Summary

A straightforward, full-color guide to showcasing data so your audience can see what you mean, not just read about it Big data is big news! Every company, industry, not-for-profit, and government agency wants and needs to analyze and leverage datasets that can quickly become ponderously large. Data visualization software enables different industries to present information in ways that are memorable and relevant to their mission. This full-color guide introduces you to a variety of ways to handle and synthesize data in much more interesting ways than mere columns and rows of numbers. Learn meaningful ways to show trending and relationships, how to convey complex data in a clear, concise diagram, ways to create eye-catching visualizations, and much more! Effective data analysis involves learning how to synthesize data, especially big data, into a story and present that story in a way that resonates with the audience This full-color guide shows you how to analyze large amounts of data, communicate complex data in a meaningful way, and quickly slice data into various views Explains how to automate redundant reporting and analyses, create eye-catching visualizations, and use statistical graphics and thematic cartography Enables you to present vast amounts of data in ways that wont overwhelm your audience Part technical manual and part analytical guidebook, Data Visualization For Dummies is the perfect tool for transforming dull tables and charts into high-impact visuals your audience will notice...and remember.

Author Biography

Mico Yuk is founder of BIBrainz.com and BIDashboardFormula.com. She is a Business Intelligence coach, global keynote speaker, and analytics blogger. Stephanie Diamond is a former marketing director for AOL, founder of MarketingMessageMindset.com, and the author of seven business books, including Social CRM For Dummies.

Introduction 1

Part I: Getting Started with Data Visualization 5

Chapter 1: Introducing Data Visualization 7

Chapter 2: Exploring Common Types of Data Visualizations 13

Chapter 3: Knowing What You Must about Big Data 29

Part II: Mastering Basic Data Visualization Concepts 39

Chapter 4: Using Charts Effectively 41

Chapter 5: Adding a Little Context 53

Chapter 6: Paying Attention to Detail 67

Part III: Building Your First Data Visualization 79

Chapter 7: Defining an Easy-to-Follow Storyboard 81

Chapter 8: Developing a Clear Mock-Up 99

Chapter 9: Adding Effective Visuals to Your Mock-Up 109

Chapter 10: Adding Functionality and Applying Color 131

Chapter 11: Adding Some Finishing Touches 147

Chapter 12: Exploring User Adoption 161

Part IV: Putting Data Viz Techniques into Practice 169

Chapter 13: Evaluating Real Data Visualizations 171

Chapter 14: Recognizing Newbie Pitfalls 191

Part V: The Part of Tens 207

Chapter 15: Top Ten Data Visualization Resources 209

Chapter 16: Top Ten Fears of New Data-Viz Creators 213

Index 219

Supplemental Materials

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