Tools for Data Visualization

Below are some data visualization tools for presentations and developers, which will make it a cinch for users to understand their numbers and turn their static data into a visual feast for the eyes.

1.     Infogr.am

This tool is a find for anyone crafting professional graphic design programs. It offers six themes (layouts) and 14 types of graphics (bars, pizzas, lines, among others) to build interactive visualizations. To avoid getting lost in the options, just remember that the choice of elements must take into account what will be represented (functionality). For example, bars are usually better than circles for more accurate. When editing the chart, include the data that will be illustrated or import a ready-made worksheet. After all the adjustments, just publish and publicize your project or incorporate it to your site (by copying and pasting the HTML code of the embed).

2. Easel.ly

This online infographic creation service (still in beta) is super intuitive and offers some features that we did not find in the previous tool, such as the flexibility to freely organize the grid and restructure the pre-defined themes. There are 15 themes available, but the service promises others soon. In the editing screen, features such as backgrounds, shapes and text are activated by drag-and-drop. It is possible to change the color and change the position of the elements, write texts, change the background, insert shapes (arrows, circles, balloons) and even upload images of files from the computer.

3 - Tableau Public

More complex than previous tools, Tableau Public is an interactive data visualization program that also does not require programming skills, but requires a good understanding of the organization of databases and chart formats. After downloading and installing the program, the first step is to insert data from text files, Excel spreadsheets or Access databases into the editing area. If the file you choose is formatted and organized correctly, the data is automatically separated and you can drag it to the column and line spaces to form the graphics. There is a wide range of editing features and it is possible to join tables and graphs to build more complex visualizations. The site offers tutorials and training for anyone who wants to explore the features of the program.

4 - TimelineJS

TimelineJS is very useful for providing context and creating temporal narratives, so they are among the most common infographics in news vehicles. No registration is required to access the resource, but you need to have an account with Google because the preview entries are made to a preformatted worksheet that's stored in Google Drive. To get it, simply click on "Google Doc Template" after accessing the "File Formats" link in the main menu of the site.

5. Mapbox

This tool allows even users with no experience in data georeferencing to build custom and interactive maps. After logging in to the site and clicking "new map", the only job is to add the information in the bookmarks (title and content) and position them on the map. There is a search field that helps you locate specific points such as neighborhoods, rivers and roads. Once you've placed all your bookmarks, just publish. In fact, the publishing feature allows you to not only copy the embed HTML or the map url ready, but also integrate it into a more advanced version for those with more developer spirit. On the other hand, this version does not allow the import of a data sheet, which can make the task of presenting a large volume of information difficult. Also, you can prepare maps from extensive databases, but you need to add columns with the geographic coordinates and understand (at least the basics) of CSS.

Source: Design Tools For Data Visualization
14 Best Data Visualization Tools