Tables, charts, graphs, and pictograms are visual data presentation tools which help to convey information quickly and effectively.

What is data?

Data is collected information - facts, observations, survey responses, for example – which when studied and interpreted can provide insights, spot trends and aid decision making.

From the Latin datum , for ‘something given’, data is something we provide every day, particularly through our online interactions. Every web search we perform, every link we click, what we buy and how often, music we listen to, people we follow – all this and more is collected and analysed.

Choosing the right type of data visualisation method can help communicate information effectively to any audience.

For example:

This guide will help you to use and interpret simple tables and graphical data representations.