Data visualization tools and techniques

Data visualization basically refers to the presentation of information in the form of pictures, graphs, or charts. This will make the perception of complex numbers and facts simple to interpret. Attempt to understand the number of apples sold in various months of the year. The months showing top apple sales are far easier to perceive by seeing them on a chart rather than making a comparison using plain numbers.

In this guide

We will explain what data visualization is, why it’s important, and introduce you to some amazing tools and techniques that can really make your data shine and be easy to understand.

What is data visualization?

Data visualization is a way of presenting data in a pictorial form. We use pictures to explain information rather than reading numbers or facts. Such pictures may be graphs, maps, or charts. Data visualization makes it easier to understand what the numbers mean.

For example

if you have a line chart that can show how much money a shop took in sales over a given week, then it would be simple to just look at numbers within a chart and determine individual daily sales—not necessarily having to look at innumerable rows of numbers.

Why Visualization Is Important for Data?

A few come to mind, like:

• It is easier to understand. Instead of reading many numbers, you can see them in charts or graphs.
• It helps find patterns. Sometimes, data has hidden patterns that can be difficult to see. Data visualization helps you find these patterns quickly.
• It saves time. Looking at a graph is faster than reading numbers. This can help businesses make quick decisions.
• It tells a story. The data has some story to tell. Data visualization helps convey that story in a form people can understand.

Types of Data Visualization Techniques

There exists a variety of data visualization techniques. Each type helps demonstrate different kinds of information. Let’s examine the common types.

2. BarChart

A bar chart is a graph that uses bars to represent data. The bars can be tall or short, and they help in showing comparisons between things. For instance, you would use a bar chart to display the number of apples, bananas, and oranges sold.

• How it helps: A bar chart allows you to compare different categories. You can easily see which category has the most or least.

3. Line Graph

A line graph displays data over time. We use a line to connect the data points. For example, you could display the monthly revenue generated by a store.

• How it helps: A line graph helps show changes over time, like how something increased or decreased.

4. Pie Chart

A pie chart divides a circle into slices. Each slice represents the amount, expressed as a fraction, that belongs to that entire category; for example, one could illustrate in this chart the percentage of sales that originate from other fruits.

• How it helps: It gives one the capability of showing parts that constitute the whole. Therefore, one can instantly determine which fraction has the largest part or the smallest part.

5. Scatter Plot

A scatter plot is a chart with dots on a grid. Each dot represents a piece of information. For example, you can show how tall people are compared to their ages.

• A scatter plot aids in illustrating the relationship between two entities. You can see if there is a pattern.

6. Histogram

Similar to a bar chart, a histogram shows the distribution of data. It helps to show how often something occurs. For example, you could use a histogram to show how many students scored in different ranges on a test.

• Histograms aid in illustrating the grouping and distribution of data.

Data Visualization Tools: What Are They?

Now that you know the different types of charts and graphs, let’s talk about tools. A data visualization tool is a program that helps you create charts, graphs, and other types of visuals. These tools make the process of turning data into pictures easier. The following are some of the most popular tools:

Popular Data Visualization Tools

1. Tableau

Tableau is among the widely used tools for data visualization. It helps transform data into colorful charts, graphs, and dashboards. You can connect Tableau with various sources of data, including Excel and Google Sheets.

• The software is highly user-friendly. It will enable you to create interactive charts, making it an excellent tool for both beginners and experts.

2. Microsoft Power BI

Power BI is a business analytics service by Microsoft, and it’s one of the best data visualization tools. It integrates well with other Microsoft tools, such as Excel. You can use Power BI to create dashboards, reports, and charts.

• Power BI assists businesses in tracking sales, customer data, and other pertinent business information.

3. Google Data Studio

Google Data Studio is a free tool that enables you to create reports and dashboards based on your data. It’s fairly user-friendly and works excellently with other Google tools, such as Google Sheets.

• How it helps: Google Data Studio is free and easy to use. It’s ideal for beginners who want to create reports quickly.

4. R (ggplot2)

R serves as a programming language for statistical analysis. R boasts a powerful tool, ggplot2, that aids in the creation of charts and graphs. R is excellent for people who want to do advanced data analysis.

• R is beneficial for researchers and statisticians. It lets you create complex visualizations for data analysis.

5. Python (Matplotlib, Seaborn, Plotly)

Python is a programming language, and there are quite a few libraries for data visualization. Some of the popular ones include Matplotlib, Seaborn, and Plotly. The mentioned libraries allow you to create beautiful charts and graphs of your data.

• How it helps: If you want to write code for a custom visualization, Python comes in handy; it’s perfect for those in the field of data science and programming.

6. Excel

Excel is a tool most people know. It’s user-friendly, and it has lots of options to create charts and graphs. Excel is the first choice among people for making basic charts, such as bar charts, pie charts, and line graphs.

• How it helps: Excel is a good tool for beginners since it is quite easy to understand, and most people already have access to it.

How to Pick the Right Tool for You

The choice of the right data visualization tool depends on your needs. Here are a few things to keep in mind when picking a tool:

• How simple is it to use? Some of these tools are extremely user-friendly, even for beginners. If you are new to the field of data visualization, start with Google Data Studio or Excel.
• What kind of data are you working with? Some tools are better for certain types of data. For instance, Tableau could be a suitable option for handling large datasets.
• Do you need advanced features? If you require advanced features like coding or custom charts, then Python or R is possibly better.

Effective Data Visualization Tips

Here are a few tips to enhance the effectiveness of your data visualization:

1. Keep It Simple

Do not make your charts too complicated. The goal is to make information simple to understand. Stick to one main message per chart.

2. Use colors carefully.

Use colors to highlight differences between categories. But do not use too many colors. Stick with a few easy-to-see colors.

3. Choose the right type of chart.

Make sure the chart you choose is suitable for the type of data you are working with. For example, if you want to show change over time, use a line chart.

4. Label Your Charts

Always label your charts clearly. This includes the axes, categories, and any important data points. This will help people understand your chart fast.

5. Show Trends

People are fond of seeing patterns. Use a line chart or scatter plot to show trends or relationships between variables.

Conclusion

The best way to make data readable is through data visualization. Data visualization, whether it pertains to apple sales, student performances, or weekly temperatures, effectively conveys a narrative. You can use the right tools and techniques to transform boring numbers into interesting pictures.

The tools we went over, including Tableau, Google Data Studio, and Power BI, allow for the creation of beautiful charts and graphs; following a few simple pieces of advice—like keeping it simple and using the right colors—can only make them better.

So, whether you are a student, teacher, business owner, or researcher, knowing how to visualize data will help you communicate crucial information clearly and fast. Try using one of the tools we mentioned and see how simple it is to create your own charts and graphs!