What does data visualization help users to understand?

Data visualization is a powerful tool that transforms complex data sets into visual formats such as charts, graphs, and maps. This visual representation allows users to quickly grasp patterns, trends, and insights within the data that might be less apparent in raw numerical form. By visualizing data, users can identify correlations, anomalies, and shifts over time, facilitating better decision-making and deeper understanding.

For instance, a line graph showing monthly sales over time can reveal seasonal trends that are not easily recognized just by looking at the numbers. Similarly, a scatter plot can highlight potential relationships between two variables, making it easier to spot trends that inform strategic initiatives.

In contrast, focusing solely on numerical data would limit comprehension to raw figures without the context that visualization provides, making it challenging to derive meaningful insights. Exploring the history of data involves understanding its context and background, which is important but not the primary function of visualization. Data security issues relate to the protection of data integrity and privacy, which is separate from the purpose of visualizing data for analysis and understanding.