Chart & Indicator Guide
This guide explains which charts work with single indicators versus multiple indicators, helping you choose the best visualization for your economic data analysis.Overview
Charts in Visonomics807 are categorized by how many indicators they can display:| Category | Description | Use When |
|---|---|---|
| Single Indicator | Shows one economic metric at a time | Analyzing trends, distributions, or geographic patterns for a specific metric |
| Multi-Indicator | Shows 2+ metrics together | Comparing or correlating different metrics |
Single Indicator Charts
These charts display one indicator at a time for clarity and focused analysis. If you have multiple indicators selected, only the first will be shown.Time-Series Charts
Show data over time.| Chart | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Line | Connected points showing trends over time | GDP growth trends, inflation patterns, population changes |
| Area | Filled area under line showing cumulative values | Visualizing total magnitude over time |
| Bar | Vertical bars comparing values across time/categories | Comparing GDP between countries, yearly comparisons |
| Stream | Flowing layers showing composition over time | Visualizing how components change over time |
| Bump | Tracks ranking changes over time | Seeing how countries’ positions shift year to year |
Snapshot Charts
Show single-year data.| Chart | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Pie | Proportional slices of a whole | Market share, regional breakdown, composition analysis |
| Treemap | Nested rectangles sized by value | Hierarchical data, comparing relative sizes (GDP by region) |
| Choropleth | World map colored by value | Geographic patterns, global comparisons |
| Heatmap | Grid with color intensity by value | Patterns across two dimensions (countries x years) |
Distribution & Comparison Charts
| Chart | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Scatter | Points plotted showing distribution | Finding outliers, understanding data spread |
| Box-Plot | Statistical distribution (median, quartiles) | Understanding data range and central tendency |
| Bullet | Actual value vs target with ranges | Performance against benchmarks |
| Waterfall | Incremental changes adding up | Understanding sequential changes (budget flows) |
| Candlestick | Open-high-low-close values | Economic volatility, range visualization |
Flow Charts
| Chart | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Sankey | Flows between nodes | Trade flows, migration patterns, resource allocation |
Multi-Indicator Charts
These charts are designed to compare or correlate 2+ indicators. They require at least 2 indicators to work effectively.| Chart | Indicators | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bubble | 2-3 | X-axis, Y-axis, and optional size | Correlating GDP vs inflation, adding population as size |
| Radar | 3+ | Multi-axis spider web | Economic profiles across multiple dimensions |
| Parallel | 3+ | Parallel vertical axes | Multi-dimensional analysis, finding patterns |
| Dumbbell | 2 | Two points connected by line | Before/after comparisons (2020 vs 2023) |
| Small Multiples | 2+ | Grid of mini-charts | Comparing trends across indicators |
| Stacked Bar with Line | 2+ | Bars with trend overlay | Composition with trend comparison |
How the System Works
Automatic Indicator Trimming
When you select a single-indicator chart after having multiple indicators selected:- The system keeps only the first indicator
- A notification appears explaining why other indicators were removed
- You can switch to a multi-indicator chart to compare them again
Visual Indicators in Chart Selector
The chart type picker shows:- Badge “1”: Single indicator charts
- Badge “2+”: Multi-indicator charts
- Tooltip: Shows indicator requirement when you hover
Changing Indicators
- Single-indicator charts: “Add Indicator” button becomes “Change Indicator”
- Multi-indicator charts: Full indicator list with “Clear all” option
Quick Reference Table
| Chart Type | Category | Min Indicators | Max Indicators | Data Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Line | Single | 1 | 1 | Time-series |
| Area | Single | 1 | 1 | Time-series |
| Bar | Single | 1 | 1 | Time-series |
| Pie | Single | 1 | 1 | Snapshot |
| Scatter | Single | 1 | 1 | Distribution |
| Choropleth | Single | 1 | 1 | Geographic |
| Treemap | Single | 1 | 1 | Hierarchical |
| Heatmap | Single | 1 | 1 | Matrix |
| Waterfall | Single | 1 | 1 | Sequential |
| Bullet | Single | 1 | 1 | Target-based |
| Candlestick | Single | 1 | 1 | OHLC |
| Stream | Single | 1 | 1 | Composition |
| Bump | Single | 1 | 1 | Ranking |
| Box-Plot | Single | 1 | 1 | Distribution |
| Sankey | Single | 1 | 1 | Flow |
| Bubble | Multi | 2 | 3 | Correlation |
| Radar | Multi | 3 | 10 | Profile |
| Parallel | Multi | 3 | 10 | Multi-dim |
| Dumbbell | Multi | 2 | 2 | Comparison |
| Small Multiples | Multi | 2 | 6 | Grid |
| Stacked Bar + Line | Multi | 2 | 5 | Composite |
Example Use Cases
Single Indicator Analysis
How has GDP grown in G7 countries over the last 20 years?
How has GDP grown in G7 countries over the last 20 years?
- Chart: Line chart
- Indicator: GDP (current US$)
- Why: Time-series trend analysis of one metric
Which countries have the highest CO2 emissions?
Which countries have the highest CO2 emissions?
- Chart: Choropleth or Treemap
- Indicator: CO2 emissions per capita
- Why: Geographic or size-based comparison of one metric
Multi-Indicator Analysis
Is there a relationship between GDP and life expectancy?
Is there a relationship between GDP and life expectancy?
- Chart: Bubble chart
- Indicators: GDP (X), Life expectancy (Y), Population (size)
- Why: Correlating multiple metrics
How do BRICS countries compare across economic indicators?
How do BRICS countries compare across economic indicators?
- Chart: Radar chart
- Indicators: GDP, Inflation, Trade balance, Unemployment, FDI
- Why: Multi-dimensional country profile
Tips for Choosing Charts
Start Simple
Use single-indicator charts for initial exploration
Add Complexity
Switch to multi-indicator when you want to correlate metrics
Consider Your Audience
Simpler charts are easier to understand
Match Your Question
Let your analysis goal guide your chart choice
Question to Chart Mapping
- “How much?” → Bar, Treemap
- “How has it changed?” → Line, Area
- “Where?” → Choropleth
- “What’s the relationship?” → Bubble, Scatter
- “How do they compare across dimensions?” → Radar, Parallel