Data Visualization Best Practices
See the difference between good and bad chart design. Visual examples you can apply immediately.
Bar Charts
Best for comparing categories
Tip: Sort bars by value (descending) and use a single color. Rainbow colors only make sense when each color has semantic meaning.
Line Charts
Best for showing trends over time
Tip: Limit to 3-4 lines maximum. If you need more, use small multiples (separate charts) instead of spaghetti.
Pie Charts
Use sparingly — only for parts of a whole
Tip: If you have more than 5 categories, consider a bar chart instead. Human eyes struggle to compare pie slice angles accurately.
KPI Cards
Highlight key metrics with context
Tip: Always show comparison context (vs last period, vs target). Round numbers appropriately — $124.5K is better than $124523.847362.
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