What is a Slope Graph, and How to use it?
A slope graph is one of the popular types of data visualization used in the business sector and data analysis. Have you ever interacted with a slope chart? If you own a business or work as a data analyst, you have interacted with a slope chart or used it at some point. Do you know what it is and how to use it?

There is a lot of underlying information about a slope chart that many people still need to explore. This content covers the essential knowledge and everything you need about a slope chart. Are you curious about a slope chart and how to use it? Stick to this article up to the end for more actionable information.

What is a Slope Chart?
When you look at the slope chart keenly, you will realize it looks like a line graph. But does this mean that the two are related? Let's find out more! Even though the slope chart looks like a line graph, the only difference is that there are only a couple of data points on every line.

Many consider this a minor distinction that cannot be easily recognized. The difference means something huge that you can use to compare a couple of categorical variables. What makes this a huge difference is that this cannot be achieved on a typical line graph.

Now that you know what a slope chart is, do you know how it works? Let's get to the exciting part!

How a Slope Chart Operates?
Using a slope chart, the goal is to evaluate a straightforward thing. You check whether the value within the first column is higher, lower, or similar to the value in the second column. These changes are easy to depict when you connect the values using lines.

The lines are essential in the chart since they help you to either elope up or down depending on the direction of change. When the line is perfectly drawn, it's pretty simple to locate any relationship within your data elements since everything is brought to display. Note that the steeper the slope, the larger the slope appears.

When you realize that one feature is going up consistently compared to its neighbours, a slope graph will make it easier for you to note the change compared to the line graph used in the past. The chart displays all the elements in a more straightforward way so that you can quickly point out how they collaborate and link with one another.

Components of a Slope Chart

A slope chart comprises different components that work together to achieve a common goal. Below are the major components of a Slope chart.

Data

Data covers a significant part of a slope chart. It's the part of the chart that makes up the entire storyline. Before making a Slope chart, you need a lot of data to complete the job.

Plot

When creating a Slope chart in Excel, you need a tool to compose an excellent plot for your story. Note that Excel is one of the most preferred tools that aid in the plotting of the chart.

Labelling

A Slope chart is read starting from the left to the right. To be on the better side, ensure that all your data axes are well-labelled to make it easier for your readers to understand. Proper labelling of the chart offers guidance to understand the displayed message and acquire insights.

Legend

The legend refers to the colours used on the sides of the chart. This sector gives a brief description of every data series. Legends are meant to help your readers understand the data displayed on the chart.

Title

The title of the chart summarizes everything. It gives your readers a better picture of what the data story is all about. In most cases, the title attracts readers to peruse your chart. Ensure that you use a catchy title with clear messaging.

How to Create a Slope Chart?

Even though a slope chart seems complicated, you can easily create it and outline all your data. The chart is easy to create, provided you have the right tool to do the job. Microsoft Excel is one of the most common options when creating a Slope chart.

Let's begin with the basic aspect, data. Collect accurate information from your respective sources and outline it in your Excel. You can import the data directly from the source to your Excel worksheet. The first step is to highlight the data across all the cells.

On the main menu, click on "Insert," navigate to charts and click on "Line Chart." If you want to use markers on the chart, remember to pick the line chart with markers. Note that the markets are important since they indicate where the line ends. However, either of the options is okay, depending on what works for you.

The next step is to right-click on the chart area and select the data. On the select data source window, you will see two boxes aligned on the left and right-hand sides. Switch the boxes by selecting the switch row/column option and clicking okay. At this point, you will realize that something presentable is coming up.

You can now edit the chart to make it more presentable and display your preferred messaging. As much as the data you have is accurate m, you will come up with a complete chart that can tell your data story correctly.

Different Types of Data that Can Be Outlined on a Slope Chart

Whether you use categorical or continuous data, you can outline it in a slope chart and get your desired output. When you meet a slope graph that displays the data's beginning and end point, the chart shows how the values have changed over a particular time frame.

Slope charts that deal with categorical data display comparison. This chart displays the kind of data that differs from one another across the categories that display a specific direction.

Continuous Data

You can use continuous data on a slope chart to display change over a given time. When a line graph is used to showcase multiple data series measured at different points, they are likely to become cluttered. Also, if the values in every data category fluctuate, the chart can become obscured, making it easier to read.

The slope chart is preferred over other charting types since it has everything it takes to outline the data. You don't need to worry about the continuous nature of the data since everything is clear.

Categorical Data

When comparing two categories of data with a standard scale, a slope chart allows you to display how the data can be easily compared. The chart gives a better view of categorical data since the relationship between the categories is easy to identify.

Final Word

A Slope chart is an advanced mode of data visualization that business owners and analysts use to discover relationships in data. The chart has multiple charting features that give you more room to process and analyze datasets quickly. In addition, you don't need to get worried about the kind of data you can outline on the chart. You can quickly analyse the data and generate insights if you have accurate information from your sources.