Aggregating and charting different values

1. What does it mean to aggregate data in a chart?
2. How do you show vastly different values in one chart?
3. What chart is used to compare different values?
4. What happens when you aggregate data?

What does it mean to aggregate data in a chart?

To aggregate data is to compile and summarize data; to disaggregate data is to break down aggregated data into component parts or smaller units of data.

How do you show vastly different values in one chart?

A common approach to chart a wide range of values is to break the axis, plotting small numbers below the break and large numbers above the break. An advantage here is that it generally uses a linear scale.

What chart is used to compare different values?

Column Charts

The column chart is probably the most used chart type. This chart is best used to compare different values when specific values are important, and it is expected that users will look up and compare individual values between each column.

What happens when you aggregate data?

Data aggregation is any process whereby data is gathered and expressed in a summary form. When data is aggregated, atomic data rows -- typically gathered from multiple sources -- are replaced with totals or summary statistics.