{"id":5507,"date":"2019-12-02T11:05:21","date_gmt":"2019-12-02T11:05:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/box5167.temp.domains\/~leapica1\/?p=5507"},"modified":"2023-03-09T18:14:28","modified_gmt":"2023-03-09T18:14:28","slug":"slopegraph-visualize-change","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zohf.me\/lp\/slopegraph-visualize-change\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Visualize Two Points of Change with a Slopegraph"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”HOW TO VISUALIZE TWO POINTS OF CHANGE WITH A SLOPEGRAPH” subhead=”{FREE CHECKLIST + TEMPLATE}” text_orientation=”center” background_overlay_color=”rgba(31,39,81,0.73)” admin_label=”Fullwidth Header” _builder_version=”4.6.1″ title_text_color=”#ffffff” title_font_size=”55px” title_letter_spacing=”5px” title_line_height=”1.1em” subhead_text_color=”#76c8d6″ subhead_font_size=”25px” background_image=”https:\/\/leapica.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Divi-Fullwidth-Header-Image-6.png” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”on” custom_padding=”175px||175px|” hover_enabled=”0″ z_index_tablet=”500″ saved_tabs=”all” module_class=”blog-hero-section” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.0.6″ max_width=”750px” z_index_tablet=”500″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.0.6″ z_index_tablet=”500″]<\/p>\n

Slopegraphs for Visualizing Two Points of Change<\/h2>\n

Slopegraphs are an excellent chart choice for visualizing the change or difference between two points in time by category.<\/p>\n

Except, relatively few data designers, presenters, and practitioners are aware of them.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Slopegraphs are one of the best kept secrets of the data visualization world.\u00a0They almost feel too simple, and yet, simplicity is the key to communicating data quickly, clearly, and accurately. It\u2019s my experience that simplicity is what transforms numbers into insights.<\/p>\n

[box type=”info”] This post is part of a new series on non-standard data visualization charts called \u201cFantastic Graphs and How to Make Them\u201d.<\/em>[\/box]<\/p>\n

A slopegraph is a line chart that plots measures of categories on two vertical axes.<\/strong> The lines connecting the axes create a slope that allows the viewer to clearly see the difference or change.<\/p>\n

Think of it as a \u201czoomed in\u201d view of a regular line chart with only two points.<\/strong> Measuring change between two points in time is the most common usage, but the structure may be used to measure the difference between other variables like segments or survey answers.<\/p>\n

Now, here\u2019s the rub. As of yet, I haven\u2019t found any commonly available data visualization tool to have slopegraphs available out-of-the-box (except for a PowerPoint plugin tool called Vizzlo<\/a>). At time of writing, you\u2019ll need to create with some legwork and creativity in Excel or Tableau most easily.<\/p>\n

But that\u2019s not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes, it\u2019s fun to roll up our sleeves and tinker with default charts to create something more useful and<\/em> visually appealing!<\/p>\n

When Should I Use a Slopegraph to Visualize Change?<\/h2>\n

There are several chart choices available to represent differences or change over time by category. The most well known option may be the clustered (or grouped) bar graph. However, the clustered bar is an example of a chart that\u2019s commonly used and available but has major comprehension limitations.<\/p>\n

A clustered bar chart similarly lets you compare two data points for multiple categories. However, its structure is only suited to help you compare two points of data within one category. It isn\u2019t visually effective at allowing you to compare the categories to each other.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Take a look at this example:<\/p>\n

\"Slopegraph<\/p>\n

Think about how quickly you are able to answer these questions:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Which page increased in abandonment rate?<\/li>\n
  • How do the changes in abandonment compare to each other? Are they similar?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    It\u2019s likely that you\u2019re able to individually evaluate the differences between each category, but it\u2019s slowing you down to compare the categories because the intermittent bars create interference. And as soon as you go to three or four points per category, it’s nearly impossible draw meaningful comparison between categories.<\/p>\n

    Every second counts when it comes to presenting information clearly. The goal of data presentation is to create instant crystal clarity for your audience.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    Slopegraphs solve for this issue. The reason why you would choose a slope graph is that you want to not only quickly compare the difference between two points for each category, but you also want to compare each category to each other. <\/strong><\/p>\n

    Here are some digital marketing scenarios where you can use slopegraphs to visualize change:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • Comparing the abandonment rate of website pages before and after a redesign<\/li>\n
    • Comparing year-over-year or month-over-month change in online channel conversion<\/li>\n
    • Comparing Yes or No answers by survey respondent segment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Now that you know why and when you should create a slopegraph, let\u2019s show you how to create one that is clean, clear, and super brain-friendly!<\/p>\n