Top 5 Hierarchical Data Visualizations for Stories

Organizing insights hierarchically is one of the strategies you can use to make your stories persuasive.

Our brains are engineered to recognize order and rank in visual content instantly. So you need hierarchical data visualizations to create compelling narratives for your audiences (and readers).

Why?

There are different types of data visualization out of which the hierarchal types of charts display insights into data in a particular order. The order can either be bottom-up or the other way around.

The top 5 expert-recommended hierarchical data visualizations include:

• Sunburst Chart
• Crosstab Chart
• Partition Chart
• Tree Map Chart
• Stacked Bar Chart

You won’t find a huge chunk of the charts (above) in Google Sheets. So if you’re an ardent user of the spreadsheet application, you’ve got to explore other options.

It turns out you don’t have to do away with Google Sheets. You can download and install an add-on to access all the hierarchy charts, plus more.

In this blog, you’ll learn the following:

• Steps to use to visualize your data with hierarchical data visualization.
• The tested and proven add-on you should install in your Google Sheets.

Top 5 Hierarchical Data Visualization You Need to Try

Before we delve right into the heart of the blog, let’s define the chart.

What is a Hierarchical Data Visualization Chart?

Hierarchy comes from the Greek word ‘hierarkhia’, which translates as the “rule of a high priest.”

In today’s world, hierarchy is a system of values (titles, objects, positions, etc.) in which each value is placed above, below, or equal to others.

In data analytics, hierarchy charts are used to display insights into data in a certain order. The hierarchy can be top-down or bottom-up depending on your preference. The charts are incredibly significant in data analysis because they uncover hidden patterns and relationships in your data.

A classic example of hierarchical data visualization is the file and folder system found on your computer. Usually, there are parent folders with sub-folders, which are somehow connected, depending on your criteria.

Benefits of Hierarchy Charts

Many charts display insights in ranking order. But, we’ve narrowed down the list to 5 key ones based on the following criteria:

• Ease of interpretation
• Simplicity

Our list is made of the following hierarchical data visualization designs:

• Sunburst Chart
• Crosstab Chart
• Partition Chart
• Tree Map Chart
• Stacked Bar Chart

The common denominators with these charts (above) are their simplicity and ease of interpretation. So, they should be your go-to charts, especially when curating stories because they are amazingly easy to read and interpret graphs and charts.

You can use these charts to transform raw and bulky data sets into insights. They achieve the aforementioned task by providing in-depth information about patterns and relations between key data points. Also, you can easily infer the best and worst-performing metrics by simply checking at the top and bottom of the hierarchy.

Hierarchical data visualization graphs create tree-like impressions in our brains. Each data point is depicted by a node in the tree. Furthermore, each node may have a collection of sub-nodes (also known as child nodes).

The relationship between the parent and the child nodes forms a tree network, which provides hierarchical insights. Check out the attributes of the hierarchy charts.

Properties of Hierarchical Data Visualization Designs

• Nodes in hierarchy charts have one parent node.
• Nodes with no children (sub-nodes) are called leaf nodes. On the other hand, the nodes with branches are called the interior nodes.

The Best Tool for Visualizing Hierarchical Data

Visualization tools, such as Google Sheets, are making it easier than ever to visualize hierarchical data in a way that’s understandable by the intended audiences (and readers).

Knowing your audience can help you to determine the most applicable chart to integrate into your story.

You also need to pay attention to other overt issues, such as personal interests. The best tool to use to visualize your data with hierarchical data visualization should have the following attributes:

• To truly explore your data fully, you need a tool that provides you with more options, such as a massive library and the ability to edit and customize your charts.

Keep reading because we’ll later unveil a tool that provides you unlimited flexibility, especially when curating data stories.

• Ready-made charts. You need a tool that’s loaded with ready-to-use charts. Endless customizations and editing of basic charts can easily consume massive chunks of your valuable time.
• Collaboration. In today’s world, you need a data visualization tool that allows collaboration in projects. Luckily, there are free tools, such as Google Sheets that allow you to share and collaborate on projects remotely.

We acknowledge that Google Sheets is one of the most used data visualization tools by most professionals and businesses. This spreadsheet app has been there for years, plus it’s familiar to many.

