Lollipop Charts and You
Lollipop charts are a different spin on the classic bar chart. Though they fill the same uses, the lollipop chart has some advantages over the bar graph that might be more useful in some situations.
These types of graphs are very useful in sets of data with many different bars. The lollipops make it easier to focus directly on the data, and notice outliers. The key of the lollipop chart is that it focuses the viewer’s attention at the value of the data itself. A more advanced chart can put data directly into the lollipop itself, or recolor the parts that the presenter isn’t focusing on. An important thing to remember about lollipop charts is that they are applicable to any situation where a column or bar chart would be applicable as well.
I definitely see myself using more lollipop charts in the future. The lollipop enhances an already-existing bar chart, and would be very useful in reducing the amount of ink used for visualizations with lots of data. When the emphasis is on a specific data value, or specific set of data values, a lollipop is the way to go.
Lollipop Charts
A lollipop chart is a data visualization tool similar to a bar chart but with the shape of a lollipop. It shows data points at the end of a line that attaches to the chart’s baseline. This chart effectively compares values from a small data set where numbers aren’t very far apart. It makes it much easier to understand the differences in these values at a quick glance. These charts are best used when you need something the provides a simple look and wants to highlight the comparability of certain data points. These types of charts are also very good if you want to emphasize a certain data point. This is because you can highlight or change the appearance of each data point to make it stand out more or less. The given example shows different types of devices and how much online data they use. While some data points there are obvious differences. Some with closer values can be hard to distinguish without this chart.
Lollipop Graph
This graph is a lollipop graph for average annual salaries found across different countries. The highest of those being leading countries in education and job opportunities. Those being such as US,Australia, Netherlands, and Germany. The countries in lower tiers communist countries such as China and though Russia is not shown their annual salary is about 14,000 a year. Since the wealth is distributed more in these countries show a lower annual income. Lollipop graphs outside of this typically are used in rankings or used to show trends across different mediums.
Lollipop Chart
Lamar Miller
Here you will find data I used to construct my lollipop chart. The data is based on car makes that owners would rebuy. The source also goes on to show the customers satisfaction scores which was not used for my visualization. I chose this data set because I am a fan of cars and wished to get more data on what models most users prefer. I would recommend using this chart type when you wish to make a lengthy bar chart less visually overwhelming. With this type of chart, we can remove unnecessary marks, ticks and labels that could be seen as distracting. What is also good about this chart is the horizontal line helps the scatter plot relate better to the Y-axis. It draws a viewer’s eyes to the data label without having to search through the visual to determine the relationship.
Lollipop Charts
Lollipop charts offer a unique and visually engaging way to present data, especially when the focus is on comparing specific data points along a single axis, such as categorical or numerical variables. They are often used as an alternative to bar charts when presenting fewer data points because lollipop charts simplify the visual load while emphasizing individual values effectively.
A lollipop chart typically consists of a line extending from the axis to a circular marker at the end, where the marker highlights the exact value, making the comparison across categories straightforward. Unlike bar charts, where the visual weight can become overwhelming due to the solid fill of the bars, lollipop charts use a minimalistic approach that reduces the visual clutter, making them an excellent choice when clarity is prioritized for a dataset.
Lollipop charts are especially useful in scenarios where the audience may have to compare precise values between data points or observe trends without having to process the bulkiness of bars. For example, in the chart below a dataset of percentages of world populations is shown. The data is categorized by country and is shown in ascending order, displaying lower percentages first. Using a lollipop chart for this dataset emphasizes the relative differences in percentages without drawing the viewer’s eye to the “mass” of the data; rather, the data points themselves become the focal points. A lollipop chart is appropriate for complete datasets, but also for one such as this that is a focused subset of a larger amount of data.
Lollipop charts also have the benefit of versatility, as they can be oriented horizontally or vertically depending on the data context and the layout of the presentation. Horizontal lollipop charts are especially helpful when the category names are long, allowing them to be fully displayed without awkward rotations or abbreviated labels, as seen above. Additionally, their form makes lollipop charts adaptable to visual customization. The color and size of the circular markers, for instance, can represent additional variables or highlight specific data points for emphasis.
Ultimately, lollipop charts are well-suited for audiences that require clear, straightforward representations of categorical data with an emphasis on the individual value of each data point. They can be used for complete or partial data sets, and can be customized to best suit the presenter’s or viewer’s needs.
Lollipop Chart
Lollipop charts are a type of bar chart that put a unique twist on your average column or bar chart. This type of chart is particularly useful for highlighting data points and their values and making it easily accessible for the reader to compare data. Lollipop charts are most useful when comparing data, emphasizing data points, and making aesthetically appealing graphs. Lollipop charts do the same job as bar graphs, however, they are more fun and highly the numerical values. I decided to make a lollipop chart in excel using a data set regarding the top 20 rated IMBD movies of all time. In this particular dataset the exact rating of these movies could be lost if the numerical data point isn’t clearly visible, therefore, a lollipop chart is perfect for higgling each individual rating.
