Library Guides: Data Visualization: Tools

Software

Tableau

Software built specifically for visualization that allows you to create a wide variety of charts, including interactive charts and dashboards that can be posted to the web; less useful for print charts.

Tableau for Students
Students are able to download and use Tableau Desktop for free.
Tableau Public
Tableau training and tutorials

Google

Google Charts
Interactive charts and data tools for display on websites.
Google Sheets / Google Docs
Add a chart or a graph to spreadsheets in Google Sheets.
Basic Data Visualization using Google Docs
Tutorial from the Advanced Media Institute at UC Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Excel
Simple instructions for making charts using Microsoft Excel.

R

Tutorials from Flowing Data
Some tutorials require membership, but many are free. Most involve the use of R.

Stata

Tutorial on Data Analysis and Visualization using Stata

Others

Plot.ly
Browser-based tool that creates a variety of interactive chart types and dashboards. Allows for Python, MATLAB, R, etc. syntax.
D3.js
JavaScript library for manipulating documents based on data. D3 helps you visualize data using HTML, SVG, and CSS.
Chart.js
HTML5 based JavaScript charts. Used to make interactive data visualizations.
RAW Graphs
Web-based tool that is good for showing hierarchies (tree maps, circle packing, etc.).
Carto
Online tool to create dynamic, animated maps.

SimplyAnalytics This link opens in a new window
Access to business packages within this resource have been discontinued effective 6/30/24 due to library budget cuts." A web-based data analysis and mapping application that allows users to create custom thematic maps, tables, and reports using demographic, business, and marketing data for the United States. Note: Access limited to 10 simultaneous users. To increase the limit temporarily for use in classes or workshops, please send your request to eart@library.berkeley.edu a minimum of 5 business days in advance.
A web-based data analysis and mapping application that allows users to create custom thematic maps, tables and reports using demographic, business, and marketing data for the United States. Includes over 70,000 data variables related to demographics, employment, real estate & housing, crime, businesses, consumer spending, and points of interest data from the US Census, historical US Census data (2000), SimmonsLOCAL data from Experian, and Nielsen Claritas PRIZM data.

Infogram
Create infographics, charts, and interactive maps. Free version has some limitations.
Datawrapper
Web tool for creating simple, interactive embeddable charts and maps. Free version has some limitations.
Piktochart
Easy infographic design app.
Timeline JS
Easy tool for making embeddable timelines using Google spreadsheets.

Resources at UC Berkeley

D-Lab
Training and consulting on data analysis software and methods, and access services for restricted use data.
Data Science By Design (DsxD): Best Practices of Visual Storytelling
Weekly meeting for sharing skills and best practices for scientific computation.
GIS
The Earth Sciences & Map Library supports geographic information system (GIS) software and data services across all disciplines for the UC Berkeley campus. The library collects GIS data for areas around the world, with an emphasis on the San Francisco Bay Area and northern California.

Books

The Visual Display of Quantitative Information by Edward R. Tufte
The Functional Art:: An Introduction to Information Graphics and Visualization by Alberto Cairo
Publication Date: 2013
The Wall Street Journal Guide to Information Graphics by Dona M. Wong
Call Number: HF5718.22 .W65 2010, Main Stacks
Now You See It: Simple Visualization Techniques for Quantitative Analysis by Stephen Few
Call Number: TK7882.I6 F48 2009, Main Stacks
Storytelling with Data by Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic
Available in print , too - QA76.9.I52 K64 2015, Main Stacks

The author of this book uses Excel to create visualizations.
The Truthful Art: Data, Charts, and Maps for Communication by Alberto Cairo
Call Number: QC397.5.I53 C35 2016, Physics-Astronomy Library
Effective Data Visualization by Stephanie D. H. Evergreen
Call Number: P93.5 .E937 2017, Engineering Library
Focuses on effective use of Excel to communicate data findings.

Data Visualization Blogs and Websites

Useful Readings and Resources
Reading and resource list from a data visualization course by digital journalism professional Dr. Mu Lin.
Edward Tufte
Website of data visualization guru Edward Tufte, who periodically offers in-person workshops in San Francisco.
Flowing Data
Weblog from Nathan Yau. Includes tutorials, guides, advice, and examples.
The Functional Art
Alberto Cairo's weblog on visualization, infographics, and data journalism. Includes examples and critiques.
Data Visualizations Using Census Data

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Data Visualization: Tools