncompleted tasks into one place and tracks the progress of each.

While the left side of the chart displays all the tasks, the right side shows the progress and schedule for each of these tasks.

This chart type allows you to:

• Break projects into tasks.
• Track the start and end of the tasks.
• Set important events, meetings, and announcements.
• Assign tasks to the team and individuals.

I use donut charts for the same use cases as pie charts, but I tend to prefer the former because of the added benefit that the data is easier to read.

Another benefit to donut charts is that the empty center leaves room for extra layers of data, like in the examples above. 

Design Best Practices for Donut Charts 

Use varying colors to better differentiate the data being displayed, just make sure the colors are in the same palette so viewers aren't put off by clashing hues. 

14. Sankey Diagram

A Sankey Diagram visually represents the flow of data between categories, with the link width reflecting the amount of flow. It’s a powerful tool for uncovering the stories hidden in your data.

As data grows more complex, charts must evolve to handle these intricate relationships. Sankey Diagrams excel at this task.

With ChartExpo , you can create a Sankey Chart with up to eight levels, offering multiple perspectives for analyzing your data. Even the most complicated data sets become manageable and easy to interpret.

You can customize your Sankey charts and every component including nodes, links, stats, text, colors, and more. ChartExpo is an add-in in Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, and Power BI, you can create beautiful Sankey diagrams while keeping your data safe in your favorite tools.

Sankey diagrams can be used to visualize all types of data which contain a flow of information. It beautifully connects the flows and presents the data in an optimum way.

Here are a few use cases:

• Sankey diagrams are widely used to visualize energy production, consumption, and distribution. They help in tracking how energy flows from one source (like oil or gas) to various uses (heating, electricity, transportation).
• Businesses use Sankey diagrams to trace customer interactions across different channels and touchpoints. It highlights the flow of users through a funnel or process, revealing drop-off points and success paths.
• I n supply chain management, these diagrams show how resources, products, or information flow between suppliers, manufacturers, and retailers, identifying bottlenecks and inefficiencies.

Design Best Practices for Sankey Diagrams 

When utilizing a Sankey diagram, it is essential to maintain simplicity while ensuring accuracy in proportions. Clear labeling and effective color usage are key factors to consider. Emphasizing the logical flow direction and highlighting significant flows will enhance the visualization.

How to Choose the Right Chart or Graph for Your Data

Channels like social media or blogs have multiple data sources, and managing these complex content assets can get overwhelming. What should you be tracking? What matters most?

How do you visualize and analyze the data so you can extract insights and actionable information?

1. Identify your goals for presenting the data.

Before creating any data-based graphics, I ask myself if I want to convince or clarify a point. Am I trying to visualize data that helped me solve a problem? Or am I trying to communicate a change that's happening?

A chart or graph can help compare different values, understand how different parts impact the whole, or analyze trends. Charts and graphs can also be useful for recognizing data that veers away from what you’re used to or help you see relationships between groups.

So, clarify your goals then use them to guide your chart selection.

2. Figure out what data you need to achieve your goal.

Different types of charts and graphs use different kinds of data. Graphs usually represent numerical data, while charts are visual representations of data that may or may not use numbers.

So, while all graphs are a type of chart, not all charts are graphs. If you don't already have the kind of data you need, you might need to spend some time putting your data together before building your chart.

3. Gather your data.

Most businesses collect numerical data regularly, but you may need to put in some extra time to collect the right data for your chart.

Besides quantitative data tools that measure traffic, revenue, and other user data, you might need some qualitative data.

These are some other ways you can gather data for your data visualization:

• Interviews 
• Quizzes and surveys
• Customer reviews
• Reviewing customer documents and records
• Community boards

Fill out the form to get your templates.

4. select the right type of graph or chart..

Choosing the wrong visual aid or defaulting to the most common type of data visualization could confuse your viewer or lead to mistaken data interpretation.

But a chart is only useful to you and your business if it communicates your point clearly and effectively.

Ask yourself the questions below to help find the right chart or graph type.

Download the Excel templates mentioned in the video here.

5 Questions to Ask When Deciding Which Type of Chart to Use

1. do you want to compare values.

Charts and graphs are perfect for comparing one or many value sets, and they can easily show the low and high values in the data sets. To create a comparison chart, use these types of graphs:

• Scatter plot

2. Do you want to show the composition of something?

Use this type of chart to show how individual parts make up the whole of something, like the device type used for mobile visitors to your website or total sales broken down by sales rep.

To show composition, use these charts:

• Stacked bar

3. Do you want to understand the distribution of your data?

Distribution charts help you to understand outliers, the normal tendency, and the range of information in your values.

Use these charts to show distribution:

4. Are you interested in analyzing trends in your data set?

If you want more information about how a data set performed during a specific time, there are specific chart types that do extremely well.

You should choose one of the following:

• Dual-axis line

5. Do you want to better understand the relationship between value sets?

Relationship charts can show how one variable relates to one or many different variables. You could use this to show how something positively affects, has no effect, or negatively affects another variable.

When trying to establish the relationship between things, use these charts:

Featured Resource: The Marketer's Guide to Data Visualization

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44 Types of Graphs Perfect for Every Top Industry

Written by: Samantha Lile

Graphs are a great way to visualize data and display numbers and statistics. In fact, they're essential to help your audience understand your points or key findings. 

They can help you visualize growth in a sales report , showcase demographics in a pitch deck or share industry statistics in an infographic . 

But with so many popular types of charts and graphs including line graphs, bar graphs, pie charts, bubble charts, scatter plots, and histograms, how do you know what are the best options for your industry, project, or data?

Picking the right chart or graph  doesn't have to be difficult. To help make your choice easier we’ve compiled a list of 44 types of graphs and charts, many of which can be made right in Visme. 

Find your industry below and check out the graph options available to you, then click the button below each template to start inputting your data and customizing it for your project.

Table of Contents

• Business & Finance

Engineering and Technology

Political science and sociology, meteorology and environment.

And, if you’re short on time check out this  video tutorial on the ultimate guide to data visualization

44 Types of Graphs and Charts

Line graphs.

Line charts, or line graphs, are powerful visual tools that illustrate trends in data over a period of time or a particular correlation. For example, one axis of the graph might represent a variable value, while the other axis often displays a timeline.

Each value is plotted on the chart, then the points are connected to display a trend over the compared time span. Multiple trends can be compared by plotting lines of various colors.

For example, the interest of digital marketing over time can be visually shown with ease through the use of a line graph. Simply plot each number of searches along the timeline to view the trend.

The simplest and most straightforward way to compare various categories is the classic bar graph. The universally-recognized graph features a series of bars of varying lengths.

One axis of a bar graph features the categories being compared, while the other axis represents the value of each. The length of each bar is proportionate to the numerical value or percentage that it represents. 

For example, in the template below, each social media platform is represented by a bar. With just one quick glance, audiences can learn exactly which social media platform has the highest and lowest usage during the allotted time frame.

Bar graphs work great for visually presenting nearly any type of data, but they hold particular power in the marketing industry. The graphs are ideal for comparing any sort of numeric value, including group sizes, inventories, ratings and survey responses.

If you like this chart but you want to make it your own, you can easily customize your charts with your personal or company brand. You can use the AI-powered Brand Wizard : simply input your URL, and the wizard will create a brand kit of your colors, logos, and fonts, which you can easily access in any Visme project. 

Alternatively, you can add them manually. The upside to the wizard is that it also provides templates that match your brand, making it faster to find a chart that aligns with your brand.

Customize this pie chart template and make it your own! Edit and Download

Pie charts are the simplest and most efficient visual tool for comparing parts of a whole. For example, a pie chart can quickly and effectively compare various budget allocations, population segments or market-research question responses.

Marketing content designers frequently rely on pie charts to compare the size of market segments. For example, a simple pie graph can clearly illustrate how the most popular mobile-phone manufacturers compare based on the sizes of their user-bases.

Audiences are able to quickly understand that stock photography is the most-used visual in marketing, with original graphics – like those that can be created with Visme – coming in as a close second.  The beauty of using Visme is that you can create animated charts to engage your audience and make complex information digestible.

Mosaic or Mekko Charts

Basic line, bar and pie charts are excellent tools for comparing one or two variables in a few categories, but what happens when you need to compare multiple variables or multiple categories at the same time?

What if all those variables aren’t numeric even? A mosaic – or Mekko – chart plot might be the better choice.

Perhaps a production analyst wants to compare the amount of furniture produced, analyze the production percentages for multiple best-selling types of furniture, review their year-over-year growth of sales to decide how to allocate their production budget effectively.

A mosaic chart would allow said analysts to illustrate all the variables in a clear and straightforward manner.

In the above example, one axis of the chart represents the categories being compared – Tables, chairs, sofas, beds, bedroom sets, the year over year review – while the other axis lists various percentages.

The size and color of each cross-section of the chart corresponds with the market segment it represents, as depicted in the chart's legend.

Population Pyramids

Create your own charts and graphs with Visme! Try It For Free

Market segments are often divided based on age and gender, and a population pyramid is an ideal visual representation of the two groups.

The graph classically takes on the shape of a pyramid when a population is healthy and growing -- the largest groups are the youngest, and each gender dwindles somewhat equally as the population ages, leaving the smallest groups at the top of the graph.

A population pyramid that veers away from its classic shape might indicate an irregularity in a population during a particular period, such as a famine or an economic boom that led to an increase in deaths or births.

Of course, population pyramids aren’t always used to compare populations by age, and therefore don’t always take on the graph’s namesake shape.

A marketer, for example, might use the design to compare a population by income, weight or IQ, in which the smallest groups will often be at both the top and bottom. Regardless, the graph clearly depicts population trends, while it compares the sizes of two related groups.

Spider Charts

Create your own spider chart with Visme! Try It For Free

When a statistician needs to visually compare three or more quantitative variables, he or she might choose to use a  radar chart , also known as a spider or star chart.

The chart usually consists of a series of radii, each representing a different category, that splay out from a center point like spokes.

The length of each “spoke” is proportionate to the value being compared. For each category, the spokes are then connected with a line of a designated pattern or color, forming a star-like shape with points equal to the number of categories.

The result is a graphic representation that can reveal trends and compare categories all at the same time.

With Visme, you can not only easily populate your charts with pre-existing data from your Google Sheets, but also ensure that when values change in your Google Sheet, your Visme chart will be updated whenever the project is refreshed. This not only helps keep your charts up to date but also allows seamless design collaboration between team members in or outside of Visme.

Want to create your own radar chart?

• Upload an Excel file or sync with live data from Google sheets
• Choose from 16+ types of charts, from bar and line graphs to pyramid and Mekko charts
• Customize anything, from backgrounds and placement of labels to font style and color

Business and Finance

Stock charts.

Image source

One of the most vital of all financial graphs, stock charts help investors track the markets to determine profits and loss, as well as make buying and selling decisions.

While a variety of graphs are used to represent market changes, the most common is likely the basic line graph turned histogram.

The lines simply tracks changes in a particular stock’s or overall market’s value over a period of time. Multiple stocks can be tracked and compared at the same time by transforming the line graph into a stacked area chart or simply using multiple lines of various colors.

Whether you need to create stock charts for potential shareholders or whip up a quick visualization for your team, you can add hotspots or link documents to your charts to add additional reports. This lets you share more information at once rather than sending long emails or cluttering your chart design. 

This is just one of the many all-in-one approaches Visme provides that most data visualization tools fail to offer. Not only does it allow you to create professionally designed charts or graphs with little to no design experience, but it expands its use case to help you work more efficiently. 

But don’t take our word for it, see what MacKenzie Stonis, Economic Research Analyst at Greater Memphis Chamber had to say:

MacKenzie Stonis

Economic Research Analyst

Flow Charts

Oftentimes in business – as well as other industries – a process must be diagrammed. A flow chart allows a process to be sequenced step-by-step, from beginning to end, for the purpose of analyzing, designing, documenting or managing it.

