The right chart type depends on the question your viewer needs to answer.
Quick guide
- Number chart: What is the current value?
- Line chart: How is the metric changing over time?
- Bar chart: How do categories compare?
- Stacked bar chart: What contributes to each total?
- Grouped bar chart: How do series compare side by side?
- Waterfall chart: What caused the net change?
- Radar chart: How do multiple metrics compare across the same dimensions?
- Table chart: What are the detailed records?
- Pivot table: How can viewers summarize details interactively?
- Map chart: Where is activity happening?
- Download chart: Do viewers need an export?
- Alert chart: Should someone be notified?
Avoid common mistakes
- Do not use pie charts for too many categories.
- Do not use dense bar charts for long time series.
- Do not use maps when location is not part of the question.
- Do not use tables when a summary chart would answer the question faster.