Comments on: Spider Chart Alternatives

By: Jon Peltier

Jon Peltier — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 01:50:27 +0000

Andy - Once the decision is made to make a grid, there are a wide range of alternatives. Your spotlight, which is like the spot matrix, which is like Harvey Balls, which is like your tile chart, which if you expand the tiles to fill the grid is like a heat map.

By: Andy Pope

Andy Pope — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 13:40:25 +0000

I did a spot chart some time back,
http://www.andypope.info/charts/spotlight.htm

By: Chandoo

Chandoo — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 21:36:58 +0000

@Jenmoocat – I have posted a small tutorial on creating spot matrix charts in excel here: http://chandoo.org/wp/2008/10/07/excel-radar-charts-replacement-spot-matrix-download-template/

you can download the template and play with it to suit your data / needs. I hope this helps you :)

By: Excel Spot Matrix Charts - An Alternative for Radar Charts - Download the Template | Pointy Haired Dilbert - Chandoo.org

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 21:35:53 +0000

[...] to Radar Charts I have suggested using a radar chart tweak to replace the radar charts. Both PTSBlog and Information Ocean have posted their critical reviews of these petal [...]

By: Jon Peltier

Jon Peltier — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:50:23 +0000

Jen - Go to Derek's post at Reorderable tables II: Bertin versus the Spiders. He probably has a link to his spot matrix resources.

By: jenmoocat

jenmoocat — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:48:21 +0000

Now I am all excited about the spot matrix chart.
It might turn out to be a really good replacement for a stack of five, independent bar charts.
I understand that you don’t really like them, Jon, but (off the top of your head) do you have any insight on the best way to construct such a thing in excel?

By: jenmoocat

jenmoocat — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:36:46 +0000

For me, the rule of thumb about charts is that your audience should be able to grasp the main insight in 30 seconds or less.
And — even after 5 minutes of staring at a radar or petal chart, I still have no idea what the main takeaway is supposed to be…..
And the other line graphs — just as bad, in my opinion.

Now, the spot matrix chart — that I understand.
And very quickly.
This kind of graphic is actually somewhat familiar.
I believe that I’ve seen similar ones on sites that compare and review consumer goods like electronics along various dimensions.

I do not think, however, that the options should be presented out of order.

By: Excel Links of the Week [Oct 06] | Pointy Haired Dilbert - Chandoo.org

Excel Links of the Week [Oct 06] | Pointy Haired Dilbert - Chandoo.org — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:05:32 +0000

[...] couldn’t agree with you more. Now, Jon Peltier has a follow up article on this topic where he dissects the petal charts and suggests what could be a better option for you. Also check out : Information Ocean post on [...]