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Home > Blog > Data Visualizations >

Types of Charts and Graphs in Data Visualization

Selecting the correct chart for your data is not an easy undertaking.

Or is it?

Well, selecting the suitable types of charts and graphs for your data story is daunting and can consume a lot of time. Over 70% of data visualization experts have reported experiencing this problem.

Types of Charts and Graphs
Types of charts and graphsTypes of charts and graphs

It turns out there’s a smart data visualization tool that solves this problem quickly and easily.

Yes, you read that right. This tool (which will be mentioned in a moment) helps over 15,000+ Google Sheets professionals create compelling data stories. Yes, irresistible data stories that get instant buy-in from the target audience.

We’ve rounded up a guide you should steal to use, especially when selecting the suitable types of graphs for your data story. Keep reading if you intend to take your data storytelling skills to the next level by using an awesome library.

In this blog you will learn:

  1. What are the Types of Graphs and Charts?
  2. Key Differences Between Types of Charts and Graphs
  3. Best Types of Graphs and Charts
      • Bar Chart
      • Pie Chart
      • Line Chart
      • Area Chart
      • Scatter Plot
      • Radar Chart
      • Pareto
  4. How to Create Types of Charts and Graphs in Google Sheets?
  5. Wrap Up

What is a Chart?

business charts and graphs

Visualization Source: ChartExpo

A chart is a visual illustration you can use to separate noise from signals in your data.

In most business meetings, you’ll see charts and graphs incorporated into data stories.

It could be a chart showing the team’s progress on a big project. Or a graph showing the sales revenue versus competition or industry average.

Business charts make the information much easier to digest and understand. Some of the tested and proven chart categories include:

  • Sankey Diagram
  • Sentiment Analysis Charts
  • Comparative Analysis Charts
  • Specialized Survey Charts
  • General Analysis Chart
  • Pay-per-click (PPC) Charts

Data visualization graphs are powerful because they simplify business data by making it understandable & readable at the same time.

Besides, they make data stories compelling and irresistible to target audiences.

What are the Types of Graphs and Charts?

The bustling world of data visualization beckons, guiding us through myriads of graph types and chart varieties, each with its own story to tell. The classic bar graph stands tall, presenting categorical data in visual columns, while the line graph weaves a tale of trends over time with its sinuous peaks and troughs. Pie charts unfold the narrative of proportional relationships with their slice-of-life segments.

Across this spectrum, the intricate scatter plot charts a course of correlation among disparate yet interconnected data points. Venturing further into this rich landscape reveals specialized chart forms—like the histogram which elucidates frequency distributions, or the area chart that shades between lines to emphasize volume and change.

In the realm of data visualization, each graph type and chart variety is an alchemist’s tool, transmuting raw numbers into persuasive images and powerful insights. With such tools at our disposal, including the best Excel charts and graphs, we’re not just seeing data; we’re watching it come to life

Key Differences Between Types of Charts and Graphs

Both Graphs and Charts are popular among seasoned data visualization experts.

Let’s check out the differences.

  • Graphs are a subset of the charts.
  • Graphs display interrelations or connections of metrics and dimensions using distinctive lines, dots, bars, etc. In contrast, charts are a type of graphical representation of the data.

In other words, data is represented by symbols, such as the lines in a Line Chart or bars in the Bar Chart.

    • Graphs represent the statistical connections or interrelationships between the different sets of data. Conversely, charts are diagrams you can use to depict raw data.
    • All types of graphs are charts. But, not all charts are graphs.
    • Charts are a part of the wider methodology for depicting or representing the data or the information. On the other hand, graphs provide one of those methods (charts use) you can use to present the data in a visual format.

As a data storyteller, do you know the number of charts at your disposal?

Well, the list is quite long. But, we’ll highlight the charts that matter the most to you. Yes, we’ll highlight the types of graphs you can use to make your data story irresistible and compelling to the target audience.

Best Types of Graphs and Charts

As we said earlier, there are many charts you can use to make your data story persuasive to the target audience.

You don’t want to miss this section. Keep reading.

1. Bar Chart

A Bar Chart is a graph represented by spaced rectangular bars that describe the key metrics and dimensions in your data.

You can use this chart to visualize both discrete and categorical data. The horizontal axis of the chart represents categorical data. Conversely, the vertical axis of the chart defines discrete data.

Note: Although the rectangular bars in a Bar Chart are mostly placed vertically, they can also be horizontal. For horizontally placed rectangular bars, the categorical data is defined on the vertical axis. On the other hand, the horizontal axis defines the discrete data.

Take a look at the diagram below.

Types of charts and graphs

Visualization Source: ChartExpo

Types of charts and graphsTypes of charts and graphs

Bar Chart comes in different varieties to ensure you’re never short of options to visualize your data. Let’s take a look at these varieties.

  • Grouped Bar Chart

Types of charts and graphs

Visualization Source: ChartExpo

Types of charts and graphsTypes of charts and graphs

Use Grouped Bar Chart if you have data with subgroups. Always remember to differentiate subgroups using high contrasting colors to make things easier for your audience.

