PowerPoint Data Visualization: High-Impact Charts and Graphs

Learn from a Microsoft MVP how to create high-impact charts and data visualizations in PowerPoint.

Introduction

• Become a chart designer
• What to know before starting this course

1. Let's Talk Brain Science

• How we organize information
• Preattentive attributes
• Why 3D charts don't work

2. Creating Emphasis

• Contrast creates emphasis
• When everything is bold, nothing is bold
• Color is best in moderation
• Using PowerPoint colors in Excel

3. Getting Rid of Chart Junk

• What is chart junk?
• Removing chart junk
• Streamlining numbers with custom formats

4. Labeling Your Charts

• Legends vs. direct labeling
• Sorting for clarity
• Labeling with "so what" titles

5. What Kind of Chart?

• Lines vs. columns
• Bullet charts
• Rules for pie charts
• Pie chart alternatives: Columns and stacked bars
• Pie chart alternatives: Tree maps
• Pie chart alternatives: Slope charts
• Pie chart alternatives: Waffle charts and icon arrays
• Large metrics

Conclusion

• Keep designing