Data visualization options
• Data visualization options refer to the different types of visual charts
and techniques available to represent data graphically.
• The choice of visualization depends on:
➢The type of data (categorical, numerical, temporal, etc.)
➢The goal (comparison, trend, distribution, relationship)
➢The audience (technical or non-technical)
Visualization
Description Use Case Example
Type
Bar Chart Rectangular bars to compare values Compare categories Sales by product
Compare numerical data
Column Chart Vertical bar chart Population by country
across categories
Line Chart Points connected by lines to show trends Time-series data Monthly revenue
Circle divided into slices to show
Pie Chart Part-to-whole relationships Market share
proportions
Visual aesthetics, part-to-
Donut Chart Pie chart with center cut out Budget allocation
whole
Distribution of continuous
Histogram Groups data into bins to show frequency Age distribution
data
Relationship between 2
Scatter Plot Points plotted to show correlation Height vs weight
variables
Bubble Chart Scatter plot with a third variable as size Multivariate data GDP vs population vs CO₂
Area Chart Line chart with filled area below line Cumulative trends Website traffic over time
Box Plot Shows data quartiles and outliers Statistical distribution Exam scores
Correlation matrices,
Heatmap Color-coded grid Sales by day and hour
intensity
Visualizati
Description Use Case Example
on Type
Hierarchical part-to- Sales by department and
Tree Map Nested rectangles
whole sub-category
Sunburst Multilevel category
Circular hierarchical chart File storage by folders
Chart breakdown
Radar/Spide Axes radiate from center to show
Performance analysis Skill comparison
r Chart multivariate data
Waterfall
Shows incremental change in value Financial breakdowns Profit and loss
Chart
Gauge Chart Speedometer-style visual KPI tracking Server usage
Funnel Steps in a process with data loss at each
Conversion rates Sales pipeline
Chart step
Software development
Gantt Chart Project tasks over time Project management
plan
Geographic
Map Data points over a map Regional data Sales by country
(GeoMap)
