A straightforward, full-color guide to showcasing data soyour audience can see what you mean, not just read about itBig data is big news! Every company, industry, not-for-profitand government agency wants and needs to analyze and leveragedatasets that can quickly become ponderously large. Datavisualization software enables different industries to presentinformation in ways that are memorable and relevant to theirmission. This full-color guide introduces you to a variety of waysto handle and synthesize data in much more interesting ways thanmere columns and rows of numbers.Learn meaningful ways to show trending and relationships, how toconvey complex data in a clear, concise diagram, ways to createeye-catching visualizations, and much more!* Effective data analysis involves learning how to synthesizedata, especially big data, into a story and present that story in away that resonates with the audience* This full-color guide shows you how to analyze large amounts ofdata, communicate complex data in a meaningful way, and quicklyslice data into various views* Explains how to automate redundant reporting and analysescreate eye-catching visualizations, and use statistical graphicsand thematic cartography* Enables you to present vast amounts of data in ways that won'toverwhelm your audiencePart technical manual and part analytical guidebook, DataVisualization For Dummies is the perfect tool for transformingdull tables and charts into high-impact visuals your audience willnotice...and remember.

Introduction 1Part I: Getting Started with Data Visualization 5Chapter 1: Introducing Data Visualization 7Chapter 2: Exploring Common Types of Data Visualizations 13Chapter 3: Knowing What You Must about Big Data 29Part II: Mastering Basic Data Visualization Concepts 39Chapter 4: Using Charts Effectively 41Chapter 5: Adding a Little Context 53Chapter 6: Paying Attention to Detail 67Part III: Building Your First Data Visualization 79Chapter 7: Defining an Easy-to-Follow Storyboard 81Chapter 8: Developing a Clear Mock-Up 99Chapter 9: Adding Effective Visuals to Your Mock-Up 109Chapter 10: Adding Functionality and Applying Color 131Chapter 11: Adding Some Finishing Touches 147Chapter 12: Exploring User Adoption 161Part IV: Putting Data Viz Techniques into Practice 169Chapter 13: Evaluating Real Data Visualizations 171Chapter 14: Recognizing Newbie Pitfalls 191Part V: The Part of Tens 207Chapter 15: Top Ten Data Visualization Resources 209Chapter 16: Top Ten Fears of New Data-Viz Creators 213Index 219