# Chart Types

Choose the right visualization for your data story

Scoop offers a rich library of chart types to visualize your data effectively. Choose the right chart type to communicate your insights clearly—whether you're showing trends, comparing categories, or displaying part-to-whole relationships.

# Chart Type Overview

| Chart Type | Best For | Data Requirements |
|------------|----------|-------------------|
| [Column](#column) | Time trends, category comparison | 1 metric, optional grouping |
| [Line](#line) | Trends over time | 1+ metrics, time dimension |
| [Area](#area) | Cumulative trends, magnitude | 1+ metrics, time dimension |
| [Bar](#bar) | Category comparison, rankings | 1 metric, 1 dimension |
| [Pie](#pie) | Part-to-whole (few categories) | 1 metric, 1 dimension |
| [Donut](#donut) | Part-to-whole with center stat | 1 metric, 1 dimension |
| [Pictorial](#pictorial-charts) | Creative branded visuals | 1 metric, custom images |
| [Gauge](#gauge) | Progress toward goal | 1 metric, target value |
| [Radial](#radial-charts) | Cyclical or comparative data | Multiple metrics |

# Choosing the Right Chart

| Your Question | Recommended Chart | Why |
|---------------|-------------------|-----|
| "How has this changed over time?" | Line, Column, Area | Time axis shows progression |
| "How do these categories compare?" | Column, Bar | Easy visual comparison |
| "What's the breakdown?" | Pie, Donut | Shows proportions clearly |
| "Are we on track?" | Gauge | Visual progress indicator |
| "What's the ranking?" | Bar (horizontal) | Easy to read top-to-bottom |
| "How does this relate to total?" | Stacked Area, Donut | Shows part-to-whole |

---

# Column

Column charts are the workhorse of data visualization—perfect for comparing values across categories or tracking metrics over time.

![](https://docs.scoopanalytics.com/assets/legacy/8562ad1-image-c99e25ad3a.png)

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## Column Chart Features

| Feature | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| **Categories** | Group by any dimension |
| **Category groups** | Stack or cluster by second dimension |
| **Formatting** | Colors, labels, gridlines, axis customization |
| **Sorting** | By value, alphabetical, or custom order |

## When to Use Column Charts

| Scenario | Example |
|----------|---------|
| Time-based comparisons | Monthly revenue |
| Category comparisons | Sales by region |
| Grouped comparisons | Revenue by product, stacked by region |
| Before/after analysis | Q1 vs Q2 performance |

---

# Line

Line charts excel at showing trends and continuous data over time. Multiple lines allow easy comparison of different series.

![](https://docs.scoopanalytics.com/assets/legacy/30a721e-image-f94b38afb9.png)

## Line Chart Features

| Feature | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| **Multiple series** | Compare several metrics simultaneously |
| **Smooth/stepped** | Choose line interpolation style |
| **Markers** | Show data points on lines |
| **Dual axis** | Display metrics with different scales |

## When to Use Line Charts

| Scenario | Example |
|----------|---------|
| Trend analysis | Revenue trend over 12 months |
| Multiple metric comparison | Revenue vs. costs over time |
| Rate of change | Growth rate visualization |
| Forecasting | Actuals vs. projected |

---

# Area

Area charts combine the trend-showing power of line charts with filled regions that emphasize magnitude and cumulative values.

![](https://docs.scoopanalytics.com/assets/legacy/f59cb63-image-fd029af042.png)

## Area Chart Variants

| Variant | Best For |
|---------|----------|
| **Simple area** | Single metric magnitude over time |
| **Stacked area** | Part-to-whole over time |
| **100% stacked** | Proportion changes over time |

## When to Use Area Charts

| Scenario | Example |
|----------|---------|
| Cumulative totals | YTD revenue accumulation |
| Composition over time | Pipeline by stage over months |
| Volume emphasis | Order volume trends |
| Stacked comparisons | Revenue by product line |

---

# Bar

Bar charts display data horizontally—ideal when category names are long or when you have many categories to compare.

![](https://docs.scoopanalytics.com/assets/legacy/30e5508-image-4375036259.png)

## Bar Chart Features

| Feature | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| **Horizontal layout** | Easy to read category labels |
| **Long labels** | Accommodates lengthy text |
| **Many categories** | Scrollable for 10+ items |
| **Sorting** | Automatic ranking by value |

## When to Use Bar Charts

| Scenario | Example |
|----------|---------|
| Rankings | Top 10 products by sales |
| Long category names | Sales by full product name |
| Survey results | Response frequency by answer |
| Leaderboards | Rep performance ranking |

---

# Pie

Pie charts show how parts contribute to a whole. Best used with 5 or fewer categories for readability.

| Regular Pie | Half Pie |
|:-----------:|:--------:|
| ![](https://docs.scoopanalytics.com/assets/legacy/afac663-image-b1e695ec29.png) | ![](https://docs.scoopanalytics.com/assets/legacy/be9b7d9-image-f1b1e251c5.png) |

## Pie Chart Features

| Feature | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| **Regular pie** | Full circle, classic presentation |
| **Half pie** | Semi-circle, space-efficient |
| **Labels** | Value, percentage, or both |
| **Exploded slices** | Emphasize specific segments |

## When to Use Pie Charts

| Scenario | Example |
|----------|---------|
| Market share | Revenue by competitor |
| Budget allocation | Spend by category |
| Survey responses | Distribution of answers |
| Simple breakdowns | Deals by stage (3-5 stages) |

> **Tip:** If you have more than 5-6 categories, consider a bar chart or donut with "Other" grouping for better readability.

