There are several general rules to follow regardless of the chart type. The following list was found from a search of best practices for data visualization charts.6 Time axis. When using time in charts, set it on the horizontal axis. Time should run from left to right. Do not skip values (time periods), even if there are no values. Proportional values. The numbers in a chart (displayed as bar, area, bubble, or other physi-cally measured element in the chart) should be directly proportional to the numerical quantities presented. Visual clutter. Remove any excess information, lines, colors, and text from a chart that do not add value. Sorting. For column and bar charts, to enable easier comparison, sort your data in ascending or descending order by the value, not alphabetically. This applies also to pie charts. Legend. You dont need a legend if you have only one data category. Labels. Use labels directly on the line, column, bar, pie, etc., whenever possible, to avoid indirect look-up. Colors. In any chart, dont use more than six colors. Colors. For comparing the same value at different time periods, use the same color in a different intensity (from light to dark). Colors. For different categories, use different colors. The most widely used colors are black, white, red, green, blue, and yellow. Colors. Keep the same color palette or style for all charts in the series and the same axes and labels for similar charts to make your charts consistent and easy to compare.

Which of the following statements is not true regarding the use of color in a chart?

a. Use at most six different colors in a chart

.b. To show changes in an item over time use a color gradient rather than different colors.

c. Always use color in a chart to differentiate items.

d. Use the same color palette in a chart series.