Visualize more, filter less

dataviz mindset pitfalls user experience

In this article, I'll explain why my (perhaps utopian) approach is to limit the number of filters when developing Data Visualization products.

Filter with intuition

Filters offer the benefit of adding interactivity and enabling some level of exploration. However, users often rely on intuition when applying them, as text-based filters don’t offer an enlightening and insightful exploration experience.

In this example, a user is looking at a table of 50,000 rows in a dashboard and wants to know, for instance:

The revenue of a specific country
The profit margin for that country
The country's ranking among other countries
Whether that country has met its goals or not

Filter through Data Visualization

During my coaching sessions with Dataviz Clarity's customers, I often suggest not removing filters (yet), but rather making them more visible.

Thanks to Data Visualization tools, it's now easy to create visual filters. By clicking on a bar, circle, or line, the other charts on the dashboard or report update to display the data related to the selected point.

The result takes no more space than using text filters. It allows for quicker, easier decision-making, driven by the data rather than relying on intuition.

In short, it's about finding the right balance. While being data-driven is valuable, relying solely on data can be limiting.

Your intuition should complement, not conflict with, data-driven decisions.

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If you want to learn how to apply design and cognitive principles to your dashboards and reports, join my new training "Learn Design Driven Data Visualization".