But if your goal is to create insightful and ready-to-use hierarchical data visualization charts, you’ve got to think beyond Google Sheets. Why?

The spreadsheet app lacks hierarchy charts. Yes, you read that right.

To access insightful and ready-made hierarchical graphs (Sunburst, Cross Tab, Partition, and Stacked Bar Charts) in Google Sheets, you have to install third-party apps (add-ons).

There are thousands of add-ons purposely for data visualization you can find in Google Workspace Marketplace. To save you time, we’ve tested hundreds of add-ons. ChartExpo ticks all the boxes to the following:

• Ease of use
• Ease of access
• Number of intuitive and advanced charts available
• Affordability

If your goal is to display hierarchical insights into your

data with ready-made and visually appealing charts and you want the best no-code tools then your go-to add-on should be ChartExpo.

In the coming section, you’ll learn how you can install the ChartExpo add-on in your Google Sheets to access ready-made hierarchy charts.

The Best Hierarchical Data Visualization Chart Generator: ChartExpo

ChartExpo is a trusted tool that thousands of professionals across the world use to create insightful and ready-made advanced hierarchical charts.

Besides, it comes as an add-on you can easily install in your Google Sheets. The tool has an easy-to-navigate interface. You don’t need skills in programming or coding to get started with hierarchical data visualization designs in ChartExpo.

ChartExpo has all the 5 hierarchy charts, namely:

• Sunburst Chart
• Crosstab Chart
• Partition Chart
• Tree Map Chart
• Stacked Bar Chart

The data visualization add-on is cloud-hosted, which means your personal computer won’t slow down.

So how can you get started with ChartExpo?

Example 1: Sunburst Chart

The Sunburst Chart is one of the hierarchy charts you can use in your stories because it’s incredibly easy to interpret.

The hierarchical data visualization design displays insights in a ranking order using a series of concentric rings. Each ring in the chart corresponds to a level in the hierarchy.

Let’s visualize the tabular data using Sunburst Charts in ChartExpo.

Category	Months	Country	Sales Orders
Sales	June	USA	75
Sales	June	United Kingdom	67
Sales	June	Germany	90
Sales	July	USA	75
Sales	July	United Kingdom	67
Sales	July	Germany	90
Sales	April	USA	67
Sales	April	United Kingdom	90
Sales	April	Germany	75
Sales	May	USA	67
Sales	May	United Kingdom	90
Sales	May	Germany	75

• To visualize the data (above) with Sunburst (one of the hierarchical data visualization charts), copy the table above into your Google Sheets.

• Click the Add-on button>ChartExpo — Best Data Visualization Tool button>Open.

• Click the Create New Chart button to access your fully stocked library of charts.

Getting started with hierarchical data visualization graphs does not have to be complex and stressful.

• Click the Search Box and type “Sunburst Charts.” It should pop up together with other charts.

• Select the sheet holding your data and select the Metrics option. Fill in the numerical numbers (in our scenario, we’ll fill in the sales Order)
• Select the Dimensions button and fill in the dimensional data (in our example, we’ll use category, months, and country)
• Visualizing your data with hierarchy charts does not have to be complex. ChartExpo makes the whole process seamless and easy.
• Finish the simple process by clicking the Create Chart button.

Insights

• The aggregate sales Order value is 928.
• All the months (May, June, July, and April) have equal sales value (232).
• In April, the best and worst-performing territories were the United Kingdom and the United States, respectively.
• In May, the best and worst-performing countries were the United Kingdom and the United States, respectively.
• In June, the best and worst-performing countries were Germany and the United Kingdom, respectively.
• The best and worst-performing countries during July were Germany and the United Kingdom, respectively.

Example #2: Crosstab Chart

The Crosstab Graph is one of the hierarchy charts you can use in your stories because it’s incredibly easy to interpret.

Let’s visualize the tabular data using Crosstab Charts in the ChartExpo add-on. Let’s get started.