These flow charts can even feature multiple beginnings and ends, with countless pathways and journeys in between.

While a simple flow chart can certainly document a basic process from A to B to C, the diagrams are more frequently used to illustrate more complex sequences with multiple decisions or conditions along the way.

Each time a condition is met, the chart diagrams the various options, then the path continues following each choice.

Flowcharts are commonly used for organizational charts, training materials, customer onboarding, planning and execution, as well as SOPs, and more. 

So, whether you plan to share your flowcharts internally or externally, Visme allows you to publish and share them as live links. This means that viewers can review your charts like a website. And if you make any edits to your chart, simply refresh the page, and the changes are updated instantly.

Want to create your own flowchart?

• Get a head start with pre-made flowchart blocks
• Easily snap lines and objects together
• Dozens of shapes and lines styles to choose from

Gantt Charts

Gantt charts are special types of bar graphs used to diagram projects and schedules. The use of colored bars of varying lengths reflect not only a project’s start and end dates, but also important events, tasks, milestones and their timeframes.

Modern Gantt charts can also illustrate activities’ dependency relationships.

If Team 3’s completion of task C, for example, is dependent upon the prior completion of task B by Team 2, the chart can not only reflect that relationship but also the scheduled dates and deadlines for each. Easily create beautiful Gantt charts to visualize your project schedule and streamline project management with Visme's Gantt Chart Maker .

Control Charts

Also commonly known as a process-behavior chart, a control chart helps determine if a data set falls within a mean or predetermined control range.

Frequently used in quality control processes, a typical control chart consists of points plotted on two axes, representing sample measurements.

The mean of each point is calculated, and a center line across the graph at the mean value. Then, a standard deviation from the mean is calculated using each sample.

Finally, upper and lower control limits are determined and diagrammed to reflect the points at which deviation is beyond the expected standard.

Waterfall Charts

Waterfall is one of the most commonly used data visualization techniques used in business. This chart is particularly useful in accounting and qualitative analysis; waterfall charts illustrate how an initial value is affected positively and negatively by various factors.

For example, a waterfall chart could clearly and efficiently communicate how an opening balance changes month by month over the course of a year.

Because they often appear as though bars are floating throughout the graph, waterfall charts are sometimes referred to as floating bricks or Mario charts.  

If your team uses a wide range of tools to gather data for charts like these, keep in mind that Visme offers a more integrated approach for all your data visualization needs. Integrate with apps like Tableau, Salesforce, Hubspot and Google Analytics and so much more. 

Hierarchy Diagrams

Similar in appearance to a flow chart, a hierarchical diagram, also known as an organizational chart or an organigram, illustrates the structure of an organization, as well as the relationships within it.

A typical company organigram, for example, lists the CEO at the top, followed by presidents, vice presidents, managers and so on.

An organizational chart can illustrate the chain of command from any employee all the way to the top. Hierarchy diagrams are similarly used to represent pedigrees, scientific classifications, demographics and any data set with a similar breakdown.

Take the above diagram as an example, where a project team is organized in an organizational hierarchy chart so that everyone knows who their supervisor is in a project.

Remember that if you’re using this for organizational purposes, it has to be updated regularly. To assist with this, you can add dynamic fields in Visme, for top positions in your hierarchy diagrams. 

With dynamic fields, you can instantly update names, positions, or business information across all projects with just one click. This significantly cuts down on the time that would otherwise be spent manually editing your chart .

Want to create your own organizational diagram?

• Get a head start with pre-made diagram blocks

Scatter Plots

Also known as a scattergram , the graph consists of two axes, each representing a set of data. For example, o ne axis might represent the percentage of profits , while the second axis displays the total budget in millions.

For each budget and profit made is represented by a dot and plotted onto the graph. Once multiple dots are plotted, trends can be spotted and samples can be compared. The chart ultimately states that higher the budget the greater the possibility of increased profits.

A bubble chart is another variation of scatter plots. While both of them visualize relationships between two variables, a bubble chart adds an extra dimension by incorporating the size of the bubbles to represent a third variable.

Trellis Plots

Sometimes a statistician will need to compare more data sets than can be  represented by a single graph. What if, for example, a graph needs to compare not only miles driven and gallons used, but also the number of gears and cylinders contained in each vehicle sample?

A trellis plot, also called a lattice graph or plot, can display and compare all of those variables. While the above example uses a series of scatter charts, trellis plots commonly feature series of bar or line graphs, as well.

Function Plots

Mathematicians, engineers and statisticians often need to determine the value of an equation by graphing its result. The graph of a function is the set of all points whose coordinates satisfy the equation.  

Therefore, the function of an equation with variables of x and y would be drawn on a graph with an x and y axis. Likewise, an equation that also included a variable of z would need to be drawn on a three-dimensional graph with a third axis.

Function graphs of common shapes are visually associated with their corresponding algebraic formulas.

Binary Decision Diagrams

A binary decision is a choice between two alternatives, so a binary-decision diagram illustrates the path from one decision to another.

In computer science, binary decisions make up the Boolean data type, in which two values are associated with different actions within a process flow.

Outside of computer science, a binary-decision diagram can still be used to illustrate any process by which actions are based on a decision between two values, whether those conditions be yes or no, true or false, 1 or 0 or any other opposing choices.

Ultimately, the path taken will diagram how the process flowed, from beginning to end.

Circuit Diagrams

Just as its name implies, a circuit diagram is a visual representation of an electrical circuit. Using simple shapes and images, the diagram illustrates the components and interconnections of a circuit, from start to finish.

While the pathways and connections are accurate, the diagram does not necessarily represent a proportionate spatial construction of the circuit. In computer science, circuit diagrams are useful in depicting data related to both hardware and software.

The graphics not only visualize the pathways of a circuit in the literal sense, but they are also closely related to the aforementioned binary-decision diagram -- both are used to diagram programming process flows.

Transform technical, complex information into easy-to-understand reports

• Create detailed diagrams of workflows , systems and processes to see how they interset
• Easily create and share resources for your team , from login credentials to security best practices
• Get more visual with your communication to ensure intricate information is resonating and sinking in

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Customize this timeline template and make it your own! Edit and Download

Possibly the most self-explanatory of data visualizations, a timeline tracks data over a time period. Significant dates and events are highlighted at the point at which they appear on a chronological scale. Timelines can be used alone or in conjunction with other visualizations.

This History of Vincent Van Gogh timeline infographic is a great example of how you can create a timeline chart right in Visme.

Condensing historical timelines can be tough , especially when you have to cram a lot of  facts or events into a bit-sized timeline. The last thing you want to do is overwhelm your reader. To do the heavy lifting for you use Visme’s AI Writer . This tool can help you to  summarize your lengthy historical details and present them in a timeline bullet points. 

Plus, use it to proofread or revise your changes or additional writing so that it's grammatically correct and ready to be shared  with the world.

Want to create your own timeline?

Tree diagrams.

A form of hierarchical diagram, a genealogical tree illustrates the structure of a family. It can either begin with an ancestor, then diagram his or her descendants, their siblings, marriages and children, and so on.

A pedigree chart, on the other hand, begins with an individual and charts their ancestry, from parents to grandparents, and continues up.

Sunburst Charts

A type of multi-level pie chart, a sunburst chart is used to illustrate hierarchical data using concentric circles. Each ring of the “sunburst” represents a level in the hierarchy, with the root node represented by the center circle, and the hierarchy moving outward.

While a sunburst chart can be used to illustrate a familiar or company hierarchy, it can also break data down by time periods, creating a historical hierarchy.

Various branches of an organization can be represented by designated hues, with different levels often taking on varying shades of the same color family. Rings can also be divided further to represent multiple divisions within the same organizational level.

In fact, a traditional, complex color wheel, such as that used by paint stores, is another form of sunburst chart.

Customize this line graph template and make it your own! Edit and Download

If a timeline is a form of graph, then it only makes sense that historians often employ it in displaying other data. By plotting immigration levels against a timeline, the resulting histogram illustrates population trends over a century or longer with a basic line graph.

Stacked Area Charts

Stacked area charts are frequently used to diagram changes of multiple variables across time. Multiple lines can be drawn, for example, to track the population changes of various states across time.

The area below each line can be colored a different hue to represent the state it signifies, resulting in a graph that clearly represents population trends, while at the same time displaying each state’s data in order from least to most populous.

Stacked Bar Graphs

When studying groups of people, it’s common to compare multiple variables at once. After all, it’s enormously more useful to examine racial backgrounds, ages and gender in addition to total population.

A stacked bar graph combines elements of the traditional bar graph and the pie graph to communicate totals, trends and proportions in a single illustration.

Rather than simply illustrating changes in global population over time with a traditional column bar graph, a stacked bar graph can also represent the racial makeup of the population during each year and how those proportions have changed during the same period.

Want to create your own stacked bar chart?

Trellis bar graphs.

When presenting data with three variables, a designer might try and create a three-dimensional bar graph, but adding an additional axis can sometimes appear cluttered and unclear, especially in printed form.

Instead, additional variables can be presented in a trellis – or lattice – format.

By combining a series of bar graphs in a modular design, additional sets of data can be easily compared. For example, a single bar graph could illustrate the political breakdown of Poland’s national elections over a period of five years.

But a trellis bar graph could depict the same data set for 16 European nations.

Stacked area charts are ideal for comparing values that would normally require multiple line graphs. Each line represents a different category, and the area below each line is generally shaded a designated color so each data set can be easily compared.

For example, an area chart with one axis that represents a numeric value, and another axis that serves as a timeline, data for various categories over time can be tracked and compared with a single graphic. 

Multi-level Pie Charts

All too often a designer finds him or herself with more sets of data than can be presented in a single standard graph. Fortunately, in the case of a pie chart, multiple layers of data can be presented without the need for multiple images or a trellis design.

A multi-level pie chart, for example, consists of tiers, with each layer representing a separate set of data, and can be the perfect solution.

So while it would take three traditional pie graphs to illustrate the various sources of recorded words for three different decades, a multi-level pie graph can not only take the place of all three, but it also offers a clearer visual comparison of each year’s results.

Venn Diagrams

Customize this Venn diagram template and make it your own! Edit and Download

The classic Venn diagram , also known as a logic diagram, illustrates all possible logical relationships between a designated collection of sets.

For example, the overlap of two or more circles – in this case there are three – visually represents the similarities and differences between the social, economical and environmental areas of sustainable development.

The more circles used, the more logical conclusions that can be represented by their overlap. The combined set of all data in the diagram is known as the union, while the areas that overlap are called intersections.

A Venn diagram in which the relative size and area of each shape is proportional to the size of the group it represents is known as an area-proportional or scaled Venn diagram.

Scattergrams

Scattergrams, also known as scatter plots, are graphs that show the relationship between two or more variables. The plots use mathematical coordinates to represent two variables of a data set.

Data is displayed in a scattergram as a collection of points, each representing the value variables plotted on the horizontal and vertical axes. If points are color-coded, an additional variable can be represented in a single chart.

By plotting certain data sets, scientists can discover trends of which they might not otherwise be aware. For example, a scattergram might allow a doctor to plot patients’ resting heart rates against their body-mass index figures.

The resulting graph reveals that a higher heart rate correlates with a higher BMI.

Trellis Line Graphs

Trellis graphs allow scientists to examine complex, multi-variable data sets, comparing a greater deal of information at once.

While a single line graph can illustrate monthly UFO sightings in Tennessee over an 18-year period, a trellis line graph will display the same data for all 50 states in a single graphic.

A trellis line graph is based on the same principle as its simpler counterpart, plotting trends in a dataset consisting of two variables – numbers of UFO sightings and dates – through use of connecting points on two axes.

But by combining multiple line graphs in a modular format, an additional variable – location – is represented.

Pareto Charts

You might be wondering what type of graph is this ? Well, sometimes a basic graph doesn’t display enough information to draw the necessary conclusion. A Pareto chart combines a bar graph with a line graph to illustrate not only categories’ individual values, but also the cumulative total of the entire set.

