Top 7 Types of Graphs and Their Uses in Data Storytelling

You’ll agree that the best charts for data stories should be easy to read and interpret, at the bare minimum.

Remember, a wrong chart can easily misrepresent insights or even mislead the target audience. Also, you don’t want to use visualization designs prone to clutter.

When presenting a data story, your key goal is to get buy-in.

So how can you get the buy-in to your story?

You can achieve the aforementioned by using charts to communicate insights insightfully. Some of the tested and proven charts you can use to make your data story irresistible are:

1-Bar chart

2-Line graph

3-Area graph

4-Scatter plot

5-Pie chart

6-Survey chart

7-Gauge chart

The charts highlighted above are incredibly easy to read and interpret graphs and charts. You don’t need an advanced college degree to interpret the charts’ insights.

Google Sheets comes with pretty basic charts (highlighted above). And this means you’ve got to spend extra time and effort editing your charts. We’re not recommending you do away with the data visualization application.

Download and install a particular add-on (which we’ll talk about later) to access ready-to-use and insightful charts (all the 7 variants mentioned above).

In this blog, you’ll learn the following:

• Top 7 Types of Graphs and Their Uses in Data Storytelling
• What is a Graph?
• Top 7 Types of Graphs and Their Uses
• When to use Line Charts?
• How to Represent Data Graphically?
• Benefits of Data Visualization

Top 7 Types of Graphs and Their Uses in Data Storytelling

Before we cover the top 7 charts you should use in your data stories, let’s address the following question: what is a graph?

What is a Graph?

Graphs are diagrams you can use to illustrate relationships in your data visually.

The key purpose of a graph or a chart is to present insights into bulky and complex data. Walk into almost any business meeting, and you’ll see people using visualization designs as the backdrop for their data stories.

It could be a chart showing the team’s progress on a big project.  Or sales performance of a brand relative to the competition.

Graphs and charts make bulky and complex data much easier to read and interpret.

For example, a utility company can use a Column Chart to communicate its consumption levels versus costs to its customers.

A bakery can use a Pie Chart to show the number of bread sold versus other products, such as cheesecakes and apple pies.

Keep reading because we’ll cover the following in the coming section: types of graphs and their uses.

Top 7 Types of Graphs and Their Uses

Identifying the relationship between your data points and telling a data story will likely encourage your audience to buy-in.

Let’s look at the top 7 types of graphs and their uses.

1-Bar chart

2-Line graph

3-Area graph

4-Scatter plot

5-Pie chart

6-Survey chart

7-Gauge chart

• Bar chart

Visualization Source: ChartExpo

A Bar Chart (also known as a Column Chart) is one of the popular charts among professionals and business people due to its simplicity in plotting and interpreting.

With Bar Chart, you can quickly identify the range (difference between maximum and minimum values in data). Also, you can gain insights into the general trends and patterns of key data points. Use the visualization design if you have more than 10 variables to compare.

Keep reading to learn more about the seven types of graphs and their uses.

Bar Chart Best Practices

• Use a single color to highlight the key bars in the chart.
• Bars should be wider than the white space in-between.
• Label your chart with appropriate titles to establish context of the data story.

There are other options of Bar Chart as well as mentioned below:

i-Comparison Bar Chart:

You can compare the data side by side by unique colors and positioning of stats.

Visualization Source: ChartExpo

ii- Double Bar Chart:

This chart is a best option when you have to analyze the stats side by side with unique colors and on different scale range.

Visualization Source: ChartExpo

iii-Pareto Bar Chart:

Pareto Bar Chart is best to use when you have to implement the Pareto Principle (80/20 rule) on data analysis.

Visualization Source: ChartExpo

2-Line Chart

Visualization Source: ChartExpo

A Line Chart is a graphical representation that connects key data points using a line. You can use the chart to establish the general pattern trend and patterns of key metrics in your data.

For example, the Line Chart above shows the revenue generated between 2012 and 2021. Each data point shows revenue for the corresponding financial year.

When to use Line Charts?

• Use a Line Chart to compare the performance of key metrics in your data.
• The chart can show the general trend of the variables

There’s a variant of Line Chart as mentioned below:

i-Multi Series Line Chart.

Visualization Source: ChartExpo

If your goal is to display insights into more than one key data point, you can use this chart. Like a Line Chart, it can show the overall trend and pattern of the key variables in data.

ii- Multi-Axis Line Chart:

There is another variant of a line chart provided by ChartExpo.

You can have multiple axis to show different data lines on the same visualization.

Visualization Source: ChartExpo

Keep reading to learn more about the 7 types of graphs and their uses.

3-Area Graph

There are many variations available for area graph.

