Use this intuitive tool from the folks at digital news startup Quartz (qz.com) to build simple, polished line and bar charts that illustrate trends.

Step 1: Google “Chartbuilder.” Or click this: http://quartz.github.io/Chartbuilder/

Step 2: Paste your data from Excel into “Input your data.”

Step 3: Paste the output into your post

Step 4: Create image of chart as PNG file

Step 5: Insert PNG image in post

 

Dos and Don’ts

Do: Include a plain-vanilla, highly literal title telling readers:

• What are these numbers I’m looking at?
• Dimensions being measured (Shoe pairs sold by Adidas)
• Units of measure, if not shown on right axis (in millions)
• Timeframe, for a time series (1981-2012)

Do: Include credit line (you) and source (“U.S. Treasury,” e.g.)

Do: Use short phrases for legend headings (edit in Excel first)

Do: Choose good “Right axis options” (#4) 

• Always include prefix/suffix to show $ or %
• Try to keep minimum value = 0
• Set max value to open up space below legend
• Choose “Y axis ticks” based on what’s intuitive for reader
  • Small # of ticks, but enough to see where data cluster
  • Whole numbers look nicer

Do: Choose good “Bottom axis options” (#5)

• Short words
• Fewest ticks
• Ignore what box says: Type what you need

Do: Use highest resolution possible for display

• Multimedia main is ideal (easier to read)
  •  If chart is in post body:
    • Choose Right, Large, “View Full Size”
    • Delete Movable Type credit line

Don’t: Navigate away from page, or your work WILL BE LOST!