Social Media	Browser	Traffic
Pinterest	Chrome	41
Pinterest	Safari	37
Pinterest	Firefox	26
Pinterest	Edge	15
Pinterest	Android WebView	30
Slideshare	Chrome	23
Slideshare	Firefox	14
Slideshare	Edge	7
Slideshare	Android WebView	17
Twitter	Chrome	57
Twitter	Firefox	14
Twitter	Safari	48
Twitter	Android WebView	45
LinkedIn	Chrome	52
LinkedIn	Android WebView	14
LinkedIn	Edge	10
LinkedIn	Firefox	13
LinkedIn	Safari	31
Quora	Safari	20
Quora	Edge	14
Quora	Android WebView	20
Quora	Chrome	46
Quora	Firefox	11
Instagram	Safari	26
Instagram	Android WebView	26
Instagram	Firefox	16
Instagram	Chrome	27
Reddit	Chrome	22
Reddit	Android WebView	16
Reddit	Safari	21
Reddit	Firefox	16
Reddit	Edge	3
Facebook	Firefox	25
Facebook	Safari	35
Facebook	Chrome	69
Facebook	Edge	13
Facebook	Android WebView	38

• To visualize the data (above) with Crosstab (one of the hierarchical data visualization charts), copy the table above into your Google Sheets.

• Click the Search Box and type “Crosstab Charts.”
• Select the sheet holding your data and select the Metrics option. Fill in the numerical numbers (in our scenario, we’ll fill in traffic)
• Select the Dimensions button and fill in the dimensional data (in our example, we’ll use social media and browser)
• Finish the simple process by clicking the Create Chart button.
• If you follow the instructions (above), your Crosstab Chart should look like this (below).

Insights

• Facebook (18%) has the highest share of traffic.
• Conversely, the Slide Share (6%) accounts for the lowest traffic.
• The majority of users access Facebook via Chrome (39%), followed by Android (21%).
• The majority of Slide Share users use Chrome (37%) and Android (17%).
• Chrome is the most-used browser, while Edge is the least-used application.

Example #3: Partition Chart

Let’s use the Partition (one of the hierarchy charts) to visualize the data below.

Analysis	Time	Dishes	Sales
Sales	Lunch	Salad	100
Sales	Lunch	Sandwich	80
Sales	Lunch	Soup	50
Sales	Lunch	Pie	35
Sales	Lunch	Iced Tea	20
Sales	Breakfast	Waffles	80
Sales	Breakfast	Eggs	60
Sales	Breakfast	Pancakes	45
Sales	Breakfast	Tea	30
Sales	Breakfast	Coffee	25

• To visualize the data (above) with Partition Graph (one of the hierarchical data visualization charts), export the data (above) into your Google Sheets.

• Click the Search Box and type “Partition Charts.”
• Select the sheet holding your data and select the Metrics option. Fill in the numerical numbers (in our scenario, we’ll fill in sales)
• Select the Dimensions button and fill in the dimensional data (in our example, we’ll use analysis, time, and dishes)
• Complete the simple process by clicking the Create Chart button.
• Check out the final chart (below).

Insights

• The aggregate sales value is 525.
• Breakfast accounts for 40% of the overall daily food sales.
• Lunch accounts for 54% of the aggregate sales for the day.
• Salad (35%) is the most-ordered meal in the lunch segment.
• Waffles are the most consumed meal during
• Iced tea and pancakes are the least-ordered meals during lunch and breakfast, respectively.

Example #4: Tree Map Chart

In this example, we’ll use the Tree Diagram(one of the hierarchical data visualization designs) to visualize the data set below.

Analysis	Categories	Apparels	Sales
Daily Apparel Sales ($)	Male	T-shirt	100
Daily Apparel Sales ($)	Male	Jeans	80
Daily Apparel Sales ($)	Male	Hoodies	50
Daily Apparel Sales ($)	Male	Flip-flops	35
Daily Apparel Sales ($)	Male	Long coat	20
Daily Apparel Sales ($)	Female	Shorts	80
Daily Apparel Sales ($)	Female	Jeans	60
Daily Apparel Sales ($)	Female	Skirts	45
Daily Apparel Sales ($)	Female	Night wears	30
Daily Apparel Sales ($)	Female	T-shirt	25

Export the data (above) into Google Sheets to get started with the hierarchy chart example (TreeMap).

