This reference covers all chart types available in Analyse data. Use it to choose the right chart for your data and the message you want to communicate. Charts are organised by their primary purpose—whether you're comparing values, showing trends, or highlighting a single metric.
Comparison charts
Use comparison charts when you want to show how values differ across categories or groups.
Chart | Description | Best used for |
Bar | Horizontal bars comparing values across categories | Comparing emissions by supplier, ranking facilities by energy use, showing differences between product categories |
Column | Vertical bars comparing values across categories | Comparing monthly waste volumes, showing emissions by reporting year, displaying energy consumption by site |
Note: In Analyse data, bar and column charts are the same chart type with different orientations. Create a bar chart and change the orientation in the chart properties to switch between horizontal (bar) and vertical (column) layouts.
Trend charts
Use trend charts when you want to show how values change over time or across a continuous sequence.
Chart | Description | Best used for |
Line | Points connected by lines showing change over time | Tracking emissions trends over reporting periods, comparing energy use across multiple facilities over time, spotting seasonal patterns in waste generation |
Area | Filled area below the line showing magnitude over time | Showing cumulative carbon footprint over time, comparing the relative contribution of different emission sources, displaying total energy consumption trends |
Tip: Line charts work well when you have many data points and want to emphasise the direction of change. Area charts are better when the magnitude of values matters as much as the trend.
Part-to-whole charts
Use part-to-whole charts when you want to show how individual values contribute to a total.
Chart | Description | Best used for |
Pie | Circular chart divided into segments representing proportions | Showing the breakdown of Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, displaying waste composition by type |
Donut | Pie chart with the centre removed | Same as pie, but with space in the centre for a total emissions figure or percentage |
Funnel | Tapering bars showing values across sequential stages | Tracking data collection progress through verification stages, showing supplier engagement pipeline |
Note: Pie and donut charts become difficult to read with many categories. If you have more than five or six segments, consider using a bar chart instead.
Distribution charts
Use distribution charts when you want to understand how values are spread across a dataset or to identify relationships between two measures.
Chart | Description | Best used for |
Scatter | Points plotted by two numeric values | Finding correlations between production volume and emissions, comparing energy intensity against output, identifying outlier facilities |
Box and whisker | Statistical display showing median, quartiles, and outliers | Comparing emissions distributions across business units, understanding the spread of supplier carbon intensity scores |
Tip: Scatter plots are particularly useful when you suspect a relationship between two measures—for example, whether higher production output correlates with higher emissions intensity.
Composition and flow charts
Use these charts when you want to show how parts combine to form a whole, how values change through a process, or to compare different types of metrics together.
Chart | Description | Best used for |
Combo | Multiple chart types combined (such as bars and lines) on shared axes | Showing total emissions as bars alongside emissions intensity as a line, comparing absolute values with rates or percentages |
Waterfall | Bars showing how an initial value changes through additions and subtractions | Breaking down what contributed to year-on-year emissions change, showing the impact of reduction initiatives |
Sankey | Flow diagram showing movement between categories or stages | Tracing emissions through your value chain, showing energy flows from source to end use, visualising waste streams |
Note: Combo charts are useful when you want to show, for example, total emissions as bars alongside emissions intensity as a line—two related but different metrics on the same chart.
Single value charts
Use single value charts when you want to highlight one key metric prominently.
Chart | Description | Best used for |
KPI | Prominent single number, optionally with comparison or sparkline | Dashboards showing total carbon footprint, year-on-year emissions reduction percentage, progress toward net zero targets |
Gauge | Number displayed on a radial scale | Showing progress toward a science-based target, indicating where current emissions sit within an acceptable range |
Tip: KPI charts can show more than just a number. You can add comparisons to previous periods, benchmarks, or include a small trend line (sparkline) to provide context.
Geographic charts
Use geographic charts when your data has a location dimension and you want to show how values vary across regions or specific coordinates.
Chart | Description | Best used for |
Region map | Areas coloured by value (countries, states, counties) | Comparing emissions by country or region, showing supplier distribution, visualising carbon intensity across markets |
Point map | Points positioned by latitude and longitude | Plotting facility locations, showing distribution of emission sources, mapping supplier sites |
Note: Region maps work with standard geographic identifiers like country names, state codes, or postcodes. Point maps require latitude and longitude coordinates in your data. We would advise using Region maps with your data.
Choosing the right chart
When deciding which chart to use, start with the question you're trying to answer:
If you want to... | Consider using |
Compare emissions across categories | Bar or column chart |
Show how emissions change over time | Line or area chart |
Show the breakdown of your carbon footprint | Pie, donut, or funnel chart |
Find relationships between metrics | Scatter plot |
Understand how values are distributed | Box and whisker chart |
Show what drove emissions changes | Waterfall chart |
Trace flows through your value chain | Sankey diagram |
Highlight a key sustainability metric | KPI or gauge chart |
Show data by location | Region or point map |
For more complex needs, combo charts let you layer multiple chart types. For example, you might show monthly emissions totals as columns with a cumulative trend line overlaid.
What's next
Once you've chosen a chart type, see the following articles to build and customise your chart: