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Data Presentation - Bar Charts

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A bar chart is a chart with rectangular bars with lengths proportional to the values that they represent. The bars can be plotted vertically or horizontally. Bar charts can be used to show comparisons among categories.

The bar chart below shows how the average U.S. diet compares with recommended dietary percentages.

source:ers.usda.gov

Are there any food groups the average person in the U.S. eats too little of (compared to the recommended amount)? Show answer Solution: Find any bars that do not reach the “MyPlate Recommendations” line (which is at 100% on the y-axis). Vegetables, dairy, and fruit do not reach this bar, and this means that the average person in the U.S. does not meet recommended amounts for these food groups.

Making a Bar Chart

To make a bar chart, decide what columns and rows to include. The chart above relates five food groups (food group is the x-axis variable) to a percentage (the y-axis variable). However, bar charts can display more than just two variables. Generally, if multiple things are being compared, one axis will be a variable that links all other parameters.

For example, the chart below shows vegetable type on the x-axis, and shows both pounds per person and whether the food was canned, frozen, fresh, etc. on the y-axis. This graph is able to display two variables on one axis because it uses color to distinguish the state of the food.

To read a bar chart, determine which parameters are being compared by reading the components of the x and y-axes and taking note of how parameters are related. Some parameters are related by space (a taller bar might mean there is more of that element than a shorter bar) while others could be related by color. In the chart above, for example, all frozen foods are denoted by the color red.

Using the chart above, determine the pounds of fresh romaine and leaf lettuce consumed per person. Show answer Solution: We can tell from the key above the bars that the color green indicates a fresh vegetable. Looking at the romaine and leaf lettuce column, we can see that a little more than 5 pounds of fresh lettuce was consumed per person.

What is the third most popular kind of fruit among U.S. consumers according to this bar chart?

source: ers.usda.gov

Good practices for making bar charts Title the chart. Use labels on the axes and to denote categories. Use consistent color unless intentionally differentiating elements. Use consistent spacing between numerical increments. Take care in choosing a scale that best displays the data.

What is wrong with this chart? source: wikipedia Show answer Answer: The scale is too large and the reader cannot discern differences between the bars. Here is the chart with a better scale. source: wikipedia

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A complete guide to bar charts

Posted by: mike yi.

One of the most fundamental chart types is the bar chart, and one of your most useful tools when it comes to exploring and understanding your data.

What is a bar chart?

A bar chart (aka bar graph, column chart) plots numeric values for levels of a categorical feature as bars. Levels are plotted on one chart axis, and values are plotted on the other axis. Each categorical value claims one bar, and the length of each bar corresponds to the bar’s value. Bars are plotted on a common baseline to allow for easy comparison of values.

This example bar chart depicts the number of purchases made on a site by different types of users. The categorical feature, user type, is plotted on the horizontal axis, and each bar’s height corresponds to the number of purchases made under each user type. We can see from this chart that while there are about three times as many purchases from new users who create user accounts than those that do not create user accounts (guests), both are dwarfed by the number of purchases made by repeating users.

When you should use a bar chart

A bar chart is used when you want to show a distribution of data points or perform a comparison of metric values across different subgroups of your data. From a bar chart, we can see which groups are highest or most common, and how other groups compare against the others. Since this is a fairly common task, bar charts are a fairly ubiquitous chart type.

The primary variable of a bar chart is its categorical variable. A categorical variable takes discrete values, which can be thought of as labels. Examples include state or country, industry type, website access method (desktop, mobile), and visitor type (free, basic, premium). Some categorical variables have ordered values, like dividing objects by size (small, medium, large). In addition, some non-categorical variables can be converted into groups, like aggregating temporal data based on date (eg. dividing by quarter into 20XX-Q1, 20XX-Q2, 20XX-Q3, 20XX-Q4, etc.) The important point for this primary variable is that the groups are distinct.

In contrast, the secondary variable will be numeric in nature. The secondary variable’s values determine the length of each bar. These values can come from a great variety of sources. In its simplest form, the values may be a simple frequency count or proportion for how much of the data is divided into each category – not an actual data feature at all. For example, the following plot counts pageviews over a period of six months. You can see from this visualization that there was a small peak in June and July before returning to the previous baseline.

Other times, the values may be an average, total, or some other summary measure computed separately for each group. In the following example, the height of each bar depicts the average transaction size by method of payment. Note that while the average payments are highest with checks, it would take a different plot to show how often customers actually use them.

Example of data structure

Data rendered as a bar chart might come in a compact form like the above table, with one column for the categories and the second column for their values. Other times, data may come in its unaggregated form like the below table snippet, with the visualization tool automatically performing the aggregation at the time of visualization creation.

For a count-based bar chart, just the first column is needed. For a summary-based bar chart, group by the first column, then compute the summary measure on the second.

Best practices for using bar charts

Use a common zero-valued baseline.

First and foremost, make sure that all of your bars are being plotted against a zero-value baseline. Not only does that baseline make it easier for readers to compare bar lengths, it also maintains the truthfulness of your data visualization. A bar chart with a non-zero baseline or some other gap in the axis scale can easily misrepresent the comparison between groups since the ratio in bar lengths will not match the ratio in actual bar values.

