Google Fusion Tables: Visualize Data Instantly
Leveraging Google Fusion Tables for Data Visualization
For those needing to present data effectively, whether in professional reports or on personal blogs, Google Fusion Tables offer a powerful solution. This functionality, integrated within Google Docs, enables the conversion of tabular or spreadsheet data into compelling visual representations.
Transforming Data into Visuals
Google Fusion allows users to transform raw data into various chart types. These include pie charts, bar charts, and geographically-based maps enhanced with informational layers.
A Comparison to Other Charting Tools
Numerous chart generation tools are available online, such as Pie Color and Chart Tool, as previously highlighted. We also previously reviewed Google's Image Chart Creator, which served as an early foundation for the development of Google Fusion Tables.
The key advantage of Google Fusion Tables lies in its increased automation. It streamlines the chart creation process by facilitating direct spreadsheet imports from within Google Docs.
Data Input Options
Users have multiple options for inputting data into Google Fusion Tables. Data can be:
- Imported from a file located on your computer.
- Created directly within the application.
- Imported from existing spreadsheets.
This flexibility makes it a versatile tool for a wide range of data visualization needs.
Leveraging Google Fusion Tables Within Google Docs
To begin, access your Google Docs account and select the "Create" button located on the left-hand side of the interface. A dropdown menu will appear, presenting various creation options, including documents and spreadsheets. Further down this list, you will find the "Table" option, which is currently available as a beta feature.
The initial step involves importing your data table. You can utilize an existing spreadsheet from your Google Docs environment (Google Spreadsheets) or upload a data file from your computer.
This article demonstrates how Google Fusion Tables can be employed to display data on a map. For this example, a record of family trips will be created, with each trip assigned a "like" value ranging from 0 to 100 percent.
When initiating a new, empty table, data is entered row by row. This differs from traditional spreadsheets with pre-populated rows; you must click the "Create New Row" button for each new entry.
The data types, Text and Number, are versatile. The Location field is optional, but crucial if you intend to visualize the data on a map, linking it to specific geographic coordinates. A date field can also be added, though it is not mandatory.
Below is a completed table showcasing five visited locations, each with a corresponding "like" rating.
To transform your data sheet into a visual representation, select the "Visualize" menu and choose from the available options. Data can be displayed as a line chart, bar chart, pie chart, scatter plot, or timeline.
A key feature of Google Fusion Tables is the ability to overlay data onto a Google Map. Selecting the Map option initiates a few customization steps for your data visualization.
Initially, the data points are simply plotted on the map based on the provided locations. To enhance the map's utility, the marker appearance can be altered based on the "like" percentage assigned to each trip. Click "configure styles" at the map's top, then "Buckets" to categorize data points into value ranges.
Ensure you select the data column to be represented using the dropdown list. In this instance, the "Number" column was chosen. The icons now reflect the size and color corresponding to the rating weight assigned to each trip.
This functionality becomes significantly more valuable with larger datasets, utilizing finely-tuned buckets. Information such as illness rates, accident locations, or natural disaster occurrences can be visualized, revealing patterns difficult to discern in a standard table.
Standard chart types, including pie, line, and bar charts, are also available within Google Fusion Tables for alternative data representation.
A significant advantage of Google Fusion Tables is the ability to embed visualizations on any webpage. Simply make the original table "public" and, within the map display, click "Get embeddable link". This generates code that can be copied and pasted onto your blog or website.
Other chart types can be embedded using the same method.
Google Fusion Tables streamlines the process of importing large datasets and presenting them graphically, a task that might otherwise be time-consuming with applications like Microsoft Excel. The tool allows for quick identification of the desired data and display method, handling the rest and facilitating easy sharing of visualizations online.
Therefore, access your Google Docs account and explore the capabilities of Google Fusion Tables. Share your experiences and insights in the comments below – has it aided you in analyzing your data in novel ways?
Image Credit: Shutterstock