Pareto charts are designed to highlight the most important of a set of factors.

In a Pareto chart that tracks the type and frequency of food defects, the bars illustrate each type of defects’ total occurrences – as reported on one of the charts’ axes – while the line charts the cumulative frequency of all categories, from most to least prevalent.

The result is a graph that clearly reflects the most common food defects and what percentage of the whole each represents.

Radar Charts

A radar chart, also commonly referred to as a spider chart or a star chart, displays data sets consisting of three or more variables on a two-dimensional graphic. Each variable’s quantitative value is reflected across an axis that usually starts in the chart’s center point.

As each item’s variables are charted, a line connects the points on each axis, forming an irregular polygon that may or may not resemble a star or spider web.

Multiple data sets can be compared on a single radar graph by representing each with a different color, identified by labels or in an accompanying key.

A radar chart can, for example, clearly compare and illustrate the costs and outcomes of various medical procedures as they relate to multiple conditions – all in a single graphic.

Spherical Contour Graphs

Plotting planetary conditions on a basic two-axis graph can pose a problem. The Earth, after all, is a sphere. Instead, data can be plotted on a three-axis field using variables of x, y and z. The resulting plot, if completed, will take the form of a sphere.

A spherical plot can, for example, reveal global temperature or rainfall trends by assigning each value range with a particular color, then plotting the data with points of the corresponding hue.

Health and Wellness

Multi-line graphs.

Just as medical symptoms are rarely isolated, neither is the analysis of biometric data. After all, rarely does one statistic paint the entire medical picture.

Line graphs can reflect multiple data sets with lines of varying patterns or color. For example, a multi-line graph can illustrate changes in life expectancies of not just the population in general, but for each gender and multiple racial backgrounds.

Stacked bar graphs aren’t useful only in illustrating parts of of a whole. They can also be used to display additional variables.

While a basic bar graph could represent what portion of a population is classified as overweight over a designated time period, a stacked bar graph can also track how much of the total is obese.

Customize this flow chart template and make it your own! Edit and Download

Following the proper process is probably more important in medicine than in any other field. After all, if the surgeon forgets a step, you might very well bleed to death while you sleep.

Flow charts are frequently used by hospitals, clinics and other medical facilities to ensure proper procedures are uniformly followed. There are different types of graphs that can be used but these are the most commonly used. 

In a pictogram, or pictograph, images and symbols are used to illustrate data. For example, a basic pictogram might use an image of the sun to signify each fair-weather day in a month and a rain cloud to symbolize each stormy day.

Because images are known to hold more emotional power than raw data, pictograms are often used to present medical data.

An illustration that shades five of 20 person symbols to represent a 20-percent death rate carries a more powerful message, for example, than a bar, line or pie that illustrates the same data.

Anatomical Diagrams

Customize this anatomical diagram template and make it your own! Edit and Download

Medical diagrams are often used to illustrate anatomy, treatments or disease pathology in order to explain treatments for patients and others without an extensive biomedical background.

While medical diagrams are considered a combination of science and art, they can be just as technical as any other quantitative graph. And no matter how detailed the drawing, anatomical diagrams are designed to clearly and efficiently present data.

And just as with a complex contour diagram, the diagrams focus on key information, even if it was selected from voluminous amounts of medical or scientific data.

Multi-Pie Charts

Just as in the cases of multi-level pie graphs, stacked bar graphs and trellis plots, multi-pie graphs paint a more detailed portrait of the data set it illustrates.

While a single pie chart can display what portion of the total population has a particular condition, a multi-pie graph can break those statistics down to illustrate not only the portion of men and the portion of women, but also how the two groups compare.

Want to create your own pie chart?

• Upload an Excel file or synch with live data from Google sheets

It can be difficult to graphically represent medical data sets that consist of hundreds -- or more -- patients, as is the case in most medical studies.

But a scatter plot allows for the representation of each subject, plotted on the graph according to the variables on the chart’s two axes.

The pattern formed by the plotted dots can clearly determine trends in the data. By analyzing a scatter plot, for example, a researcher could easily identify a correlation between longer life expectancy and higher household income.

Contour Plots

Contour plots allow for the analysis of three variables in a two-dimensional format. Instead of plotting data along two main axes, the graph also presents a third value that is based on shading or color.

Just as a topographical map plots longitude, latitude and elevation in a two-dimensional design, a contour graph illustrates values of x , y and z .

With a contour graph, for example, a climatologist can not only plot ocean’s salinity on different dates, but its salinity at various depths on those dates.

A type of contour graph, a heat map specifically charts varying temperatures at different geographical points. While the graph’s two axes are a map’s latitude and longitude, the third variable – temperature – is represented by a spectrum of color.

There are different types of graphs you can use to show the varying temperatures on a global scale, such as bar graphs or line graphics. However, most people find heatmaps more effective and quicker to read than bars or line graphs.

That being said, while heat maps are most commonly used to illustrate weather, they can also represent web traffic, user engagement or behavior, financial indicators, and almost any other three-dimensional data.

Scatter-Line Combo

By combining a line graph with a scatter plot, meteorologists and other statisticians can illustrate the relationship between two data sets.

For example, the high and low temperatures of each day in a month can be displayed in a scatter plot, then a line graph can be added to plot the historic average high and low temperatures over the same period.

The resulting combination graph clearly displays how the temperature range each day compares to the historic average, and it even indicates how those measurements trend over the examined time period.

Technology now allows statisticians to display multi-dimensional data sets in true form. Three-dimensional graphs created with specialized software reflect the relationship between three variables plotted across three axes.

A meteorologist can, for example, graph the wind field of a hurricane.

By definition, a histogram is a special type of vertical bar graph that presents numeric data and its frequency distribution.

As its name suggests, the distribution is often illustrated across time, but the data could also be plotted based on any chronological scale, such as temperature, elevation or monetary value.

While histograms are typically a form of bar graph, the concept can also be applied to line graphs and other designs relying on plotting two axes.

Choose From These Types of Graphs to Create

Now that we've walked through the different charts and graphs used for data visualization, you have a better idea of how to select one based on your industry or needs.

Now it's time to take the next step: create your own.

Visme goes beyond simply being a data visualization tool with over 30+ design widgets and a wide variety of data visualization templates. It's an intuitive platform that allows you to plan, strategize, and translate statistics and figures into stunning and meaningful visuals.

You can seamlessly create reports, projects, presentations, visual content, and more, all while saving on cost, empowering your team with the power of design, and streamlining your content creation process.

Interested to see what Visme can do for you and your team? Request a demo or give Visme a free test run today and begin experiencing all that you can accomplish.

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About the Author

Samantha Lile is a web content creator with a journalism and mass media degree from Missouri State University. She contributes news and feature articles to various web publications, such as the Huffington Post. Currently, she resides in the beautiful Ozarks with her husband, four dogs and two cats.

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Jazz Up Your Presentation: 6 Ways to Put an End to Ugly Charts and Graphs

Updated on: 22 December 2020

People often add charts and graphs to their presentation trying to make it more interesting. Unfortunately, most efforts to make it unique usually end up having the exact opposite effect.

Often, the enormous collection of slides with colorful presentation charts and graphs blows up your brain by the end of the presentation rather than arousing your interest in the data. You don’t want to be the person who puts his audience through this agonizing experience every time you fire up your laptop.

So, is there a way to jazz up your presentation with beautiful charts and graphs?

The short answer to this question is ‘Yes.’ Here are 6 ways to improve your presentation charts and graphs to effortlessly strengthen your message.

Refrain from Using Backgrounds

When it comes to decorating the graph background, you should avoid using gradients of color or varying the background color in any other way.

It not only undermines your ability to present the data unambiguously but also adds distraction. The context surrounding an object often influences our perception of it.

See the two graphs above, the grey background in the left graph doesn’t provide any information. On the contrary, it doesn’t contrast sufficiently with the object. As a result, it undermines the visibility of the objects in the graph. So, make sure the background is consistent with the slide background.

If you always use the default slide background, you should use ‘No Fill’ ‘or White’ background color as it matches the slide background.

Eliminate Redundant Labels

Why do you want to waste the space on redundant labels? Most graphs charts are quite self-explanatory. Repeated axis labels and legend are the two things that occupy the space for no reason.

In fact, they are taking up space that would be better spent on the graph. So, make sure to remove duplicate labels. The graph on the right looks better than the original graph to the left, as it is much easier to understand.

Alternatively, you can also label the bars directly. However, if you do, remove the Y-axis completely. As the exact value of each element is displayed, you don’t need to use the grid lines either.

Mind the Border Formatting

When it comes to graphs and charts, less is more. You should format the graph background to reduce the lines as far as possible while retaining the meaning of the data presented in it.

Though the default gridlines and borders are a sensible choice, they are a distraction as your audience is most likely not interested in knowing the exact figures for each data point.

If you want to display exact values, label the bars directly as discussed in the previous point. Removing the lines highlights the data and the pattern dramatically. So, remove all of the outer borders as well as grid lines as shown below.

Use Colors Meaningfully

Contrary to the popular belief, you should avoid using bright colors for presentation charts and graphs as far as possible. In fact, you should use natural colors to display general information and use the bright color only to highlight information that demands attention.

Using same colored bars on a graph makes it easier to compare the data. Use different colors only if they correspond to different elements in the data.

Sometimes, however, you can use different colors to highlight particular data or assemble different parts. In other words, you need to use colors meaningfully and with caution. The following examples will help explain the points mentioned above.

A) Using Natural Colors for Easier Comparison

B) Using Bright Colors to Pop Important Data

C) Using Different Colors to Point out Differences in Data Elements

Avoid Using Special Effects (Shadowing and Shading)

Avoid using special effects such as shadowing, shading, and 3D effects when creating presentation charts and graphs, especially for professional purposes. They just make it hard to compare the elements and confuse the reader.

You should, however, stick to presenting only essential information. So, keep it simple and avoid flashy special effects.

Text and Font

Using bold font isn’t going to make much difference in your graph. As far as possible, avoid using bold, underline or italic fonts. Keep the font size and type consistent throughout the presentation.

Avoid effects such as shading, outline, and 3D letters. Always lighten secondary data labels. The less you format the better.

Have More Tips for Creating Better Presentation Charts and Graphs?

When it comes to creating an attention-grabbing presentation , the rule of thumb is to display the data in a simple and clear way.

With the help of these 6 tried and tested tips, your presentation charts and graphs will look phenomenal without compromising your data. What about you? What tricks have you used to make your graphs look unique? Feel free to share your ideas and suggestions in the comments box below.

About the Author

Swati Kapoor is a qualified dietitian at Practo . She has a Masters degree in Dietetics and Food Service Management. She is a strong believer in spreading the goodness of ‘nutrition through healthy eating’. As a responsible dietitian, Swati examines her patients’ health history carefully before recommending any diet or workout regimen, because everybody has different requirements.

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How to Make Charts & Graphs in Google Slides? [Complete Guide!]

By: Author Shrot Katewa

Graphs and charts are inseparable parts of statistics. There is no better way to graphically demonstrate gradual progression or degradation of status than using graphs and charts. If you want to include bar graphs or pie charts in your Google Slides presentation, you are in luck. Google Slides has an excellent built-in feature to do that.

You can make charts and graphs in Google Slides by using their built-in feature. Click insert from the tabs and place the cursor on ‘Chart’. You will see a variety of charts to choose from. There is also an option to make graphical charts from Google Sheets.

For a proper graphical presentation, you must know the ins and outs of how to make charts & graphs in Google Slides. There are quite a few types of these like the bar graph, line graph, pie chart, column chart, etc. In this article, I will explain how you can make all of these in Google Slides. So, let’s get started!

Pro Tip – You can also use a Google Slides Charts Template to make your charts and graphs look really awesome, and make your presentation stand out!

If you want to make your charts in Google Slides really attractive (like the ones shown in the image above), make sure you check out the later section of the article !