Stacked area chart is good option when multiple data and space are available to present it in a better way.

Visualization Source: ChartExpo

Above chart is showing different age groups in different countries. They are uniquely distinguished by different colors.

Now let’s have another variation of the area chart which is Area Line Chart.

Visualization Source: ChartExpo

An Area Line Chart is a visualization design that uses a line graph and color combination to display pattern and trend insights into key data points in a specified period.

The chart shares similarities with the Line Graph.

In both visualization designs, key data points are connected via lines. However, the chart uses color, unlike the Line Graphs.

Use Area Line Chart if your goal is to display patterns and trends of key data points over time. The chart can help you highlight changes in performance over a specified time.

4-Scatter Plot

A Scatter Plot is a visualization design that uses Cartesian coordinates to display insights into varying sets of data.

More so, it uses dots to display relationships between variables.

The Scatter Plot communicates insights using dots or markers between its x and y-axes. Essentially, each of the chart’s dots appears “scattered” hence its name. You can use Scatter Plot to determine the causal effect relationship between key data points.

For instance, you can use the visualization design to track the relationship between profits and employees’ training in your business.

The graph communicates insights using dots or markers between its x and y-axes.

Essentially, each of the chart’s dots appears “scattered,” hence its name. The Scatter Plot can determine the causal effect relationship between key data points.

Keep reading to learn more about the seven types of graphs and their uses.

Scatter Plot Best Practices

When plotting a start the y-axis value at zero to represent data accurately.

• Plot additional data variables by changing dot sizes and colors.
• Highlight with color and annotations.

5-Pie Chart

A Pie Chart is a circular graph you can use to display part-to-whole insights into your data.

It displays key data points as slices. The visualization works well if you have a smaller data set. However, it becomes less effective as you overload it with more data.

The Chart can easily show how each variable contributes to the whole.

Use the chart to illustrate part-to-whole insights into your data

Pie Chart Best Practices

• Limit categories to 3-5 to ensure differentiation with the slices.
• Double-check if the total value of the slices is equal to 100 percent.
• Group similar slices together in one bigger slice to reduce clutter.
• Make your key slice stand out with color. Use shades of that specific color to highlight the rest of the slices.
• Order slices thoughtfully. For example, you can place the largest section at the 12 o’clock position and go clockwise from there. Or place the second largest section at the 12 o’clock position and go counterclockwise.

If you want a fresh perspective on your data, you can try a Donut Graph (a variant of Pie Charts).

A Donut Graph is almost identical to a Pie Chart.

But, the center of the diagram is cut out (hence the name ‘donut’). Use this chart to visualize the proportions of categories that make up the whole in your data.

Like Pie Charts, Donuts can be used to display different data points that total 100%. Also, they’re best used to compare a handful of categories at a glance and how they relate to the whole.

6- Survey Charts

Although you can show your results with any suitable data visualization but survey charts are specifically used to present survey data.

• CSAT Score Survey

This chart is used to present customer satisfaction feedback on any product or service.

Above visualization give you amazing analysis with different colors to present detractors, neutral and promoters and in the end there is overall summary score.

• Likert Scale Chart

Likert Scale Chart is another great visualization to present your survey data to give the idea at first glance on this chart. Different colors and bars representing different rating, add value to this chart. You can have your question-air on each bar and under that question you can have the results from the survey.

7-Gauge Chart

A Gauge Chart shows whether data values fit between acceptable and unacceptable ranges.

You can use the chart type to compare the same variables over a different benchmark in marketing.

In the example above, the chart displays insights into sales performance relative to the target.

Gauge Charts are beneficial where the expected value of the data is already known. You can easily create actionable reports and help your team understand real-time performance against the set objective.

Use the chart if your goal is to share target metrics and display the percentage of the target goal achieved in a specified period.

Gauge Charts Best Practices

• Limit colors to 2 for each gauge to avoid obscuring key insights.

We’ve just covered the seven key types of graphs and their uses. In the coming section, we’ll address the following question: how to represent data graphically.

How to Represent Data Graphically?

There’s a plethora of tools out there you can use to visualize your data using the seven types of graphs and their uses.

Google Sheets is one of them.

It’s why people trust Google Sheets as their chosen tool for visualizing data. For starters, the tool has been there for decades. Furthermore, Google Sheets’ interface is familiar and friendly to most business owners and professionals.

But, visualizing your data using the seven types of graphs in Google Sheets is not a walk in the park. Google Sheets lacks ready-made charts you can use to visualize data.

Besides, customizing existing charts to create a Spider Visualization is time-consuming and complex.

Here’s the kicker.

