Types of Polar Graphs: Definition, Elements and Examples

Polar Graphs are arguably among the best visualization designs you can use to display comparison insights into your data.

Why?

The charts are amazingly easy to interpret. Essentially, they use a strategic combination of colors and coordinates to compare key data points.

In this blog, you’ll learn:

• What are Polar Graph?
• Why to Use Polar Graphs
• Types of Polar Graphs
• Making Polar Graphs
• Polar Graph Examples
• Characteristics of Polar Charts
• Elements of Polar Graphs

Before we delve right into the core of the blog (types of Polar Graphs), let’s define the chart.

What are Polar Graphs?

A Polar Graph can help you to display insights into different data points on a radial axis.

The visualization design is often used to compare multivariate data sets. You can plot the chart in a Cartesian plane where the x-axis is wrapped around the perimeter.

Visualization Source: ChartExpo

Google Sheets is one of the data visualization tools used widely across the world. The main reason why the tool is incredibly popular among professionals and business owners is that it’s free of charge. You just need to sign up for Google’s mail service (Gmail) to access the spreadsheet application.

Google Sheets does have a Radar chart but have no Polar Graphs. Yes, you read that right.

It turns out you can visualize your data using the 2 types of Polar Graphs in your Google Sheets.

How?

All you need is to download and install third-party applications (add-ons) to access ready-made and visually appealing Polar Graphs.

Why to Use Polar Graphs

Use Polar Graphs (also known as Web or Spider Charts) in your data stories because they can display multiple variables without creating clutter or obscuring key insights.

You can also use the charts to track the performance of key metrics in your business (or workplace).

Types of Polar Graphs

There’re 2 types of Polar Graphs, namely:

1. Single-Axis Polar Graph
2. Two-Axis Polar Graph

1. Single-Axis Polar Chart

Use the Single-Axis Polar Chart (one of the major types of Polar Graphs) to gain Comparison Bar Chart insights into your data.

As the name suggests, the chart comes with a single axis.

Let’s explore the uses of the chart.

• Use a Single-Axis Polar Graph if your goal is to look at the reach or distribution of multiple variables.
• The Single-Axis Polar Chart comes in handy, especially if your data has a significant amount of variations.
• Also, you can use the chart to forecast performance by comparing historical and current data sets.

2. Dual Axis Polar Chart

Dual-Axis Polar Chart is one of the types of Polar Graphs you can use to display the performance of two varying metrics simultaneously.

Practical Applications

• You can use the Dual-Axis Polar Graph to compare two metrics in a given period.
• Also, you can use the chart to forecast performance by comparing the past and present data for insights or you can use for different scales data as well.

In the coming section, we’ll unveil the expert-recommended tool to use to access the two types of Polar Graphs.

You don’t want to skip this section.

Making Polar Graphs

We understand that Google Sheets is among the go-to data visualization tools for professionals and business owners.

However, it lacks Polar Graphs in its library. In other words, you cannot enjoy the benefits of Polar Graph by relying on the spreadsheet application.

Yes, you read that right.

You don’t want your audiences to struggle to decode the meaning of the raw data. That’s not their job. Their job is to decide the viability (and profitability) of the ideas or findings you’re trying to sell to them.

You have an option to supercharge your Google Sheets with third-party add-ons to access the two types of Polar Graphs.

The add-on we recommend you download and install in your Google Sheets is called ChartExpo.

So what is ChartExpo?

ChartExpo is a super user-friendly add-on you can install in your Google Sheets to access ready-to-use and visually appealing Polar Charts.

Also, the Polar Graph maker has over 50 other ready-made and advanced charts to help you succeed in data storytelling.

How to Install ChartExpo in Google Sheets?

There are 2 methods to installing the ChartExpo add-on in your Google Sheets.

Method #1

The first method is to visit the Google Workspace Marketplace and type “ChartExpo” in the Search bar.

• Select ChartExpo and click the blue Install button, as shown below

• Log into your Google account to provide ChartExpo with permissions to operate in your spreadsheet app.
• Once the above is done, the ChartExpo add-on will install and be ready for use the next time you open Google Sheets.
• ChartExpo provides you with 2 options. You have an option of running an individual account or domain admin count. As for the domain admin account, you can provide permission to multiple users in your domain.

Method #2

Alternatively, you can download ChartExpo directly in the Google Sheets App.

• To get started, click the Extension menu in the Google Sheets toolbar.

• Press the Get add-ons in the drop-down menu.

• Search for ChartExpo in the Search Bar, you can click ChartExpo after it appears in the results to access advanced Google spreadsheet charts.

• Press the blue Install button.
• Accept permissions requests to confirm your Google account to ensure a smooth installation of the visualization add-on.
• To access ChartExpo, click the Add-ons menu to access the ‘ChartExpo — Best Data Visualization Tool’option in the drop-down menu to access advanced Google spreadsheet charts.
• Click the Create New Chart button to access ChartExpo’s expansive library (which is loaded with 2 types of Polar Graph).

• Once clicked you will be able to see list of available charts.

