The post 3 Ways to Fix Dense Graphs appeared first on Depict Data Studio.

In this 8-minute lesson, you’ll learn:

(1) how small multiples layouts can help, and

(2) how to make small multiples charts in Excel.

What’s Inside

• 0:00 My goal: Convince you to use MORE GRAPHS
• 0:32 The fictional example: 3 different variables/units
• 1:44 Before: Everything together in one graph
• 2:30 After: Small multiples
• 3:21 How to make small multiples line graphs in Excel
• 4:30 Use the “Select Data” menu to graph 1 variable/unit at a time
• 5:10 Copy-paste to make the additional graphs
• 6:24 Align and group the separate graphs together
• 6:55 1 lonely line? Try an area chart
• 7:30 What it would look like in Word
• 8:09 Recap of key points

Download the Excel File

It’s here.

The post Small Multiples Line Charts in Excel appeared first on Depict Data Studio.

The topic caught my attention, but I was worried that the internet weirdos would ignore it because the axis doesn’t start at zero.

People will create all sorts of excuses to ignore data and facts.

I also wanted to try a column chart.

And someone else commented on LinkedIn that the number of honorable mentions – which increased this year – could be helpful to see.

In all my “spare” time on a Friday afternoon, I re-made it:

The dot dot dot title for small multiples graphs… swoon. <3

I love using takeaway titles that extend across the page (to help readers see how the graphs are connected).

Behind the Scenes

More info about my thought process, and some Excel and PowerPoint how-to’s.

What’s Inside

• 0:00 Welcome
• 0:20 The original line chart
• 1:38 The edited column chart
• 2:18 What about honorable mentions?
• 3:00 Ann’s drafts
• 4:30 Finished product – the small multiples column chart
• 6:23 Behind the scenes in PowerPoint
• 6:40 Questions? Comments?

Download the Excel File

It’s here: https://depictdatastudio.kit.com/remaking-nsf-graph

The post Line Chart to Small Multiples – Remaking a NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program Graph appeared first on Depict Data Studio.

Before, we started with a single map… with 2 variables. Counts and rates. A bubble map on top of a heat map.

After, we’ll use small multiples: 2 separate maps, 1 for each variable. The headings, color-coding, takeaway sentences, bolding, and annotations will help to explain our patterns, too.

What’s Inside

0:00 Welcome to Dataviz On The Go!

0:16 Before: Map with 2 Variables (Circles AND Shading)

1:07 After: Small Multiples!

1:24 Call-Out Boxes (aka “Annotations”)

1:46 The Before-After Makeover

2:12 Your Questions??

The post How to Fix Dense Maps (with Small Multiples) appeared first on Depict Data Studio.

(These aren’t the exact numbers, age ranges, or years. But you get the idea.)

She already knew how to make population pyramids in Excel. Population pyramids require Level 4 vizardy skills. Woohoo!

But she wanted to take the population pyramid a step further, and she wanted to show how the population might change over time, especially for older adults.

So, she followed this online tutorial to add those curvy lines. (Yep, it’s made with a combo chart in Excel.)

Bare-Minimum Edits

As usual, we tackled the bare-minimum edits first:

• We removed the legend and directly labeled the data, which helps the graph pass “Big A Accessibility” rules (a.k.a. 508/ADA compliance).
• We nudged the bars closer together by reducing the gap width to make more of a smoothed-out histogram.
• We outlined the touching filled-in rectangles in white, a small detail that helps with grayscale printing.
• We used fewer colors. Before, there were 4 different hues: for 2020 males, 2030 males, 2020 females, and 2030 females. That’s a lot to keep track of! Instead, we color-coded by category (one hue for males, and another hue for females).

We also tried color-coding by year, instead of color-coding by sex, like this:

We were getting closer!

But we wanted to make sure that the forecasted numbers for 2030 were extremely obvious to viewers. For most of us, this isn’t a chart type that we see every day.

I was hesitant to keep the combo chart. This was an apples-to-apples comparison, so I wanted to use all bars.

(The bars/lines combo seemed more like an apples-to-oranges comparison, which this isn’t.)

Small Multiples Population Pyramids

Here’s a Dataviz Rule of Thumb:

Anytime your graph feels too dense… try creating more graphs.

Small multiples layouts can save the day!

The Traditional Version

We tried traditional and storytelling versions of a small multiples population pyramid.

Here’s what the traditional version would look like inside her report.

You’ll notice the topical titles, color-coding by category (one hue per year), and how the graphs are all one color.

The Storytelling Version

And here’s what the storytelling version would look like inside her report.

This version draws attention to the 65+ age group, which she wanted.

You’ll notice the takeaway title, the color-coding by category (one hue per year), the dark-light contrast (highlighting the residents who are ages 65+), and the annotations.

The Bottom Line

Even with the bare-minimum edits, I wasn’t a fan of the original combo chart. The bar-line combo was suggesting an apples-to-oranges comparison.

Instead, anytime your chart feels too dense (when there are literally lines and bars combined within one chart), try a small multiples layout instead!

We can format the chart as a traditional or storytelling version. In this case, storytelling was a perfect fit because we especially wanted to highlight the 65+ age group.

The post How to Visualize Population Projections with Small Multiples Population Pyramids appeared first on Depict Data Studio.

Sometimes, it’s easier to understand several small graphs than a single graph.

I was recently working with an organization to visualize which states were using their software programs.

States might use:

• Software A
• Software B
• Or, both software A and B

Before: A Single Multicolor Map

Here’s what their visualization looked like.

They had a single U.S. map with one color for each scenario:

• one color for states using Software A
• another color for states using Software B, and
• another color for states using A and B.

Fairly straightforward, right?

It took us a while to spot patterns, though. Three colors is a lot to understand at once. It’s not impossible, but we had to think about it for a moment.

Multicolor (well, multi-hue) maps take a while to interpret.

Multi-hue maps aren’t colorblind-friendly. Here’s a simulation of what the map would look thanks to https://www.color-blindness.com/coblis-color-blindness-simulator/.  

Multicolor maps aren’t grayscale-friendly, either.

After: Small Multiples Maps with One Color Each

In lieu of a multicolor map, try small multiples!

In the redesign, we created three maps instead of one.

Now, we’re showing a single variable on each map, so the audience can understand it at a glance.

Small multiples binary maps (your dark brand color + light gray) are often faster to read than multi-hue maps. It’s counterintuitive, I know. We’re asking people to read three maps instead of one. But, three fast maps will beat one slow map any day of the week.

Small multiples binary maps are colorblind-friendly. Everyone can spot the dark brand color vs. the light gray.

Finally, small multiples binary maps are grayscale-friendly. Everyone can distinguish the dark gray vs. light gray.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Both styles fit on a single page (a goal in their project).

Both styles have room for explanatory sentences (something I recommend in all one-pagers).

Only the small multiples version is colorblind-friendly and grayscale-friendly.

I’d argue that the small multiples version is faster to read, too.

Download the Files

Want to explore my Excel file and Word doc?

You’ll see:

• How I formatted the Excel table that feeds into the maps
• How I arranged everything inside good ol’ Word

Download them here: https://depictdatastudio.gumroad.com/l/SmallMultiplesMapsInExcel

Your Turn

Have you split your multicolor map into small multiples?! Get in touch when you apply this technique to your own projects.

The post Do You Need a Single Map, or Several Maps? appeared first on Depict Data Studio.