Datylon

We continue our series about 80 types of charts with the dendogram. A dendrogram is a tree-shaped diagram used to show hierarchical clustering, starting with each item as a leaf and merging into a single trunk. The height of branch joins indicates item distances, with clusters near the bottom being more reliable. It is ideal for displaying hierarchical clustering results, like evolutionary links or customer segmentation. Avoid dendrograms if the hierarchy is too shallow or if the dataset is too large, as it can become cluttered. For comparing cluster sizes or values, consider using a bar chart or heatmap instead. Read the full article: https://hubs.ly/Q03Kv_Gs0

We continue our series about 80 types of charts with the convex treemap. A convex treemap visualizes hierarchical data like a regular treemap but uses convex polygons instead of rectangles. These shapes, which have no inward dents, can be packed into any outline, allowing the chart to fit within circles, triangles, or custom silhouettes. Each polygon's area represents the value of a category, and they can be subdivided to show sub-categories. This method maintains hierarchy while offering a more organic and space-efficient layout than rectangular grids. Use a convex treemap when fitting a non-rectangular shape or avoiding skinny tiles in deep hierarchies. It's ideal for infographics, dashboards, and visuals needing an organic look. Avoid using it when exact area comparison is crucial, as irregular polygons are harder to judge and clutter can occur with many small categories. Additionally, it requires more computation than standard treemaps or bar charts. Read the full article: https://hubs.ly/Q03Kv_Bn0

We continue our series about 80 types of charts with the circular treemap. A circular treemap uses circles to represent a hierarchy, with top-level categories as large circles subdivided into smaller ones for sub-categories. The size of each circle correlates with its value, making larger values appear as larger circles. This type of treemap is ideal for displaying hierarchies in an organic and visually appealing way, especially when exact proportions are less important. However, it is less precise than rectangular treemaps, as people find it harder to judge circle areas, making it unsuitable when precise comparisons are needed. If space is limited or exactness is crucial, a rectangular treemap or bar chart is preferable. Read the full article: https://hubs.ly/Q03KvX_90

We continue our series on 80 types of charts with the treemap. A treemap is a rectangular diagram that illustrates how a total divides into parts, with each top-level category having its own rectangle, further split into smaller rectangles for sub-categories. The area of each rectangle is proportionate to its value, allowing for quick identification of larger and smaller parts. Treemaps are ideal for hierarchical categories needing compact display, effectively using space to show large datasets and reveal relationships within groups. They're popular for tasks like file-system usage, market share, and budget breakdowns. Avoid using treemaps if they contain too many small rectangles, as they become unreadable. They also struggle with precise comparisons, where bar charts or small multiples are more effective. Read the full article: https://hubs.ly/Q03KvLmr0

We continue our series on 80 types of charts with the Marimekko chart. This chart features stacked bars of varying widths, where each bar's width represents one measure, and the colored segments within show another measure. They fit together seamlessly, illustrating both the size of each bar relative to the total and the breakdown within. It's ideal for comparing part‑to‑whole relationships across two dimensions, it's popular in marketing and sales analysis. For instance, it can display revenue distribution by region and by product mix within each region. Avoid using Marimekko charts for datasets with many columns or small segments, as they can be hard to label and compare. For precise comparisons, consider using simpler bar charts. Read the full article: https://hubs.ly/Q03KvQhL0

We continue our series on 80 types of charts. Today we'll talk about the a semicircle donut chart. Semicircle donut chart is a donut chart sliced in half, forming a half-moon shape. It still represents a whole of 100% but uses only half of the circle, leaving space for labels or pointers. It's useful for showing progress towards a target with its flat edge. However, avoid using it for precise comparisons or multiple categories, as narrow wedges are hard to read. In such cases, a stacked or grouped bar chart is clearer. Read the full article: https://hubs.ly/Q03Kvzkj0

We continue our series on 80 types of charts. Today we'll talk about the a donut chart. A donut chart is a variation of a pie chart with a central hole, allowing space for extra information like titles or icons. It highlights part-to-whole relationships and is preferred when one or two slices dominate, offering a quick visual impression through arc length comparison. Avoid using donut charts for precise comparisons or when dealing with numerous categories, as thin wedges are difficult to assess and label; instead, consider a stacked or grouped bar chart for clearer detail. Read the full article: https://hubs.ly/Q03KvzGn0

Today we'll talk about one of the most controversial charts, a pie chart. A pie chart is a circular graphic that shows how a total breaks into parts, with the whole circle representing 100%. Use a pie chart for a few categories to highlight size differences visually, especially when one slice is much larger or smaller. Avoid pie charts for precise comparisons, as angles and curved areas can be hard to interpret. Also, they're not ideal for many categories due to crowding and overlapping labels. For detailed comparisons, consider bar or stacked bar charts. Read the full article: https://hubs.ly/Q03KvtCK0

Our next chart to explore is a waffle chart A waffle chart is a grid of 100 squares where each square equals one percent of the total. It visually represents data by coloring groups of cells to show completion, progress, or category contribution. Use waffle charts for clear part-to-whole visuals that are easily understood by non-technical audiences, especially for progress indicators and survey results. Avoid them if your data isn't close to whole percentages, as rounding can distort values. They also become cluttered with more than three or four categories, making bar or stacked bar charts better for precise comparisons. Read the full article: https://hubs.ly/Q03KvtgR0

We continue our series on 80 chart types with the icon array Icon arrays are grids of icons representing units in a dataset, ideal for conveying part-to-whole relationships. Each icon equals one unit, aiding in visualizing survey results or demographic splits. A ten-by-ten grid is common, but sizes vary. Icon arrays are best for straightforward data, offering a quick visual interpretation without numbers. However, they become less effective with large, uneven counts or numerous categories, as they can appear cluttered and misleading. For more than five categories, a “rest” category is advisable. Avoid using them for very detailed or complex data sets. Read the full article: https://hubs.ly/Q03KkmxB0