Analyze Data

The Compare panel of your project is a place to quickly explore the similarities and differences between values and variables in your data.

After you choose aspects of your data to compare, Graphext will generate a series of charts comparing the values from those aspects.

For instance, given a dataset of tweets in which you have extracted hashtags, a compare chart reveals the hashtags that were most commonly used in association with tweet authors, adjectives and languages alongside other features of your Twitter data.

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"We do not live an equal life, but one of contrasts and patchwork."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

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As well as comparing values from a single variable, you can compare values from different variables. Compare charts also allow you to represent your data in relative, absolute or tabular forms. Toggle between charts that explain similarities in your data and charts that explain differences in your data using the dropdown in the top right corner of the Compare panel.

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Data Representation in Compare Charts

You can change the representation of data shown in Compare charts using the Representation dropdown menu at the top right of your Compare panel. The 4 types of representation - Absolute - Relative - Overview - Tabular - reveal different perspectives on the data you are comparing.

Hover over values in your Compare charts to reveal the statistics behind the chart.

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Absolute

Absolute representation in Compare charts means that the scale presented on the chart is an absolute count of values. In other words, absolute representation lets you measure the actual number of data points for each value belonging to the compared segment.

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Relative

Relative representation in Compare charts means that the scale presented on the chart is a percentage. This percentage measures how the values belonging to the compared segment are distributed across the values belonging to the variable shown in the chart.

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Overview

Overview representation in Compare charts reveals the distribution of compared values across variables in your data. For quantitative variables, box plots are used to show the min, max and quartile ranges of values belonging to your compared segments.

For categorical variables, you'll find charts showing the absolute count of data points in each category for the compared segments.

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Tabular

Tabular representation in Compare charts reveals key statistics showing how the values of a variable differ between the compared segments. Quantitative variables will show descriptive stats including the max, min and quartile ranges of the two compared segments. Categorical variables will show percentages measuring the relative distribution of the compared segments across values belonging to that variable.

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Creating Compare Charts

Compare charts reveal the similarities and differences between your data points. To start comparing your data, head to the your project's Compare panel.

Use the variable cards and dropdown menus at the top of the Compare panel to change the values represented in your charts.

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How to Create Compare Charts?

  1. Start from your project's Compare panel.
  2. Click inside of the 'Select a variable' text box.
  3. Choose a variable to compare from the dropdown list.
  4. Graphext will immediately generate a series of charts showing how the value most frequently featured in your chosen variable column is distributed amongst other variables.
  5. To add more values to your compare charts, select the '+' icon in the top right of the Compare panel.
  6. To change values represented in your charts, click inside of the card representing the value at the top of the Compare panel. Then choose a new variable from the dropdown list.
  7. Done ... Scroll through the charts to find variables that best demonstrate the similarities or differences in your data.

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Editing Compare Charts

Once you've generated compare charts you can make changes to the values and variables shown in these charts. Use the dropdown menus at the top of the compare panel to switch between variables. Additionally, you can change the values represented in the charts by clicking inside of the value cards underneath the variable dropdowns.

Variables are the fields in your data. Values are the data points within those fields.

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Changing Variables in Compare Charts

Variables are represented in a dropdown list at the very top of your Compare panel. Change the variables shown in the charts by selecting another option from the menu.

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How to Change Variables in Compare Charts?

  1. Start from your project's Compare panel.
  2. Click on a variable dropdown at the top of the Compare panel. At the moment, this represents your current variable name.
  3. Select a new variable from the dropdown list that appears.
  4. Done ... Your chart will immediately update to represent the most frequently occurring value within that variable.

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Changing Values in Compare Charts

‍Values are represented in cards underneath variable dropdowns alongside a circle denoting their color. Add more values to your charts using the plus icon in the top right of the Compare panel.

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How to Change Values in Compare Charts?

  1. Start from your project's Compare panel.
  2. Click on the value card underneath the relevant variable dropdown from the top of the Compare panel. At the moment, this contains the current value alongside a circle denoting the color it is represented by.
  3. Select a new value from the dropdown list that appears.
  4. Done ... Your chart will immediately update to represent that value in your charts.

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Saving Compare Charts

You can save compare charts individually or as a group. As well as exporting them to your computer you can save them as an insight.

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Capturing an Insight

Saving your compare charts as insights allows you to enhance your chart with elements like titles, descriptions and statistics. You can then present your compare charts directly inside of your project's Insights panel.

You can export your insights after you've saved your chart to an insights card and have added supplementary elements.

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How to Capture Individual Compare Charts as Insights?

  1. Start from your project's Compare panel.
  2. Make sure you have generated compare charts.
  3. Locate the chart you want to export.
  4. Select the three dots from the top right of the chart's card.
  5. Select 'Save as insight' from the menu list.
  6. Inside the 'Capturing insight' window that appears, enter a title for your insight.
  7. Select 'Save Insight'.
  8. Done ... Head over to your project's Insights panel to add more elements to the insight card.

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How to Collectively Capture the First 5 Compare Charts as an Insight?

  1. Start from your project's Compare panel.
  2. Make sure you have generated compare charts.
  3. If the first five compare charts include charts you don't want to capture, hide the charts you don't need.
  4. Click the icon representing 'Create insight of the first 5 variables' from the top right of the Compare panel - next to the 'Representation' dropdown.
  5. Inside the 'Capturing insight' window that appears, enter a title for your insight.
  6. Select 'Save Insight'.
  7. Done ... Head over to your project's Insights panel to add more elements to the insight card.

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Exporting Compare Charts

Exporting compare charts individually means you can quickly include them in reports or presentations. To export a compare chart use the 3 dots on the top right of the chart's card. Customise the appearance, size and theme of your compare chart in the download window.

Compare charts are exported individually. To export more than one, first create an insight featuring the charts you want to export, then export that insight.

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How to Export a Compare Chart?

  1. Start from your project's Compare panel.
  2. Make sure you have generated compare charts.
  3. Locate the chart you want to export.
  4. Select the three dots from the top right of the chart's card.
  5. Select 'Export' from the menu list.
  6. Inside the download window, enter a title for your chart. This will be used as the name of your exported file.
  7. Specify a width in pixels - height is automatically calculated.
  8. Choose to export your chart as either a png, svg or csv.
  9. Select either a dark or light theme for your chart. This will affect the color of text inside your chart.
  10. Click 'Export'.
  11. Save the file to your computer.
  12. Done ... The chart is ready to use in your reports and presentations.

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Hiding Compare Charts

Compare charts are generated for lots of variables in your data. It's likely that not all of these will be useful so hide the ones that aren't. To hide a chart from your project's compare panel, start by clicking on the three dots at the top right of the chart's card.

Hiding charts can be useful when you are capturing an insight from the first 5 compare charts.

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How to Hide Compare Charts?

  1. Start from your project's Compare panel.
  2. Make sure you have generated compare charts.
  3. Locate the chart you want to export.
  4. Select the three dots from the top right of the chart's card.
  5. Select 'Hide' from the menu list.
  6. This chart will be immediately hidden from the grid of charts.
  7. To undo this action, click on the chart's card in the hidden variables list at the top of your chart grid.
  8. Done ... Repeat the process until your Compare panel only represents useful charts.

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Need Something Different?

We know that data isn't always clean and simple.
Have a look through these topics if you can't see what you are looking for.