Mastering Data Visualization In Excel: A Complete Guide

Data visualization in Excel represents all the data in graphical format. The best part is that it makes the data easier to understand. In most cases, data visualization can be done via Tableau, data wrapper, and Google Charts. 

Excel is a spreadsheet that is used for data visualization. It offers various types of charts like bar charts, line graphs, area charts, pie charts, surface charts, and scatter charts. 

The best part of data visualization is that it helps you to view larger data sets. It helps to interpret complex data and trends within a particular data set. Mastering data visualization can make things easier for you. 

What Is Data Visualization In Excel?  

Data visualization is a process that makes use of graphical representations such as graphs, charts, and tables to make the data more understandable, actionable, and accessible. Excel provides a variety of built-in tools as well as features. As it allows users to convert all the raw data into a visual format. Thus it is easier to identify all the patterns, trends, and insights. 

Steps For Data Visualization In Excel 2019

There are a few steps for data visualization in Excel that you should be well aware of. Some of these few steps that you must be well aware of are as follows:- 

1. Prepare Your Data 

You must ensure that your data is properly organized. It will help to create proper data visualization in Excel. Here are some of the tips that you need to follow from your end. 

• Clean your data by removing any duplicates, filling in missing values, and ensuring uniformity in data formatting. 
• You must structure your data with clear columns and headers in order to organize rows and columns. 

2. Select The Data For Visualization 

You must highlight the data you want to visualize thus you must ensure that you include headers as they will be used for labeling all axes of your charts. 

3. Choosing The Right Chart Type 

Excel offers various data visualization types each serving a specific purpose starting from category comparison to trend identification. Thus it allows effective presentation of the data. For correct and effective results you can follow some of the key visualization tips. 

• Column chart: It is great for comparing data across categories. 
• Pie Chart:- Pie charts are circular graphs with all the portions that show the percentage as a whole. 

• Line Chart:- Line charts are best for displaying trends and changes over time. 

• Bar Chart:- Bar charts are basically horizontal bars that are used to display data that are quite similar to column charts. Due to their long category and names, it helps to emphasize the magnitude of all categories. 

• Scatter Chart: All the scatter charts are statistical tools that help you to understand and visualize all the relationships between two variables. 
• You must go to the insert tab present in the Ribbon. 
• In the chart group, you need to select the type of chart you want to create. 

4. Customize Your Chart 

After inserting the chart you must make it much more appealing and informative through proper customization. 

• Give Chart Title: You should provide a clear chart title to indicate the facts that the chart depicts. Click on the chart to navigate all the chart depicts. 
• • Axis Titles:- Label the axes to give the context for the data. Chart tools > Design> Select Add Chart Elements> Axis titles. 

• Data Labels: You should show values directly on the charts to enhance the chances of clarity. Chart Tools > Design > Select Add Chart Element > Data labels. 

• Legend: By adjusting the Legend your chart will be easier to read. 

• Chart Tools > Design > Select Add Chart Element > Legend. 

5. Format Your Chart 

In most of the cases, Excel allows extensive formatting options to enhance the formatting of your chart.

Colors: Alter the color scheme to make your chart visually appealing.

Styles: Apply all your predefined styles for a polished look.

Font: Adjust the font size and style for readability.

6. Advanced Customization 

Advanced Customization is essential for more complex data. You may require some advanced customization for proper data visualization in Excel. Some of the key facts that you should be well aware of are as follows:- 

• Combo charts for better visualization, you need to combine different chart types. 
• Insert The Combo Chart to select your combination. 
• You can add trend lines to show the trends in your data. 

• Chart of tools> Design select > Add chart elements> Trend Lines. 

7. Save & Share Your Chart 

Once you are fully satisfied with your chart then you can save and share your chart. This will make things easier for you in the long run. Select the Save as Template option. Transfer the chart to another document. 

Steps For Creating Spark Lines 

There are certain steps you need to follow to create the Spark Lines in Excel. Some of the key factors that you must know from your end are as follows:- 

• First, you need to select the Excel data range to develop the Sparkline. 
• After that, you need to click on the sparklines by inserting them into the tab. You can select any three of the Sparklines. 
• Click on the location range as well as the data range for the creation of Sparklines by clicking on OK. 

What Are The Tools To Use For Data Visualization In Excel? 

There are certain tools that you can use for data visualization in Excel. Some of the important tools that you should be well aware of are as follows:- 

• Power Pivot. 
• Piechart. 
• Histogram. 
• Area Chart. 
• Bar Chart. 
• Histogram 
• Data Wrapper. 

How Does Pepsico Make Use Of The Data Visualization Technique? 

The reason why data is getting so much importance nowadays is its validity towards accuracy. Vikram Somaya who is a data analyst officer at Pepsico has taken the help of the Data Visualization tool to improve the productivity rate. Now what process they make use of the data is illustrated below:- 

1. Getting Real Time Updates On Food For Maintaining Its Freshness 

According to Chief Data Analyst Vikram Soumya of Pepsico, every minute matters a lot as the food travels through the shelves for shipment. Data can make the process of shipment of foods faster and fresher. 

They tracked the shipment moment by moment and the temperature at which the food was stored. Pepsico uses Bluetooth-enabled sensors to monitor the condition and pinpoint the exact location of shipment. 

This data optimizes their system as this allows them to understand where their resources are present. Vikram explains that this detailed information helps them to reduce food waste, helps them to save fuel, and to stay ahead in meeting the customer’s demands. 

2. Innovation Fueled By Analytics 

Gatorade is making use of data analytics to optimize the way athletics exercise and the way Pepsico develops new products. The Gatorade GX sweat patch is one of the most impactful tools. After exercising while wearing the sweat patch. 

All the consumers upload their work out data to receive all the personalized recommendations. This helps in maintaining the nutrition and hydration. 

Gatrodate can even provide better work out option in the future. All the information can be used to refine our products with ease. This can be applied for research and development. 

3. Data Visualization Technique For All Associates 

Data upskilling can help the employees to leap frog to access all the knowledge today. It is one of the crucial turn around for all the associates. This is one of the best solution for your digital academy. 

Furthermore, Machine learning, data analytics, and cloud technology can offer you some on-demand courses on topics that helps to upskill the information. This is one of the crucial aspects of data visualization that can help your business to grow. 

What Is The Role Of Data Visualization In Business Decision Making? 

There are several roles of data visualization in business decision making. Some of the core aspects that you must be well aware off from your counterpart are as follows:- 

• Data visualizations can help you to identify the patterns, trends, and outliners that is easy to manage the raw data. 
• Uncover all the hidden insights to manage the raw data that leads to new strategic opportunities. 
• It offers common language understanding of the data that facilitates the team discussions. Thus enabling collaborative growth structure to develop within the company. 
• This speeds up the communication through faster delivery thus enabling better understanding. 

Final Take Away 

Hence, these are some of the core benefits you can seek from mastering data visualization. This is one of the crucial aspects of data interpretation that you should be well aware off. Without knowing the facts you cannot make the correct decisions for your company. 

Data visualization in excel will open up the door for you in maintaining the correct attitude for your business development. This is one of the crucial aspects of data visualization that can make a significant difference within your company.