Charts play an integral role in matters of data visualization. Excel is known to be one of the most popular and reliable tools used in creating a variety of charting options. We have multiple charts and graphs that present data depending on the user’s preference. Many people fail to understand that they can make amendments to the existing charts and come up with something unique.
When you make changes in your existing charts, you stand a better chance to present your data so that your audience can easily read through the lines and get the topic of discussion. Even though Excel is said to have lots of charting features, many people do not get time to explore it and how it can impact their charting capabilities.
Do you know that you can easily create a detailed-oriented chart by simply tweaking your existing chart or graph? The goal of tweaking your chart is to create more space that can accommodate more space that will help you accommodate more charting information to enable you to present detailed data reports. This can help you present more data in a simple and easy-to-read methodology.
What is an advanced Excel chart?
Advanced Excel charts are a particular type of chart used in specific circumstances to handle specific data needs. An advanced chart is formed due to making a series of changes to the standard chart types and making them suit your specific charting needs. After collecting the data, you intend to visualize, you can quickly improve your chart and make it suit the data to deliver a clear data report.
There are different types of advanced Excel charts that you can use to present your data simply and straightforwardly. Remember that you can create an advanced Excel chart from scratch by using the existing chart and achieve your charting needs. Let’s check out the different types of charts and graphs available.
Types of advanced Excel charts and graphs
The following list incorporates some of the best advanced Excel charts and graphs that you can use to facilitate your charting needs. Let’s check them out!
1. Milestone chart
A milestone chart is a famous advanced Excel chart, also known as a timeline chart. Thus chart type is mainly used by project managers to help them monitor the progress of a given product within a particular time frame.
The chart has an expansive room that enables it to accommodate lots of project management information, helping the respective stakeholders monitor every step until the project is complete.
The chart operates the same way as time since every stage of the entire project is captured with all the required details, such as the date on which the project was started and completed. Also, it involves there features such as budget checks to ensure that everything is running according to the initial plan.
What makes the milestone chart the best option for project management is easy to create and understand since it does not involve technical elements. In addition, it can accommodate all your essential information at one point.
2. Tornado chart
It reaches a point in your data visualization process when you must display the comparison between different elements you want to present to your team members or your audience.
You will need an advanced chart type that can clearly outline all the essential data points to make it easy to read and recognize the relationship between one data set and the other.
This chart type looks like a tornado since large items are outlined on the chart’s top and lower ends. Note that every item in the chart has an opposite item for comparison purposes. The chart can be used to compare items that belong to two unique periods. It lets you see the items at the top and bottom before you conclude.
3. Bullet chart
A bullet chart operates the same way as a column chart. The only difference is that a bullet chart uses a single column, while a column chart comes with multiple columns to present data. The chart can be of great assistance, especially if you want to track a single-point target vs. the achievement that you have made.
When using a bullet chart in your data visualization operations, you need to understand the major components of the chart and how they operate. The components include the target marker representing the data target. The achievement bar presents absolute values. The chart also has a comparison range meant to depict the color theme.
The bullet chart is mainly used when you want to track and monitor a single point vs. the achievements you have attained. Also, the chart can be used in the position of dashboard gauges and meters.
4. Gantt chart
Gantt chart is the best option for project managers who want to evaluate the progress of their projects. The chart helps you track every milestone you have achieved in business. In addition, the Gantt chart can track the time the project was completed, any pending activity, or the days the project has been delayed.
It gives you a comprehensive report regarding everything that has happened toward completing your project. Also, you can use the chart to facilitate the management of all your crucial information regarding your project. The chart contains all the essential details for tracking your project’s performance.
When using the chart, you can easily monitor the progress of your project on regular occasions and use the information to make critical development decisions. Also, it makes it easier to determine any possible problem in your line of operation, enabling you to streamline your daily activities.
5. Thermometer chart
A thermometer chart is mainly applied to track a single point vs. your achievements. In addition, it can also help you present the data in an easy-to-read and understandable manner that suits all audiences. The chart looks like a thermometer that has contributed to its original name. It has the target and the filled part that showcase achievement.
The part that is filled goes up once the level of achievement increases. What makes the chart reliable is the fact that it’s simple to read and understand. Also, it’s the most preferred chart you can use in your data dashboard.
Summing up
Advanced Excel charts are one way of differentiating experts from other data professionals. In addition, using advanced charts makes your educational data more reliable, accurate, and easy to understand. Besides, you can apply advanced charts in your data dashboard to make them accurate and more effective. The above list incorporates different charts you can acquire and use to facilitate your data processing needs.