Adding Text Labeling to Data Visualizations
One of the quickest ways to apply text to any data visualization is to add labels. Labels describe what the user is seeing. They're easy to use, easy to read, and easy to apply.
The following table lists three types of text labels that you can add to any data visualization.
|Text Label Type||Description|
|Title||Usually placed at the top of, inside, or alongside a specific visual. The title describes what the visual is displaying — Economic Growth in 2012, for example. Some higher-level titles may describe a section that includes multiple visuals.|
|Description||Normally located alongside or below a specific visual. These labels use a single word, text fragment, or sentence to describe the behavior of the visual. A good description sums up the message of any data scenario in a single sentence.|
|Value||May include a single number, letter, or combination of both in or on a given visual. The label usually stands alone or refers to a specific part of the visualization. A single visualization may have multiple values.|
Most good data visualizations include all three types of labels.
Labels should be strategically positioned, sized, and worded so that the text complements the visuals without overshadowing them. Going overboard with text can lead to something your users will see as just another report with some visuals.