Glossary
Data visualization
Representing data graphically so that patterns, trends and outliers are easier to see than in a table of numbers.
Data visualization is the practice of encoding numbers as visual properties, such as the length of a bar, the position of a point, or the color of a cell, so that a viewer can compare and interpret values faster than by reading a table. It underlies almost everything shown on a dashboard.
The choice of chart follows from the question being asked: a line chart suits a trend over time, a bar chart suits comparison across categories, a scatter plot suits the relationship between two variables, and a map suits geography. This is also core technique used during exploratory data analysis, where quick, disposable charts help an analyst understand a dataset before building anything formal.
Good visualization matters because it changes how fast and how correctly people understand data, which is why it is inseparable from business intelligence and data storytelling. Common pitfalls include axes that do not start at zero when they should, using 3D or decorative effects that distort the values being shown, picking a chart type that does not match the comparison being made, and showing so many series at once that no single message comes through.
Last reviewed September 19, 2026