• Click the Search Box and type “Tree Map Charts.”
• Select the sheet holding your data and select the Metrics option. Fill in the numerical numbers (in our scenario, we’ll fill in sales)
• Select the Dimensions button and fill in the dimensional data (in our example, we’ll use analysis, categories, apparel, and sales order)
• Click the Create Chart button to complete the process.

Insights

• Male apparel accounts for 54% of the overall daily sales, while women’s fashion accounts for only 46%.
• Shorts (33%) are the most bought garments in the female apparel segment.
• On the other hand, T-shirts account for 35% of all sales in the male apparel segment.
• The least-bought garment in the male apparel category is the long coat (7%).
• The least popular garment in the female fashion category is T-shirts, followed closely by nightwear.

Example #5: Stacked Bar Chart

In this example, we’ll use the Stacked Bar Chart. You might have used this chart to show the normal data but the visualization supported by ChartExpo can give you facility to use this chart to show data to some hierarchical level. For example, you have the following data in which different teacher with different subjects teaches different classes. So you have data of enrolled students and you want to visualize it.

Teacher	Class	Subjects	2019	2020	2021
Abe	Grade-7	Mathematics	20	20	50
Abe	Grade-8	Mathematics	15	40	20
Abe	Grade-9	Mathematics	25	20	20
Bif	Grade-7	Computer	40	10	10
Bif	Grade-8	Computer	20	20	15
Bif	Grade-9	Computer	10	30	25
Ann	Grade-7	Arts	20	20	15
Ann	Grade-8	Arts	30	10	10
Ann	Grade-9	Arts	20	20	20

• To visualize the data above using the Stacked Bar Chart (one of the hierarchical data visualization designs), copy the data into your Google Sheets.
• Find a Stacked Bar Chart from the list of available charts click on it and then select the relevant sheet and columns.

• Complete the process by clicking the Create Chart button.

You will find different types of charts and graphs in ChartExpo. The same data can also be used by the Stacked Column Chart provided in this tool. The below image shows the same data but in vertical/column form. It is up to you, which one you want to use according to your need.

Insights

• 50 students were enrolled in 2021 in Grade 7 for mathematics teacher Abe. In 2019 and 2020, there were 20 students to the same teacher for the same class.
• Teacher Ann of Grade 9 got 20 students in each year from 2019 to 2021 in Arts class and there are rest of the stats give you a clear idea about the data.

FAQs:

What is Hierarchical Data Visualization?

Hierarchy data visualization charts are used to display insights in ranking order. The hierarchy can be top-down or bottom-up depending on your preference.

The chart types are incredibly significant in data analysis because they uncover hidden patterns and relationships in your data.

How do you represent hierarchical data?

The go-to data visualization tool for many businesses is Google Sheets because it’s easy to use and familiar to many of us.

However, Google Sheets lacks a significant chunk of hierarchy charts.

Supercharge your Google Sheets with add-ons, such as ChartExpo to access ready-made hierarchical data visualization designs.

Wrap Up

Hierarchically organizing data is one of the easiest ways of extracting reliable insights.

The tested and proven charts for displaying insights in a ranking order include the following:

• Sunburst Chart
• Crosstab Chart
• Partition Chart
• Tree Map Chart
• Stacked Bar Chart

We recommend the hierarchical data visualization graphs (above) because they’re incredibly easy to interpret, even for non-technical audiences.

To interpret the hierarchy charts, you just have to locate the parent and children nodes and note their values.

Yes, it’s that easy.

Google Sheets should not be your go-to hierarchical graph generator if your goal is to access ready-made and easy-to-read hierarchical charts.

Why?

The spreadsheet tool lacks a sizeable chunk of hierarchical data visualization designs (we mentioned earlier). But we’re not recommending you to do away with the freemium spreadsheet application.

We recommend you install third-party add-ons, such as ChartExpo in Google Sheets, to access ready-to-use, insightful, and visually appealing hierarchy charts.

ChartExpo is an add-on you can easily download and install in your Google Sheets. Besides, it’s loaded with all the 5 hierarchical visualization types we’ve just covered, plus 50 more advanced graphs.

It gets better.

You don’t need programming or coding skills to visualize your data using this tool. Furthermore, you can easily export your charts in JPEG and PNG formats.

Sign up for a 7-day free trial today to access a complete list of ready-made, insightful, and visually appealing hierarchical charts.