Highlighting Segments of Recession Data
Below you will find some interesting ways to highlight sections in charts or graphs. I typically like to know more about data visualizations when I see certain trends in the data. This method of "calling out" certain sections is nothing new or earth shattering. One aspect that I really like about the area chart below is that the sub charts utilize the unused space.
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The series of area charts below also use a method of highlighting sections of the chart that denote specific events that took place in the history of the stock market. I’m not sure I like the color choices or texture, but the ability to highlight sections can help a reader get to the point of the chart(s) a little quicker.
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Once a chart is created in Excel, these highlights can be done easily by using text boxes and setting the transparency higher. In the first example above, these callouts can be created using the drawing features. It’s fairly manual, but you can accomplish these feats without a graphic design program.
Do you think this is an effective method for "calling out" data?
March 26th, 2009 at 7:23 am
Yes, as long as the meaning of the shading is explained clearly. This sounds obvious, but I’ve seen graphs in introductory sociology textbooks that have segments of the figure shaded with no explanation of what the shading meant. I found out by looking at competing textbooks with similar figures.
March 26th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Naomi – thanks for pointing this out. I agree the meaning of any shading needs to be spelled out clearly so the reader knows exactly what he or she is looking at.