Tag: charts

4 Types of Charts You Should Use for Business Presentations

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Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

types of charts

Aug 31, 2016

Using charts is tricky for business presentations. More often than not, they tend to overload your slides with numbers and distract your audience from your main findings.

Similar to using spreadsheets, these are tools used to analyze data before presenting them. However, charts have one advantage over spreadsheets: They can visually compare and show relationships between numbers and information, making them more understandable for the audience. This also lets you hold their interest long enough to get your point across.

If you absolutely need to use charts, these are the four basic types that can help simplify an otherwise long and boring topic.

1. The Organizational Chart

This chart is used to explain relationships between members of a group.

Here, information is displayed in a top-to-bottom format, with the executive or manager at the top. The chart branches out to show direct and indirect relationships between staff, managers, and executives.

This gives everyone a clear picture of who reports to whom and who is responsible for what.

While the organizational chart explains structures, it doesn’t show how a company operates. You can use flowcharts to explain how your company does business with others. You can also use these to talk about any other type of business procedure.

2. The Flowchart

The flowchart is more linear, sometimes circular, in nature.

It’s best for explaining processes, especially during business presentations. The flowchart builds a clear picture of where something begins, what happens in between, and where it ends.

When using this chart, start with the first step. When an order comes in, what step follows next? Is there a step where the request is evaluated? Arrange them sequentially, and add if-and-then statements if something goes wrong with that step.

The more complicated a process is, the harder it is to illustrate with a flowchart. Stick to the basics and keep your illustration simple to avoid confusing your audience with too many numbers.

3. The Line Graph

One of the simplest to create and the easiest to understand, line graphs show progressions and can also forecast results.

If you were to track, for example, the increase and decrease of your company’s earnings per year, simply plot the period of time you need to measure on the horizontal X-axis. The vertical Y-axis will be used to measure the amount gained or lost.

After plotting the data, simply connect the points with a line to show their progression. You can even use it to compare similar types of data by using different colored lines.

Line graphs are great at comparing progressions, but if you want to accurately show increases and decreases in value, bar graphs are perfect for the job.

4. The Bar Graph

While they can also show comparisons over time like line graphs, bar graphs are used for measuring larger changes.

The two main variants for bar graphs are horizontal and vertical graphs. Both rely on rectangles to show how much one thing is worth against another. For example, if you were to measure the net worth of similar companies with a vertical bar graph, you could arrange the company names in the horizontal X-axis, and set the values in the vertical Y-axis. The higher the rectangle displayed, the more valuable the company is. For horizontal graphs, these are more appropriate for data with longer labels. The usage is the same with a vertical graph, except that the X and Y axes are reversed.

Which Chart Should You Use?

Instead of you simply talking about information with a slide full of text, these charts can conveniently illustrate your data.

It can be about procedures, your organizational structure, or even the progressions and comparisons between information.

While these four graphs can illustrate and compare several things at once, they can overload your slides if they contain too much information. Keep only the most essential processes and state only the most important individuals in any organizational structure.

It’s best to limit your comparisons to at least three things to make your presentation easier to understand.

Check out and share our infographic!

References:

“Types of Graphs – Bar Graphs.” Types of Graphs. n.d. www.typesofgraphs.com/bar.html
“Types of Graphs – FlowCharts.” Types of Graphs. n.d. www.typesofgraphs.com/flow.html
“Types of Graphs – Line Graphs.” Types of Graphs. n.d. www.typesofgraphs.com/line.html
“Types of Graphs – Organizational Chart.” Types of Graphs. n.d. www.typesofgraphs.com/organizational.html

Charting the Course: A Comprehensive Guide to Unleashing the Power of PowerPoint Charts

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Jun 24, 2014

Many presenters are often guilty of what young people nowadays call “TMI,” or Too Much Information. They tend to include too many details in their presentations, making the slides look cluttered and incomprehensible. Fortunately, there are several ways to present your data in a more organized manner. You can use images or other visual aids such as charts.

Below are the different types of PowerPoint charts that you can use along with some tips on how to maximize them for your presentations:

Pie Charts

These charts are commonly used to show percentages. For better visual impact, limit the pie slices to 3-5. Limiting the number of slices can keep the pie from looking really messy when you need to show a lot of different data points. Instead of showing every little detail, you can turn your pie chart into something like this:

powerpoint charts

Apart from making it larger than the others, contrast the most significant slice with the use of color.

