Unit III
Tree map
Introduction
• A tree map is a data visualization technique used
to display hierarchical (tree-structured) data as a
set of nested rectangles.
• A tree map is a data visualization technique for
representing large amounts of hierarchical, or
tree-structured, data in a space-constrained
layout.
• Each branch of the tree is represented by a
rectangle, which is then tiled with smaller
rectangles representing sub-branches or
individual data points within that branch.
How it works
• Rectangles: Each node in the data hierarchy is
represented by a rectangle.
• Size and Color: The size of each rectangle is
proportional to a quantitative value associated
with that node. The color can represent a second
quantitative or categorical value, allowing you to
visualize two attributes simultaneously.
• Nesting: Rectangles representing sub-nodes are
nested within the rectangles representing their
parent nodes, reflecting the hierarchy.
Key characteristics of tree maps
•Hierarchical Representation:
They are designed to visualize data with a clear parent-child
relationship, such as file directories, organizational structures, or
product categories.
•Nested Rectangles:
The core visual element is the use of rectangles nested within one
another, reflecting the hierarchical levels.
•Size and Color Encoding:
The size of each rectangle is typically proportional to a quantitative
value (e.g., file size, sales revenue, population), while color can be
used to represent another variable or categorize data.
•Space Efficiency:
Tree maps make efficient use of space, allowing for the visualization of
a large amount of data within a confined area.
•Part-to-Whole Relationships:
Effectively show how individual parts contribute to the whole and how
different categories compare in terms of their designated value.
Benefits
• Space-Efficient: Treemaps are designed to utilize space efficiently,
making them suitable for visualizing large datasets that might
overwhelm other chart types.
• Visualize Hierarchies: They effectively illustrate the hierarchical
structure of data, allowing you to understand how larger categories
break down into smaller sub-categories.
• Highlight Major Contributors: The largest rectangles visually
highlight the categories with the greatest impact, making it easy to
identify key contributors or outliers.
• Spot Patterns and Relationships: The arrangement of rectangles by
size and color can reveal patterns and relationships within the data
that might be harder to discern with other visualizations.
• Interactive Exploration: Many treemap implementations offer
interactive features like zooming and drilling down, allowing users to
explore the data in more detail.
Limitations
• Difficult for Precise Comparisons: Tree maps are not ideal
for tasks requiring precise comparisons between categories,
as humans find it harder to accurately estimate and compare
areas than lengths or positions on a common baseline.
• Can Become Cluttered: With very large datasets and
numerous categories, a tree map can become visually
cluttered, making it difficult to read and interpret.
• Limited Customization: Some tree map implementations
may offer fewer customization options compared to other
chart types.
• Not Suitable for Negative Values: Tree maps only
accommodate positive quantitative values, as rectangle
areas cannot be negative.
3D Treemaps
