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Slide Makeover #82: Showing trends as lines, not clustered columns
The document critiques the use of clustered column graphs for showing trends in multiple data series, advocating instead for line graphs that clearly depict trends over time. It emphasizes the importance of close data placement for easy comparison and recommends using a time-based horizontal axis for clarity. The document also provides practical tips for creating effective line graphs.
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Slide Makeover #82: Showing trends as lines, not clustered columns
- 1. Slide Makeover #82: Showingtrends as lines, not clustered columns Based on Dave Paradi’s ideas at www.ThinkOutsideTheSlide.com
- 2. I’ve recently seena clustered column graph used to show the trend in multiple data series. Here’s what a client slide looked like …
- 3. Call volume infive centers 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 Syracuse Lexington Columbus Scranton Wilmington Averagecallsperday Jan Feb Mar Apr May
- 4. And here ishow the Globe and Mail newspaper in Canada used this type of graph:
- 5. A clustered columngraph is not a good way to show trends in multiple data series.
- 6. Call volume infive centers 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 Syracuse Lexington Columbus Scranton Wilmington Averagecallsperday Jan Feb Mar Apr May Columns force the audience to mentally connect the middle of the columns to see the trend
- 7. Call volume infive centers 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 Syracuse Lexington Columbus Scranton Wilmington Averagecallsperday Jan Feb Mar Apr May The sets of columns are spread apart, making it harder to compare between call centers
- 8. When your messageis a trend in a data series, use a line graph. Draw the line for the audience, don’t make them draw the line between the columns.
- 9. When you havemultiple data series, use a multiple line graph so it is easy to compare the trends to each other.
- 10. Finally, trends shouldhave a time based axis, usually the horizontal axis. Like this …
- 11. All call centershave seen increasing volumes this year Syracuse Lexington Columbus Scranton Wilmington 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Averagecallsperday
- 12. The trends areeasy to see over the five month period of time and it is easy to compare the different call centers because they are close to each other.
- 13. This is astandard line graph created in PowerPoint. You can create in Excel just the same way if you’d like. Here are a couple of tips.
- 14. All call centershave seen increasing volumes this year Syracuse Lexington Columbus Scranton Wilmington 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Averagecallsperday Place the data on the tick marks instead of between the tick marks so the line takes up the whole width of the graph
- 15. All call centershave seen increasing volumes this year Syracuse Lexington Columbus Scranton Wilmington 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Averagecallsperday Replace the legend with data labels on just one of the data points. The last data point works well here, but you can use any data point if that fits better for your graph. This article explains how to do this.
- 16. Before After Lessons: 1. Usea line graph instead of a column graph to show a trend 2. Trends should usually have a time based horizontal axis 3. When comparing multiple data series, put the data close to each other so it is easy to compare Quick recap: More makeovers available at www.SlideMakeoverVideos.com
- 17. If you wouldlike 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