For example, if you click on a blank row, several suggestions pop up such as "delete row" or "delete empty rows." What they do: The DataWrangler web-based service from Stanford University's Visualization Group is designed for cleaning and rearranging data so it's in a form that other tools such as a spreadsheet app can use.Ĭlick on a row or column, and DataWrangler will suggest changes. "Cleaning" tools are designed to help get your data in shape to be analyzed for the period. There might be some records with misspellings or numerical data-entry errors. What does that mean? Perhaps some entries list "New York City" while others say "New York, NY" and you need to standardize them before you can see patterns. Your main investment: time.īefore you can analyze and visualize data, it often needs to be cleaned. But they all share one important characteristic: They're free. They range from easy enough for a beginner (i.e., anyone who can do rudimentary spreadsheet data entry) to expert (requiring hands-on coding). If one of the higher-priced options is out of your reach, there are a surprising number of highly robust tools for data visualization and analysis that are available at no charge.
The cost can make sense for professionals whose primary job is to find meaning in mountains of information, but you might not be able to justify such an expense if you or your users only need a graphics application from time to time, or if your budget for new tools is somewhat limited.
There are many tools around to help turn data into graphics, but they can carry hefty price tags. But if you're trying to extract useful information from an ever-increasing inflow of data, you'll likely find visualization useful - whether it's to show patterns or trends with graphics instead of mountains of numbers, or to try to explain complex issues to a nontechnical audience. You may not think you've got much in common with an investigative journalist or an academic medical researcher.