Sparklines are small graphics used to convey information in text, often used to show change over time in stocks or economics. They were coined by Edward Tufte and typically have three elements: a line graph, a title, and a number. Sparklines are embedded in text and can be used in small multiples for comparison.
A sparkline is a graphic element used to convey information in text. By definition, sparklines take up very little space but convey a lot of information. They are usually used to map change over time. A common use of sparklines is to graph stock activity or economic fluctuations.
The term sparkline was first used by Edward Tufte, an American statistician and professor at Yale University. Tufte has written a number of books on visualizing information using graphics. His theory of sparklines is outlined in the book Beautiful Evidence, published in 2006 by Graphics Press.
Sparklines can take many forms. The most commonly seen sparkline has three basic elements. A line graph shows the change over time. A title, one to three words long, indicates what the graph measures. Finally, a number shows the total or final result of the changes represented in the graph. You can add more elements, but the goal of a sparkline is to keep the graphic as simple as possible while still conveying the necessary information.
A sparkline graphic is usually embedded in the text of a book or document. The graph and related information appear in line with the text. They usually have roughly the same height as the line of text they are placed on. The information shown in a sparkline illustrates text that appears directly before or after it. This allows the reader to view the graph without interrupting its reading.
For example, in an economics text, if the author wanted to show how the Dow Jones Industrial Average has changed over time, he could use a traditional graph with the x-axis labeled time and the y-axis labeled points. The author could then insert a line note telling the reader to see figure 1-A. Then the reader could stop reading, find figure 1-A, and review the graph. Tufte thought that instead of distracting the reader’s attention in this way, it was better to simply insert the graphics directly into the text.
Tufte also proposed the concept of something called a small multiple, a graphic that includes several sparklines. Each sparkline chart has its own xy axis so that each piece of information is self-contained. However, the sparkline charts are close enough to display at the same time. This allows for comparison without visual clutter. Small multiples are very useful for comparing things that change over time but aren’t measured using the same scale.
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