Charts help you turn data into clear visual stories like bars, lines, pies, funnels, word clouds, and more. Use charts to show comparisons, trends, proportions, or key values so your audience understands your message at a glance.
What is a Chart?
A chart is a visual representation of data (numbers, counts, or text) that makes patterns and relationships easier to see. Common chart types include bar/column charts, line/spline charts, pie charts, funnel charts, word clouds, and more. Each type is best for different kinds of data and stories:
Bar / Column: Compare categories side by side
Line / Spline: Show trends over time
Pie / Percentage: Show parts of a whole
Funnel: Show stages in a process
Word Cloud: Visualize frequent words or terms
Scatter Plot: Show relationships or correlations between two variables
Area Chart: Highlight cumulative trends over time
Donut Chart: Similar to a pie chart but emphasizes proportions with a central space for labels or totals
Radar Chart: Compare multiple variables across categories on a circular axis
Heatmap: Display variations in data intensity or frequency using color
Bubble Chart: Compare and show relationships with three variables using size and position
How to Add a Chart
Open your design in the Venngage editor.
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Open the Charts panel - click Charts in the left toolbar.
Add a chart - drag your chosen chart onto the canvas, or click the chart to add it.
Resize or move - use the bounding box to resize or drag the chart to reposition it.
How to Edit a Chart
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Open the Edit Chart panel
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Double-click your chart, or select it and click Edit Chart in the top toolbar.
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Add or import data
Under the Data tab, enter values directly into the table.
Or, import a file in CSV or XLSX format for larger datasets.
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Customize the appearance
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Switch to the Setup tab to adjust colors, fonts, borders, and labels.
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Swap chart types
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Use the Chart Swap dropdown in the Edit Chart panel to quickly switch to another chart type without losing your data.
👉 Learn more in our full guide: Chart Swap
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Charts vs. Tables
| Feature | Charts | Tables |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Showing patterns, trends, or comparisons visually | Displaying raw or detailed data clearly |
| Data type | Ideal for numeric and comparative data | Great for structured data or text-heavy datasets |
| Ease of understanding | Quick insights at a glance | Best for precise data reading |
| Customization | Highly visual — colors, labels, chart styles | Structured — adjustable rows, columns, and cell formatting |
| When to use | To tell a visual story or simplify complex data | To list, organize, or present exact numbers |
👉 Learn how to add and edit tables in your design.
FAQs
Q: What file types can I import?
A: You can import CSV and XLSX files into the Edit Chart → Data tab.
Q: Will my data be preserved when I swap charts?
A: Yes. Chart Swap preserves your data. Some visual formatting may need to be reapplied.
Q: Can I undo a chart change?
A: Yes, use Undo (Ctrl/Cmd + Z) immediately after the change, or manually swap back.
Q: Are all chart types compatible with every dataset?
A: No. The editor only shows chart types compatible with your current data; some charts (e.g., word cloud) expect text input, while others expect numeric series.
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