By cutting 90 points out of the vertical axis, a small 4-point difference can be exaggerated to look like a 1:3 ratio.

Maintain rectangular forms for your bars

Another major no-no is to mess with the shape of the bars to be plotted. Some tools will allow for the rounding of the bar caps, rather than just have straight edges. This rounding means that it’s difficult for the reader to tell where to read the actual value: from the top of the semicircle, or somewhere in the middle? A little bit of rounding of the corners can be okay, but make sure each bar is flat enough to discern its true value and provide an easy comparison between bars.

Similarly, you should avoid including 3-d effects on your bars. As with heavy rounding, this can make it harder to know how to measure bar lengths, and as a bonus, might cause baselines to not be aligned (see the above point).

Consider the ordering of category levels

One consideration you should have when putting together a bar chart is what order in which you will plot the bars. A standard convention to take is to sort the bars from longest to shortest: while it is always possible to compare the bar lengths no matter the order, this can reduce the burden on the reader to make those comparisons themselves. The major exception to this is if the category labels are inherently ordered in some way. In cases like that, the inherent ordering usually takes precedence.

The district codes aren’t inherently ordered, so a better representation is to sort by value.

Use color wisely

Another consideration is on how you should use color in your bar charts. Certain tools will color each bar differently by default, but this can distract the reader by implying additional meaning where none exists. Instead, color should be used with purpose. For example, you might use color to highlight specific columns for storytelling. Colors can also be used if they are meaningful for the categories posted (e.g. to match company or team colors).

The rainbow colors on the left don’t add anything meaningful to interpretation of the plot. On the right side, most bars are a neutral gray to highlight the comparison of the two colored bars.

Common misuses

Replacing bars with images.

It may be tempting to replace bars with pictures that depict what is being measured (e.g. bags of money for money amounts), be careful that you do not misrepresent your data in this way. If your choice of symbol scales both width and height with value, differences will look much larger than they actually are, since people will end up comparing the areas of the bars rather than just their widths or heights. In the example below, there is a 58% growth in downloads from 2018 to 2019. However, this growth is exaggerated with the icon-based representation, since the surface area of the 2019 icon is more than 2.5 times the size of the 2018 icon.

If you feel the need to use icons to depict value, then a better – though still not great – option is to use the pictogram chart type instead. In a pictogram chart , each category’s value is indicated by a series of icons, with each icon representing a certain quantity. In a certain sense, this is like changing the texture of its corresponding bar to a repeating image. One major caution with this chart type is that it can make values harder to read, since the reader needs to perform some mental mathematics to gauge the relative values of each category.

Common bar chart options

Horizontal bars vs. vertical bars.

A common bar chart variation is whether or not the bar chart should be oriented vertically (with categories on the horizontal axis) or horizontally (with categories on the vertical axis). While the vertical bar chart is usually the default, it’s a good idea to use a horizontal bar chart when you are faced with long category labels. In a vertical chart, these labels might overlap, and would need to be rotated or shifted to remain legible; the horizontal orientation avoids this issue.

If the bars from a previous example were vertically oriented, the Team tick labels would need to be rotated in order to be readable.

Include value annotations

A common addition to bar charts are value annotations. While it is fairly easy for readers to compare bar lengths and gauge approximate values from a bar chart, exact values aren’t necessarily easy to state. Annotations can report these values where they are important, and are usually placed in the middle of the bar or at their ends.

Include variability whiskers

When the numeric values are a summary measure, a frequent consideration is whether or not to include error bars in the plot. Error bars are additional whiskers added to the end of each bar to indicate variability in the individual data points that contributed to the summary measure. Since there are many choices for uncertainty measure (e.g. standard deviation, confidence interval, interquartile range) it is important that when you display error bars, that you note in an annotation or comment what the error bars represent.

Alternatively, you may wish to depict variance within each category with a different chart type such as the  box plot  or  violin plot . While these plots will have more elements for a reader to parse, they provide a deeper understanding of the distribution of values within each group.

Error bars indicate the standard deviation for transaction amounts for each payment type. The variability is lower for credit and debit cards compared to the others.

Lollipop chart

One variation of the bar chart is the lollipop chart. It presents exactly the same information as a bar chart, but with different aesthetics. Instead of bars, we have lines topped by dots at their endpoints. A lollipop chart is most useful when there are a lot of categories and their values are fairly close together. By changing the aesthetic form of the plotted values, it can make the chart much easier to read.

Related plots

If the values in a bar chart represent parts of a whole (the sum of bar lengths totals the number of data points or 100%), then an alternative chart type you could use is the  pie chart . While the pie chart is much-maligned, it still  fills a niche  when there are few categories to plot, and the parts-to-whole division needs to be put front and center. Still, in general you are most likely to use a bar chart in general usage, as it’s easier to make comparisons between categories.