How to Make a Bar Graph in Google Slides

A bar graph is a graphical representation of numbers, quantities, data, or statistics using rectangular-shaped bars or strips. It is also known as a bar chart. Many people often get confused between bar charts and column charts. A very common misconception is that they are the same. Actually, they are quite different.

Both bar charts and column charts use rectangular bars to represent data. The key difference between the two types of charts is in their orientation. A bar graph is oriented horizontally unlike a column chart.

Making a bar graph in Google Slides is very easy. Google Slides has top-of-the-line built-in features that make bar graphs.

Here’s how to insert a bar chart in Google Slides

• Click on the ‘Insert’ menu from the menu bar.
• Next, click on ‘Chart’.
• Click ‘Bar’ to create a bar chart in Google Slides
• A bar chart will be inserted into your Google Slides file. Edit the source data to create a unique bar chart.

Whenever you insert a chart in Google Slides, it will be automatically linked to a spreadsheet in Google Sheets. You can access the spreadsheet by clicking on the Linked chart option>Open source.

In the image above, you will be able to see how to access the chart data and edit it to create your own chart.

Click on the link button, then select “Open Source”. This will open a new Google Sheet containing the source data in a new tab. You can then edit it as per your requirement and redesign the chart.

How to Make a Pie Chart in Google Slides?

A pie chart is another popular method of graphical demonstration where a circle is divided into various sections, each section representing a proportion of the whole. The pie chart is preferred to bar graphs by many because it contains the whole set of data in a single component. A pie chart is easier to visually compare than other charts.

Making a pie chart in Google Slides is as easy as inserting any other chart.

Here’s how to insert a Pie Chart in Google Slides –

• Click ‘Insert’ from the tabs.
• From the dropdown menu, click on ‘Chart.’
• Click ‘Pie’ which should be the fourth option.
• A pie chart will be inserted into your Google Slides file.

There are tons of options to customize the pie chart. You can change data range, select chart types, make changes within the pie such as changing the colors of the slices, changing the background color, and a lot more. Some features may not be even needed most of the time.

Once you insert the pie chart, go to Linked chart option>Open source.

A Google Sheets file will open with the pie chart on it. Click on the pie chart to select it. Click on the three vertical dots on the top right of the pie chart and select ‘ Edit the chart ‘.

The chart editor will appear on the right. From the setup tab, you can change the pie types to 3D pie chart, doughnut pie chart, etc.

From the customize tab, you can change the pie type, colors of the slice, their distances from the center, titles, and so on.

How to Make a Line Graph in Google Slides?

A line graph uses a horizontal line with progressive inclination or declination to represent changes over a period of time. Line graphs are better to present small changes than bar charts or column charts. The line chart is also used to compare changes between two or more groups over the same period.

The process of inserting a line graph in Google Slides is also quite similar. To insert a line graph in Google Slides, do the following:

• Click or place the cursor on ‘Chart.’
• Click ‘Line’ which should be the third option.
• A line chart will be inserted into your Google Slides file.

A spreadsheet file will be linked instantaneously, similar to other charts. A pop-up will appear on the bottom left of your screen for a short period saying ‘Chart Inserted Edit in Sheets.’

You can click it to access the spreadsheet directly. If it disappears, you can still access the spreadsheet by clicking on the Linked chart option>Open source.

You can select various line charts like smooth line chart, combo line chart by going to the chart editor.

How to Make a Column Chart in Google Slides?

Column charts are matchless for showing comparison among several groups over a certain period. Column charts use vertical rectangular columns for data presentation whereas bar graphs use horizontal rectangular bars.

You can easily make column charts in Google Slides by following these steps:

• Click ‘Column’ which should be the third option.
• A column chart will be inserted into your Google Slides file.

You can edit the columns similarly from Google Sheets. You can change the column types to stacked columns or 100% stacked columns.

How to Format the Charts in Google Slides?

The option to format the way the chart looks in Google Slides is quite limited.

If you want to change the color of the graph or adjust the way the fonts look or the way the title looks on the chart in Google Slides, there are some options available but they are quite a few.

So, let’s look at how you can format the charts in Google Slides –

Step 1 – Right Click on the Chart and Open “Format Options”

The first step to format the way your chart looks is to right click on the chart. From the pop-up menu, click on “Format Options”.

Step 2 – Use Recolor option to Adjust Colors

When you open the format options window, you will see more option to format the chart. The most helpful option in this menu is the “Recolor” option.

Google Slides will provide you with a few built-in presets for “ recolor “. Although you don’t get to choose the exact colors, it does help you change the color of your chart.

Step 3 – Edit using the Chart Editor Option in Sheets

If you want to edit additional information visible on the chart, you will need to open the source data in Google Sheets. You can do that by clicking on the “link” button on the top right corner of the chart. Then, from the dropdown, click on the “Open Source” option.

Step 4 – Click on “Edit Chart” option on Sheets

Next, when the data opens up in Google Sheets, click on the graph. On the top right corner of the graph, you will see 3 vertical dots. Click on it. From the dropdown, click on “ Edit Chart “

You will notice that a new window will open on the right part of your screen. You can now click on various parts of the graph and edit the information. For example, you can change the title of the chart, change the color of a particle bar, edit the gridlines, vertical axis, legends, etc.

Step 5 – Copy and Paste (or Update) the Chart in Google Slides

Once you are done with the changes, you can simply copy the chart from the sheets (using Ctrl+C or Cmd+C), and paste it to your Google Slides presentation. When you paste the chart back to your Google Slides presentation, make sure you select the “Link to Spreadsheet” option!

You can also go back to the original chart on your presentation and click on the “ Update ” option (right where the link option was previously visible on the chart in Google Slides). However, I wouldn’t advise using this option as I’ve noticed that the update option doesn’t update the chart exactly as per the formatting changes made in Google Sheets.

How to Link your Charts and Graphs to Google Sheets?

It is entirely possible that sometimes the chart has already been created or the data is available in Google Sheets and you don’t want to redo all the hardwork. In such a scenario, you need to insert the chart or graph from Google Sheets and make sure that it links to the sheets!

This is very important because you can’t edit the data of the charts in Google Slides. You must link your Google Slides presentation to a Google Sheets file where you will be able to insert and edit various data to be presented in graphical form. You can also edit the chart types from Google Sheets.

When you insert a chart in Google Slides, it is automatically linked to a Google Sheets document. You can access it by either clicking ‘Chart Inserted Edit in Sheets’ on the bottom left of the chart or by clicking on the Linked chart option>Open source.

If you want your present the data from your spreadsheet in Google Slides, follow the steps below:

• Open the Google Sheets document.
• Click on ‘ Insert chart ’ from the ribbon.

• A chart will be inserted into your Google Sheets file.
• You can change the chart type from the chart editor on the right side.
• Then, open your Google Slides file.

• Click ‘ Insert ’ from the tabs.
• Click or place the cursor on ‘ Chart .’
• Click ‘ From Sheets ’ which should be the last option.

• Select the Google Sheets file that you inserted a chart previously and saved on your Google drive. (as shown in the above image)

• Then, in the next step, select the chart that you want to insert, and click “ Import ” (as shown in the above image)
• The same data chart will be inserted on your Google Slides presentation from Google Sheets.

If you unlink the chart by clicking the Linked chart option>Unlink , you can delete the chart and insert a new one which will be linked to a spreadsheet by default.

How to Insert a Table in Google Slides?

To insert a table in Google Slides, follow the steps mentioned below:

• Click or place the cursor on ‘ Table .’
• You can choose the number of rows and columns by moving the cursor.
• Click on your desired number of rows and columns.
• The maximum number of rows and columns you can choose is 20.

How to Make Charts More Attractive in Google Slides?

Now that you’ve learned how to create charts and graphs in Google Slides, you may perhaps want to make sure that your charts, graphs, and tables look really professional. We all know that there are several advantages to ensuring that our presentations look really nice! But, how do we make our charts look out of the world?

The best way to make your charts more attractive (especially if you have basic design skills) is to purchase presentation templates from well-known platforms. Such presentation templates are inexpensive and can be used over and over again in multiple presentations.

Learning the skills to create beautiful designs takes a lot of time. Instead, how about we borrow the skills of a graphic designer and just pay a few dollars (about $5-$15) for a presentation template that can be used multiple times! I’d definitely go with the latter option if I had basic design skills.

If you choose to buy a presentation template to make your charts look good, I’ve got 2 amazing options for you. Although there are several options that are available, I’m only recommending to you the best option that you should go with. So, here are my favorite options –

1. Best Charts and Tables Collection (Google Slides V367)

This charts and tables collection will provide you with about 75 unique slides in 5 different color combinations. It offers a very clean, and a minimal design for charts, graphs and tables.

There are more than 15 different types of graphs that are presented in the template. All the charts are completely editable. This template is designed for 16:9 widescreen slide size.

One thing that you need to keep in mind is that this template is available using Envato Elements. The pricing for that starts at $16.5/month. The good thing about it is that you can take a subscription for 1 month and download as many presentation templates as you like! There is no additional cost for more presentations you download!

This charts and graphs presentation is a well-rounded and complete template in my opinion. You will be able to achieve a lot more than just simple chart designs available in Google Slides by default.

2. KPI Dashboard Kit (for Google Slides )

So, this is a great template to make your presentation graphs look amazing and professional.

This presentation template is mainly focused towards KPI dashboards and data representations. That said, the charts used in this presentation template are quite unique in design and look really professional.

Moreover, these chart and graph designs can be used in any presentation! So, it doesn’t really matter if you are creating a KPI Dashboard or not.

The template itself costs just $9, but there are hundreds of chart designs available in this template that can be used for pretty much any purpose! Plus, if you do use PowerPoint, this template even comes with amazing animations to make your data stand out even more!

Lastly, there are over 100 color combinations to choose from! Click on the button below to check it out!

More Related Articles

• Using Choice Boards in Google Slides – A Simple Guide!
• How to Convert Google Slides to Video [For FREE]
• Do Presentation Clickers Work with Google Slides?
• Can Google Slides Record Audio? Here’s a Quick Fix!
• How to Animate in Google Slides? [A Comprehensive Beginner’s Guide!]

Credit to karlyukav (via Freepik) for the featured image of this article

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Supporting English language learners and educators

Tips and phrases for explaining graphs

Do you have to explain graphs for your work or study?

There are many situations where you might have to explain graphs.  It may be for a business meeting or report.  It may be for a presentation or a research paper.  You also often have to describe or listen to talks about graphs in language tests (eg. IELTS writing task 1). Being able to explain a graph clearly and accurately in English is certainly a useful skill to have.

So, what’s important when explaining graphs?

Below are a few quick tips and phrases that can help listeners and readers understand your graphs.

Clearly introduce graph Be sure to clearly introduce the title or topic at the beginning. Start by using phrases like “This graph shows….” Also, if you’re explaining your graph in a presentation, it’s a good idea to introduce the key labels (eg. axes and units) before talking about the data. Use phrases like “The y axis shows…”, “The x axis shows…”, and “The units here are…”

Keep language simple Remember, the aim is to help people understand your graph, not to make long, complex sentences. Keep your language simple. Try to avoid unnecessarily repeating words. One way to do this is to use pronouns eg. “Weekly expenses increased to $10,000 in January. Then, they remained steady until June.” Another way is to use words like “respectively” eg. “The values for May and June were 350 and 430 respectively .”

Continued below

Mark key points Make sure the listeners are clear about the key points you want to say about your graph. Highlight these points using words like “Importantly…”, “Significantly…”, or “Interestingly….”

Use pointing effectively If you are explaining the graph in a presentation, you will probably show a large picture of the graph on a slide.   Help the listeners by pointing to the relevant parts while talking.  When pointing, use language like “As you can see here”, “Here you can see” or even just “Here.”

Use hedging After talking about the data, you often need to interpret or speculate about what it means.  Your ideas may not always be correct, so it’s a good idea to hedge your language.  Use phrases like “This data suggests …”, “This could mean…”, or “This might be because….”

