What is Datawrapper?

Datawrapper is a data compilation and visualization software. It was developed for the purpose of incorporating maps and charts into existing news stories that are displayed on websites. After the data is imported, which often entails copying and pasting directly into the tool, users can create charts with just one click.

The idea behind Datawrapper emerged in 2012 when Journalist Mirko Lorenz began working with Gregor Aisch, a Developer. At this time, Mirko was involved in extensive data training, yet lacked a simple way to create graphs, maps, and charts. Mirko worked with Aisch to develop a new kind of charting tool that would enable users to easily and quickly display their data in the form of charts or maps. Currently, Datawrappers tools are offered in six languages: English, German, Spanish, French, Chinese, and Italian, so that users around the world can have access to this cutting-edge software.

Datawrapper can be used to create many different visual representations of data, such as:

  • Scatter plots
  • Locator maps
  • Election donuts
  • Area charts
  • Line, column, and bar charts

Datawrapper is a powerful tool for software developers and journalists, as well as any design professional looking to compile data into a specified format. Data from various sources, such as Google Sheets, Excel, or the internet, can be copied to use in Datawrapper. Users can then select from different charts or maps to depict this information. It also provides options that allow the design to be customized to adhere to the aesthetic of various newsrooms or other sources. The graphical representations made using Datawrapper can be viewed on any BI tool, as well as devices with various screen sizes.

In addition to its paid monthly plans, Datawrapper offers a free plan, which is a great option for those who wish to embed graphics on smaller sites or those that have limited traffic. Datawrapper is a good option for small businesses, as well as students who are searching for a user-friendly data visualization package. It is relied on by financial institutions,

government agencies, and think tanks around the globe. Many international news platforms, such as Fortune, Wired, The New York Times, and Mother Jones, use Datawrapper to visually display information within news articles.

Pros & Cons of Using Datawrapper

The following are a few of the benefits, as well as drawbacks, of using Datawrapper for your data visualization needs:

Pros

  • Datawrapper is open-source and can work on any OS computer.
  • It can be used online or installed onto a server.
  • The basic version of Datawrapper is free.
  • It can be used to create 19 types of charts as well as three kinds of maps.
  • Because it provides web-based visualization capabilities, Datawrapper users won’t lose data if their computer crashes, and can access data and charts from any location. All changes are automatically saved.
  • It’s easy to present data using Datawrapper’s clear, beginner-friendly user interface. This software doesn’t require that users have prior knowledge of coding or web design to begin creating data visualizations.
  • Those who are new to creating data visualizations can use Datawrapper’s extensive selection of design defaults to simplify the visualization process. These ensure that the data visualization will be accessible and visually engaging.
  • Customization options are available for presenting data. Users can add images, as well as change the margins, color options, and fonts.
  • The data that’s uploaded to Datawrapper belongs to your own account and will be kept confidential. Readers are not tracked.
  • A preview of the data visualization is available to users before they export it so that they can ensure it meets their expectations.
  • The maps created using Datawrapper can be made to be interactive, which leads to a more involved and active user experience.

Cons

  • Datawrapper has limited flexibility when working with visuals.
  • Some Datawrapper users have a difficult time customizing fonts and colors. In addition, adjusting color in Datawrapper can be challenging for users.
  • Any data that’s uploaded when using the free plan will be transferred to the Datawrapper server’s storage.
  • Because it is open-source, security concerns can arise.

What is Chars.js?

Charts.js is a JavaScript library used for data visualization. This free, open-source library can create several kinds of ready-made charts, such as bubble, radar, scatter, bar, line, and pie, as well as mixed chart types. It also comes with a hover pop-up, series toggling, and a legend. This beginner-friendly library works well for large datasets, as well as with React and Vue.js.

Those who wish to modify a chart’s look or feel can elect to change the line colors, background colors, line widths, and other features. Because charts in Charts.js are created using Canvas elements, this library performs well compared to SVG. In addition, users can easily download the chart as an image file once it’s complete.

Charts.js was created in 2013 and is considered to be the second-most popular JavaScript charting library.

Pros & Cons of Using Charts.js

Those working with Charts.js cite several benefits, as well as some challenges, of using this library for data visualization purposes:

Pros

  • Charts.js provides six animated data visualization options.
  • It is considered to be a fast, lightweight option relative to other data visualization libraries.
  • Various plugins are available, and users can also elect to write their own.
  • There are a variety of interactive extensions and customizable features in this library.
  • The online support community for Charts.js is robust. Members regularly improve on the library and add to its knowledge base.
  • Its charts are fully responsive to viewport width.
  • When creating charts, Charts.js can handle thousands of data points.

Cons

  • Because Charts.js only has a handful of graph types, it does not offer the same flexibility as other visualization libraries.
  • Charts.js lacks many of the customization options other libraries provide for data visualization.
  • Some users note that documentation is not clearly rendered in Charts.js. This can make it difficult to find answers to questions.
  • When working with complex data, some users prefer more complex diagram and graphing options than are available with Charts.js.
  • Those who wish to create data visualizations with Charts.js must know HTML5 as well as JavaScript.

The Bottom Line

For data visualization, both Datawrapper and Charts.js provide good options to help depict the story behind the data in a visually pleasing and accessible manner. Therefore, selecting the best choice for your professional needs depends on several variables. Charts.js is a great option for those looking to create standard charts, such as bar charts or line charts. However, for those hoping to design charts or maps beyond templates, Datawrapper offers 19 chart and three map options. In terms of cost, Charts.js is free, whereas Datawrapper offers paid monthly plans as well as a free option. For those who do not have a coding background, Datawrapper provides a beginner-friendly interface that can be used to create data visualizations without any coding knowledge. Charts.js users need to have an understanding of HTML5 as well as JavaScript to create data visualizations.

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