Histograms  are a close cousin to bar charts that depict frequency values. While a bar chart’s primary variable is categorical in nature, a histogram’s primary variable is continuous and numeric. The bars in a histogram are typically placed right next to each other to emphasize this continuous nature: bar charts usually have some space between bars to emphasize the categorical nature of the primary variable.

For bar charts that depict summary statistics, the  line chart  is the closest relative. Like the relationship from the bar chart to a histogram, a line chart’s primary variable is typically continuous and numeric, emphasized by the continuous line between points. Shading the region between the line and a zero baseline generates an  area chart , which can be thought of as a combination of the bar chart and line chart.

Alternatively, when we have summary statistics over a categorical primary variable, we might choose a dot plot, or Cleveland dot plot, instead of a bar chart. A dot plot is essentially a line plot without line segments connecting each point. This frees it up to be used with categorical levels, rather than a continuous progression. The biggest advantage a dot plot has over a bar chart is that values are indicated by position rather than length, so we don’t necessarily need a zero-baseline. When the necessary baseline on a bar chart interferes with perception of changes or differences between bars, then a line chart or dot plot can be a good alternative choice.

Stacked bar chart and grouped bar chart

Bar charts can be extended when we introduce a second categorical variable to divide each of the groups in the original categorical variable. If the bar values depict group frequencies, the second categorical variable can divide each bar’s count into subgroups. Applied to the original bars, this results in a  stacked bar chart , seen on the left in the figure below. Alternatively, if we move the different subgroups’ bars to the baseline, the resulting chart type is the  grouped bar chart , seen on the right. We also use the grouped bar chart when we compute statistical summary measures across levels of two categorical variables.

Visualization tools

Most tools that can create visualizations, whether they be spreadsheets, programming libraries, or business intelligence tools, should be capable of creating basic vertical bar charts. Sometimes, options need to be checked or modified in order to follow best practices. However, for basic data exploration needs, any tool should be sufficient. Other variations like horizontal bars, error bars, and annotations may not always be possible. In particular, the lollipop chart variation is not normally considered a default chart type, and will usually require specialized tweaking with programmatic tools instead.

The bar chart is one of many different chart types that can be used for visualizing data. Learn more from our articles on  essential chart types ,  how to choose a type of data visualization , or by browsing the full collection of  articles in the charts category .

Home Blog Design How to Make a Presentation Graph

How to Make a Presentation Graph

Visuals are a core element of effective communication, and regardless of the niche, graphs facilitate understanding data and trends. Data visualization techniques aim to make data engaging, easy to recall and contextualize while posing as a medium to simplify complex concepts .

In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of creating a presentation graph, briefly covering the types of graphs you can use in presentations, and how to customize them for maximum effectiveness. Additionally, you can find references on how to narrate your graphs while delivering a presentation.

Table of Contents

What is a Presentation Graph?

Types of graphs commonly used in presentations, how to select a presentation graph type, design principles for effective presentation graphs, working with presentation graph templates, integrating the graph into your presentation, common mistakes to avoid when making a presentation graph, final words.

A presentation graph is a visual representation of data, crafted in either 2D or 3D format, designed to illustrate relationships among two or more variables. Its primary purpose is to facilitate understanding of complex information, trends, and patterns, making it easier for an audience to grasp insights during a presentation. 

By visually encoding data, presentation graphs help highlight correlations, distributions, and anomalies within the dataset, thereby supporting more informed decision-making and discussion. 

Various types of graphs are commonly used in presentations. Each type serves specific purposes, allowing presenters to choose the most suitable format for conveying their data accurately. Here, we’ll discuss some common examples of presentation graphs.

Check our guide for more information about the differences between charts vs. graphs .

A bar chart is a visual tool that represents data using horizontal bars, where the length of each bar correlates with the data value it represents. This type of chart is used to compare discrete categories or groups, highlighting differences in quantities or frequencies across these categories. 

For more information check our collection of bar chart PowerPoint templates .

Column Graphs

Column graphs are a variation of bar charts. They display data through vertical columns, allowing for comparing values across different categories or over time. Each column’s height indicates the data value, making it straightforward to observe differences and trends.

Line Graphs

Line graphs depict information as a series of data points connected by straight lines. They are primarily used to show trends over time or continuous data, with the x-axis typically representing time intervals and the y-axis representing the measured values. Line graphs highlight the rate of change between the data points, indicating trends and fluctuations.

For more information check our collection of line chart PowerPoint templates .

Circle Graphs

Circle graphs, commonly known as pie charts or donut charts, present the data distribution as fractions of an entity. They provide a quick understanding of the relative sizes of each component within a dataset. Pie charts are particularly effective when the goal is to highlight the contribution of each part to the whole data.

For more information check our collection of circle diagram templates .

Area Graphs

Area graphs are similar to line graphs, but the space below the line is filled in, emphasizing the volume beneath the curve. They represent cumulative totals over time through the use of sequential data points, making it easier to see total values and the relative significance of different parts of the data.

For more information check our collection of area chart PowerPoint templates .

