Data Analysis & Visualization Flashcards

Which built-in Excel chart type groups numeric values into bins to show their frequency distribution?

Answer: Histogram

A histogram groups values into bins and plots how often values fall into each bin.

Which of the following is NOT a sparkline type available in Excel?

Answer: Pie

Excel offers only Line, Column, and Win/Loss sparklines.

When should you plot a data series on a secondary vertical axis in a combo chart?

Answer: When two series have very different value ranges

A secondary axis keeps a small-scale series readable next to a large-scale one, such as revenue and percent margin.

Which trendline option smooths out fluctuations by averaging a specified number of consecutive data points?

Answer: Moving Average

A Moving Average trendline averages a set Period of points to show the pattern more clearly.

Which conditional formatting feature shows a bar inside each cell whose length is proportional to the cell's value?

Answer: Data Bars

Data Bars draw an in-cell bar whose length reflects the value relative to the other cells in the range.

A financial analyst wants to show how a starting balance changes through a series of positive and negative adjustments. Which chart is best?

Answer: Waterfall chart

Waterfall charts show a running total as increases and decreases are added to a starting value.

Which tool finds the input value needed for a formula to return a specific target result?

Answer: Goal Seek

Goal Seek repeatedly changes one input cell until the formula cell reaches the value you specify.