Analyzing performance requires looking at the current value in context. The context often includes the trend in past values and the comparison to the last value and the value for the same period in the previous year. . This makeover shows how you can use a line graph instead of a column graph to show both the trend and comparisons.

1. Slide Makeover #88:
Showing a trend and comparing
current value to last Q and last Y
Based on Dave Paradi’s ideas at
www.ThinkOutsideTheSlide.com

2. Analyzing performance requires
looking at the current value in
context. The context often includes
the trend in past values and the
comparison to the last value and
the value for the same period in the
previous year. Here is an example
from a recent U.S. Census Bureau
report …

4. The accompanying text on the page with
this graph in the report points out the
key messages: the difference in values
from the current quarter to the previous
quarter and the same quarter in the
previous year. Since this data is
seasonal, comparing to the same period
in the previous year is important.

5. The challenge with using columns
to show a trend is that it forces the
audience to draw the trend line in
their mind, which may not be easy.
The graph also has some elements
that should be cleaned up to make
the important messages clearer.

6. A line graph works much better
than a column graph for trends. By
adding comparison lines for the
values in the past and callouts to
point out the important messages,
we can create this visual …

7. 21.7
28.3
20.0
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Q1
2013
Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1
2014
Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1
2015
Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1
2016
Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1
2017
U.S Retail Trade Corporations
Quarterly After-Tax Profits
(Billions of dollars)
Data adjusted for seasonality but not price changes.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Quarterly Financial Report, June 6, 2017
 $6.6B
from
Q4 2016
 $1.7B
from
Q1 2016

8. The trend is much easier to see as
a line compared to a series of
columns. The dashed lines
extending from the last quarter and
last year values make the
comparison easier than the
audience having to do it by looking
at the data points on the line.

9. I also added data labels to the
three important points only. Don’t
add labels to every data point
when only a few are relevant to the
message. The text box callouts
include indicator symbols (the
triangle characters) to make the
message clearer. Here is the visual
again …

10. 21.7
28.3
20.0
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Q1
2013
Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1
2014
Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1
2015
Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1
2016
Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1
2017
U.S Retail Trade Corporations
Quarterly After-Tax Profits
(Billions of dollars)
Data adjusted for seasonality but not price changes.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Quarterly Financial Report, June 6, 2017
 $6.6B
from
Q4 2016
 $1.7B
from
Q1 2016

11. This graph is created in
PowerPoint 2010, not even the
latest version. PowerPoint graphs
have all the same features as
Excel graphs, and make updating
and adding text boxes easy. You
have the tools you need to create
effective visuals already on your
computer.

12. So the next time you have to show
a current value in context with a
trend of past values and comparing
it specifically to the values in the
last time period and the same time
period in the previous year,
consider a line graph with added
elements that make the message
clear for the audience.

13. Before After
Lessons:
1. Use line graphs to show trends.
2. Make comparisons between values easy for the audience to see.
3. Explore the tools you already have. You can create effective visuals
with what you already use.
Quick recap:
More makeovers available at www.SlideMakeoverVideos.com

14. If you would like me to help
your team create presentations
that have a clear message with
focused content and effective
visuals, get in touch:
P: 905-510-4911
E: Dave@ThinkOutsideTheSlide.com
W: www.ThinkOutsideTheSlide.com