When to use

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.

Use when

• Use when 1 — trends, seasonality and a few series over time
• Use when 2 — Excel or Google Sheets
• Use when 3 — PowerPoint
• Use when 4 — lab reports and poster boards
• Use when 5 — Meta, Google and retail print

Avoid when

• Avoid when 1 — unordered categories, or more than about four overlapping series
• Avoid when 2 — 3-D, dual axes, rainbow scales
• Avoid when 3 — Undated numbers, undated time series
• Avoid when 4 — Four charts on one slide

Audiences

• Work — PowerPoint
• Ads — Meta, Google and retail print
• School — lab reports and poster boards

Line chart: honour position of a polyline through ordered time, and switch when unordered categories, or more than about four overlapping series.

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