A picture is worth thousand wordsA picture is worth thousand words
Chart or a GraphChart or a Graph
Remember, give a Graph / Chart only if
You want avoid thousand words Clarify not confuse Influence the viewer Convey a bigger picture Less is more with graphs
How to create a good graphHow to create a good graph
Ascertain the purpose of the chart.Identify the variables and their relationships.Zero in on to the chart type that best suits to visualize the data to show the big pictureCheck – does it show a big picture ? Think from the audience view point
Hence the need is to know what is a good chart and understand types of charts to present data
Components - X axisComponents - X axis
Sales of East Zone by QTR - 2009
20.427.4
90
20.4
30.638.6 34.6 31.6
01020
3040506070
8090
100
1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr
Quarters in 2009
Sale
s in
Rup
ees
East
West
• Y Axis – Customary to use dependant variables.• Must be labeled to show range• Title of Y Axis must be clear
Components – Y axisComponents – Y axis
Sales of East Zone by QTR - 2009
20.427.4
90
20.4
30.638.6 34.6 31.6
01020
3040506070
8090
100
1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr
Quarters in 2009
Sale
s in
Rup
ees
East
West
• X axis – Customary to use independent variables like time, months, qtrs, years etc.
• Must be labeled to show range• Title of X axis must provided if
the variables on the x axis are not very obvious
Components - TitleComponents - Title
Sales of East Zone by QTR - 2009
20.427.4
90
20.4
30.638.6 34.6 31.6
01020
3040506070
8090
100
1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr
Quarters in 2009
Sale
s in
Rup
ees
East
West
• A meaningful title that explains what the graph is all about
Components – data labelsComponents – data labels
Sales of East Zone by QTR - 2009
20.427.4
90
20.4
30.638.6 34.6 31.6
01020
3040506070
8090
100
1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr
Quarters in 2009
Sale
s in
Rup
ees
East
West
Data labels are values for easy understanding of data
Components - LegendComponents - Legend
Sales of East Zone by QTR - 2009
20.427.4
90
20.4
30.638.6 34.6 31.6
01020
3040506070
8090
100
1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr
Quarters in 2009
Sale
s in
Rup
ees
East
West
Legend is the key to the data plotted
Good vs. Bad GraphsGood vs. Bad Graphs
Good graphs will:Give a clear visual display of the point you are trying to make
Bad graphs will:Confuse the readerDoes not make any senseMisinterpret data Visually
Types of Simple GraphsTypes of Simple Graphs
Line Charts Area Charts Column Charts Bar Charts
Segmented Bar / Column Charts 100% Segmented Bar/Column Charts
Pie Charts Doughnut Charts
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