Skip to content
    Flow-alerta.cab

    Data Visualization

    UX & accessibilityInformation visualisationVisual data analysis
    Editorially reviewed on: 2 sources
    Your reading view

    The short answer · 17 words

    In short

    Data visualization translates values and relationships into visual forms so that patterns, differences and developments become understandable.

    Flow-alerta.cab (2026): Data Visualization. https://flow-alerta.cab/en/glossar/data-visualization. Editorially reviewed on: 10 October 2026.

    How much detail would you like?

    Practical

    Good visualizations shorten analysis paths and support decisions. Barrier-free variants open up the same core message even without color perception or purely visual use.

    A line diagram shows the order intake over twelve months; target value, previous year comparison and explanatory note give the necessary context.

    SMEs first define question, target group and decision. Afterwards, a few reliable key figures with understandable labels, reference values and accessible alternatives are visualized.

    At a glance

    Core
    Data visualization encodes data by position, length, color, shape or surface. It is used for exploration or communication. Diagram type, scale, aggregation and context determine which statement is recognizable and how easily it can be misinterpreted.
    Use
    Good visualizations shorten analysis paths and support decisions. Barrier-free variants open up the same core message even without color perception or purely visual use.
    Example
    A line diagram shows the order intake over twelve months; target value, previous year comparison and explanatory note give the necessary context.
    Limits
    Inappropriate diagrams, cropped axes, misleading surfaces, too many colors and missing units. With complex graphics, short alt texts are often not enough; description or data table supplement.

    In context

    Dashboard

    A dashboard condenses relevant key figures and states for a specific decision or monitoring task.

    Business Intelligence (BI)

    Methods and tools that collect, prepare, analyze and visualize business data to support decisions.

    Accessibility

    Accessibility makes digital content usable for as many people as possible.

    Questions about this term

    Which type of diagram fits?

    Deciding the data type and the question.

    Can an axle be shortened?

    Only transparent and without misleading effect.

    How does a chart become accessible?

    Do not use color alone and offer text description or table.

    All details and background

    Data visualization encodes data by position, length, color, shape or surface. It is used for exploration or communication. Diagram type, scale, aggregation and context determine which statement is recognizable and how easily it can be misinterpreted.

    ELI5 – Explained simply

    Numbers are translated into shapes and distances so that the eye recognizes more quickly what is rising, falling or dancing out of line.

    Why it matters in practice

    Good visualizations shorten analysis paths and support decisions. Barrier-free variants open up the same core message even without color perception or purely visual use.

    Example

    A line diagram shows the order intake over twelve months; target value, previous year comparison and explanatory note give the necessary context.

    Pitfalls and limits

    • Inappropriate diagrams, cropped axes, misleading surfaces, too many colors and missing units. With complex graphics, short alt texts are often not enough; description or data table supplement.

    Origin & history

    Vega documents a declarative approach to interactive data visualization. W3C WAI describes how complex graphics become accessible through short and detailed text alternatives.

    Use in mid-sized companies

    • SMEs first define question, target group and decision. Afterwards, a few reliable key figures with understandable labels, reference values and accessible alternatives are visualized.

    Related terms

    Matching Flow-alerta service

    Websites & web applicationsDashboard and UX concept: design meaningful, accessible visualizations with clear key performance indicator definitions.

    Matching tool / use case

    View use casesVega-Lite, Power BI or Observable; Use Case: Show contract development with target value, comparison and accessible data table.

    Sources

    Quellenprüfung: 10.10.2026. Definition und dokumentierte Einordnung abgeglichen; Beispiele beschreiben mögliche Anwendungen.

    Editorially reviewed on:

    Next step

    Put knowledge into practice

    Discuss your projectView use cases