---

# Donut

Donut charts add visual flair to pie charts while providing space in the center for a key metric or label.

![](https://docs.scoopanalytics.com/assets/legacy/e054842-image-3a1920c9dd.png)

## Donut Chart Features

| Feature | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| **Center metric** | Display total or key KPI in center |
| **Modern aesthetic** | Contemporary look for dashboards |
| **Same data as pie** | Part-to-whole relationships |
| **Center labels** | Add context to the visualization |

## When to Use Donut Charts

| Scenario | Example |
|----------|---------|
| Dashboard KPIs | Total revenue with breakdown |
| Progress indicators | Completion percentage |
| Category breakdown | Support tickets by type |
| Executive presentations | Clean, professional look |

---

# Pictorial Charts

Pictorial charts replace standard bars or areas with custom images, adding visual interest and semantic meaning to your data.

![](https://docs.scoopanalytics.com/assets/legacy/d8ba720-image-9259e1697e.png)

## Pictorial Chart Features

| Feature | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| **Custom images** | Upload logos, icons, photos |
| **Semantic meaning** | Visual matches the data context |
| **Brand alignment** | Use company imagery |
| **Engagement** | More memorable than standard charts |

## When to Use Pictorial Charts

| Scenario | Example |
|----------|---------|
| Product comparisons | Products represented by their images |
| Branded presentations | Company-specific visualizations |
| Infographics | Public-facing reports |
| Creative dashboards | Marketing and design contexts |

---

# Gauge

Gauges display progress toward a goal, making them perfect for KPIs and performance tracking.

![](https://docs.scoopanalytics.com/assets/legacy/2a8c81b-image-03503830bc.png)

## Gauge Features

| Feature | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| **Target indicator** | Shows goal line |
| **Color zones** | Red/yellow/green for status |
| **Percentage display** | Progress as percentage |
| **Min/max configuration** | Custom scale range |

## When to Use Gauges

| Scenario | Example |
|----------|---------|
| Sales targets | Quota attainment |
| SLA compliance | Service level percentage |
| Budget tracking | Spend vs. budget |
| Goal progress | Quarterly objectives |

---

# Radial Charts

Radial charts arrange data in a circular pattern, useful for cyclical data or comparing multiple dimensions.

![](https://docs.scoopanalytics.com/assets/legacy/c639a49-image-a4a4e70550.png)

## Radial Chart Features

| Feature | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| **Circular layout** | Unique visual presentation |
| **Multiple metrics** | Compare several values |
| **Cyclical data** | Natural for time-of-day, seasons |
| **Space efficient** | Compact multi-metric display |

## When to Use Radial Charts

| Scenario | Example |
|----------|---------|
| Multi-dimensional comparison | Performance across 5 metrics |
| Cyclical patterns | Sales by hour of day |
| Compact dashboards | Multiple KPIs in small space |
| Creative presentations | Unique visual style |

---

# Chart Formatting Options

All chart types support extensive customization:

| Category | Options |
|----------|---------|
| **Colors** | Theme colors, custom palettes, conditional coloring |
| **Labels** | Data labels, axis labels, legend |
| **Axes** | Scale, range, gridlines, tick marks |
| **Legend** | Position, visibility, formatting |
| **Title** | Chart title, subtitle |
| **Borders** | Chart border and background |

# Best Practices

## General Guidelines

| Practice | Why |
|----------|-----|
| Match chart to data | Right chart type tells the story clearly |
| Limit categories | Too many makes charts unreadable |
| Use consistent colors | Same meaning = same color |
| Label clearly | Viewers should understand without explanation |

## Common Mistakes

| Mistake | Better Approach |
|---------|-----------------|
| Pie chart with 10+ slices | Use bar chart or group into "Other" |
| 3D effects | Stick to 2D for accuracy |
| Truncated Y-axis | Start at zero for fair comparison |
| Too many chart types | Consistency aids comprehension |

# Related Topics

- [How to Create a Chart](how-to-create-a-chart) - Step-by-step guide
- [How to Save a Chart](how-to-save-a-chart) - Save and reuse visualizations
- [Visualizing Data by Time](../charting-time-series-data) - Time series analysis
- [Visual Themes](../visual-themes) - Consistent styling