You don’t have to do away with Google Sheets. You can download and install a third-party add-on called ChartExpo.

What is ChartExpo?

ChartExpo is loaded with over 50 ready-to-use and insightful graphs.

You don’t have to be armed with coding/programming skills to use ChartExpo. In fact, you only need basic knowledge of visualization to operate the Google Sheets add-on without hitches.

Example

This section will use a Stacked Column Chart (one of the seven types of graphs and their uses) to display insights into the table below. Below data is the assumption how different countries have different population( in Millions) according to age bracket.

Country	0 – 14 years	15 – 64 years
UK	5	20
Germany	6	29
Mexico	17	31
Japan	9	44
Russia	13	49
Brazil	26	55
United States	29	91

To Get Started with the Stacked Bar Chart in Google Sheets, install the ChartExpo add-on for Google Sheets from the link and then follow the simple and easy steps below.

• Click the menu Extension >Charts, Graphs & Visualizations by ChartExpo>Open.

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

• Click the Search Box and type Stacked Column Chart. 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 0-14 and 15-64 years)
• Select the Dimensions field and fill in the dimensional data (in our example, we’ll use country)

How to generate the seven types of graphs and their uses does not have to be time-consuming. ChartExpo makes the whole process seamless and easy.

• Finish the simple process by clicking the Create Chart button.
• If you follow the instructions above, your Stacked Column Chart should look like this.

Insights

• The United States has the highest proportion of people aged between 15 and 64 years.
• The UK and Germany have the lowest proportion of people aged between 0 and 14 years.

Benefits of Data Visualization

Data visualization provides a quick and effective way to communicate information in a universal manner using visual information.

Charts can help you illustrate relationships in your data visually.

The key role of the data visualization charts is to present insights into bulky and complex data. Walk into almost any business meeting, and you’ll see people using visualization designs as the backdrop for their data stories.

It could be a chart showing the team’s progress on a big project.  Or sales performance of a brand relative to the competition. For example, a utility company can use a Column Bar Chart to communicate its consumption levels versus costs to its customers.

The practice can also help businesses like yours identify factors that affect customer behavior for improvement. Besides, it makes a data story more memorable to key stakeholders.

Other benefits of data visualization include the following:

• Charts help our brains to absorb information quickly, which is key to data-driven decision-making.
• Visualization charts are effective, especially in comparing key data points. For instance, you can use the chart to compare the performance of strategic metrics, such as profit versus costs.

FAQs:

How do you know which graph to use?

There are multiple factors that influence the selection of the appropriate chart for your data story.

Context is one of the factors you should consider before selecting the best graph for your data narrative. Secondly, the nature of data plays a critical role in deciding the appropriate chart.

Why are charts and graphs useful?

Graphs are diagrams you can use to illustrate relationships in your data visually.

You can use charts and graphs to present bulky and complex data insights. Walk into almost any business meeting, and you’ll see people using visualization designs as a backdrop for their data stories.

Wrap Up

As we said, graphs are diagrams you can use to illustrate relationships in your data visually.

The key purpose of a graph or a chart is to present insights into bulky and complex data. Walk into almost modern-day business meetings, and you’ll see people using visualization designs as the backdrop for their data stories.

Graphs and charts make bulky and complex data much easier to read and interpret.

The best charts for data stories should be easy to read and interpret, at the bare minimum.

A wrong chart can easily misrepresent insights or even mislead the target audience. Also, you don’t want to use visualization designs prone to clutter.

When presenting a data story, your key goal is to get a buy-in.

You can achieve the aforementioned by using charts that communicate insights clearly.

The top 7 types of graphs and their uses are highlighted below:

1-Bar chart

2-Line graph

3-Area graph

4-Scatter plot

5-Pie chart

6-Survey chart

7-Gauge chart

The charts highlighted above are straightforward to read and interpret. You don’t need an advanced college degree to interpret charts’ insights.

Google Sheets comes with pretty basic charts (highlighted above). And this means you’ve got to spend extra time and effort editing your charts. We’re not recommending you do away with the data visualization application.

To access ready-made charts (all the 7 types of graphs), we recommend installing third-party apps, such as ChartExpo, into your Google Sheets.

Essentially, ChartExpo is an add-on you can easily download and install in your Google Sheets app. More so, the tool comes loaded with over 50 ready-to-use visualization designs.

You can export your ready-made charts using the world’s most recognized formats, JPEG and PNG. ChartExpo’s interface is ultra-friendly, which means you don’t need lengthy tutorials to use it.

Besides, we guarantee the add-on will not slow down your browser.

Sign up for a 7-day trial to enjoy unlimited access to ready-to-go and visually appealing charts for your data stories.