Make Your Excel Charts Look Modern (With Just These Tweaks)
1 min read
Summary
Starting with the correct type of chart for the data being presented is fundamental, according to the writer, who advises that no amount of design expertise will salvage a poor choice of chart type.
In contrast, simple design hacks, such as subtle changes to colour and the inclusion of data labels, can greatly improve the aesthetic appeal and clarity of an Excel chart.
The writer suggests picking a limited colour palette, with one brand colour for the hero series, and one neutral for the baseline, and adding data labels to make it easier for readers to interpret the facts.
Also effective is the loss of redundant axes, manual labelling of categories, and the elimination of chart “junk” to emphasise key information, perhaps via the addition of a subtle background.
Against this, the writer warns against common pitfalls, such as using 3-D charts that may distort data and make comparisons harder, and using static data and excessive colour, and suggests more modern alternatives such as the Bahnschrift font.