Download explaining graph worksheets & exercises (free)

Related links:

How can I explain things more clearly?

Phrases to help the audience understand your presentation

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How to Describe Graphs and Charts in Presentations in ENGLISH 📊🖌️

@bear_in_the_dark - Growth Hackers

App to learn english

Setting the Stage 🎭

• “Let’s take a moment to focus on this graph. What we’re seeing here is not just a trend but a story unfolding before us.”
• Kick off with a hook that frames your data as a narrative waiting to be told.
• “This chart represents more than numbers; it’s a reflection of [context — e.g., consumer behavior, climate change impacts].”
• Provide context that connects your data to a bigger picture, making it relevant and compelling.

Introducing the Data 🌟

• “At first glance, you might notice [key observation], but let’s dig deeper.”
• Start with an initial observation to grab attention, then invite your audience on a journey of discovery.
• “As we navigate through this chart, pay attention to [specific element — e.g., the spike in July, the dip in Q3].”
• Direct your audience’s focus to specific parts of the data as you would highlight scenes in a story.

Highlighting Trends and Patterns 📈

• “What’s fascinating here is the upward trend we observe starting from [timeframe], indicating [implication].”
• Point out trends and their implications to show progress or setbacks, making your data dynamic and story-driven.
• “This pattern of [describe pattern] suggests that [conclusion or prediction].”
• Use patterns to build towards conclusions or predictions, adding depth to your narrative.

👉👉👉👉 Download Metkagram App the most advanced flashcards app to learn English to advance from the Beginner level

Making Comparisons 🌗

• “When we compare [data point A] with [data point B], a compelling contrast emerges.”
• Comparisons are your narrative twists; they reveal surprises and insights hidden in your data.
• “Against the backdrop of [timeframe or condition], [data point or group] stands out significantly.”
• Set the stage for dramatic reveals, showcasing how certain data points defy expectations or norms.

Concluding with Impact 💥

• “What this graph ultimately shows us is [key takeaway], paving the way for [action or implication].”
• Summarize your data’s story with a powerful conclusion that calls for action or reflection.
• “In light of this data, we’re presented with opportunities to [suggested actions or strategies].”
• End on a note of empowerment, suggesting how the insights gained can translate into real-world action.

Notes for Stellar Data Storytelling 📝

• Use Layman’s Terms: Remember, not everyone speaks ‘data’. Simplify complex terms to keep your audience engaged and informed.
• Be Interactive: Encourage questions or interpretations about the data. Interaction makes your presentation a dialogue rather than a monologue.
• Practice Visual Literacy: A well-designed graph or chart speaks volumes. Pair your narrative skills with visually appealing and clear data representations.

Describing graphs and charts in your presentations isn’t just about showcasing data; it’s about inviting your audience into a story, one where every number has a voice and every trend a tale to tell. Your role as the narrator is to bridge the gap between the abstract and the tangible, turning statistics into insights that inform, persuade, and inspire.

Grammar on a Budget: The Best Free English Grammar Apps

Not everyone wants to — or can — invest in expensive software or subscriptions. thankfully, the digital age has….

Armed with these expressions and tips, you’re not just a presenter; you’re a storyteller, transforming data into decisions, insights into actions. Here’s to making every presentation an adventure in data storytelling. May your graphs be compelling and your narratives resonant. Happy presenting!

Written by @bear_in_the_dark - Growth Hackers

Personal Growth Hacking and Language learning is our passion. Our Flagman-apps are Brainlighter for Better Life and Metkagram. We share a lot. Join us

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Types of Graphs and Charts And Their Uses

If you are wondering what are the different types of graphs and charts ,   their uses and names, this page summarizes them with examples and pictures.

Although it is hard to tell what are all the types of graphs, this page consists all of the common types of statistical graphs and charts (and their meanings) widely used in any science.

1. Line Graphs

A line chart graphically displays data that changes continuously over time. Each line graph consists of points that connect data to show a trend (continuous change). Line graphs have an x-axis and a y-axis. In the most cases, time is distributed on the horizontal axis.

Uses of line graphs:

• When you want  to show trends . For example, how house prices have increased over time.
• When you want  to make predictions based on a data history over time.
• When comparing  two or more different variables, situations, and information over a given period of time.

The following line graph shows annual sales of a particular business company for the period of six consecutive years:

Note: the above example is with 1 line. However, one line chart can compare multiple trends by several distributing lines.

2. Bar Charts

Bar charts represent categorical data with rectangular bars (to understand what is categorical data see categorical data examples ). Bar graphs are among the most popular types of graphs and charts in economics, statistics, marketing, and visualization in digital customer experience . They are commonly used to compare several categories of data.

Each rectangular bar has length and height proportional to the values that they represent.

One axis of the bar chart presents the categories being compared. The other axis shows a measured value.

Bar Charts Uses:

• When you want to display data that are grouped into nominal or ordinal categories (see nominal vs ordinal data ).
• To compare data among different categories.
• Bar charts can also show large   data changes over time.
• Bar charts are ideal for visualizing the distribution of data when we have more than three categories.

The bar chart below represents the total sum of sales for Product A and Product B over three years.

The bars are 2 types: vertical or horizontal. It doesn’t matter which kind you will use. The above one is a vertical type.

3. Pie Charts

When it comes to statistical types of graphs and charts, the pie chart (or the circle chart) has a crucial place and meaning. It displays data and statistics in an easy-to-understand ‘pie-slice’ format and illustrates numerical proportion.

Each pie slice is relative to the size of a particular category in a given group as a whole. To say it in another way, the pie chart brakes down a group into smaller pieces. It shows part-whole relationships.

To make a pie chart, you need a list of categorical variables and numerical variables.

Pie Chart Uses:

• When you want to create and represent the composition of something.
• It is very useful for displaying nominal or ordinal categories of data.
• To show percentage or proportional data.
• When comparing areas of growth within a business such as profit.
• Pie charts work best for displaying data for 3 to 7 categories.

The pie chart below represents the proportion of types of transportation used by 1000 students to go to their school.

Pie charts are widely used by data-driven marketers for displaying marketing data.

4. Histogram

A histogram shows continuous data in ordered rectangular columns (to understand what is continuous data see our post discrete vs continuous data ). Usually, there are no gaps between the columns.

The histogram displays a frequency distribution (shape) of a data set. At first glance, histograms look alike to bar graphs. However, there is a key difference between them. Bar Chart represents categorical data and histogram represent continuous data.

Histogram Uses:

• When the data is continuous .
• When you want to represent the shape of the data’s distribution .
• When you want to see whether the outputs of two or more processes are different.
• To summarize large data sets graphically.
• To communicate the data distribution quickly to others.

The histogram below represents per capita income for five age groups.

Histograms are very widely used in statistics, business, and economics.

5. Scatter plot

The scatter plot is an X-Y diagram that shows a relationship between two variables. It is used to plot data points on a vertical and a horizontal axis. The purpose is to show how much one variable affects another.

Usually, when there is a relationship between 2 variables, the first one is called independent. The second variable is called dependent because its values depend on the first variable.

Scatter plots also help you predict the behavior of one variable (dependent) based on the measure of the other variable (independent).

Scatter plot uses:

• When trying to find out whether there is a relationship between 2 variables .
• To predict  the behavior of dependent variable based on the measure of the independent variable.
• When having paired numerical data.
• When working with  root cause analysis tools  to identify the potential for problems.
• When you just want to visualize the correlation between 2 large datasets without regard to time .

The below Scatter plot presents data for 7 online stores, their monthly e-commerce sales, and online advertising costs for the last year.

The orange line you see in the plot is called “line of best fit” or a “trend line”. This line is used to help us make predictions that are based on past data.

The Scatter plots are used widely in data science and statistics. They are a great tool for visualizing linear regression models .

More examples and explanation for scatter plots you can see in our post what does a scatter plot show and simple linear regression examples .

6. Venn Chart

Venn Diagram (also called primary diagram, set diagram or logic diagrams) uses overlapping circles to visualize the logical relationships between two or more group of items.

Venn Diagram is one of the types of graphs and charts used in scientific and engineering presentations, in computer applications, in maths, and in statistics.

The basic structure of the Venn diagram is usually overlapping circles. The items in the overlapping section have specific common characteristics. Items in the outer portions of the circles do not have common traits.

Venn Chart Uses:

• When you want to compare and contrast groups of things.
• To categorize or group items.
• To illustrate logical relationships from various datasets.
• To identify all the possible relationships between collections of datasets.

The following science example of Venn diagram compares the features of birds and bats.

7. Area Charts 

Area Chart Uses:

• When you want to show trends , rather than express specific values.
• To show a simple comparison of the trend of data sets over the period of time.
• To display the magnitude of a change.
• To compare a small number of categories.

The area chart has 2 variants: a variant with data plots overlapping each other and a variant with data plots stacked on top of each other (known as stacked area chart – as the shown in the following example).

The area chart below shows quarterly sales for product categories A and B for the last year.

This area chart shows you a quick comparison of the trend in the quarterly sales of Product A and Product B over the period of the last year.

8. Spline Chart

The Spline Chart is one of the most widespread types of graphs and charts used in statistics. It is a form of the line chart that represent smooth curves through the different data points.

Spline charts possess all the characteristics of a line chart except that spline charts have a fitted curved line to join the data points. In comparison, line charts connect data points with straight lines.

Spline Chart   Uses:

• When you want to plot data that requires the usage of curve-fitting such as a product lifecycle chart or an impulse-response chart.
• Spline charts are often used in designing Pareto charts .
• Spline chart also is often used for data modeling by when you have limited number of data points and estimating the intervening values.

The following spline chart example shows sales of a company through several months of a year:

9. Box and Whisker Chart

A box and whisker chart is a statistical graph for displaying sets of numerical data through their quartiles. It displays a frequency distribution of the data.

The box and whisker chart helps you to display the spread and skewness for a given set of data using the five number summary principle: minimum, maximum, median, lower and upper quartiles. The ‘five-number summary’ principle allows providing a statistical summary for a particular set of numbers. It shows you the range (minimum and maximum numbers), the spread (upper and lower quartiles), and the center (median) for the set of data numbers.

A very simple figure of a box and whisker plot you can see below:

Box and Whisker Chart Uses:

• When you want to observe the upper, lower quartiles, mean, median, deviations, etc. for a large set of data.
• When you want to see a quick view of the dataset distribution .
• When you have multiple data sets that come from independent sources and relate to each other in some way.
• When you need to compare data from different categories.

The table and box-and-whisker plots below shows test scores for Maths and Literature for the same class.

Box and Whisker charts have applications in many scientific areas and types of analysis such as statistical analysis, test results analysis, marketing analysis, data analysis, and etc.

10. Bubble Chart

Bubble charts are super useful types of graphs for making a comparison of the relationships between data in 3 numeric-data dimensions: the Y-axis data, the X-axis data, and data depicting the bubble size.

Bubble charts are very similar to XY Scatter plots but the bubble chart adds more functionality – a third dimension of data that can be extremely valuable.

Both axes (X and Y) of a bubble chart are numeric.

Bubble Chart Uses:

• When you have to display three or four dimensions of data.
• When you want to compare and display the relationships between categorized circles, by the use of proportions.

The bubble chart below shows the relationship between Cost (X-Axis), Profit (Y-Axis), and Probability of Success (%) (Bubble Size).

11. Pictographs

The pictograph or a pictogram is one of the more visually appealing types of graphs and charts that display numerical information with the use of icons or picture symbols to represent data sets.

They are very easy to read statistical way of data visualization. A pictogram shows the frequency of data as images or symbols. Each image/symbol may represent one or more units of a given dataset.

Pictograph Uses:

• When your audience prefers and understands better displays that include icons and illustrations. Fun can promote learning.
• It’s habitual for infographics to use of a pictogram.
• When you want to compare two points  in an emotionally powerful way.

The following pictographic represents the number of computers sold by a business company for the period from January to March.

