Preparing Effective Charts and Graphs
SECTION 3A: Pie Chart

This pie chart shows the results of a usability study focusing on bailout rates (a bailout occurs when a reader leaves the Web site without making a reservation) for different sections of a car-rental company's Web site. The use of three dimensions makes the programs and services slice appear bigger than the home slice, even though it isn't. The slices are arranged in a seemingly random order. Finally, the slices lack labels.

Ineffective

Figure 3. Bailout Rates for Different Sections of Our Web Site
Revised

The chart below shows an improved version of the same information. In this improved chart, data are shown in only two dimensions, slices are arranged from biggest to smallest, and labels are added inside the slices to show both the category and the percentage that each slice represents.
Figure 3. Bailout Rates for Different Sections of Our Web Site
HOME: Introduction to this tutorial
1. Overview of the Process
  1. Analyze Your Audience and Purpose
  2. Understand the Limitations of Spreadsheet Programs
  3. Enter Data into a Spreadsheet Program
  4. Select Data to Include in a Graphic
  5. Choose the Appropriate Kind of Graphic
  6. Customize the Graphic for Your Audience and Purpose
  7. Select Where to Place the Graphic in the Spreadsheet
  8. Insert the Graphic into a Word-Processing or Presentation Program
  9. Integrate the Graphic and the Text
2. Designing Effective Charts & Graphs
  1. Make Sure Your Graphic Has a Purpose
  2. Aim for Simplicity
  3. Be Honest
  4. Present a Manageable Amount of Information
  5. Follow Common Conventions for Graphics
  6. Label Your Graphic
3. Sample Graphics for Analysis
  1. Pie Chart
  2. Gantt Chart
  3. 100-Percent Horizontal Bar Graph
  4. Vertical Bar Graph
  5. Line Graph


Previous PageNext Page
 Bedford/St. Martin's | Business & Technical | About the Author | Catalog | Order a Book | Contact Us