Data collection has now become easy with access and availability to various sources. However, when huge amounts of data are put into tabular report or spreadsheets, it becomes hard to view its inherent structure, trends, patterns or relationships. This is when data visualisation comes into the picture. 

Data visualisation is nothing but organising data in a manner that the relationship and structure of data can be easily understood and interpreted, thereby providing a narrative description to readers. The major goal of this process is to communicate the information contained in the data across targeted audiences in simple to comprehend context.

With recent advancements, a number of tools are available for presenting data in visual patterns in form of graphs, charts, bar diagrams, gantt charts, etc. While some are paid versions, most such tools tools are available for free in an open platform. 

Here’s a quick look at the most popular data visualisation tools that can transform your research or study: 

Tableau - Tableau, regarded as the grandmaster of data visualisation tools has the potential to develop interactive visualisations. This tool is very easy to handle and is particularly well-suited to handle large and fast-changing datasets used in Big Data operations. Tableau also enables you to produce graphics efficiently. In addition, this tool has integration with a huge number of advanced database solutions, including Amazon AWS, Hadoop, SAP, My SQL, and Teradata.

Qlikview - This is another popular and widely used tool in data visualisation. It has a wide range of features and is highly customisable. Qlikview is commonly used alongside Qlik Sense, to handle data exploration and discovery. In addition to its data visualisation capabilities, Qlikview provides powerful analytics, information reporting capabilities and has a clean, clutter-free user interface. 

Fusion charts - Although this is a paid software, Fusion charts, a JavaScript-based charting & visualisation package is one of the leading tools in the market. It has the ability to produce 90 different chart types, integrates with a good number of platforms, thereby providing flexibility to the users. One of its best features is that, rather than having to begin with new visualisation from scratch each time, users can select from a range of live example templates. 

Plotly - This software has integration with analytics-oriented programming languages, including R, Python, and Matlab, thereby enabling complex and sophisticated visualisations. Developed in the open-source d3.js visualisation libraries for JavaScript, it has a user-friendly interface and supports inbuilt for APIs. 

Sisense - It offers simple-to-use drag & drop interface which lets charts, complex graphics, interactive visualisation, to be developed with minimum hardship. It also allows the collection of multiple sources of data into one accessed repository. It allows the user to crunch large data set and visualize it with graphs, charts, etc. in a single dashboard. 

Data visualisation enables the reader to interact with data. Choose the right tool, prepare engaging data presentation and convey the information in the right manner.