The pictographic example above shows that in January are sold 20 computers (4×5 = 20), in February are sold 30 computers (6×5 = 30) and in March are sold 15 computers.

12. Dot Plot

Dot plot or dot graph is just one of the many types of graphs and charts to organize statistical data. It uses dots to represent data. A Dot Plot is used for relatively small sets of data and the values fall into a number of discrete categories.

If a value appears more than one time, the dots are ordered one above the other. That way the column height of dots shows the frequency for that value.

Dot Plot Uses:

• To plot frequency counts when you have a small number of categories .
• Dot plots are very useful when the variable is quantitative or categorical .
• Dot graphs are also used for univariate data (data with only one variable that you can measure).

Suppose you have a class of 26 students. They are asked to tell their favorite color. The dot plot below represents their choices:

It is obvious that blue is the most preferred color by the students in this class.

13. Radar Chart

A radar chart is one of the most modern types of graphs and charts – ideal for multiple comparisons. Radar charts use a circular display with several different quantitative axes looking like spokes on a wheel. Each axis shows a quantity for a different categorical value.

Radar charts are also known as spider charts, web charts, star plots, irregular polygons, polar charts, cobweb charts or Kiviat diagram.

Radar Chart has many applications nowadays in statistics, maths, business, sports analysis, data intelligence, and etc.

Radar Chart Uses:

• When you want to observe which variables have similar values or whether there are any outliers amongst each variable.
• To represent  multiple comparisons .
• When you want to see which variables are scoring low or high within a dataset. This makes radar chart ideal for displaying performance .

For example, we can compare employee’s performance with the scale of 1-8 on subjects such as Punctuality, Problem-solving, Meeting Deadlines, Marketing Knowledge, Communications. A point that is closer to the center on an axis shows a lower value and a worse performance.

It is obvious that Jane has a better performance than Samanta.

14. Pyramid Graph

When it comes to easy to understand and good looking types of graphs and charts, pyramid graph has a top place.

A pyramid graph is a chart in a pyramid shape or triangle shape. These types of charts are best for data that is organized in some kind of hierarchy. The levels show a progressive order.

Pyramid Graph Uses:

• When you want to indicate a hierarchy level among the topics or other types of data.
• Pyramid graph is often used to represent progressive orders such as: “older to newer”, “more important to least important”, “specific to least specific”‘ and etc.
• When you have a proportional or interconnected relationship between data sets.

A classic pyramid graph example is the healthy food pyramid that shows fats, oils, and sugar (at the top) should be eaten less than many other foods such as vegetables and fruits (at the bottom of the pyramid).

Conclusion:

You might know that choosing the right type of chart is some kind of tricky business.

Anyway, you have a wide choice of types of graphs and charts. Used in the right way, they are a powerful weapon to help you make your reports and presentations both professional and clear.

What are your favorite types of graphs and charts? Share your thoughts on the field below.

About The Author

Silvia Valcheva

Silvia Valcheva is a digital marketer with over a decade of experience creating content for the tech industry. She has a strong passion for writing about emerging software and technologies such as big data, AI (Artificial Intelligence), IoT (Internet of Things), process automation, etc.

10 Comments

I have learned a lot from your presentation. Very informative

Nicely described different graphs, I learned a lot.

very useful. exiting

I love this. I learned a lot.

Very good representation of date. I would suggest an addition of “stem and leaf” diagrams.

I have only one thing to say and that is this is the best representation of every graphs and charts I have ever seen 😀

Very well described. Great learning article for beginners on Charts.

Really helpful thanks

Very Helpful text; Thanks Silvia Valcheva for your hard work

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• Presentations

25 Best PowerPoint PPT Chart & Graph Templates for Data Presentations for 2024

PowerPoint Charts and graphs for presentations help visual learners understand data quickly. They're perfect for presentations. Let's look at the very best PowerPoint chart templates from Envato Elements.

Discover top PowerPoint graph templates . Let's learn more!

Top 25 PowerPoint PPT Chart & Graph Templates From Envato Elements For 2024

Envato Elements is the best place to find premium PowerPoint chart templates . Take a look at some of the best PPT chart templates. These are all included with a subscription to Elements:

1. Annual Startup Infographic - PowerPoint Template

Let's start with this cool PowerPoint chart design template. Are you running a startup? Looking for chart ideas for presentation.

Check the graphs for business presentations in this template. A good graph presentation design is key for that. It's very easy to use and this could help you attract loads of customers.

This download features: 

• 60 total slides
• 30 slides light + 30 slides dark
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2. Maxim - PowerPoint Template

A strong PowerPoint chart design can land you your next business opportunity. Find a bunch of PowerPoint chart examples in this download. It's a multipurpose template that can be used for different kinds of businesses.

Present creative ideas, startup projects, educational learning and more. Free PowerPoint charts and graphs templates won't offer this much design quality. This PowerPoint chart template features: 

• 30+ total slides
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3. Proposal PowerPoint Presentation Template

This PowerPoint chart template offers graphs for presentations. Data helps to support the thesis of the business concept. Show growth, revenue, or other data that'll attract investors or employers.

Use this PPT chart template! Make a winning proposal backed by data. Free PowerPoint charts and graphs templates won't offer this much design quality. 

4. Charts Modern & Clean Presentation

Modern and clean chart designs eschew flashy design and cluttered elements. That's precisely the style you'll see in this winning PowerPoint data chart template. Fill in any of the colorful slides with your data and present with success.

5. Data Charts PowerPoint Presentation

PowerPoint graph templates like the 198 options in this are flexible. Re-use them for any number of presentations without repeating yourself. Use the flow charts, bar charts, and stacked bar charts to present your data visually.

It's a great PowerPoint chart template!

6. Business Plan PowerPoint Template

Looking for professional and cool graphs in PowerPoint? Find some of the best PowerPoint charts ideas with this template. It comes with plenty of functional graphs for business presentations.

This graph presentation comes with infographic elements and icons. Use PPT chart templates like this one for real estate. It could also work for business funding request or marketing research.

7. Infographic Solutions PowerPoint Template

Looking for graphs for presentations? Free PowerPoint charts and graphs templates won't offer this much design quality. Instead work with this set of infographic solutions and charts for PPT.

It's a multipurpose collection of 42 graph and chart templates in PowerPoint. You'll find great PowerPoint chart examples. Start creating a stunning chart presentation with this download! 

8. Environment Infographic PowerPoint

This is great if you're looking for original graphs for business presentations. This environmental graph presentation template has illustrated PowerPoint chart examples. This might be one of the best PowerPoint charts.

This PowerPoint chart template features:

• customize elements, colors, shapes and charts
• HD 16: 9 widescreen slide format (1920×1080 pixels).

9. Organizational Data Chart Presentation

Modern organizations rely on data-driven charts and graphs for presentations. This way they can explain business conditions. Find PowerPoint charts and graphs that present critical data in an appealing way.

You've got a choice of colors, styles, and visuals. Start with a great chart template for PPT like this.

10. PowerPoint Chart Templates for PPT

Remember: data shines when you put it into a chart or graph. And it's even better when you use a template like this one. Work with area, line, bar, or stacked bar charts, the styles.

This PowerPoint chart PowerPoint is perfect for converting flat data. This pack is much better than any free PowerPoint chart templates you find online.

11. Creative Real Estate PowerPoint Chart Template

This is a great PowerPoint chart template for anyone in real estate. It can also give you plenty of PowerPoint chart ideas. Start working the cool graphs in PowerPoint included with this download.

This template comes with great graphs for business presentations. This PPT chart presentation includes:

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12. Business Plan PowerPoint Chart Template

Get started with a modern graph presentation. This a beautiful design with functional and business focused chart ideas for presentation. It comes with infographic elements to use as graphs for business presentations.

This professional PowerPoint chart template includes: 

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13. Marketing - PowerPoint Chart Template

This multipurpose PowerPoint chart template is perfect for anyone in marketing. Use it also for business, creative, startup and educational PPT chart presentations. Grab your audience’s attention with professional and modern chart ideas for presentation.

PowerPoint chart and graph templates like this one feature:

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14. CLING - Simple Presentation PowerPoint Graph Templates

Looking for original PowerPoint chart ideas? CLING is a simple presentation chart PowerPoint template full of those. It has a professional, ultra-modern and unique design.

Cool PPT chart templates like this one can be used for any type of presentation. Work with graphs for presentations used in the 40+ unique slide designs. You won't get this much quality with free PowerPoint charts and graphs templates.

15. Chart Infographic Presentation Template

Check out this versatile presentation chart template. It's suitable for many different business and personal purposes. Use PowerPoint chart examples for pitch decks, marketing strategies or company reports.

Get plenty of PowerPoint chart ideas with this download. Create a unique PPT chart presentation with the editable 100 pages. This template has some of best PowerPoint charts and graphs!

16. Piekisu Charts - PowerPoint Graph Templates

Looking for PowerPoint chart ideas? Do you need versatile graphs for business presentations? This PowerPoint chart template is all you need.

Get lots of charts for PPT and chart ideas for presentations. You'll get 60 total slides full of cool graphs in PowerPoint. Work with the best PowerPoint chart templates! 

17. Creative Dark Simple Yellow Modern Business Plan

Laylo is the best way to share your message and ideas. This PowerPoint chart template comes with an original design. It's a versatile presentation template.

You can add all your PowerPoint chart ideas. It features 30 unique slide designs with cool graphs for business presentations. It's one of the best PowerPoint graph templates.

18. MUTI - Minimal Presentation Template 

Are you into minimalism? Work with a PowerPoint chart template like Muti. Create the best PowerPoint chart design with this unique template.

Engage with your audience with a design that comes with the right style. Let your minimalist PowerPoint chart ideas speak up for your work. This PowerPoint chart template features:

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19. Project Proposal PowerPoint Graph Templates

Create an engaging project proposal with graphs for business presentations. This is a clean, creative and modern PowerPoint chart template. Professional PPT chart templates come with everything you need.

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20. Competitor Analysis PowerPoint Graph Templates

A professional competitor analysis must include graphs for business presentations. This PowerPoint chart template has everything you need. Find lots of amazing graphs for presentations and PowerPoint chart ideas.

Work with the infographic pack to create the best PowerPoint charts. You'll get 35 unique slides to work with. This PowerPoint chart template is a great place to start! 

21. Creative Light Green Blue Design Business

Looking for creative chart ideas for presentation? Check out the cool graphs in PowerPoint included in this template. Versatile PowerPoint graph templates like this one can be used for different purposes.

It could work for a cool pitch deck, marketing strategy or product portfolio. Find great PowerPoint chart examples. Add all your chart ideas for presentation to this cool template! 

22. Medika Infographic - PowerPoint Graph Templates

This professional chart template for PowerPoint is very easy to use. It comes with a set of medical illustrations. These will support your chart ideas for presentation.

You'll be working with 62 total slides. Choose between dark or light mode. You'll also find some of the best PowerPoint chart examples.

23. Data Visualization Report Presentation

Are you into data visualization? Then this PowerPoint chart template is for you. This will give you plenty of chart ideas for presentation.

Present your analytical findings and results with the best PowerPoint charts ideas. Free PowerPoint graphic templates aren't as customizable as this one. You'll get 38 unique slides, plus a selection of icons and illustrations.

Create the best PowerPoint charts with this download.

24. Creative Gray Navy Education Business 

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Create instead quality graphs for business presentations. This download features: 

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25. XHOTS - Digital Business Presentation

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Share your creative PowerPoint chart ideas and impress your audience. Forget about free PowerPoint charts and graphs templates! Upgrade to premium PowerPoint graph templates like this one. 

Free Premium Templates to Create a Chart Presentation

We have great news for you! Envato Elements has some top assets that you can try for free.

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1. Bole - Free PowerPoint Chart Template

Here's an ideal multipurpose PowerPoint chart template with lots of graph designs. You'll find:

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As there are so many graphs to choose from, you can try a variety of slides with a chart.

