Visualizations in spreadsheets and Tableau

The seven major chart kinds are summarized in this article: column, line, pie, horizontal bar, area, scatter, and combination. Then it compares spreadsheet visuals to Tableau visualizations.

Primary chart types in spreadsheets

Charts are graphical representations of data from one or more sheets in spreadsheets. Although there are numerous options, we'll focus on the most widely applied charts to give you an idea of what may be done in a spreadsheet. Remember that the following examples are aimed to provide you an overview of visualizations rather than a full explanation as you go through them. Another reading in this program will go through the precise processes and procedures for creating a chart. You may always pick Help from the menu bar for extra information when you're in an application.

• To make a graph Select the data cells in Google Sheets, then click Insert from the main menu, then Chart. In the right-hand dialog box, you may set up and modify the chart.
• To make a chart in Microsoft Excel, select the data cells, go to the Insert menu, and then choose a chart type. Tip: You may choose to examine Excel's suggestions for the data you chose by clicking Recommended Charts and then selecting the chart you want from the list.

The following are the most common chart types:

• Column (vertical bar): a column chart allows you to display and compare multiple categories of data by their values. 

• Line: a line chart showcases trends in your data over a period of time. The last line chart example is a combo chart which can include a line chart. Refer to the description for the combo chart type.

• Pie: a pie chart is an easy way to visualize what proportion of the whole each data point represents. 

• Horizontal bar: a bar chart functions similarly to a column chart, but is flipped horizontally. 

• Area: area charts allow you to track changes in value across multiple categories of data. 

• Scatter: scatter plots are typically used to display trends in numeric data.

• Combo: combo charts use multiple visual markers like columns and lines to showcase different aspects of the data in one visualization. The example below is a combo chart that has a column and line chart together.

In Tableau, how do visuals differ?

Tableau, as you may know, is an analytics tool that allows data analysts to visualize and comprehend data. Tableau has most, if not all, of the charts that you can make in a spreadsheet. Tableau, on the other hand, has several unique charts that aren't available in spreadsheets. These instructions can assist you in choosing chart types in Tableau:

• Which chart or graph is right for you? This presentation goes through 13 of Tableau's most popular charts.
• The Ultimate Cheat Sheet on Tableau Charts. This blog discusses 24 Tableau graphic variants as well as how to apply them.

The following are visualizations that are more specialized in Tableau with links to examples or the steps to create them:

• Highlight tables Using conditional formatting, they appear to table. Review the steps to build a highlight table. 
• Heat maps display the data's strength or concentrations. Review the steps to build a heat map.
• Density maps displaying concentrations (like a population density map). Refer to instructions to create a heat map for density.  
• Gantt charts On a timeline, illustrate the length of events or activities. Review the steps to build a Gantt chart.
• Symbol maps show a mark over a specific latitude and longitude. Learn more from this example of a symbol map.
• Filled maps are maps that color regions according to a measurement or dimension. Explore an example of a filled map.
• Circle views demonstrate the data's comparative strength. Learn more from this example of a circle view.
• Box plots also known as box-and whiskers charts show values are distributed along a chart axis. Refer to the steps to build a box plot.
• Bullet graphs They can be used instead of dial gauge charts to compare one principal measure to another.. Review the steps to build a bullet graph.
• Packed bubble charts data are shown in a clustered circle. Review the steps to build a packed bubble chart.