20.1. Visualizing data with graphs and tables: Types of graphs available in Google Sheets

20.1 Data Visualization with Charts and Tables in Google Sheets

Data visualization is a fundamental aspect of analyzing and presenting information. Charts and tables are powerful tools for communicating trends, patterns, and insights that can be hidden in large sets of raw data. Google Sheets offers a variety of charting options to help users transform their data into meaningful visualizations. Let's explore the types of charts available in Google Sheets and how they can be used to enhance data presentation.

Types of Charts Available in Google Sheets

Google Sheets supports a wide variety of chart types, each suitable for different types of data and analysis purposes. Here are some of the most common types of charts you can create:

• Column Charts: Column charts are ideal for comparing values ​​between different categories. They are useful for showing variations over a period of time or between different items in a single category. In Google Sheets, you can choose between grouped, stacked, and 100% stacked columns.
• Bar Charts: Similar to column charts, but with the bars arranged horizontally. They are often used to compare quantities and can be more readable when category labels are long.
• Line Charts: Line charts are great for visualizing trends over time, especially with continuous data sets. They can show multiple data series simultaneously and are useful for highlighting changes and trends.
• Area Charts: Area charts are similar to line charts, but with the area below the line filled with color. They are useful for comparing the magnitude of trends over time between different data series.
• Pie Charts: Pie charts are used to show proportions or percentages of a whole. They are most effective when used to display a breakdown of up to 5 categories.
• Doughnut Charts: A variation of pie charts, with an empty center, that can be used to show proportions of a whole, but with a different aesthetic.
• Radar Charts: Radar charts are useful for comparing quantitative multiples across multiple variables.
• Scatter Charts: Scatter charts are ideal for visualizing the relationship between two numerical variables. They can help identify correlation patterns between variables.
• Bubble Charts: A variation on scatter charts, but with bubbles that can vary in size, adding an extra dimension of data to the visualization.
• Histogram Charts: Histograms are used to show the distribution of a set of data and are useful for understanding how frequently values ​​occur.
• Map Charts: Map charts are useful for displaying geographic data and can be used to show variations in values ​​by region.
• Waterfall Charts: Also known as flow charts, they are useful for visualizing a sequence of positive and negative values ​​and understanding how an initial value is affected by a series of intermediate values.
• Funnel Charts: Funnel charts are used to represent steps in a process and visualize progression through those steps.
• Table Charts: A table is not technically a chart, but it is an effective way to present detailed data and side-by-side comparisons in a clear, organized format.

Choosing the Right Chart Type

When choosing a chart type, it's important to consider what you want to communicate. For example, column and bar charts are great for direct comparisons, while line and area charts are better for showing trends over time. Pie and donut charts are most effective for displaying proportions of a whole. For relationships between variables, scatter plots and bubbles are the best choice.

Creating Charts in Google Sheets

To create a chart in Google Sheets, follow these steps:

1. Select the data you want to include in the chart.
2. Click "Insert" in the menu bar and select "Chart."
3. Google Sheets will suggest a chart type based on your data, but you can change it by clicking "Chart Type" in the chart settings panel that appears.
4. Customize the chart as needed by adjusting the axes, labels, colors and other options available in the configuration panel.
5. When you are satisfied with the chart, click "Finish" to insert it into your spreadsheet.

Customizing Graphics

Once you create a chart, you can customize it to best suit your needs. This includes adjusting the axis scale, changing colors, adding labels and legends, and more. Customization can help make the chart clearer and easier to understand, as well as making it visually appealing.

Conclusion

Data visualization in Google Sheets is a powerful tool for anyone who works with data. With a wide range of chart types available, Google Sheets gives you the flexibility to create data visualizations that can help reveal valuable insights and communicate information effectively. Remember to choose the type of graph that best represents your data and the objective of your analysis.