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One-Minute Summary

To choose an appropriate table or chart type, begin by determining whether your data are categorical or numerical.

If your data are categorical:

  • Determine whether you are presenting one or two variables.

  • If one variable, use a summary table, bar chart, pie chart, or doughnut chart. If emphasizing the vital few from the trivial many, use a Pareto chart.

  • If two variables, use a two-way table.

If your data are numerical:

  • If charting one variable, use a frequency and percentage distribution with or without a histogram.

  • If charting two variables, if the time order of the data is important, use a time-series plot; otherwise, use a scatter plot.

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