2. Exhaustive - Chart Template for PowerPoint

This is a multipurpose data PowerPoint template. With this free graphic PPT , you'll get:

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You can't go wrong with PPT graph templates like Zapnu. By downloading it for free, you can create a  chart presentation with:

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5. SpotON - Chart Template for PowerPoint

SpotON is one of the top PowerPoint graphic templates. As it's multipurpose, you can use it many times to present different ideas.

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How to Quickly Customize a Premium Graph and Chart PPT Template

Found your favorite PPT template? It’s time to customize it to match your style and to reflect your data. It'll only take 5 easy steps:

This template has a clean and professional design. It can be adapted for all industries. Let's start customizing it:

1. Choose Your Slides

To do this, open your template in PowerPoint, click on the View tab and select Slide Sorter . Hold the SHIFT key. Click on all the slides that you don’t want to use.

Then, right-click on them and select Delete Slide . Then switch back to the Normal view.

2. Customize Your Chart Data

Customize the chart data. Right click on a chart or graph and then select the Edit Data in Excel option. Once Excel opens, customize the information. Click Save when you’re done. 

3. Change Colors

Choose the Format Shape option. Then choose a different color under Solid Fill options.

4. Use Your Own Fonts

Customize the fonts used in the PowerPoint template. Click on any text. Then choose a different font from the drop-down menu.

5. Save and Present Your Data

Do this by going to File > Save . If you need to export it to other formats, such as a PDF. Do this by going to File > Save as .

5 Tips for Using Charts and Graphs in Your PowerPoint Presentation

There are so many possibilities when it comes to using PPT graph templates. If you find it overwhelming, we're here to help! Take a look at the following tips to design the perfect graphic PPT:

1. Use Different Types of Charts

There are so many different kinds of charts. Why settle with only one design? When using PowerPoint graphic templates, play with variety to keep your chart presentation dynamic.

2. Be Colorful

The best PPT graph templates are colorful. This doesn't necessarily mean that you have to use many different colors. Maybe just two or three, with a vibrant color that stands out from the rest.

3. Don't Limit the Graphs

If you're working with a data PowerPoint template, you probably have lots of information to explain. Don't be afraid to add many slides with a chart each.

Of course, you don't want to leave any key facts out. And at the end of the day, it's better to use visual aid than typing big chunks of text.

4. Animate Your Graphic PPT

Most premium PowerPoint graph templates come animated! But if you choose one that isn't, try adding some cool animations. When used right, these will help you keep the audience engaged.

5. Distribute the Charts Wisely

Again, you don't need to limit the amount of graphs you use. However, make sure to distribute them in a way that maintains the harmonious look and feel of your PowerPoint chart template.

Discover More Top Premium Microsoft PowerPoint Template Designs

We just went through some of the very best PowerPoint graph templates. If you'd like to explore more premium options, check out these top selections for 2024:

Learn More About Using Charts & Graphs in PowerPoint

Working with PowerPoint for data-driven presentations might be a bit intimidating at first. You need all the help you can get to present confidently.

On Envato Tuts+, we've got a library with the best PowerPoint resources. Start by checking out our PowerPoint tutorial guide . Go over some of the tutorials below. Become a complete master of the art of PowerPoint charts!

Learn skills that help you show data visually:

Top Premium PowerPoint Graph Templates on Envato Elements for 2024 (Unlimited Use)

You don't have to settle for simple PowerPoint chart templates. Data-driven presenters often turn to PPT chart templates like the ones featured here. It helps your audience understand it in a quick and effective way.

Get an Envato Elements subscription for a low monthly fee. You'll get access to premium creative assets such as web templates, stock images and videos, PPT graph templates , and so much more!

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Graph PPT Templates

Plus, now Envato Elements has introduced an AI-powered search feature ! This new tool allows you to input a description of your project to effortlessly locate the finest human-crafted resources.

Start creating your next presentation with an Envato Elements template!

Design a Presentation With PowerPoint Chart Templates Now

A data-driven presentation is a winner choice. And it's always easier to do when you use pre-built PowerPoint graph templates.

Don't be taken in by offers of free PowerPoint chart templates. A professionally designed chart presentation template will help you make a good impression.

Experiment with unlimited PowerPoint chart templates with a low-cost subscription to Envato Elements. Why not download your favorite PowerPoint chart templates today?

Editorial Note: This post has been updated with contributions from Brenda Barron , Daniel Strongin , Janila Castañeda , and Renata Martín Intriago . Brenda and Daniel are freelance instructors for Envato Tuts+. Janila is the Associate Business Editor for Tuts+. Renata is a staff writer with Envato Tuts+. 

15+ Best Chart & Graph Presentation Templates

Display data effectively with our chart and graph presentation templates. These tools help you visualize data in a clear, easy-to-understand way, enhancing the effectiveness of your presentations.

Graphs and Charts for PowerPoint

This PowerPoint template includes 30 unique charts and graphs with clean and minimal designs. They are perfect for presenting data in business, corpor...

Bar Charts & Infographic PowerPoint Template

Looking for slides with bar chart infographics to show off the progress you’ve made? Then be sure to download this PowerPoint template. It gives...

Chart Analysis PowerPoint Charts Template

Whether you’re working on a presentation for a startup or a marketing project, this PowerPoint template will help you add more convincing chart ...

Animated Flow Charts PowerPoint Template

With 20 different styles of flow charts to choose from, this PowerPoint template is a must-have for making professional-looking business and marketing...

Org Charts PowerPoint Templates

Another PowerPoint template full of org charts for you to showcase your company hierarchy. This template features beautiful org charts with modern and...

Chart Dashboard PowerPoint Chart Templates

When presenting data, the designs you use is very important. Because when you go that extra mile to design beautiful charts and diagrams, it’s m...

Chart Data Infographic PowerPoint Template

With this PowerPoint template, you’ll get a mix of several different types of charts for your marketing and research presentations. There are pi...

Pie Chart PowerPoint Templates

Designing pie charts is always fun as it gives you the opportunity to get creative with the chart design. This PowerPoint template is a good example t...

Excel Charts Animated PowerPoint Template

This PowerPoint template also features a collection of beautifully animated chart slides. There are several different types of chart designs in this t...

Office & Custom Charts PowerPoint Template

With this PowerPoint template, you can go into office meetings always prepared. It gives you a collection of 20 different charts to present data and s...

Company Hierarchy PowerPoint Org Charts

You can use this PowerPoint template to design more modern-looking org charts for your presentations and various other projects. It comes with 30 uniq...

Timeline Maps & PowerPoint Chart Templates

Maps and timelines are great for showcasing demographics and product roadmaps. This PowerPoint charts template comes with plenty of those slides for y...

Gantt Chart PowerPoint Templates

A must-have chart in project management presentations, Gantt charts are one of the more difficult chart types to design. This PowerPoint template will...

Modern Flowchart PowerPoint Templates

A huge collection of chart slides for PowerPoint. This template features more than 60 different slides with various styles of flowchart designs. Each ...

Hexagonal Line & Flow Chart PowerPoint Template

This PowerPoint template includes some of the most creative chart slides we’ve seen. It has multiple styles of chart designs including hexagonal...

Smart PowerPoint Charts Templates

There are 20 unique chart designs in this PowerPoint template for showcasing your statistics and data in a professional way. It features hand-crafted ...

Organizational Hierarchy Org Chart PowerPoint Template

Org charts are used by big companies to streamline and organize the company structure of its employees and their roles. This PowerPoint template comes...

FAQs About Chart & Graph Presentation Templates

What are chart & graph presentation templates.

Chart & Graph Presentation Templates are pre-designed layouts for visualizing data and information in a presentation setting. They are customized to depict different types of data structures, such as bar graphs, line graphs, pie charts, etc., in a clear, professional, and attractive manner.

These templates can range from stylized to basic, depending on your needs. They can be edited to suit your specific data and presentation style, offering a streamlined way to organized data for presentations, reports, and projects.

Where can I find Chart & Graph Presentation Templates?

There are many online platforms that offer a variety of Chart & Graph Presentation Templates. Sites like Microsoft Office, Canva, and SlidesGo offer many options to choose from. Some of these platforms allow individuals to have access to a certain number of free templates while others may charge for premium designs.

Most of these websites require a user account for download and editing purposes. Once you've signed up, you can browse multiple categories and choose the templates that best fit your presentation needs.

Can I customize Chart & Graph Presentation Templates?

Yes, one of the key features of Chart & Graph Presentation Templates is that they are customizable. You can insert your own data, adjust colors, text sizes, fonts, and other visual elements to match your presentation's overall theme or your company's branding.

The ability to customize these templates allows for flexibility and personalization, which can help your charts and graphs stand out and effectively deliver your message.

Are there different types of Chart & Graph Presentation Templates?

Yes, there are numerous types of Chart & Graph Presentation Templates available. They can vary greatly depending on the data or information you want to represent. For example, there are templates specifically designed for line graphs, bar graphs, pie charts, scatter plots, histogram, or combination charts, among others.

There are also different styles available, ranging from minimalistic and professional to vibrant and creative templates. This allows you to choose templates that match the tone and nature of your presentation.

Why should I use Chart & Graph Presentation Templates?

Chart & Graph Presentation Templates can help you save a significant amount of time when trying to visually represent data or information. Instead of creating a chart from scratch, you can use these templates and simply input your data. These tools make the creation of complex charts much more accessible.

Additionally, these templates are designed by professionals and can add a polished look to your presentation. This can leave a better impression on your audience and help them better understand the data you are presenting.

Home Blog Design Chart vs. Graph: Understanding the Graphical Representation of Data

Chart vs. Graph: Understanding the Graphical Representation of Data

Presenters face a common question when representing data whether to pick graphs vs. charts. Which one do you need to visualize your information? Well, the short answer is: it depends.

The trick to confidently knowing if you need a chart or a graph when visualizing information is knowing how the two are related to each other hierarchically.

Did you know that all graphs are charts, but not all charts are graphs? The two terms are often used interchangeably but do have unique distinctions. Knowing these characteristics will help you create and present better data presentations .

Let’s go deeper into the semantics of it all.

Difference Between a Chart and a Graph

As a person that creates presentations, it’s important that you know the relationship between charts and graphs and how they support the visual and graphical representation of data. The differences between a chart and a graph lie in semantics and hierarchy.

In biology, we have systems of classification to understand the hierarchical relationship between animal genera, kingdoms, and species. In the same way, charts are graphs are two parts of a larger hierarchical classification system of data visualizations. 

Think of a tree diagram (or organizational chart) with a Data Visualization label at the top. The next tier underneath includes labels like charts , infographics , and dashboards. The next tier branches from these terms into their subcategories. Underneath charts, you find; graphs, flowcharts, organizational charts , Gantt charts, maps, and diagrams . 

Charts and graphs are related hierarchically. When you define the term “chart,” graphs are inherently included in that definition.

A chart is a visual representation of information or data. The purpose of a chart is to help viewers understand and analyze information easily with the help of visuals. Charts can be stand-alone visuals or grouped to create infographics, dashboards, and other more complex data visualizations. 

A graph is a chart that uses mathematical equations to visualize data and analyze relationships and trends. For a chart to be a graph—and not another type of chart—it must involve a mathematical analysis, generally using the x and y axis to plot data points. Common graphs use lines and bars to visualize data quantities, relationships, and trends. 

Edward Tufte, a pioneer in the field of data visualization, has profoundly influenced how we understand and present data. His principles of clarity, efficiency, and truthful communication in data presentation serve as foundational guidelines for creating more effective and insightful visual representations. Tufte advocates for the use of high-resolution data displays, the integration of words, numbers, and images into a single narrative, and the elimination of non-data ink to focus attention on the data itself.

Good design is clear thinking made visible, bad design is stupidity made visible. Edward Tufte

By applying Tufte’s principles to the design of charts and graphs, presenters can significantly enhance their ability to convey complex information in an accessible and engaging manner. Whether you’re working with PowerPoint, Google Slides, Microsoft Excel, Tableau, R or any other tool, incorporating Tufte’s insights can elevate the clarity of your data visualizations in presentations and book reports.

