Excel charts
with Dynamic Arrays 030:
Dynamic Table Lens

Table Lens for displaying potential correlations, patterns, or outliers between several quantitative variables simultaneously. The strength of this graphic is its interactive focus + context (fisheye) visualization technique which supports searching for patterns in the big picture and dynamically investigating the details without losing context. Combined with dynamic arrays, we can add interactivity that can be fluidly adjusted by the user according to varying interest levels such as sorting in either ascending or descending order the quantitative variables, focusing or “zoom” into specific variables, and/or removing unwanted records.

Track ID: Happy Clappers – I Believe (The Cube Guys Edit 2016)

In our example above, we are comparing 5 quantitative variables across 29 countries regarding their prison populations. In a single coherent view, consider this graphic as a lightweight form of exploratory data analysis for multivariate datasets.

Also, I once learned from Jorge Camoes, that in the end: “all charts, are scatter plots.” In essence, that all charts are just dots plotted, and I think he is right. Below it´s an example of using the scatter plot in Excel to plot different metrics of different magnitudes but with the same categorical comparison, this case: countries. Now, I know this can be easily done with a table and conditional formatting, but, I wanted to take the challenge of plotting the values on a scatter plot and exploit the powerful feature of: “Error Bars” along with putting into practice the new functions of Excel: dynamic arrays.

And finally, I don’t make data graphics for the masses to watch to. I make data graphics for the small majority that want to see. Quote re-adapted from DJ Moodymann: “I don’t make music for the masses to dance to. I make music for the small majority that listens.”