Overview

Charts are visual representations of data that transform numbers into graphical elements such as bars, lines, or colors.
They help users quickly understand patterns, compare values, and identify key insights that would be difficult to interpret in raw tables or datasets.

Choosing the right chart

Choosing the right chart depends on the question you want to answer.
Different charts serve different purposes:

Comparison → compare values across categories

Distribution → understand how data is spread

Relationship → explore correlations between variables (including trends over time)

Composition → show how parts contribute to a whole

Additional patterns can also be represented:

Trends → a specific type of relationship that shows how data changes over time

Patterns & intensity → reveal variations across dimensions (e.g. heat maps)

Each chart type in this library is designed to support one of these purposes.
Users may:

Already know which chart they need

Or need guidance to select the most appropriate one

These guidelines help in both cases by providing clear usage recommendations for each chart.