Cone, Cylinder, and Pyramid Graphs

Three-dimensional graphs, such as cones, cylinders, and pyramids, create a dynamic visual impact on presentations. While not as common as the other types, they are used for their ability to add depth and dimension to data representation. These graphs create a visually engaging experience for the audience, although sometimes they sacrifice accuracy for the sake of visuals.

For more information check our collection of pyramid diagram PowerPoint templates .

As a presenter, you must be aware of both the topic’s requirements to discuss and your audience’s needs. Different graphs fulfill distinct purposes, and selecting the right one is critical for effective communication.

Line Graphs for Trends Over Time

A line graph is effective when you want to present trends or changes over a continuous period, like sales performance over months. Each point on the line represents a specific time, offering a clear visual representation of the data’s progression.

Bar Graphs for Comparing Quantities

If your goal is to compare quantities or values across different categories, such as sales figures for various products, a bar graph is suitable. The varying lengths of bars make it easy to compare the magnitudes of different categories.

Pie Charts for Showing Proportions

Use pie charts when you want to illustrate parts of a whole. For example, to represent the percentage distribution of expenses in a budget, a pie chart divides the total into segments, each corresponding to a category.

Follow these guidelines to create your presentation graph for the data you intend to represent. 

How to Make a Presentation Graph in PowerPoint

Start by opening your presentation slide deck. For this tutorial’s purpose, we’ll work with a blank slide.

Switch to the Insert tab and click on Chart . 

A new dialogue window will open, where you have to select the chart type and the specific representation type—i.e., for area charts, you can choose from 2D or 3D area charts and their distribution method.

If you hover over the selected chart, it will zoom in to check the details. Double-click to insert the chosen graph into the slide.

As we can see, a spreadsheet to edit the data is now available. If you accidentally close it, go to Chart Design > Edit Data.

Replace the data in the numbers to reflect the data you need to showcase. The columns’ titles indicate the text the legend shows for each series. Then, we can close the spreadsheet and continue customizing it.

By clicking on the paintbrush, we access the Style options for the graph. We can change the background color, layout style, and more.

If we switch to the Color tab inside of Style , we can modify the color scheme for the presentation graph. And as simple as that is how to make a graph in PowerPoint.

How to Make a Presentation Graph in Google Slides

Now, let’s see how to create a graph in Google Slides. We start once again from a blank slide.

Go to Insert > Chart . Select your desired presentation graph option. In our case, we will work with a Pie Chart.

To change the placeholder data, click on Edit Data .

If you missed the emergent tab, you can go to the three points in the graph, click on them, and select Open Source .

The graph will most likely cover the data spreadsheet, so move it to one side to see the entire data range. In this case, the auto-generated graph is wrong as the sum gives 110%. We’ll correct that now.

And this is how it looks with the corrected data.

Next, we click on the three dots on the chart and select Edit the Chart . This shall open all customization options.

At the Setup tab, we can change the chart style and select from various options. 

The data will refresh in that case and adapt its representation to the new style.

If we switch to the Customize tab (it says Customise, as the selected language is UK English), we can fine-tune our presentation graph starting from the background color.

Activate the 3D checkbox to change to a 3D pie chart (applicable to any graph).

We can find tailored settings for the Pie Chart to convert it to a donut chart, with settings like the donut hole size.

The Pie Slice section helps us change the color scheme for each one of the slices.

We can change the title and axis titles in the Chart and axis titles section.

Finally, the Legend section offers many customization options to alter the legend’s format.

Once the customization process is completed, close the Google Spreadsheets tab, go to your presentation chart, and click Update .

Google Slides will refresh the data for your created presentation graph with the last synced data.

Adhering to certain design principles is imperative for creating graphs and communicating information effectively.

Simplicity and Clarity

A graph should be clean and free from unnecessary details. Clear graphs have visible data points and helpful short texts for better understanding. Even if it looks simple, it can still show important information. To make it easy to understand, avoid adding distortions, shading, weird perspectives, too many colors, unnecessary decorations, or 3D effects [2]. It is also essential to ensure the plotted data points are clear, not hidden or covered.

Use of Color and Contrast

Thoughtful use of color and contrast enhances visual appeal and distinguishes different elements within the graph. Colors can effectively improve the chart presentation in three ways: highlighting specific data, grouping items, and encoding quantitative values. However, do not use fancy or varying colors in the background. We suggest resisting decorating graphs excessively, as it can hinder clear data presentation [4]. Only use different colors when they highlight important differences in the data.

Labeling and Legends

Accurate labeling is crucial to provide context and understanding. While designing graphs, we don’t expect the viewer to guess. Instead, we clearly label titles and axes.  Clear labeling means displaying both axes on your graph, including measurement units if needed. Identify symbols and patterns in a legend or caption [3]. Legends explain symbols and patterns in a graph.

Scale and Proportion

For more clarity, we keep the measurement scales consistent and avoid distortions for accuracy. This ensures the exact difference between all the values. It will present data relationships and prevent misinterpretation due to skewed visual perceptions.

Tips for Customizing Graphs

PowerPoint provides various customization options—Right-click on elements like axes, data points, or legends to format them. You can also change colors, fonts, and styles to match your presentation’s look.

