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Treemap

Hierarchy as nested rectangles — files, budgets and portfolios when a pie would choke.

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Treemap

Treemap encodes values as area of nested rectangles for a hierarchy. Ben Shneiderman, University of Maryland, 1991, for disk-space visualization.

In reports, ads and assignments it fits part-to-whole with many leaves and a hierarchy. Skip it when you need precise comparison of similar sizes.

This page gathers anatomy, fit, craft, failure modes and work / ads / school recipes for Treemap.

FormTreemap
Since1991
Encodesarea of nested rectangles…
Best forpart-to-whole with many…
Avoidyou need precise…
Studiocharts

Profile

Clarity
66
Persuasion
60
Density
96
Craft cost
55
School fit
58
Work fit
84
666096555884

Seven chapters

The idea

Hierarchy as nested rectangles — files, budgets and portfolios when a pie would choke. History. part-to-whole with many leaves and a hierarchy.

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Anatomy

Hierarchy as nested rectangles — files, budgets and portfolios when a pie would choke. Mark. part-to-whole with many leaves and a hierarchy.

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When to use

Hierarchy as nested rectangles — files, budgets and portfolios when a pie would choke. Fit. part-to-whole with many leaves and a hierarchy.

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Craft

Hierarchy as nested rectangles — files, budgets and portfolios when a pie would choke. Rules. part-to-whole with many leaves and a hierarchy.

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Mistakes

Hierarchy as nested rectangles — files, budgets and portfolios when a pie would choke. Failure modes. part-to-whole with many leaves and a hierarchy.

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Studio

Hierarchy as nested rectangles — files, budgets and portfolios when a pie would choke. Work. part-to-whole with many leaves and a hierarchy.

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Tools

Hierarchy as nested rectangles — files, budgets and portfolios when a pie would choke. Software. part-to-whole with many leaves and a hierarchy.

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Frequently asked questions

When should I pick Treemap?
When the story is part-to-whole with many leaves and a hierarchy.
When should I avoid Treemap?
When you need precise comparison of similar sizes.
Who invented or popularised it?
Ben Shneiderman, University of Maryland, 1991, for disk-space visualization
What does it encode?
area of nested rectangles for a hierarchy
Is it OK in ads?
Yes if one claim is visible at a glance in Meta, Google and retail print; otherwise link to a full figure.
Will a teacher accept it?
Yes for lab reports and poster boards if axes, units and a source line are present.
Which tool?
Excel or Google Sheets or PowerPoint; export SVG/PDF.
How do I keep it accessible?
Do not rely on hue alone. Label directly and check greyscale.

Related

▦ Heatmap

A matrix of intensity — dense, seductive, and easy to lie with a rainbow scale.

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 100

◐ Pie & donut

A seductive part-to-whole shape — powerful in ads, dangerous when slices multiply.

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📁 Work reports

The weekly and quarterly pack — bars, waterfalls and tiles that a manager can read in four minutes.

Open →