Types of Graphs & Types of Charts 

The tree diagram above shows the big picture: graphs are a subset of charts. Now let’s look at the details. 

Charts can be separated into two main categories; numerical and non-numerical. Graphs are the numerical type. Here’s an outline to help you visualize the hierarchy of these terms.

• Line graphs
• Gantt Charts
• Network Diagrams
• Venn Diagrams

When to use a Chart or Graph

This is not a question of choosing between a chart or a graph. Because inherently, If you choose a graph, you are also choosing to use a chart. So let’s rephrase it.

Question: When is a good time to use a chart or—more specifically—a graph while creating a presentation ?

Answer: If you want to steer away from blocks of text and visualize information across slides engagingly, then you should use a chart. 

Now the question is, which one? The chart you use depends on the nature of your data, so you’ll have to choose according to that.

Here are some questions to help make a decision:

• What type of data do you need to visualize?
• Is the data numerical (quantitative) or categorical (qualitative)?
• compare values or represent relationships between variables?
• show patterns or trends over time?
• show proportions or parts of a whole ?
• show distribution or frequency of data?
• highlight specific values or data points?
• What is the message you want to convey with the chart?
• What is the target audience , and what charts are they familiar with?
• What is the context, and how is it relevant to your audience?

How to create Charts and Graphs in PowerPoint and Google Slides?

Creating charts and graphs in PowerPoint and Google Slides is easy. Here are instructions to guide you.

How to add charts inside PowerPoint

1. Open your PowerPoint presentation and navigate to the slide where you want to add the chart.

2. In the top menu bar, click on Insert > Charts. The popup window will show you chart options, most of which are graphs. Select the type you want to use by selecting it and clicking ok.

3. Input the data in the worksheet that pops up for your graph. 

4. Customize the design with colors and fonts for the chart’s legend.

How to add charts inside Google Slides

1. Open your Google Slides presentation and navigate to the slide where you want to add the chart.

2. In the top menu bar, click on Insert > Charts. The dropdown offers four simple graphs; choose one by clicking on it. You can also insert a graph from a Google Sheet that you own or have access to. 

3. A default graph is placed into your slide, offering a prompt to edit the data in Sheets. For every new graph, Google creates a separate sheet for the data. The Sheet remains linked to the graph in the presentation unless you unlink it.

4. Customize the design with colors and fonts for the visualization and the legend.

You can browse more detailed information on how to make charts & graphs in Google Slides in this article on “ How to Make a Graph in Google Slides .”

A better way to add charts and graphs to PowerPoint and Google Slides

Yes, it’s easy to add charts and graphs to presentations in PowerPoint and Google Slides, but there’s a way to make them look better easily. 

Download chart and graph templates from SlideModel and give your presentations a more refined look. In the SlideModel template repository, you’ll find plenty of professionally designed charts. Most of which are compatible with both PowerPoint and Google Slides.

Start with a comprehensive slide deck template with various ppt charts and graphs to choose from. Or download individual ppt graph templates to mix and match freely.

You’ll also find charts—that aren’t graphs—like flowcharts, tree diagrams, bubble charts , and concept maps . 

After downloading from SlideModel, you can select either PowerPoint or Google Slides as your presentation design software, and customize the data, colors, and fonts to match the rest of your presentation.

How to Present Charts & Graphs

What is the purpose of graphs, charts, and diagrams? To help people understand and analyze information visually and effectively. We use them in presentations, reports, proposals, and other business communication.

The most efficient way to present charts and graphs is to follow this formula:

• Introduce the graph.
• Identify the variables.
• Highlight key info.
• Share conclusions.

This formula works for presentation slides and your speech during a keynote or talk.

Let’s break it down.

Introduce the Graph

Add a descriptive title at the top of the slide. The title must say exactly what the chart is about, and an optional subtitle to reinforce the message. While presenting, seamlessly say the chart’s name as you speak and tell a two-sentence story about it, like an elevator pitch.

Identify the variables

Identify the variables by using color, size, and location concerning the chart. While presenting, speak about each variable succinctly and mention its visual characteristic. For example, “As you can see, telephone calls—here in the blue line—have increased yearly.”

Highlight key info

Highlight key info using subtle and not-so-subtle design techniques to bring attention to specific areas of the chart. Use icons to visualize the most critical variables in the chart legend. Add noticeable colors and bigger fonts. During your talk, speak about these data points and then about the others as support. 

Share conclusions

Share conclusions in small text boxes below the chart legend. These don’t necessarily need to be in your slides, but they do need to appear in your speech. The conclusions are what bring everything full circle with the introduction.

Charts and Graphs in Action

All charts—including graphs—help you share information and data across presentations, reports , proposals , scientific posters , etc. 

Including charts and graphs in slides is a necessary step in creating analytic presentations, so why not maximize their efficiency by taking the time to customize them visually according to your brand or project?

Discover all the chart and graph options in the SlideModel template library. Browse flowcharts, Gantt charts, and all types of graphs for your slides. 

And remember, charts and graphs are different and related, all rolled into one.

Like this article? Please share

Business Presentations, Data Visualization, Presentation Approaches Filed under Design , Presentation Ideas

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• Graphic Presentation of Data

Apart from diagrams, Graphic presentation is another way of the presentation of data and information. Usually, graphs are used to present time series and frequency distributions. In this article, we will look at the graphic presentation of data and information along with its merits, limitations , and types.

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Construction of a graph.

The graphic presentation of data and information offers a quick and simple way of understanding the features and drawing comparisons. Further, it is an effective analytical tool and a graph can help us in finding the mode, median, etc.

We can locate a point in a plane using two mutually perpendicular lines – the X-axis (the horizontal line) and the Y-axis (the vertical line). Their point of intersection is the Origin .

We can locate the position of a point in terms of its distance from both these axes. For example, if a point P is 3 units away from the Y-axis and 5 units away from the X-axis, then its location is as follows:

Browse more Topics under Descriptive Statistics

• Definition and Characteristics of Statistics
• Stages of Statistical Enquiry
• Importance and Functions of Statistics
• Nature of Statistics – Science or Art?
• Application of Statistics
• Law of Statistics and Distrust of Statistics
• Meaning and Types of Data
• Methods of Collecting Data
• Sample Investigation
• Classification of Data
• Tabulation of Data
• Frequency Distribution of Data
• Diagrammatic Presentation of Data
• Measures of Central Tendency
• Mean Median Mode
• Measures of Dispersion
• Standard Deviation
• Variance Analysis

Some points to remember:

• We measure the distance of the point from the Y-axis along the X-axis. Similarly, we measure the distance of the point from the X-axis along the Y-axis. Therefore, to measure 3 units from the Y-axis, we move 3 units along the X-axis and likewise for the other coordinate .
• We then draw perpendicular lines from these two points.
• The point where the perpendiculars intersect is the position of the point P.
• We denote it as follows (3,5) or (abscissa, ordinate). Together, they are the coordinates of the point P.
• The four parts of the plane are Quadrants.
• Also, we can plot different points for a different pair of values.

General Rules for Graphic Presentation of Data and Information

There are certain guidelines for an attractive and effective graphic presentation of data and information. These are as follows:

• Suitable Title – Ensure that you give a suitable title to the graph which clearly indicates the subject for which you are presenting it.
• Unit of Measurement – Clearly state the unit of measurement below the title.
• Suitable Scale – Choose a suitable scale so that you can represent the entire data in an accurate manner.
• Index – Include a brief index which explains the different colors and shades, lines and designs that you have used in the graph. Also, include a scale of interpretation for better understanding.
• Data Sources – Wherever possible, include the sources of information at the bottom of the graph.
• Keep it Simple – You should construct a graph which even a layman (without any exposure in the areas of statistics or mathematics) can understand.
• Neat – A graph is a visual aid for the presentation of data and information. Therefore, you must keep it neat and attractive. Choose the right size, right lettering, and appropriate lines, colors, dashes, etc.

Merits of a Graph

• The graph presents data in a manner which is easier to understand.
• It allows us to present statistical data in an attractive manner as compared to tables. Users can understand the main features, trends, and fluctuations of the data at a glance.
• A graph saves time.
• It allows the viewer to compare data relating to two different time-periods or regions.
• The viewer does not require prior knowledge of mathematics or statistics to understand a graph.
• We can use a graph to locate the mode, median, and mean values of the data.
• It is useful in forecasting, interpolation, and extrapolation of data.

Limitations of a Graph

• A graph lacks complete accuracy of facts.
• It depicts only a few selected characteristics of the data.
• We cannot use a graph in support of a statement.
• A graph is not a substitute for tables.
• Usually, laymen find it difficult to understand and interpret a graph.
• Typically, a graph shows the unreasonable tendency of the data and the actual values are not clear.

Types of Graphs

Graphs are of two types:

• Time Series graphs
• Frequency Distribution graphs

Time Series Graphs

A time series graph or a “ histogram ” is a graph which depicts the value of a variable over a different point of time. In a time series graph, time is the most important factor and the variable is related to time. It helps in the understanding and analysis of the changes in the variable at a different point of time. Many statisticians and businessmen use these graphs because they are easy to understand and also because they offer complex information in a simple manner.

Further, constructing a time series graph does not require a user with technical skills. Here are some major steps in the construction of a time series graph:

• Represent time on the X-axis and the value of the variable on the Y-axis.
• Start the Y-value with zero and devise a suitable scale which helps you present the whole data in the given space.
• Plot the values of the variable and join different point with a straight line.
• You can plot multiple variables through different lines.

You can use a line graph to summarize how two pieces of information are related and how they vary with each other.

• You can compare multiple continuous data-sets easily
• You can infer the interim data from the graph line

Disadvantages

• It is only used with continuous data.

Use of a false Base Line

Usually, in a graph, the vertical line starts from the Origin. However, in some cases, a false Base Line is used for a better representation of the data. There are two scenarios where you should use a false Base Line:

• To magnify the minor fluctuation in the time series data
• To economize the space

Net Balance Graph

If you have to show the net balance of income and expenditure or revenue and costs or imports and exports, etc., then you must use a net balance graph. You can use different colors or shades for positive and negative differences.

Frequency Distribution Graphs

Let’s look at the different types of frequency distribution graphs.

A histogram is a graph of a grouped frequency distribution. In a histogram, we plot the class intervals on the X-axis and their respective frequencies on the Y-axis. Further, we create a rectangle on each class interval with its height proportional to the frequency density of the class.

Frequency Polygon or Histograph

A frequency polygon or a Histograph is another way of representing a frequency distribution on a graph. You draw a frequency polygon by joining the midpoints of the upper widths of the adjacent rectangles of the histogram with straight lines.

Frequency Curve

When you join the verticals of a polygon using a smooth curve, then the resulting figure is a Frequency Curve. As the number of observations increase, we need to accommodate more classes. Therefore, the width of each class reduces. In such a scenario, the variable tends to become continuous and the frequency polygon starts taking the shape of a frequency curve.

Cumulative Frequency Curve or Ogive

A cumulative frequency curve or Ogive is the graphical representation of a cumulative frequency distribution. Since a cumulative frequency is either of a ‘less than’ or a ‘more than’ type, Ogives are of two types too – ‘less than ogive’ and ‘more than ogive’.

Scatter Diagram

A scatter diagram or a dot chart enables us to find the nature of the relationship between the variables. If the plotted points are scattered a lot, then the relationship between the two variables is lesser.

Solved Question

Q1. What are the general rules for the graphic presentation of data and information?

Answer: The general rules for the graphic presentation of data are:

• Use a suitable title
• Clearly specify the unit of measurement
• Ensure that you choose a suitable scale
• Provide an index specifying the colors, lines, and designs used in the graph
• If possible, provide the sources of information at the bottom of the graph
• Keep the graph simple and neat.

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Descriptive Statistics

• Nature of Statistics – Science or Art?

2 responses to “Stages of Statistical Enquiry”

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