Charts in Presentation Slides: How to Clearly Show What Matters in Data
Data has been added to a presentation slide, yet the audience is unable to follow the presenter’s line of thought because they are still trying to understand what is shown in the chart while the presenter has already moved on to the next slide. As a result, the presenter’s data-based reasoning may not seem convincing to the audience.
Organizations work with large amounts of data on a daily basis, but more data does not automatically mean better understanding. Audiences accustomed to consuming information in digital environments expect what matters in the data to be clearly visible. An overloaded or inappropriate chart creates information noise, requires additional time to process, and increases the risk of misinterpretation.
As part of the training, you will develop the skills to create easy-to-understand charts that help the audience quickly see what matters in the data, understand relationships and patterns, and grasp both the message and the conclusions. You will also learn how to select the most appropriate type of chart for the data and audience based on the communication objective, highlight what matters most, and avoid elements that make information more difficult to understand.
In the practical part of the training, you will analyze and redesign charts by applying the knowledge and skills gained during the course.
The training content is based on research and best practices in human perception, attention, and information processing, complemented by principles of UX/UI, instructional design, and presentation design.
For training groups from a single organization, examples and practical exercises can be adapted to the company’s visual identity, including its presentation template, brand guidelines, and actual presentation materials.
Ilze Rassa
Work experience: Ilze has led training sessions for companies, state and international organizations, teaching both individuals and groups. Experience in developing, managing and implementing communication strategies for the President of Latvia, NATO, Statoil Latvia, Rail Baltica and the banking sector. Organized NATO summits, the US President's visit to Latvia, and the Rail Baltica Global Forum.
Recipient of the Cross of Recognition and LASAP "Golden Button" award, member of the Baltic PR Awards jury.
Course Target
Knowledge and Skills Development in to select and create purpose-driven charts for presentation slides that clearly and accurately communicate what matters most, support conclusions, and help the audience understand results more quickly and make data-driven decisions.
Audience
- Analysts.
- Managers.
- Project managers.
- Finance, sales, HR, communications, and marketing professionals.
- Consultants and subject-matter experts.
- Anyone who uses different types of charts in presentation slides to explain results, compare metrics, support conclusions, communicate trends, or inform decision-making.
- Anyone who is proficient in the technical creation of charts but wants to improve their communication quality and effectiveness.
At Course Completion you will be able to
- Define what the audience needs to see and understand in the data.
- Create charts that help the audience understand results, trends, and key differences.
- Determine when a chart is necessary and when another form of information presentation would be more appropriate.
- Choose the most appropriate chart type for the data, message, and comparison.
- Reduce “information noise” and the time the audience needs to understand the information presented in a chart.
- Reduce the risk of incorrect or ambiguous data interpretation.
- Use charts to support conclusions, recommendations, and data-driven decisions.
- Communicate data clearly in in-person, remote, and hybrid presentations.
- Reduce the time spent explaining charts.
- Independently assess whether a chart helps the audience understand what matters most.
- Apply the knowledge gained when working with any presentation software.
Prerequisites
Basic skills in using a presentation tool such as PowerPoint, Canva, Keynote, or Google Slides are required. Basic familiarity with data and charts is desirable, but advanced technical knowledge is not required.
The training examples and practical exercises are created in PowerPoint.
Training materials
Training materials, practical examples, a checklist for evaluating and creating charts prepared by the course instructor.
For group training within a single organization, the organization’s own charts and data examples can be incorporated into the training content, subject to agreement on additional preparation time and costs. Practical exercises can be completed using the organization’s presentation template and in accordance with its visual identity guidelines.
Certification Exam
Not intended.
Course Outline
- When a chart helps and when it is not necessary.
- Where to start: what the audience needs to see and understand in the chart.
- How to choose the most appropriate chart type.
- How a chart’s title helps communicate the conclusion.
- How highlighting and annotations direct the audience’s attention.
- How to remove “visual noise” and improve chart readability.
- How to identify misleading or easily misinterpreted charts.
- How to use metaphors without compromising data accuracy.
- Practical chart analysis and redesign.
If you want to get more information about this course, please contact us by phone +371 67505091 or send an e-mail at mrn@bda.lv.