  • Stacked Bar Chart

Types of charts and graphs

Visualization Source: ChartExpo

Types of charts and graphsTypes of charts and graphs

Use Stacked Bar Graphs if your goal is to show subgroup insights in a dataset.

Advantages of a Bar Chart

  • Bar Charts are amazingly efficient, especially in summarizing humongous amounts of data into key insights.
  • Besides, these visualizations are familiar to a majority of people. And this means it’s one of the right types of charts and graphs for your data narrative.

2. Pie Chart

A Pie Chart is one of the multiple types of graphs you can use to illustrate proportion insights in a dataset. Besides, this graph is usually divided into various sectors, each representing a proportion of a whole.

Like a pizza slice, each sector in a Pie Chart represents the proportion of the key metric understudy in the data.

Types of charts and graphs

Visualization Source: ChartExpo

Types of charts and graphsTypes of charts and graphs

Uses of Pie a Chart

  • Use this visualization to summarize your data into insightful diagrams.
  • A Pie Diagram is one of the many types of charts and graphs that are incredibly easy to read and interpret.

3. Line Chart

A Line Chart is a type of graph that displays groups of data points joined together by a straight line.

Each of the data points describes the relationship between the horizontal and the vertical axes in the graph. A Line Chart can ascend, descend, or do both depending on the nature of your data.

Types of charts and graphs

Visualization Source: ChartExpo

Types of charts and graphsTypes of charts and graphs

There are two types of Line Graphs, namely, Simple and Multiple Line Graphs. Let’s check them out.

  • Simple Line Graph

A Simple Line Graph has only a curve connecting data points. The x-axis defines the independent variables (metrics), while the y-axis contains dependent variables (dimensions).

  • Multiple Line Graph

Multiple Line Graphs contain two or more lines connecting different data points across a specified period.

Types of charts and graphs

Visualization Source: ChartExpo

Types of charts and graphsTypes of charts and graphs

Uses of a Line Graph

  • This chart can help you uncover hidden insights in your data over time.
  • A Line Diagram is one of the many types of charts and graphs that are incredibly easy to read and interpret. Use it to make your data story irresistible if your goal is to show insights or compare metrics.

4. Area Chart

Area Charts are one of the many types of graphs you can use to visualize data insights.

This chart communicates insights and patterns using the colored areas between the line segment and the x-axis. In other words, an Area Chart is an extension of the Line chart.

Types of charts and graphs

Visualization Source: ChartExpo

Types of charts and graphsTypes of charts and graphs

There’re two variants of an Area Chart, namely a Simple and Stacked Area Chart. Let’s check them out.

  • Stacked Area Chart

Types of charts and graphs

Visualization Source: ChartExpo

Types of charts and graphsTypes of charts and graphs

A Stacked Area chart has colored segments stacked on top of each other in a way they don’t intersect.

Uses of Area Chart

  • This chart can help you uncover hidden insights in your data over some time.
  • An Area Diagram is one of the many types of charts and graphs that are incredibly easy to read and interpret. Use it to make your data story irresistible if your goal is to show insights or compare key data points.

5. Scatter Plot

Scatter Plots are one of the many types of graphs you can use to visualize random data points using dot-like markers.

Notice how data points are scattered across the chart area in the screenshot below.

Types of charts and graphs

Visualization Source: ChartExpo

Types of charts and graphsTypes of charts and graphs

There’re 3 types of Scatter Plots you can use to visualize your data. These variants are grouped based on the correlation of the data points.

Let’s check them out.

  • Positive Correlation

Data points are positively correlated if an increase in one metric results in an increase in the other.

  • Negative Correlation

Data points are negatively correlated if an increase in one metric results in a decrease in the other.

  • No Correlation

No correlation arises if there’s no clear relationship between data variables.

Uses of a Scatter Plot

  • This chart can help you uncover hidden relationships between metrics over time in your data.
  • A Scatter Plot is one of the many types of charts and graphs that are incredibly easy to interpret. Use it to make your data story irresistible if your goal is to uncover a correlation between key metrics in your data.

6. Radar Chart

A Radar Chart is one of the many types of graphs you can use to visualize complex data. Furthermore, it’s a two-dimensional chart you can use to visualize 2 or more metrics in your data for insights.

Types of charts and graphs

Visualization Source: ChartExpo

Types of charts and graphsTypes of charts and graphs

7. Pareto

A Pareto Chart combines a Bar Graph with a Line Chart to illustrate both categories and cumulative total. Use this chart to uncover the 20% metrics contributing 80% success in your marketing campaigns.

The Pareto Chart is one of the many insightful types of charts and graphs you can deploy to make your story irresistible.

Types of charts and graphs

Visualization Source: ChartExpo

Types of charts and graphsTypes of charts and graphs

How to Create Types of Charts and Graphs in Google Sheets?

There are 2 methods you can use to install the ChartExpo add-on into your Google Sheets.

