1. Definition & Core Concept A panel chart is a data visualization technique that displays a series of similar small charts (typically of the same type and scale) arranged in a grid or sequence. Each small chart—or "panel"—shows a subset of the data, usually segmented by a categorical variable (e.g., region, product, time period, demographic group).
When you need to compare many similar datasets—across time, space, or categories—the panel chart is often the most honest, efficient, and insightful choice. It respects the viewer’s cognitive limits while revealing patterns that would be invisible in a single, overloaded chart. "Small multiples are the most versatile and powerful design for visualizing data with multiple dimensions." — Edward Tufte Start with a single, well-designed chart. If you find yourself adding a 7th color or a 4th dimension, stop. Ask: Could this be a panel chart? The answer, more often than you think, is yes. panel chart