Coloring Your Data

When you want to make different parts of your chart stand out, click on a bar or line. Then, right-click and choose “Format Data Series.” Here, you can pick a color that helps each set of data pop. Do this for each part of your chart to make it visually appealing.

Changing the Chart Background

If you want to change the background color around your chart, right-click on the white space. Choose “Format Chart Area” and change the background color to something that complements your data.

Customizing Line Styles

Change the appearance of your lines for a unique look. Click on a line in your chart, right-click, and select “Format Data Series.” Experiment with different line styles, such as solid, dashed, or dotted.

Fine-tuning Axis Appearance

To make your chart axes look polished, right-click on the X or Y axis and choose “Format Axis.” Adjust properties like line color, tick marks, and label font to suit your design.

Perfecting Legends

Legends can be tweaked for a more integrated look. Right-click on the legend, select “Format Legend,” and adjust options like placement, font size, and background color to enhance the overall appearance.

Creating graphs in PowerPoint or Google Slides from scratch can be time-consuming, and ultimately, it won’t yield the same results as professional-made designs. We invite you to discover some cool designs for presentation graphs PPT templates made by SlideModel.

1. Dashboard Presentation Graph for PowerPoint & Google Slides

Don’t worry about how to make a graph in PowerPoint – let’s us bring the resources in the shape of a cool dashboard layout. Ideal for any kind of e-commerce business, you can track expenses or income, evaluate metrics, and much more.

Use This Template

2. Infographic Donut Chart Presentation Template

Explain concepts in different hierarchy levels, or processes that require a set of sequential steps by implementing this donut chart PPT template. Each segment has a bubble callout to expand further information for the areas required.

3. Presentation Graph Slide Deck PPT Template

All that’s required to create a data-driven presentation is here. Customize donut charts, funnels, histograms, point & figure charts, and more to create professionally-designed presentation slides.

4. PowerPoint Charts Slide Deck

If you’re looking for clean layouts for column graphs, area charts, line graphs and donut charts, this is the template you need in your toolbox. Perfect for marketing, financial and academic reports.

Consider its relevance to the content when incorporating your graph into the presentation. Insert the graph in a slide where it logically fits within the flow of information.

Positioning the Graph Appropriately in the Presentation

Deciding where to put your graph in the presentation is essential. You want it to be where everyone can see it easily and where it makes sense. Usually, you place the graph on a slide that talks about the data or topic related to the graph. This way, people can look at the graph simultaneously when you talk about it. Make sure it is not too small. If needed, you can make it bigger or smaller to fit nicely on the slide. The goal is to position the graph so that it helps your audience understand your information better.

Ensuring Consistency with the Overall Design of the Presentation

Align the graph with the overall design of your presentation to maintain a cohesive visual appeal. You can use consistent colors, fonts, and styles to integrate the graph seamlessly. The graph must complement the theme and tone of your slides. Therefore, you should avoid flashy or distracting elements that may deviate from the established design. The goal is to create a harmonious and professional presentation where the graph blends naturally without causing visual disruptions. However, we recommend you use bar chart templates already available for presentation.

Narrating Your Graph

When explaining your graph during the presentation, start by providing context. Clearly state what the graph illustrates and its significance to the audience. Use simple and direct language, avoiding unnecessary jargon. It is important to walk through the axes, data points, and any trends you want to highlight. Speaking moderately allows the audience to absorb the information without feeling rushed. You can take pause when needed to emphasize crucial points or transitions.

You can learn more about creative techniques to narrate your graph in our data storytelling guide.

Overloading with Information

One common mistake is presenting too much information on a single graph. Avoid filling the graph with excessive data points or unnecessary details.

Misleading Scales or Axes

Scale mistakes, such as uneven intervals or a bar chart with zero baselines, are common graphical mistakes [5]. Misleading scales can distort the interpretation of the graph and lead to incorrect conclusions. Scales should accurately present the data without exaggerating certain aspects.

Inappropriate Graph Types for the Data

Selecting an inappropriate graph type for your data is a mistake to avoid. Choose a graph type that effectively communicates the nature of your data. For instance, a pie chart for time-based trends might not be the most suitable choice. Match the graph type to the data characteristics to convey information accurately.

If you need a quick method to create a presentation graph, check out our  AI presentation maker . A tool in which you add the topic, curate the outline, select a design, and let AI do the work for you.

Working with presentation graphs may feel challenging for a beginner in presentation design software. Still, practice makes the master. Start by clearly stating your objectives in terms of data representation—this will make the presentation graph-type selection process much easier. Customize the graph by working with appropriate color combinations (you can learn more about this in our color theory guide), as this can also help highlight relevant data sections that may influence an informed decision.

Everything depends on your creative skills and how you want to showcase information. As a final piece of advice, we highly recommend working with one graph per slide, unless you opted for a dashboard layout. Ideally, graphs should be seen from a distance, and working with reduced sizes may hinder accurate data representation.

