How To Use Charts And Graphs Effectively In Slides

Small tweaks to your charts that have a huge impact (and take less than 2 minutes) Feel like your charts aren't getting your message across as clearly as you'd like? You're probably right... but the good news is that a few simple changes can make a world of difference. Take the chart below: it shows monthly deliveries by Boeing and Airbus over a year. But from the visual alone, the key message isn’t obvious. You’d have to read the article (from Yahoo! Finance) to figure out the main point: Boeing deliveries are falling behind Airbus due to reduced production. If a chart is meant to support an argument, it should *visually communicate* that argument. We can do that with just a few tweaks: ➤ Use explanatory titles  Instead of vague or descriptive titles, use a headline that directly states the takeaway. ➤ Use color to focus attention  Highlight the key data in a bold color and fade out comparison categories (e.g., with grayscale). Let color guide your viewer’s eye to what matters most. ➤ Place axis labels intuitively Most languages (but not all) are read and written left to right - and this is how people will "read" charts as well. Keeping axis labels on the left helps people understand the scale before diving into the data. ➤ Clean up category labels Avoid rotating text labels and using inconsistent formatting (e.g., notice “Nov” is followed by “December”). When working with dates that span years, consider placing the year one row below for readability. ➤ Make legends match the data Instead of using default legends, place the legend directly next to the data and match it with bold, colored text. Most analysts won’t make these tweaks because it requires some manual effort, such as using Google Slides or Powerpoint to add legends and labels. But that extra few minutes is often the difference between a chart that’s confusing (or boring)... and one that makes your message really pop. —-— 👋🏼 I’m Morgan. I share my favorite data viz and data storytelling tips to help other analysts (and academics) better communicate their work.

8 out of 10 analysts struggle with delivering impactful data visualizations. Here are five tips that I learned through my experience that can improve your visuals immensely: 1. Know Your Stakeholder's Requirements: Before diving into charts and graphs, understand who you're speaking to. Tailor your visuals to match their expertise and interest levels. A clear understanding of your audience ensures your message hits the right notes. For executives, I try sticking to a high-level overview by providing summary charts like a KPI dashboard. On the other hand, for front-line employees, I prefer detailed charts depicting day-to-day operational metrics. 2. Avoid Chart Junk: Embrace the beauty of simplicity. Avoid clutter and unnecessary embellishments. A clean, uncluttered visualization ensures that your message shines through without distractions. I focus on removing excessive gridlines, and unnecessary decorations while conveying the information with clarity. Instead of overwhelming your audience with unnecessary embellishments, opt for a clean, straightforward line chart displaying monthly trends. 3. Choose The Right Color Palette: Colors evoke emotions and convey messages. I prefer using a consistent color scheme across all my dashboards that align with my brand or the narrative. Using a consistent color scheme not only aligns with your brand but also aids in quick comprehension. For instance, use distinct colors for important data points, like revenue spikes or project milestones. 4. Highlight Key Elements: Guide your audience's attention by emphasizing critical data points. Whether it's through color, annotations, or positioning, make sure your audience doesn't miss the most important insights. Imagine presenting a market analysis with a scatter plot showing customer satisfaction and market share. By using bold colors to highlight a specific product or region, coupled with annotations explaining notable data points, you can guide your audience's focus. 5. Tell A Story With Your Data: Transform your numbers into narratives. Weave a compelling story that guides your audience through insights. A good data visualization isn't just a display; it's a journey that simplifies complexity. Recently I faced a scenario where I was presenting productivity metrics. Instead of just displaying a bar chart with numbers, I crafted a visual story. I started with the challenge faced, used line charts to show performance fluctuations, and concluded with a bar chart illustrating the positive impact of a recent strategy. This narrative approach helped my audience connect emotionally with the data, making it more memorable and actionable. Finally, remember that the goal of data visualization is to communicate complex information in a way that is easily understandable and memorable. It's both an art and a science, so keep experimenting and evolving. What are your go-to tips for crafting effective data visualizations? Share your insights in the comments below!

Do you want your data to make a difference? Transform your numbers into narratives that drive action—follow these five key steps: 📌 STEP 1: understand the context Before creating any visual, ask: - Who is your audience? - What do they need to know? - How will they use this information? Getting the context right ensures your message resonates. 📊 STEP 2: choose an appropriate graph Different visuals serve different purposes: - Want to compare values? Try a bar chart. - Showing trends? Use a line graph. - Need part-to-whole context? A stacked bar may work. Pick the right tool for the job! 🧹 STEP 3: declutter your graphs & slides More isn’t better. Remove unnecessary elements (gridlines, redundant labels, clutter) to let your data breathe. Less distraction = clearer communication. 🎯 STEP 4: focus attention Not all elements on your graphs and slides are equal. Use: ✔️ Color ✔️ Annotations ✔️ Positioning …to guide your audience’s eyes to what matters most. Help them know where to look and what to see. 📖 STEP 5: tell a story Numbers alone don’t inspire action—stories do. Structure your communication like a narrative: 1️⃣ Set the scene 2️⃣ Introduce the conflict (tension) 3️⃣ Lead to resolution (insight or action) Make it memorable! THAT'S the *storytelling with data* process! ✨ Following these five steps will help you create clear, compelling data stories. What's your favorite tip or strategy for great graphs and powerful presentations? Let us know in the comments!