1. Simple Graph types
Which Graph best represents my data?
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2. Types of Simple Graphs
Line Charts
Area Charts
Column Charts
Bar Charts
Segmented Bar / Column Charts
100% Segmented Bar/Column Charts
Pie Charts
Doughnut Charts

3. Which Chart?
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4. Charts shown in this presentation
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5. Line Charts
Use line charts to show
Change in Variables / trends over time
Long rows of continuous data of variables
Compare 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.

6. Line Chart example
Sales of East Zone by QTR - 2009
50
40
Sales in Rupees
30
20
10
0
Mar-10
Apr-10
Oct-10
May-10
Dec-10
Jul-10
Jan-10
Aug-10
Sep-10
Nov-10
Feb-10
Jun-10
Jan-10 Feb-10 Mar-10 Apr-10 May-10 Jun-10 Jul-10 Aug-10 Sep-10 Oct-10 Nov-10 Dec-10
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
As Data labels may clutter the chart, a data table is used to show the variables
As the data Table has the legend Included, No separate legend was given

7. Area Charts
Area Charts are similar to line charts
Use area charts to
Relative contributions over time
Show cumulated data over a period of time
Eg: YTD Sales Vs YTD Target progress
Area Charts show change in volume or quantum
over time

8. Area Charts Example
Cumulated Monthly Sales Progress Vs Target - Zone 1 - Y 2010
450
400
350
Sales in K Euro
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
Oct-10
Nov-10
Feb-10
Dec-10
Apr-10
May-10
Jul-10
Aug-10
Sep-10
Jan-10
Jun-10
Mar-10
Jan-10 Feb-10 Mar-10 Apr-10 May-10 Jun-10 Jul-10 Aug-10 Sep-10 Oct-10 Nov-10 Dec-10
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

9. Column Chart
Use column charts to
Display how values change over time
Compare data of single items at specific time intervals
Compare 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

10. Column Charts example
Sales of East Zone by QTR - 2009
100 90
90
80
70
Sales in Rupees
60 Zone 1
45.9 46.9 45 43.9
50 Zone 2
38.6
40 34.6 31.6 Zone 3
30.6 27.4
30 20.4 20.4
20
10
0
1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr
Quarters in 2009

11. 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.

12. Bar Charts Example
Incremental Sales - YTD Mar'10 Vs.YTD Mar'09
Brand 12, 102
Brand 11, 86
Brand 10, 79
Brand 9, 62
Brand 8, 52
Brand 7, 49
Brand 6, 44
Brand 5, 43
Brand 4, -21
Brand 3, -18
Brand 2, -14
Brand 1, -5
-50 0 50 100 150
Sales in K euro

13. Bar / Column - Sub types
1. Segmented Bar /Column chart
Values are stacked on each other
2. 100% Segmented
The percentage of each value is stacked

14. 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.

15. Segmented Column Chart Example
Sales of zones by quarters-2010
180
160
45
140
120
34.6
100
46.9
80 45.9 43.9
60
38.6 90
40 30.6 31.6
20
20.4 27.4 20.4
0
1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr
Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3

16. 100% Segmented Column Chart
Contribution of zones by Quarters-2010
100%
90% 45
80% 45.9 46.9 43.9
70%
60% 34.6
50%
40% 38.6 31.6
30.6
30% 90
20%
10% 20.4 27.4 20.4
0%
1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr
Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3

17. Pie Chart
Use pie chart to
Compare Parts to Whole at a given point of time
Either the value or Percent to whole can be represented
Can plot only one data series as snap shot at a specific time
Ideal 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

18. Pie Chart Example
Contribution of Sales in K euros by Zones 2010
20.4 20.4
27.4
90
North South East West

19. 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

20. Doughnut Chart example
Sales of Zones 2009 Vs.2010
Y10, 28.6
Y09, 38 Y09, 20.4
Y10, 42 Zone 1
Zone 2
Zone 3
Y09, 27.4 Zone 4
Y09, 36
Y10, 34.9
Y10, 34.8

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