[1] https://uogqueensmcf.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/BA Modules/Medical Laboratory/Medical Laboratory Courses PPT/Year III Sem II/Biostatistics/lecture 1.pdf (Accessed: 06 March 2024).

[2] Five Principles of Good Graphs. https://scc.ms.unimelb.edu.au/resources/data-visualisation-and-exploration/data-visualisation

[3} Guide to fairly good graphs. Statistics LibreTexts. https://stats.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Applied_Statistics/Biological_Statistics_(McDonald)/07%3A_Miscellany/7.02%3A_Guide_to_Fairly_Good_Graphs

[4] Practical rules for using color in charts. https://nbisweden.github.io/Rcourse/files/rules_for_using_color.pdf

[5] https://iase-web.org/islp/documents/Media/How%20To%20Avoid.pdf [6] Duquia, R.P. et al. (2014) Presenting data in tables and charts , Anais brasileiros de dermatologia . 10.1590/abd1806-4841.20143388

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What's Inside?

What is Bar Graph?

A bar graph is a graphical data representation where values for several categories are shown using rectangular bars or columns. The height or length of each bar reflects the value it represents, making it simple to compare categories visually.

Bar graphs' salient characteristics include:

Categories (X-Axis): Labels or categories are usually displayed along the horizontal axis (X-axis) in bar graphs. These categories stand for various sets of objects under comparison.

Values (Y-Axis): The numerical values corresponding to each category are represented by the vertical axis (Y-axis). These values are reflected in the bars' height or length.

Bars: It is simple to compare the values visually because the bars are drawn perpendicular to the axis. The value represented by a bar increases with its length.

Usage Areas Of Bar Graphs

Bar graphs are versatile graphic types that can be used in various contexts. Here are some common places where bar graphs are frequently utilized:

Marketing and Sales Analysis: Bar graphs are often used to visualize marketing and sales data, such as product sales, market share, and customer preferences.

Financial Analysis: Bar graphs serve as effective tools for comparing income and expenses, budget analysis, and representing financial performance.

Human Resources Management: Bar graphs are employed to visualize human resources data, including staff numbers, training budgets, and performance evaluations.

Education and Academic Analysis: Bar graphs are used to represent educational and academic data, such as exam results, student performance, and education budgets.

Demographic Analysis: Bar graphs are useful for visualizing demographic data, such as city populations and employment rates by age groups.

Social Science Research: Bar graphs are employed in social science research to visualize survey results and societal opinions on specific topics.

Public Health and Epidemiology: Bar graphs are utilized to represent health data, including disease spread and vaccination rates.

Project Management: Bar graphs help in understanding project-related data, such as project progress and task completion times.

Business Performance Analysis: Bar graphs are used to visualize business-related data, including employee performance evaluations and goal attainment rates.

Investment and Financial Markets: Bar graphs are commonly used to represent financial market data, such as stock performance and index comparisons.

The benefits and conveniences of using bar graphs

Ease of Comparison: Bar graphs are ideal for quickly and clearly comparing values between different categories. The length or height of bars facilitates visual comparison of values.

Representation of Categorical Data: Bar graphs are effective tools for representing categorical data. Each bar corresponds to a category, making them suitable for illustrating relationships between specific groups.

Simple and Understandable Visualization: Due to their straightforward design, bar graphs appeal to a wide audience. Their uncomplicated structure aids in the easy understanding and communication of information.

Distribution Representation: Bar graphs can be used to visualize the distribution of data in a dataset. Understanding how values are distributed over a specific period or situation is made easy.

Trend Analysis: Bar graphs can be used to showcase changes and trends over time. For instance, a bar graph displaying monthly sales data is effective in highlighting seasonal trends or growth patterns

Clear and Direct Value Representation: The length or height of each bar directly represents its value, providing a clear and immediate indication of the data.

Wide Application Range: Bar graphs find applications in various fields, from financial analysis to marketing strategies, educational data, and health statistics.

We use bar graphs extensively in our daily lives, providing us with valuable insights for understanding data. Do you also incorporate bar graphs when giving presentations? If your answer is no, we have a fantastic suggestion for you!

Try Decktopus AI now!

We strongly recommend trying Decktopus AI for creating presentations that are not only enriched with artificial intelligence but can also be done swiftly within minutes. Give it a try for a seamless and impressive presentation experience!

Let's take a look together at how you can add your bar graph to create fantastic presentations. Join us to explore the process of seamlessly incorporating your bar graph into your presentation for an impressive outcome.

Step-by-Step Guide to Adding a Bar Graph to Your Presentation

Step 1: open dectopus ai.

You can start creating your deck by registering to Decktopus .

Step 2: Choose a Bar Graph Template

A basic bar graph template with customizable colors and labels.

A stacked bar chart template to compare multiple categories.

A grouped bar graph template for comparing multiple groups within each category.

Step 3: Enter Data

Decktopus allows you to easily customize the titles of the X and Y axes, providing flexibility in tailoring your chart's appearance to suit your presentation needs.

You have the option to hide or reveal the titles of both X and Y axes, giving you control over the visual elements of your chart and ensuring a clean and focused presentation.