Method #:1

  • Start by installing ChartExpo (a cloud-hosted add-on) in your Google Sheets.
  • Visit the Google Workspace Marketplace and enter “ChartExpo” into the search bar.
Types of charts and graphs

Visualization Source: ChartExpo

Types of charts and graphsTypes of charts and graphs
  • Click the blue Install bar to continue.
Types of charts and graphs
  • After installing, login to your Google account and give the add-on permissions.

Method #:2

  • Alternatively, download ChartExpo directly from the Google Sheets App.
  • To get started, click the Add-ons tab in the top toolbar, as shown.
Types of charts and graphs
  • Click Get add-ons option in the drop-down menu, as shown.
Types of charts and graphs
  • Search for ChartExpo in the search toolbar. Click the ChartExpo option to install.
Types of charts and graphs
  • Click the blue Install button, as shown above.
  • After installing, login to your Google account and accept the add-on access permissions.
  • To get started with your ChartExpo, open your worksheet and click the Add-ons
  • You’ll see the ‘ChartExpo — Best Data Visualization Tool’ option in the drop-down menu.
Types of charts and graphs
  • Click the Create New Chart button to access 6 different chart categories.
  • Then, click the Specialized Survey Chart category to access multiple types of charts and graphs.
  • You can also access the expansive list of all charts and graphs (50-plus) by clicking the List option, as shown.
Types of charts and graphs

Let’s take a look at an example.

Keep reading to see ChartExpo in action. You don’t want to miss this.

Imagine you want to know the number of medals each country received in the just-concluded Olympics (Japan 2020 Olympics). Assume you have data for analysis.

Let’s use the table below for our scenario.

Countries Medals Period Measures
United States Silver Current 41
United States Gold Current 39
United States Bronze Current 33
China Silver Current 32
China Gold Current 38
China Bronze Current 18
Japan Silver Current 14
Japan Gold Current 27
Japan Bronze Current 17
England Silver Current 21
England Gold Current 22
England Bronze Current 22
Australia Silver Current 7
Australia Gold Current 17
Australia Bronze Current 22
France Silver Current 12
France Gold Current 10
France Bronze Current 11
  • Start by pasting the table in Google Sheets.
Types of charts and graphs
  • Click Add-ons > ChartExpo > Open.
Types of charts and graphs
  • Click the PPC Charts category to access the Matrix Chart.
Types of charts and graphs

(We’ll use a Matrix Chart because we’re dealing with multiple variables, namely, country, period, medals, and measure).

  • Select Sheet Name. Click Add new metric tab and select the column with numerical value: Measures.
  • Click Add New Dimension and select the column with Countries, Medals, & Period.
  • Click the Create Chart button.

Take a look at the insightful chart below. Do you find it easy to read?

Types of charts and graphs

Visualization Source: ChartExpo

Types of charts and graphsTypes of charts and graphs

Insights

  • The United States has the highest number of medals in all categories (bronze, silver, and gold).
  • France has the fewest medals in the top six table.

FAQs:

What are the 4 types of charts and graphs?

The 4 most popular types of charts and graphs used to visualize data are the Line, Bar, Pie and Cartesian Graphs. This is because these charts are ‘feel and look’ familiar.

Simplicity in communicating insights is one of the significant issues you should always factor in when selecting a chart.

What is the purpose of charts?

Charts can help boost the productivity and efficiency of staff in your business. In other words, you can leverage data to predict risks, such as declining productivity.

Charts and graphs can help you track productivity metrics in real-time. You can easily point out gaps and improvement areas with a solid visualization strategy.

What’s the meaning of a chart?

A chart is a graphical representation of raw data. Essentially, data is represented by symbols, such as bars in a Bar Chart or lines in a Line Chart.

In other words, a chart is a diagram that organizes and represents numerical or qualitative data.

What is the difference between charts and graphs?

There’re many types of charts and graphs you can use for your data stories. However, this does not mean these two words, namely “charts and graphs” are similar.

Charts are used primarily to compare groups of data or discrete categories. Graphs display interrelations or connections of metrics and dimensions using distinctive lines, dots, bars, etc.

Wrap Up

Like we said earlier, the number of types of charts and graphs you can use for your data story is incredibly massive.

You need a tool that provides a broader library of charts to test and select the best one. However, most tools come with a basic library that can barely satisfy your data visualization needs.

Avoid selling your data story short. Use tools that can provide you with a library with multiple types of graphs.

Let’s talk about Google Sheets because it’s one of the popular spreadsheet apps. Visualizing your data in Google Sheets does not have to be time-consuming or constrained by the limited number of charts available.

There’s an add-on that supercharges Google Sheets to produce charts that are easy to read and understand. And this tool is called ChartExpo.

So why do over 15,000-plus professionals love ChartExpo?

  • ChartExpo creates easy to read diagrams for your data story
  • This tool comes loaded with over 50 chart templates, all for just $10 a month.
  • ChartExpo has a complete set of tools (highlighted below) to ensure you have everything under a single view.
  • A graph maker
  • Chart templates
  • Data widget library

Sign up for ChartExpo today to create graphs that are easy to read and interpret.

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