Vertical Bar Charts

Vertical bar charts are useful for showing changes in quantity over periods of time. Limiting the bars to around 4-8 can make your vertical bar chart easy on the eyes. Vertical bar charts show how variables are affected as each of them rises or falls.

bar-chart

Horizontal Bar Charts

This type of chart is used for comparing quantities. One example is when you compare sales figures of your products on a given period. Horizontal bar charts can be used in the same manner as  vertical bar charts, although it uses the y-axis for labeling. It is usually preferred when the labels (the names of the cities, in the example below) are too long for the x-axis.

bar chart

 

Line Charts

Line charts are great for displaying trends. For example, you can use this to show how your company’s sales have gone up each year. You may also use an upward arrow to emphasize the positive trend.

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Most people would rather use tables instead of charts. After all, it’s easy to prepare them when all you need is a side by side assessment of numerical data. Tables, however, do not have the same visual impact as charts. You can even make your chart 3-D to increase its appeal. Regardless of how you present your data, though, make sure that they are accurate and relevant to your presentation.

 

Featured Image: by Chris Potter via flickr.com

How to Illustrate Data in Financial PowerPoint Presentations

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Jun 20, 2014

Financial presentations can be data-heavy and complex, which can overwhelm audiences. The key to a successful financial presentation is effectively illustrating your data so that it is easy to understand and visually engaging. Here are several ways to present financial data clearly and effectively in PowerPoint.

1. Use Charts and Graphs

Visualizing financial data with charts and graphs can make complex numbers easier to digest and more visually appealing. Choose the right type of graph to clearly communicate your financial story.

Why It’s Important:

  • Simplifies Data: Charts and graphs present data in a way that is easier for your audience to understand at a glance.
  • Highlights Key Trends: Visual representations make it easier to identify and highlight important financial trends and insights.

How to Do It:

  • Use bar charts or line graphs to show trends over time, such as revenue growth or cost reduction.
  • Pie charts work well for illustrating parts of a whole, such as budget allocation or market share.

2. Highlight Key Metrics

Not all financial data needs to be presented. Focus on the most important metrics and figures that will have the biggest impact on your audience.

Why It’s Important:

  • Keeps the Focus: By highlighting only the most relevant metrics, you prevent information overload and keep your audience focused.
  • Increases Clarity: Emphasizing key data points ensures that your audience understands the main takeaways.

How to Do It:

  • Use large, bold text or numbers to draw attention to key financial figures.
  • Include visuals such as icons or data callouts to emphasize important numbers, such as profit margins or growth percentages.

3. Use Color to Differentiate Data

Colors can help guide your audience’s attention and distinguish between different data sets, such as profits and losses or projected vs. actual figures. Use color strategically to enhance your data presentation.

Why It’s Important:

  • Increases Readability: Color-coding helps your audience quickly differentiate between various data points and understand the relationships between them.
  • Highlights Critical Insights: Colors can be used to emphasize important financial data, such as highlighting areas of improvement or concern.

How to Do It:

  • Use green for positive data, such as profit growth, and red for negative data, such as losses or expenses.
  • Limit your color palette to a few contrasting shades to avoid overwhelming the slide.

4. Create Comparison Tables

Tables are effective for comparing different financial figures or summarizing data points in a clear, organized format. When designed well, tables can provide a quick snapshot of your financial data.

Why It’s Important:

  • Facilitates Comparisons: Tables allow your audience to compare different data points side by side, such as projected vs. actual revenue.
  • Summarizes Data: Tables are ideal for presenting large amounts of data in a concise, organized manner.

How to Do It:

  • Use simple, clean table designs to ensure that your data is easy to read.
  • Highlight key figures or columns by bolding them or using a contrasting background color.

5. Use Data Callouts

Data callouts are a great way to draw attention to important figures or insights in your presentation. These can be added as annotations to charts or placed next to key numbers to ensure they stand out.

Why It’s Important:

  • Directs Attention: Data callouts guide your audience’s focus to the most important parts of your data.
  • Clarifies Key Points: Callouts provide additional context or explanation, helping to clarify complex data points.

How to Do It:

  • Add data callouts to charts or graphs to highlight important figures, such as revenue spikes or cost savings.
  • Use text boxes or speech bubbles to explain significant data points.

