Power BI is a powerful tool that helps transform raw data into insightful visualisations, making it easier to communicate complex information. However, the effectiveness of your data storytelling heavily depends on choosing the right chart type. The wrong visualisation can lead to confusion or misinterpretation, no matter how valuable your data is.
In this article, we’ll explore the top 5 Power BI charts and explain when and how to use them for maximum impact. While non-traditional charts may appear visually appealing, they can often sacrifice clarity. We’ll help you choose the best Power BI charts for your data, ensuring your visualisations are not only engaging but also easy to interpret.
1. Bar Charts
When to Use
Bar charts are one of the most commonly used Power BI charts, and for good reason. They're great at comparing different categories side by side, making it easy to see which category stands out. Whether you're comparing sales by product, revenue by region, or any other category-based data, a bar chart provides clear visual comparisons.
Example
Imagine you're analysing your sales across multiple product categories. A bar chart would allow you to quickly compare which products performed best, making it ideal for ranking or showing competition between groups.
In this example, we have the sum of gross sales by country, which when ranked from biggest to smallest as it is here, makes it easy to see which country has the largest sales.
Tips 💡
Use horizontal bars when your categories have longer names. This stops the axis labels being displayed diagonally, or being truncated.
Stick to vertical bars for time-series data when comparing trends over time.
Choose This Chart If...
You need a simple, effective way to compare categories or rank data. Bar charts are perfect for providing clarity and ease of interpretation.
2. Line Charts
When to Use
Line charts are excellent for showing trends over time, making them one of the go-to Power BI charts for continuous data. They are ideal for illustrating changes, patterns, or trends in your data over periods like months, quarters, or years.
Example
Tracking revenue growth over the last few years or months? A line chart will help visualise the ups and downs, allowing you to easily spot peaks, dips, and overall trends.
In this example, you can see the gross sales for each month, allowing you to see which months were good as well as the overall direction of sales.
Tips 💡
Use markers to highlight specific data points.
Keep the chart clean by limiting the number of lines to avoid clutter.
Choose This Chart If...
Your data spans a continuous range, such as time, and you want to emphasise changes or trends rather than specific data points.
3. Pie and Donut Charts
When to Use
Pie and donut charts are used to show how parts make up the whole. These Power BI charts are great for representing data where you want to visualise how each category contributes to a whole, such as market share, sales contribution by region, or budget allocation.
Example
If you’re displaying sales contribution by different regions or segments, a pie chart will show the proportion each region or segment contributes to the total.
In this example, we have the sales by segment, and it makes it easy to see which segments are the largest.
Tips 💡
Limit pie charts to fewer than six categories for clarity. Too many slices makes things messy and hard to differentiate.
Donut charts work well if you want to add a central label or category to the chart for better visual appeal.
Choose This Chart If...
You need to show how categories compare to a whole, but keep in mind that pie and donut charts can become difficult to interpret if there are too many slices.
NEED HELP?
At Sontai we are Power BI Specialists.
Talk to us today to see how we can build your dream Power BI report for you.
4. Stacked Column and Bar Charts
When to Use
Stacked column and bar charts are useful when you want to compare overall values while also showing the composition of each part. These Power BI charts lets you display total amounts along with the breakdown of individual components. There are two types of stacked chart, either standard or 100%, where each bar adds up 100%.
Example
Visualise total sales across multiple regions, with each bar broken down into different product types. This allows you to not only see the overall performance but also understand which products are driving the results.
In this example, we see the proportion of segments sold in each country, allowing us to see that the lighter blue 'government' segment is the largest in France, even though it's not the biggest country overall. Having these values in a series of columns makes this type of comparison easier than if these values were displayed in pie charts.
Tips 💡
Use stacked bar charts for categorical data and stacked column charts for time-series data.
Ensure the chart doesn’t become too crowded by limiting the number of components. If the chart is too crowded it will be difficult to understand and interpret.
Choose This Chart If...
You want to compare total values but also need to show how each component contributes to the whole.
5. Scatter Plots
When to Use
Scatter plots are ideal for showing relationships between two numerical variables. They are among the most insightful Power BI charts when you’re looking to find correlations, clusters, or outliers within your data.
Example
Imagine you're trying to find out whether increased marketing spend correlates with higher sales across a product range. A scatter plot can visually display this relationship, helping you identify trends, clusters, or anomalies.
In this example, we're using a scatter plot of profit against units for each segment. This allows us to see the correlation between the two metrics and is enhanced by making the bubble size the gross sales. The higher the bubble the more profitable the segment, and the further right the more units were sold. This makes the dark blue segment the most interesting as not many units were sold, but the gross sales (bubble size) and profit are much larger than those around it.
Tips 💡
Use colour and size variations to represent additional dimensions of data within the chart.
Scatter plots work best when you have a large amount of data points.
Add a 'play' axis to the chart to show changes over time periods if appropriate.
Choose This Chart If...
You need to explore the relationship between two or more variables, especially if you're looking for correlations or outliers in large datasets.
Honourable Mention: Non-Traditional Charts
Examples of Non-Traditional Charts in Power BI
Non-traditional Power BI charts like ribbon charts, maps, and waterfall charts are visually impressive and can capture attention. However, they often come at the cost of clarity and ease of interpretation.
Why Use Caution
These charts can be cool to look at but often confuse viewers who aren’t familiar with how to read them. My favourite example of this is the chord chart (available from the Microsoft App Store) which looks amazing, but trying to compare multiple variables within it can be challenging for most audiences.
Advice
If you're using non-traditional charts, make sure your audience understands the visualisation. Always ask yourself whether the chart enhances understanding or if it's just adding unnecessary complexity, no matter how cool it looks.
STRUGGLING WITH YOUR POWER BI REPORTS?
At Sontai we are Power BI Specialists.
Talk to us today to see how we can build your dream Power BI report for you.
How to Choose the Right Power BI Chart
When selecting a Power BI chart for your data, consider the following:
What’s the goal of your visualisation?
If you’re comparing categories, use a bar chart. If you want to show trends over time, a line chart is best. Understanding the story you’re trying to tell is key to choosing the right chart.
How much data are you presenting?
Too much data in a pie chart or stacked bar chart can quickly become overwhelming. Simplify where possible to enhance clarity and don't cram too much onto a single chart.
Who is your audience?
Internal teams familiar with data might appreciate complex charts, but for external clients or higher-level decision-makers, simplicity is essential.
Always prioritise clarity.
If your message can be clearly communicated with a basic chart, don’t complicate it with unnecessary design elements.
Conclusion
In Power BI, the chart you choose can either elevate your message or confuse your audience. The top 5 Power BI charts we have mentioned here- bar charts, line charts, pie and donut charts, stacked column charts, and scatter plots - each have their specific strengths and use cases. While non-traditional charts can be eye-catching, always prioritise ease of understanding for your audience.
With the right Power BI charts, you’ll be able to turn raw data into compelling stories that drive insights and decision-making.
Comentarios