Research Guides: Data Visualization: Data Visualization Tools

Tools for the Beginner

Google Docs
Google docs (as described in this tutorial by the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism) is a great way to get started with exploring data and creating graphs.
Piktochart
Piktochart has dozens of free (and fairly customizable) templates. It also has hundreds of icons and images, as well as good graphing software.
Infogr.am
Although somewhat less customizable than other free software (piktochart in particular), infogr.am allows users to create simple data visualizations.
TimelineJS
TimelineJS is great for beginners and experts who are interested in building interactive timelines.
Wordle
Although less popular than they were a decade ago, word clouds can still be a fun way to analyze and display text content. Wordle allows you to generate 'word clouds' from text.
Many Eyes
IBM's Many Eyes lets users with no coding background upload data and use easy tools to create visualizations. The software requires users to create a free account.
Open Heat Map
Open Heat Map allows even beginners to create complex heat maps. It works with excel spreadsheets and is quite user-friendly.

d3.js
According to its website, D3.js is a 'Javascript library for manipulating documents based on data. D3 helps you bring data to life using HTML, SVG, and CSS.'
Google Fusion Tables
Google describes Fusion Tables as 'an experimental data visualization web application to gather, visualize, and share data tables'
Tableau Public
Tableau is a computer software that allows users to create interactive data visualizations. Its public version is free, while its desktop and server versions offer a 14 day free trial period.
R
R is a programming language that many statisticians and data scientists swear by. It has a steep learning curve, but once users have picked up its complexities, it allows them to do complex data work and create great graphics. Also, unlike Stata, SPSS, etc., R is free.
QGIS
QGIS is a free open-source geographic information system program that allows users to create maps.
Adobe Creative Suite
Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign are all great resources for data visualization work. They are available for W&M students, faculty, and staff on Swem Media Center and Music Library computers.

Center for Geospatial Analysis (CGA)
Located on the second floor of Swem, the CGA offers classes, workshops, and other resources to students interested in GIS and mapping.
Media Center
The Media Center, located on the ground floor of Swem, provides students access to software, including Adobe InDesign and Photoshop. The Media Center also allows students to rent cameras and other equipment.

Lynda.com [Now LinkedIn Learning] This link opens in a new window
Lynda.com is a constantly growing library of over 2000 video courses and over 107,000 tutorials in streaming video format, and new material is added every week. Courses are offered at different skill levels in over 140 specialties. Subjects covered range from 3D + Animation; Audio; Business including Office and Google software; Design; Developer; Photography and Video; and Web and social media. Videos use screenshots, narration, live action, smart boards, charts and graphics, audio and include captioning.

Khan Academy
Khan academy has good basic tutorials on computer programming. They are a great place to start for those with little to no coding experience.
Data for Radicals
Data For Radicals, despite the name, is a serious and excellent site that provides basic tutorials on the fundamentals of data visualization.