When you click on 'Edit Data,' Decktopus opens the Data screen, enabling you to modify and update the information in your chart effortlessly.

By simply clicking on cells, you can add or remove rows and columns, providing a user-friendly interface for adjusting the structure of your data directly within Decktopus.

Also easy data updates, allowing you to modify and refresh information seamlessly, ensuring your chart reflects the most recent and relevant data.

Step 4: Change The Colours

By accessing the 'Design' section and clicking on 'Color Palette,' users can effortlessly update and customize the graph's colors, providing the flexibility to match the visual aesthetics of the presentation or convey specific themes effectively.

Step 5: Finalize and Save

Create your bar graph now!

Creating impressive and beautiful presentations with Decktopus AI is as easy as this. If you'd like to explore further, you can check out our presentation.

Common Types Of Bar Graphs

Frequently asked questions, 1) what does a bar graph explain.

A bar graph visually represents data through rectangular bars, where the length or height of each bar corresponds to the quantity it represents. It effectively communicates comparisons, distributions, and trends within different categories or data sets.

2) Is bar graph easy?

Yes, bar graphs are generally easy to create and interpret. They provide a straightforward visual representation of data, making it easy for individuals to understand and compare values across different categories.

3) How do you explain a bar graph to students?

Explaining a bar graph to students can be done in a step-by-step manner:

• Introduction: Start by introducing the concept of a bar graph as a visual representation of data using rectangular bars.
• Components: Explain the key components: horizontal/vertical axis, bars, and labels. The horizontal axis represents categories, while the vertical axis represents values.
• Data Input: Demonstrate how to input data into a bar graph. Each category gets a bar, and the length or height of the bar corresponds to the value it represents.
• Labeling: Emphasize the importance of labeling. Clearly label axes and provide a title to the graph.
• Comparison: Highlight that bar graphs are excellent for comparing quantities between different categories. Longer bars represent larger values.
• Interpretation: Show students how to interpret the graph. Discuss trends, highs, lows, and any patterns visible in the data.
• Real-Life Examples: Provide real-life examples relevant to students' interests. This helps in connecting the abstract concept to practical applications.
• Practice: Allow students to practice creating their own bar graphs with simple datasets. Encourage them to interpret the graphs they create.
• Review: Summarize the main points and encourage questions. Review the key concepts to ensure understanding.
• Application: Discuss situations where bar graphs are commonly used, such as in newspapers, reports, or scientific studies.

Right at this point, recommending Decktopus AI to your students can facilitate their use of bar graphs effortlessly, without intimidating them. This enables them to easily incorporate bar graphs into real-life scenarios.

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How to Make a Bar Graph in PowerPoint

Bar graphs are a popular way to present numerical data in a clear and concise manner. With Microsoft PowerPoint, you can easily create and customize your own bar graphs to suit your specific needs. Whether you’re presenting data in a business setting or creating a visual aid for a school project, this guide will take you through the step-by-step process of creating a bar graph in PowerPoint.

Table of Contents

Why Use Bar Graphs in Presentations

Bar graphs are an effective way to present numerical data in a visual format that is easy to understand and interpret. They are particularly useful when comparing data from different categories or representing changes over time. By using a bar graph, you can help your audience quickly grasp key trends and insights, and make informed decisions based on the data presented.

Another advantage of using bar graphs in presentations is that they can be customized to fit the specific needs of your audience. You can choose different colors, labels, and scales to highlight the most important information and make it stand out. Additionally, bar graphs can be easily integrated into other presentation tools, such as PowerPoint or Keynote, making it simple to create professional-looking presentations that are both informative and engaging.

Finally, bar graphs are a great way to simplify complex data sets and make them more accessible to a wider audience. By presenting data in a clear and concise manner, you can help your audience understand the key takeaways and make more informed decisions. Whether you are presenting to a group of executives, investors, or colleagues, using bar graphs can help you communicate your message effectively and achieve your desired outcomes.

Understanding the Different Types of Bar Graphs

There are several types of bar graphs, each with its own unique benefits and uses. The most common types include:

• Vertical bar graphs: These graphs use vertical bars to represent data.
• Horizontal bar graphs: These graphs use horizontal bars to represent data.
• Stacked bar graphs: These graphs show multiple bars stacked on top of each other, with each bar representing a different category or subset of data.
• Grouped bar graphs: These graphs show multiple bars grouped together side-by-side, with each group representing a different category or subset of data.

Depending on the type of data you’re working with and the story you’re trying to tell, you may choose to use one or more of these types of bar graphs in your presentation.

It’s important to note that while bar graphs are a great way to visually represent data, they may not always be the best choice. For example, if you’re working with data that has a lot of categories or subsets, a bar graph may become cluttered and difficult to read. In these cases, you may want to consider using a different type of graph, such as a pie chart or line graph, to better convey your message.

Creating a New PowerPoint Presentation

To create a new PowerPoint presentation, open PowerPoint and select “New Presentation” from the home menu. From there, you can choose a template or start with a blank slide.

