Line chart encodes values as position of a polyline through ordered time. William Playfair, 1786 — later refined for meteorology and markets.
In reports, ads and assignments it fits trends, seasonality and a few series over time. Skip it when unordered categories, or more than about four overlapping series.
This page gathers anatomy, fit, craft, failure modes and work / ads / school recipes for Line chart.
Profile
Seven chapters
The idea
Show change through time with a continuous path — the workhorse of reports and science homework. History. trends, seasonality and a few series over time.
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Anatomy
Show change through time with a continuous path — the workhorse of reports and science homework. Mark. trends, seasonality and a few series over time.
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When to use
Show change through time with a continuous path — the workhorse of reports and science homework. Fit. trends, seasonality and a few series over time.
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Craft
Show change through time with a continuous path — the workhorse of reports and science homework. Rules. trends, seasonality and a few series over time.
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Mistakes
Show change through time with a continuous path — the workhorse of reports and science homework. Failure modes. trends, seasonality and a few series over time.
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Studio
Show change through time with a continuous path — the workhorse of reports and science homework. Work. trends, seasonality and a few series over time.
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Tools
Show change through time with a continuous path — the workhorse of reports and science homework. Software. trends, seasonality and a few series over time.
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Frequently asked questions
When should I pick Line chart?
When should I avoid Line chart?
Who invented or popularised it?
What does it encode?
Is it OK in ads?
Will a teacher accept it?
Which tool?
How do I keep it accessible?
Related
▮ Bar chart
Compare categories on a shared baseline — the default honest chart for reports, ads and assignments.
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⚬ Scatter plot
Two measured variables as a cloud of points — the honest way to talk about correlation.
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📚 School assignments
Figures a teacher can mark — labelled axes, a source line, and a chart that matches the question.
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