Excel Techniques for Data Visualization...Excel Techniques for Data Visualization NCSL Fiscal...
Transcript of Excel Techniques for Data Visualization...Excel Techniques for Data Visualization NCSL Fiscal...
Excel Techniques
for Data Visualization
NCSL Fiscal Analyst Seminar
October 11, 2018
Portland, Oregon
Kate Watkins
Chief Economist
Colorado Legislative Council
2
Why Excel?
Widely used: Wealth of online tutorials
Accessible: Cost, ease of use
Stepping stone: Tableau, R, ArcGIS
It’s more powerful than you think…
3
https://www.wsj.com/articles/
the-first-rule-of-microsoft-
exceldont-tell-anyone-youre-
good-at-it-
1538754380?mod=searchres
ults&page=1&pos=2
4
Nonfarm Employment
Percent Change, Year-over-Year
VT
NH
MA
RICT
MD
DE
D.C.
NJ
Demo/Workshop
UNRATE U4RATE
lin Percent lin Percent
M Monthly M Monthly
01/01/2008 1948-01-01 to 2018-08-0101/01/2008 1994-01-01 to 2018-08-01
Civilian Unemployment Rate Special Unemployment Rate: Unemployed and Discouraged Workers
U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
date value date value
01/01/2008 5.0 01/01/2008 5.3
02/01/2008 4.9 02/01/2008 5.1
03/01/2008 5.1 03/01/2008 5.3
04/01/2008 5.0 04/01/2008 5.2
05/01/2008 5.4 05/01/2008 5.7
06/01/2008 5.6 06/01/2008 5.8
07/01/2008 5.8 07/01/2008 6.1
08/01/2008 6.1 08/01/2008 6.3
09/01/2008 6.1 09/01/2008 6.4
10/01/2008 6.5 10/01/2008 6.8
11/01/2008 6.8 11/01/2008 7.2
12/01/2008 7.3 12/01/2008 7.7
Adjust Date
CHART PARAMETERS
• Exploratory analysis (for ourselves)
• Choosing and building effective visuals (for others)
• Building dynamic tools
• Leveraging automated data collection
Since 2004
Food and beverages H1 H2 H1 H2 H1 H2
H/H 0.5 -0.2 2.2 0.9 1.7 #N/A
Y/Y 0.4 0.3 2.0 3.2 2.6 #N/A
Annual
Housing
H/H 3.4 2.6 2.5 2.0 1.4 #N/A
Y/Y 5.7 6.1 5.1 4.5 3.4 #N/A
Annual
Apparel
H/H 1.6 -3.1 -3.9 7.6 -3.7 #N/A
Y/Y 4.4 -1.5 -6.8 3.4 3.7 #N/A
Annual 1.4 -1.8 #N/A
5.9 4.8 #N/A
0.3 2.6 #N/A
2016 2017 2018Colorado Population by Age and Gender
60,000 40,000 20,000 0 20,000 40,000 60,000
05
10152025303540455055606570758085
90+ Male Female
2020
5
Which chart should I use?
6
Resources & Tools
Keyboard ShortcutsSave time and clicks: https://exceljet.net/keyboard-shortcuts
TutorialsGoogle is there for you. Also, try: https://digitaldefynd.com/best-excel-tutorial-training-course-classes/
Build a MapTableau Public: http://public.tableau.com/en-us/s/
Data AutomationFRED: http://fred.stlouisfed.org/
FRED Excel Add-in: http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred-addin/
InspirationRead Hans Rosling’s Factfulness or Edward Tufte’s works
7
Summary and Takeaways
Goal: Make data easy to understand
• Simplify and beautify visual information
• Tell a true story
Longer-term goals
• Build dynamic analytical tools
• Leverage data automation and reporting
8
Questions?
Kate WatkinsChief Economist • Legislative Council Staff
[email protected] • (303) 866-3446
www.leg.colorado.gov/lcs