Once you have selected your preferred option, you can begin adding content to your slides. It is important to keep your audience in mind when creating your presentation and to use clear and concise language. You can also add images, charts, and graphs to help illustrate your points and make your presentation more engaging. Remember to save your presentation frequently to avoid losing any work.

Inserting a Bar Graph into Your Presentation

To insert a bar graph into your presentation, navigate to the “Insert” tab and choose “Chart”. From there, select “Bar” and choose the type of bar graph you want to use. PowerPoint will automatically insert a placeholder chart into your slide.

Once the placeholder chart is inserted, you can customize it by clicking on the chart and selecting “Edit Data” from the “Chart Tools” menu. This will open a spreadsheet where you can enter your own data and labels for the chart.

Additionally, you can change the appearance of the chart by selecting “Chart Styles” from the “Chart Tools” menu. Here, you can choose from a variety of pre-designed styles or customize the colors and fonts to match your presentation’s theme.

Customizing Your Bar Graph’s Appearance

Once you’ve inserted your bar graph, you can customize its appearance to suit your needs. This includes changing the colors and fonts of the chart, adjusting the size and position of the chart, and adding chart elements like titles and legends.

To change the colors of your bar graph, you can select the chart and then choose from a variety of color schemes. You can also customize the colors of individual bars by selecting them and then choosing a new color from the formatting options.

In addition to changing the appearance of your bar graph, you can also add data labels to your chart to make it easier to read. Data labels can display the values of each bar or the percentage of the total that each bar represents. You can also choose to display data labels inside or outside of the bars, depending on your preference.

Adding and Formatting Data Labels

One of the most important aspects of a bar graph is the data labels, which provide key information about the values represented by each bar. To add data labels to your chart, navigate to the “Design” tab and select “Data Labels”. From there, you can choose to show labels for each data point or for the overall series, and customize the appearance of the labels.

It is important to note that data labels should be clear and easy to read. Avoid using small font sizes or cluttering the labels with too much information. Instead, use concise and descriptive labels that accurately convey the data being presented. Additionally, consider using colors or bold text to highlight important data points or trends within the graph.

Adjusting the Axis and Scale of Your Bar Graph

Another important aspect of a bar graph is the axis and scale. These elements define the range of values represented on the chart, and can have a significant impact on the interpretation of the data. To adjust the axis and scale of your chart, navigate to the “Format Axis” menu and choose the options that are right for your needs.

It is important to note that adjusting the axis and scale should be done carefully and thoughtfully. Changing the scale too drastically can make small differences in data appear much larger than they actually are, while not adjusting the scale enough can make it difficult to see any meaningful differences at all. It is also important to consider the audience for your chart and choose a scale that is appropriate for their level of understanding and interest in the data.

Adding Animation and Transitions to Your Bar Graph

To bring your bar graph to life, you can add animation and transitions to your slide. This can help draw your audience’s attention to key data points and make your presentation more engaging. To add animation and transitions, navigate to the “Animations” menu and choose the effects that you want to use.

When adding animation and transitions to your bar graph, it’s important to use them sparingly and purposefully. Too many effects can be distracting and take away from the overall message of your presentation. Consider using simple animations, such as a fade-in or slide-in effect, to highlight important data points. Additionally, make sure to preview your presentation with the animations and transitions to ensure they enhance your message rather than detract from it.

Tips for Making Your Bar Graph Stand Out in Presentations

When creating a bar graph in PowerPoint, there are several tips that can help make your presentation more effective:

• Choose colors that are easy to read and distinguish from one another.
• Avoid cluttering your chart with too many data points or labels.
• Use a clear and concise title to help your audience quickly understand the key insights presented in your chart.

Another important tip to consider when creating a bar graph is to ensure that the scale of your graph is appropriate for the data being presented. If the scale is too small, it can make differences between data points difficult to discern, while a scale that is too large can make small differences appear exaggerated. It’s important to choose a scale that accurately represents the data and allows for easy interpretation by your audience.

Troubleshooting Common Issues When Making Bar Graphs in PowerPoint

If you encounter issues when making a bar graph in PowerPoint, there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot the problem:

• Check that your data is formatted correctly and in the right order.
• Make sure that you have selected the correct chart type for your data.
• Review your chart’s formatting to ensure that it is easy to read and understand.
• If you’re still having trouble, consult PowerPoint’s help documentation or seek assistance from a colleague or expert.

With these tips and techniques, you can create compelling, effective bar graphs in PowerPoint that help you communicate your data and insights with clarity and conviction.

Another common issue that can arise when making bar graphs in PowerPoint is selecting the wrong data range. Make sure that you have selected the correct cells in your spreadsheet before creating the chart. Additionally, if you have multiple data series, ensure that they are properly labeled and formatted in the chart.

It’s also important to consider the audience for your bar graph. If you are presenting to a group with color blindness, for example, you may want to use patterns or textures in addition to colors to differentiate between data points. Similarly, if you are presenting to a group with limited vision, you may want to increase the font size and use high-contrast colors to make the chart easier to read.

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