Present data in clean 2D

Hi Jan,

I have a question with regards to line charts and bar charts (used for showing time-series). Is there a particular decision criteria when choosing one over the other?

I understand that both are equally adept at showing comparisons over say, year on year changes, but are there nuances that differentiate one from the other?

- daniel, singapore

Hi Daniel,

I don't know the exact science here, my 2 cents:

- I tend to like bar charts better, they look better on a slide, they fill up the space under the graph, a nice repetitive pattern, if you use data labels no need for vertical axes, etc.
- Line charts could be better if there is a very smooth trend to show, or a very clear trend: i.e., going down for 10 years, or up.
- Line charts could be better if you want to show multiple data ranges
- Line charts are good to compare indices of multiple data ranges, each starting at 100 and then developing from there
- Line charts get better if you have lots and lots of data points (i.e., daily stock prices)

Good question. Might merit more thought and a separate blog post.

Best,
Jan

Wow, your example comparison here makes it so clear! Thanks for great education and excellent, clearly stated ideas so so often here on your blog.

Thank you for the kind words Michelle

Thanks alot Jan, much appreciated!

- daniel, singapore