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Simple Graph typesWhich Graph best represents my

data?

Types of Simple Graphs

Line Charts

Area Charts

Column Charts

Bar ChartsSegmented Bar / Column Charts100% Segmented Bar/Column Charts

Pie Charts

Doughnut Charts

Which Chart?

This slide is taken from a “ must-visit ” site http://www.extremepresentation.com/

Charts shown in this presentation

This slide is taken from a “ must-visit ” site http://www.extremepresentation.com/

Line Charts

Use line charts to show

Change in Variables / trends over timeLong rows of continuous data of variablesCompare and correlate two parameters over a period of time.

X axis to conventionally display time interval

Y axis to display the data variables

Note : Line graph connects two actual or real data points at different time intervals. Hence, any point between the two actual or real data points should not be considered as actual value of the variable.

Line Chart exampleSales of East Zone by QTR - 2009

0

10

20

30

40

50

Jan-

10

Feb-

10

Mar

-10

Apr

-10

May

-10

Jun-

10

Jul-1

0

Aug

-10

Sep-

10

Oct

-10

Nov

-10

Dec

-10

Sale

s in

Rup

ees

Target 30.6 38.6 34.6 31.6 30.6 38.6 34.6 31.6 30.6 38.6 34.6 31.6

Sales 32.7 40.3 38.2 30 32.6 38.7 35 33 31 39 33 36

Jan-10 Feb-10 Mar-10 Apr-10 May-10 Jun-10 Jul-10 Aug-10 Sep-10 Oct-10 Nov-10 Dec-10

As Data labels may clutter the chart, a data table is used to show the variablesAs the data Table has the legend Included, No separate legend was given

Area Charts

Area Charts are similar to line charts

Use area charts to

Relative contributions over timeShow cumulated data over a period of time

Eg: YTD Sales Vs YTD Target progress

Area Charts show change in volume or quantum over time

Area Charts Example

Cumulated Monthly Sales Progress Vs Target - Zone 1 - Y 2010

050

100150200250300350400450Ja

n-10

Feb-

10

Mar

-10

Apr-1

0

May

-10

Jun-

10

Jul-1

0

Aug-

10

Sep-

10

Oct

-10

Nov-

10

Dec-

10

Sale

s in

K E

uro

Sales 34.5 76 115 152 179 221.5 252 292 326 364.5 392 427.5

Target 30.6 69.2 103.8 135.4 166 204.6 239.2 270.8 301.4 340 374.6 406.2

Jan-10 Feb-10 Mar-10 Apr-10 May-10 Jun-10 Jul-10 Aug-10 Sep-10 Oct-10 Nov-10 Dec-10

Column Chart

Use column charts to

Display how values change over timeCompare data of single items at specific time intervalsCompare multiple sets of variables of nominal data

Nominal data – e.g.: Territories, individuals etc.

Convention is - data categories on horizontal axis and the values along the vertical axis

Note :If the number of time intervals or units of Nominal data are many, use line charts as the data gets cluttered and the essence of the chat may be lost

Column Charts example

Sales of East Zone by QTR - 2009

20.427.4

90

20.4

30.638.6 34.6 31.6

45.9 46.9 45 43.9

0102030405060708090

100

1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr

Quarters in 2009

Sale

s in

Rup

ees

Zone 1

Zone 2

Zone 3

Bar Charts example

This chart type is similar to a column chart

Values are plotted horizontally rather than vertically.

Hence, more emphasis on comparison, rather than time.

Customary to arrange variables in a descending order.

Bar Charts Example

Incremental Sales - YTD Mar'10 Vs.YTD Mar'09

Brand 1, -5Brand 2, -14

Brand 3, -18Brand 4, -21

Brand 5, 43Brand 6, 44

Brand 7, 49Brand 8, 52

Brand 9, 62Brand 10, 79

Brand 11, 86Brand 12, 102

-50 0 50 100 150

Sales in K euro

Bar / Column - Sub types

1. Segmented Bar /Column chartValues are stacked on each other

2. 100% Segmented The percentage of each value is stacked

Segmented Column/Bar Chart

Use segmented bars or columns to...Present a part -whole relation over time Show proportional relationships over time Show sub-elements which contribute to the overall column or bar and changes from one period to another.

Segmented column/bar charts are more accurate than pie chart, because distances can be more accurately estimated than areas.

Segmented Column Chart Example

Sales of zones by quarters-2010

20.4 27.4

90

20.4

30.638.6

34.6

31.6

45.946.9

45

43.9

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr

Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3

100% Segmented Column Chart

Contribution of zones by Quarters-2010

20.4 27.4

90

20.4

30.638.6

34.6

31.6

45.9 46.945

43.9

0%

10%

20%30%

40%

50%

60%

70%80%

90%

100%

1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr

Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3

Pie Chart

Use pie chart to

Compare Parts to Whole at a given point of timeEither the value or Percent to whole can be representedCan plot only one data series as snap shot at a specific timeIdeal only if the number of categories are less than 6

Note : Too many slices in the pie can clutter a pie chart . It is customary to club many small slides in to a category called “Others”. Incase the details are needed , a combination of Pie and a Bar Char are used

Pie Chart Example

Contribution of Sales in K euros by Zones 2010

27.4

20.420.4

90

North South East West

Doughnut Chart

This chart is similar to a pie chart.

It shows the relationship of the parts to the whole.

In this type of chart, it is possible to chart more than one data series to compare

Doughnut Chart example

Sales of Zones 2009 Vs.2010

Y09, 20.4

Y09, 27.4

Y10, 28.6

Y09, 36

Y09, 38

Y10, 34.8

Y10, 42

Y10, 34.9

Zone 1

Zone 2

Zone 3

Zone 4

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