A pie chart.

A chart is a graphical representation of data, in which "the data is represented by symbols, such as bars in a bar chart, lines in a line chart, or slices in a pie chart".^[1] A chart can represent tabular numeric data, functions or some kinds of qualitative structures.

The term "chart" as a graphical representation of data has multiple meanings:

• A data chart is a type of diagram or graph, that organizes and represents a set of numerical or qualitative data.
• Maps that are adorned with extra information for some specific purpose are often known as charts, such as a nautical chart or aeronautical chart.
• Other domain specific constructs are sometimes called charts, such as the chord chart in music notation or a record chart for album popularity.

Charts are often used to ease understanding of large quantities of data and the relationships between parts of the data. Charts can usually be read more quickly than the raw data that they are produced from. They are used in a wide variety of fields, and can be created by hand (often on graph paper) or by computer using a charting application. Certain types of charts are more useful for presenting a given data set than others. For example, data that presents percentages in different groups (such as "satisfied, not satisfied, unsure") are often displayed in a pie chart, but may be more easily understood when presented in a horizontal bar chart.^[2] On the other hand, data that represents numbers that change over a period of time (such as "annual revenue from 1990 to 2000") might be best shown as a line chart.

Features of a chart[link]

A chart can take a large variety ; however, there are common features that provide the chart with its ability to extract meaning from data.

Typically a chart is graphical, containing very little text, since humans are generally able to infer meaning from pictures quicker than from text. One of the more important uses of text in a graph is in the title. A graph's title usually appears above the main graphic and provides a succinct description of what the data in the graph refers to.

Dimensions in the data are often displayed on axes. If a horizontal and a vertical axis are used, they are usually referred to as the x-axis and y-axis respectively. Each axis will have a scale, denoted by periodic graduations and usually accompanied by numerical or categorical indications. Each axis will typically also have a label displayed outside or beside it, briefly describing the dimension represented. If the scale is numerical, the label will often be suffixed with the unit of that scale in parentheses. For example, "Distance traveled (m)" is a typical x-axis label and would mean that the distance travelled in metres is related to the horizontal position of the data.

Within the graph a grid of lines may appear to aid in the visual alignment of data. The grid can be enhanced by visually emphasizing the lines at regular or significant graduations. The emphasized lines are then called major grid lines and the rest of the grid lines are minor grid lines.

The data of a chart can appear in all manner of formats, with or without individual labels. It may appear as dots or shapes, connected or unconnected, and in any combination of colors and patterns. Inferences or points of interest can be overlayed directly on the graph to further aid information extraction.

When the data appearing in a chart contains multiple variables, the chart may include a legend. A legend contains a list of the variables appearing in the chart and an example of their appearance. This information allows the data from each variable to be identified in the chart.

Types of charts[link]

Common charts[link]

Four of the most common charts are:

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  Histogram

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  Bar chart

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  Pie chart

• 

  Line chart

This gallery shows:

• A histogram consists of tabular frequencies, shown as adjacent rectangles, erected over discrete intervals (bins), with an area equal to the frequency of the observations in the interval.
• 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.
• A pie chart shows percentage values as a slice of a pie.
• A line chart is a two-dimensional scatterplot of ordered observations where the observations are connected following their order.

Other common charts are:

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  Timeline chart

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  Organizational chart

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  Tree chart

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  Flow chart

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  Area chart

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  Cartogram

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  Pedigree chart

Less-common charts[link]

Examples of less common charts are:

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  Bubble chart

• 

  Polar area diagram

• Waterfall-chart.jpg

  Waterfall chart

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  Radar chart

• 

  Tree map

This gallery shows:

• A bubble chart is a two-dimensional scatterplot where a third variable is represented by the size of the points.
• A Polar area diagram, sometimes called a Coxcomb chart, is an enhanced form of pie chart developed by Florence Nightingale.
• A radar chart or "spider chart" is a two-dimensional chart of three or more quantitative variables represented on axes starting from the same point.
• A waterfall chart also known as a "Walk" chart, is a special type of floating-column chart.
• A Tree Map where the areas of the rectangles correspond to values. Other dimensions can be represented with colour or hue.

Field-specific charts[link]

Some types of charts have specific uses in a certain field

• 

  Open-high-low-close chart

• Candlestick-chart.png

  Candlestick chart

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  Kagi chart

• 

  Sparkline

This gallery shows:

• Stock market prices are often depicted with a open-high-low-close chart with a traditional bar chart of volume at the bottom.
• Candlestick charts are another type of bar chart used to describe price movements of an equity over time.
• A Kagi chart is a time-independent stock tracking chart that attempts to minimise noise.
• Alternatively, where less detail is required, and chart size is paramount, a Sparkline may be used.

Other examples:

• Interest rates, temperatures, etc., at the close of the period are plotted with a line chart.
• Project planners use a Gantt chart to show the timing of tasks as they occur over time.

Well-known named charts[link]

Some of the better-known named charts are:

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  Gantt chart

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  Nolan chart

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  PERT chart

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  Smith chart

Some specific charts have become well known by effectively explaining a phenomenon or idea.

• An Allele chart is a chart originating from the study of genetics to show the interaction of two data points in a grid.
• A Gantt chart helps in scheduling complex projects.
• The Nolan chart and the Pournelle chart classify political philosophies according to two axes of variation.
• A PERT chart is often used in project management.
• The Smith chart serves in radio electronics.

Other charts[link]

There are dozens of other types of charts. Here are some of them:

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  Control chart

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  Natal chart

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  Nomogram

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  Pareto chart

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  Run chart

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  Structure chart

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  Vowel chart

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  Strip chart

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  Heatmap

Common plots[link]

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  Box plot

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  Dot plot (statistics)

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  Probability plot

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  Scatterplot

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  Biplot

Chart Software[link]

There are many different types of software available to produce charts.

JavaScript[link]

• D3.js - HTML5/CSS3/SVG, BSD license
• JS InfoVis Toolkit - HTML5/SVG, MIT license
• Envision.js - HTML5, MIT license
• Sencha ExtJS 4 Charts - HTML5/SVG/Canvas, GPL or Commercial license
• Sencha Touch Charts - HTML5/SVG/Canvas, GPL or Commercial license

Excel[link]

• Microsoft Excel - Built in charting function for basic chart types

Java[link]

• JFreeChart - Free Java based chart software

Flash[link]

• AnyChart - Cross browser / Cross platform / Flash/JavaScript (HTML5) / Multiple data input / Variety of chart output / AnyChart Free Trial / AnyChart Full Version Purchase
• FusionCharts - Cross browser / Cross server-side technologies / Flash/JavaScript (HTML5) / Multiple mobile devices / Variety of chart output /

See also[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Chart

• Diagram
• Edward Tufte
• Exploratory data analysis
• Information graphics
• Graphic organizer
• Mathematical diagram
• Official statistics
• Plot (graphics)
• Comparison of Adobe Flex charts

References[link]

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (October 2008)