When to use

At a glance

ComfortableCompact

Darker cells mean a higher score for this topic on that metric.

Clarity90

Persuasion68

Density70

Craft cost28

School fit94

Work fit93

LessMore

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 — Use Line chart when the story is trends, seasonality and a few series over time.
• Use when 2 — Build the first draft in Excel or Google Sheets, then restyle — do not screenshot.
• Use when 3 — In PowerPoint, one Line chart per slide, claim in the title.
• Use when 4 — For lab reports and poster boards, this form works when the question is comparison or process.
• Use when 5 — In Meta, Google and retail print, keep one number visible at thumbnail size.

Avoid when

• Avoid when 1 — Skip Line chart in cases like: 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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