Small Multiples Are Quick and Easy

One of our previous posts discussed small multiples, i.e. a series of charts consisting of several small charts of the same type. It also describes conceptual considerations on typical application scenarios involving small multiples.

This post introduces an alternative method which you can use to create small multiples for simpler application scenarios at the blink of an eye. This type of alternative is especially interesting if the speed of implementation is more important that a special, individual chart design.

The idea: Excel sparklines are ‘opened up’ into a small multiple.

Sparklines are very simple diagrams nested within a single cell. Generally speaking, several of these charts are bundled together in a group, for which certain properties are defined, e.g. column colour or axis length. Use the following steps to transform standard sparklines into small multiples in a matter of minutes.

  • “Insert” menu -> Sparklines -> Column / select data and location range so the sparklines appear next to the input area for the values
  • Link the first sparkline with the first country name / copy the formula downwards for the other sparklines

  • Move the cells with sparklines into a cell range with the desired layout

The interim result doesn’t provide a good overview over the data yet because Excel automatically displays each sparkline with an individual axis. Therefore, the charts need to be given a standardised axis using the following option:

  • Click on a sparkline / “Design” menu -> Axis / set Minimum and Maximum value to the same for all sparklines

To increase the informational value, if required, you can also automatically display certain columns in a different colour, e.g. High Point and Last Point.

Done 🙂

 

 

Excel Template Download

 

 

 

by

Clever Data Labels

Labelling data points in charts is generally more reader-friendly than using a vertical axis. The axis is automatically displayed in Excel, and therefore it is often found in reports and presentations. However, it forces the chart reader to move their eyes back and forth between the data points and the axis.

If data points are labelled directly, on the other hand, the reader’s eye can rest steadily on the data points. That way, readers of your charts can concentrate on the content (!). Unfortunately, standard labelling options in Excel are often too inflexible, and the results are quite ugly. In line charts, for example, there are often overlaps between label and line, and in the worst case, they are no longer legible.

Excel does offer different label positions (top, bottom, right, left, centred). But these are always applied to all data points at once, although an individual alignment per data point would make more sense. Of course, you can also move the labels manually. But this can also lead to problems, as the manual position also needs to be changed by hand after data updates.

A little trick provides the solution: an invisible auxiliary data range can be used to generate data labels that always position themselves correctly. In the case of a line chart, you can have it calculate whether it ‘bends’ up or down for each point. The formula then compares each data point with the median value of its two neighbours. Of course, you may have to use completely different formulas for different chart types.

Use the following steps to create clever labels for line charts:

  • Create a formula to move the label up (+1) or down (-1)
  • Calculate auxiliary data range “Label” for data labelling (at the points level)

  • Add data range “Label” to the diagram, make points and connecting lines invisible and insert centred data labels

  • Click the first label field of the new data range twice (don’t double click), so that the individual label field is selected
  • Type “=” and click on the table cell showing the value to be displayed (e.g. the value for January), then confirm with enter (this creates a so-called linked label)
  • Link the other data points with the corresponding table cells

Done 🙂

Tip: Excel Version 2013 introduced the labelling option “Value From Cells”, with which you can achieve the desired result much quicker.

 

Excel Template Download
by

Small Multiples in Excel – Small But Good

“Small multiples” are charts that display a range of data in several smaller charts of the same type. This is often easier to read than mixing the same data in a single, more complex chart. The informational value and overview are the result of the aggregate charts in this case.

The specific application scenario determines whether to use a small multiple or a single chart with several data ranges. Stacked column or bar charts visually highlight the sum. Small multiple charts place the visual focus on the individual data ranges.

If the company revenue is displayed as a stacked bar chart (1 chart with 4 data ranges), for example, then total revenue is easy to see, but less so the precise development of individual product groups.

On the other hand, if 4 single charts (with one data range each) are displayed for the product groups, then revenue performance for each product group can easily be gauged. Additional details such as deviation indicators can easily be implemented at the product group level.

To maintain a good overview, however, you need to standardise the individual charts making up the small multiple. A consistent axis scale is especially important. Highlighting improves the informational value, e.g. using the signal colours green and red to mark positive (desired) or negative (undesired) deviations.

Unfortunately, this type of chart isn’t part of Excel’s native functionality. Nevertheless, you can easily implement custom small multiples in just a few steps.

Create Chart

  • Chart Type: Cluster Bar
  • Data ranges: main data range and min/max data range for a consistent axis scale

Format chart

  • Add Data Labels
  • Format Data Series… Series Overlap: 100% / Gap Width: 50% / bar colour: Solid Fill = green, Invert if negative, second colour = red / min/max colour: no fill

  • Format Axis… Axis Options: Values in reverse order / Line: Solid Line, black / Label Position: Low
  • Format Chart Area… Fill: No fill / Border: No line / Font size: 8 pt

Position chart

  • Align chart area (outside) and drawing area (inside) to the cell using the Alt button

Copy charts

Adjust the data source for each chart

Done 🙂

Tip: In one of our next posts, we’ll be presenting a second way of realising small multiples even quicker for simple application scenarios.

 

 

Excel Template downloaden

 

 

 

by