Final Thoughts

Illustrating financial data effectively in PowerPoint is essential for delivering a clear and compelling presentation. By using charts, highlighting key metrics, applying color strategically, and incorporating callouts and comparison tables, you can transform complex financial information into a visually engaging and easy-to-understand format. These tips will help you create a financial presentation that communicates your data clearly and effectively.

The Art of Graphs and Charts

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graphs

visuals

Apr 21, 2014

Graphs and charts are essential tools for visualizing data in presentations. They take raw numbers and transform them into easily understandable visuals that help convey trends, comparisons, and patterns at a glance. However, using the wrong type of chart or misrepresenting data can lead to confusion and misinterpretation. Mastering the art of selecting, designing, and presenting graphs and charts can significantly elevate the impact of your presentation.

Here’s how to effectively use graphs and charts in your presentations:

1. Choose the Right Chart for Your Data

Not all charts are created equal. Each chart type serves a different purpose, and choosing the right one is crucial to effectively conveying your message.

How to Do It:

  • Line Charts: Use these for displaying trends over time, such as sales figures or stock prices.
  • Bar Charts: Ideal for comparing quantities across different categories, like product performance in various regions.
  • Pie Charts: Best for showing parts of a whole, such as market share distribution or budget allocation.
  • Scatter Plots: Use these for displaying relationships between two variables, such as height and weight correlations.

Example: If you’re presenting sales data over several years, a line chart would effectively show trends and fluctuations over time.

2. Simplify Your Design

A clean, simple chart is easier to understand than one that’s overly complicated. Avoid using unnecessary elements that distract from the data, such as too many colors, gridlines, or labels.

How to Do It:

  • Use a limited color palette to make the chart visually appealing without overwhelming the audience.
  • Remove non-essential elements like excessive gridlines or data labels that clutter the chart.
  • Stick to a minimalist design that highlights the most important data points.

Example: A bar chart showing annual sales figures can benefit from using just two colors—one for each year—without adding 3D effects or extra data labels.

3. Label Clearly and Accurately

Proper labeling is key to ensuring your audience understands the data being presented. Every axis, data point, and key feature of your chart should be clearly labeled.

How to Do It:

  • Label both the x-axis and y-axis with descriptive titles that explain what’s being measured.
  • Include data labels only when necessary to avoid clutter but make sure critical values are highlighted.
  • Ensure all data points and categories are clearly marked with legible fonts.

Example: If your chart shows revenue over time, clearly label the x-axis with time intervals (e.g., years or months) and the y-axis with revenue values.

4. Tell a Story with Your Data

Graphs and charts are not just about showing numbers; they should also help tell a story. Use them to guide your audience through your key insights and conclusions.

How to Do It:

  • Focus on the key takeaways that you want the audience to remember, and design your chart to emphasize these points.
  • Use annotations or callouts to highlight significant data points or trends.
  • Keep the narrative in mind—introduce the chart by explaining its significance and what the audience should take away from it.

Example: In a line chart showing the company’s sales growth, use a callout to highlight the exact point where a new product launch caused a sharp increase in sales.

5. Maintain Data Integrity

It’s essential to present data in a way that accurately reflects the truth. Avoid manipulating graphs or charts in ways that could mislead your audience.

How to Do It:

  • Ensure that your axes are properly scaled and proportionate.
  • Don’t exaggerate differences or trends by adjusting the scale unnecessarily.
  • Make sure the data presented in the graph aligns with the source information and is not manipulated for dramatic effect.

Example: If you’re comparing profits across years, ensure that the y-axis starts at zero to accurately reflect the relative differences in profit.

6. Focus on the Audience

When designing graphs and charts, consider what will resonate most with your audience. Avoid overly technical data visualizations unless your audience is well-versed in that field.

How to Do It:

  • Tailor your graphs and charts to the knowledge level and interests of your audience.
  • Provide context for the data by explaining how it relates to the audience’s needs or concerns.
  • Use clear, simple visualizations for non-technical audiences, and only include more complex visualizations when necessary.

Example: In a marketing presentation, a pie chart showing customer demographics would be more effective than a complex scatter plot.

Final Thoughts

The art of creating effective graphs and charts lies in clarity, simplicity, and relevance. By choosing the right chart type, simplifying your design, labeling clearly, and ensuring data accuracy, you can enhance your presentations and make your data more impactful. Remember, your goal is not just to display data but to communicate insights in a way that resonates with your audience.