So, you know that good data visualizations need to be elegant, accessible and trustworthy, and we’ve explored how you should approach the visualization process. What’s next? Well, next we take a look at the tools you can use to actually create them. There are a variety of tools available out there for you to begin visualizing data sets and creating dashboards, and many of them are free of charge. These tools can typically be split into two general categories: plug and play tools, and business intelligence - or BI - tools.

Plug and play tools like Tableau, Microsoft Excel, or Google Sheets are intended to be a much more user-friendly way to visualize data, as they don’t require lots of previous experience. As a result, though, it does mean that these tools don't offer users very much freedom to manipulate and ‘clean’ data, which is the process of detecting and correcting or removing incomplete, incorrect, inaccurate, or irrelevant data.

Instead, these tools work best if you already have a data set ready and waiting to be visualized, which you input through a file or can be read from a defined location. From here, a simple drag and drop method allows you to select the graph type you want, and decide on how your data is displayed on the axes.

Business intelligence tools like SAS, PowerBI, and Shiny, on the other hand, are more on the advanced side, and if you can use them confidently, then you’re on your way to being a serious data analyst. Unlike plug and play tools, they allow for advanced data cleaning, and they give more flexibility in the choice of graphs and other visual elements.

Business intelligence tools are preferable when the visualizations need to be automated - when you want to generate periodic reports, for example, where the data might change but the content and formatting of the visualization stays the same. They also offer the possibility of creating interactive dashboards where, for example, a dashboard displaying geographic data could allow users to zoom in on a particular location and get a good view of the corresponding data.

Be aware though that in order to get the most out of business intelligence tools, you’ll have to have someone around that’s willing to do a bit of coding, using SQL, Python, or DAX, to name just a few.

Which visualization tool is right for you will ultimately depend on your goals and resources, but when you’re weighing up your options, keep these four factors in mind: user-friendliness, cost, maintenance, and shareability.

Tools like Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets are great because they’re relatively quick and easy to use regardless of the user’s experience or proficiency. But, they do offer less flexibility and there’s a limit to how complex your data visualizations can be. If that’s important to you, then you’ll want to explore tools like PowerBI or Shiny, which are less user-friendly and may require some training but are more capable and versatile.

Many visualization tools can be used for free, like Google Sheets and Tableau, for example, and that’s naturally a big plus if these tools can satisfy your business needs. But, if you require more features and functionality, then you might want to invest in a more premium product.

Remember that you’ll need to handle all the data you’re looking to work with, so you’ll need to consider your current data capabilities. Some tools can be used as standalone applications where data can be secured through the company’s internal process, while other tools will require purchasing a server to store data. The best option for you will depend on your company’s resources and internal data regulations.

Lastly, are the visualizations you’re sharing going to be a one-off update? If so, then you may want to think about using a simpler plug and play tool. If, on the other hand, you want to maintain and distribute a monthly report - updating the same visualizations with new data regularly, then it may be best to consider automating the process using a business intelligence tool. This will save you time, and there’s less room for human error, as you’ll only have to update the data source instead of rebuilding your visualizations from scratch every single time.

While we can explore the relative merits and challenges of the visualization tools currently in the market, who’s to say where we’ll be and what will be available in years to come. The future of data visualization is more dynamic and engaging than traditional charts and plots included in slide decks or dashboards. Videos and animated visualizations are becoming increasingly popular ways for companies to visualize and communicate data - and not just internally, but with their consumers too.

So, keep an eye on the horizon for new, more effective ways to make your data visualizations elegant, accessible, and trustworthy enough to effectively engage and inform audiences and drive decisions that have a real, positive business impact. Thanks for joining us!

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