Lollipop Chart
Rather than using a bar graph, a lollipop chart uses a line and dot instead. Lollipop charts are used for comparing categories, showing trends over time, or ranking data. The dot represents the value, while the line anchors to the x-axis. In lollipop charts, more bars are displayed than in bar or column charts. It is possible to make the chart less overwhelming by using lollipops with thinner sticks and pointier heads. It is possible to use lollipop charts when the values are all high, such as over 75%. In contrast to wide bars or tall columns, a lollipop style can tone things down. In a bar chart, lollipop charts are useful when the bars have similar heights, resulting in a too colorful graph. A Lollipop chart can be a more appealing alternative. For more information on lollipop charts you can go to the cite here. Here is my example of a Lollipop chart that I made:
Lollipop Chart
Within my fictitious dataset that I created, I show a possible way to use a lollipop chart. These charts are most commonly found in place of a barplot, where you are comparing multiple data figures against one another. This technique can help to simplify the graph for the reader and make it easier to understand for the viewers. These charts typically work best when comparing a relationship, rather than a trend.
In this example, we can see the x-axis (the customer), and the average amount they spend weekly on groceries. While within this example there is no benchmark to measure against, the data figures still can be seen and measured against each other fairly easily. We can note that customer 2 has an exorbitantly high grocery bill, possibly due to a variety of factors. In contrast, customer 3 has the smallest grocery bill, maybe someone shopping solely for themselves compared to a parent shopping for 3. These scenarios are not the whole truth behind this fictitious dataset, but an interesting note to take away is the insights that these numbers are able to give us. By seeing the average across the chart, it can help us to identify outliers much quicker, and provide possible explanations as to why one customer’s grocery bill can be significantly less to greater than another.
Lollipop Charts
What is a Lollipop Chart?
A lollipop chart is another way to make lengthy bar charts less visually overwhelming. It is very similar to your standard bar chart, just without the “extra ink.” Instead of using a solid bar, the data is visualized using a lollipop shape (a thin line with a circle on top). After all, the main focus in a bar chart is the endpoint. The lollipop chart allows viewers to easily digest the data by focusing in on the values.
Examples…
The two images above are examples of lollipop charts that I created. The data shows the percentage of each MBTI personality type within the general population. Lollipop charts can be both horizontal or vertical. The main point of the graph is to focus in on the endpoint values. I created my charts in Excel, and provided hyperlinks to my spreadsheet which includes my data and formatting. The vertical version was definitely easier to create. It only took a couple minutes, while the horizontal version had more steps and precise settings.
How to create a vertical lollipop chart:
- Insert a line graph with markers
- Delete the line
- Add Drop Lines
- Add data labels to center of markers
…and that’s it!
When to use a Lollipop Chart
A lollipop chart can be used for any kind of data that would work in a bar graph. It is simply an alternative that is more simplistic. Its “ink-friendly” design can impact readability of the data and lead to faster response times and greater accuracy (Gillan & Richman, 1994). It is especially useful when the visualization includes many data points that can become overpowering due to the solid bars.
LOLLIPOP CHARTS
Who doesn’t love a lollipop? Well in the data world we are not talking about a sugary yumminess atop a stick. We are talking about a a chart that breaks and categorizes information into a clear, concise, easy on the eyes graph. A lollipop chart is a type of data visualization that displays information using a series of vertical lines (or “sticks”) topped with circles (the “lollipops”). Each lollipop represents a data point, with the length of the stick indicating the value of that point. Typically, a lollipop chart can be made off of a scatterplot or line graph with markers but would take some extra steps to achieve the ultimate goal.
I chose to survey the 61 people whom I work with daily and watch consume countless cups of coffee to get through the day. Some like it black with no added enhancements, while others use a variety of flavors and toppers to make their perfect “cup of joe”. Firstly, I interviewed each staff member and asked whether they drank coffee or not and if they did (which was everyone) they moved on to the next round of questions. I asked and tallied who used cream, or milk, or sugars, and who used nothing. Then I tallied who used non dairy plant based products. The final question was left for the two people who used a little cinnamon spice in their coffee for some fun flavor additive. Here is what the final product of my lollipop chart came out to be.
As you might be able to tell I decided to go the route of making my lollipop chart using a tool on my computer at work called abstract paint. I had to take the data I accumulated and count up the tallies into numerical value. Then I organized the results so that the most common additive of plain milk or creamer was in the center(ish). I wanted there to be a variation between the heights of my lollipops so that the data was easier for the viewer to decipher. I also added in some esthetic colors to represent the brown that coffee would usually entail. Then I changed the color of the highest used product (milk/plain creamer) and made it stand out so the viewer would be drawn to this and remember it being the one most used. I did attempt to use excel and canva online databases to make my chart and follow the steps in the course textbook, but it was just not looking the way it was supposed to every time I tried to label the lollipops appropriately. So old school it was for me! I hope everyone enjoyed the blog and I look forward to seeing your own infographics!