• Type “Polar Charts” in the Search bar, as shown below.

You should not get confused with the chart names are appearing as Radar Chart. These charts will be used as a Polar chart by setting up a property in the chart settings which you will see later in this blog.

Polar Graph Examples

In this section, we’ll visualize the data using the two types of Polar Graphs.

Example #1: Single-Axis Polar Chart

Let’s visualize the tabular data using a Single-Axis Polar Graph.

So let’s get started.

Period	Products	Sales
Previous	Shrubs	612
Previous	Seeds	553
Previous	Bulbs	628
Previous	Trees	594
Previous	Flowers	604
Current	Shrubs	949
Current	Seeds	956
Current	Bulbs	559
Current	Trees	922
Current	Flowers	903

• Copy the above data in Google Sheets to get started with the Single-Axis Polar Chart (one of the types of Polar Graphs).
• You can select the Radar Chart from the list.

• Select the sheet holding your data.
• Fill in your metric and dimensions.
• In our example, the key metric to fill in is Conversely, fill in the following variables in the dimension section:

Products and Period.

• Click the Create Chart button to complete the process.

• The Chart above is not a Single-Axis Polar Chart. In fact, it’s a Radar Chart. To change the chart type, click the Chart Settings button, as shown below.

• Once the Chart Settings window pops up, click the Chart Type
• Select the Polar Option, as shown in the drop-down menu.

• After selecting Polar Charts, click the Apply All button.
• Check out the final Single-Axis Polar Chart below.

Insights

• There’s a minimal change in seed’s performance in current and previous periods.
• Scrubs, bulbs, trees, and flowers have all registered sizable growth when you compare past and present periods.

Example #2: Dual-Axis Polar Chart

Let’s visualize the data (below) using the Dual-Axis Polar.

Months	Sales	Profit
Jan	858	404
Feb	940	330
Mar	864	302
Apr	795	473
May	477	277
Jun	841	470
Jul	980	291
Aug	950	412
Sep	994	435
Oct	714	458
Nov	642	472
Dec	933	486

• Copy the data (above) to get started with Dual-Axis Polar Chart (one of the types of Polar Graphs).
• Type “Dual-Axis Radar Charts” on the Search toolbar.

• Select the sheet holding your data.
• Fill in your metrics and dimensions. In our example, the key metrics to fill in are sales and profits. On the other hand, fill in the following variable in the dimension section:

• Complete the easy-to-follow process by clicking the Create Chart button.

• To change the chart type, click the Chart Settings button, as shown below.

• Select the Polar Option, as shown in the drop-down menu.

• After selecting Polar Option, click the Apply All button.
• Check out the final Dual-Axis Polar Chart (one of the types of Polar Graphs).

Insights

• Between January and April, sales outperformed but profit remain less as compared to other months.
• Between April and June, profits and sales metrics were almost neck-to-neck in terms of performance as compared to other months.
• The months between October and December were the most profitable during the financial year.

Characteristics of Polar Charts

• The x and y-axes are equally distributed and uniformly drawn from each other.
• In some scenarios, the axes are also connected to form different grids.
• You can use polar graphs to compare key metrics because they’re incredibly easy to interpret.
• Polar Graphs are a better alternative to Column Charts because they can depict multiple variables without creating clutter.

Elements of Polar Graphs

The Polar Graph is made up of basic elements to minimize the chances of clutter.

Let’s check them out.

• Center point: This is the core of a Polar Graph where the coordinates originate from.
• Axis: Each axis represents a variable and has a different legend for each data point represented.
• Grids: When axes in a Polar Chart are linked, they divide it into grids.

FAQs:

What are polar charts used for?

A Polar Chart (also known as a Web or Spider Graph) can help you to display different data points on a radial axis.

The visualization design is often used to compare multivariate data sets. Besides, it’s plotted in a Cartesian plane where the x-axis is wrapped around the perimeter.

How can you make a Polar Chart?

Google Sheets’ library lacks the two types of Polar Graphs (Single and Dual-Axes Polar Charts).

But you can supercharge your Google Sheets with third-party add-ons, such as ChartExpo, to access ready-made, easy-to-interpret, and visually appealing Polar Charts for your data stories.

Wrap Up

Visualizing data to extract comparison insights into key variables in your data should never be nerve-wracking or even a time-consuming affair.

One of the best charts for displaying comparison insights is the Polar Chart. There’re 2 types of Polar Graphs, namely:

• Single Axis Polar Chart
• Dual Axis Polar Chart

Google Sheets should not be your go-to Polar Graph maker because it lacks the charts (above).

We recommend you install third-party apps, such as ChartExpo, in your Google Sheets to access ready-made, visually appealing, and insightful Polar Graphs.

ChartExpo is an add-on you can easily download and install in your Google Sheets. On top of the two Polar Chart types, it has over 50 other advanced graphs to ensure you succeed in data storytelling.

Unlike other tools, you don’t need programming or coding skills to visualize your data using ChartExpo.

Sign up for a 7-day free trial today to access visually appealing and ready-to-use Polar Charts.