Each axis will typically also have a label displayed outside or beside it, briefly describing the dimension represented. Each axis will have a scale, denoted by periodic graduations and usually accompanied by numerical or categorical indications. If a horizontal and a vertical axis are used, they are usually referred to as the x-axis and y-axis. A graph's title usually appears above the main graphic and provides a succinct description of what the data in the graph refers to.ĭimensions in the data are often displayed on axes. One of the most important uses of text in a graph is the title.
Thus, the text is generally used only to annotate the data. Typically the data in a chart is represented graphically since humans can infer meaning from pictures more quickly than from text.
However, there are common features that provide the chart with its ability to extract meaning from data. On the other hand, data that represents numbers that change over a period of time (such as "annual revenue from 1990 to 2000") might be best shown as a line chart.Ī chart can take a large variety of forms. For example, data that presents percentages in different groups (such as "satisfied, not satisfied, unsure") are often displayed in a pie chart, but maybe more easily understood when presented in a horizontal bar chart. Certain types of charts are more useful for presenting a given data set than others. They are used in a wide variety of fields, and can be created by hand (often on graph paper) or by computer using a charting application. Charts can usually be read more quickly than the raw data.