Book Title: Leveraging Data Visualization to Communicate Effectively

Authors: Jennie Mitchell and Trent Deckard

Book Description: This textbook introduces students to the principles of effective data visualization and how to use visualization techniques to effectively communicate information and insights. Additionally, it shares presentation strategies to address communication gaps that could arise if the visualized data does not have the proper context and labeling. Students will learn how to select appropriate chart types and design effective visualizations that clearly convey data patterns and trends, to support data-driven decisions. The textbook also covers best practices for labeling, scaling, and annotating visualizations, as well as techniques for avoiding common pitfalls and biases in data visualization. Through hands-on exercises and projects, students will have the opportunity to practice creating a variety of visualizations using tools such as Excel, Power Business Intelligence (BI) and several problem-solving tools like Ishikawa, SWOT, PEST/LE, decision tree and more. Students will be able to process, analyze and visualize data to evaluate patterns and trends, and learn ways to communicate more effectively regardless of the setting or the type of audience.

Recommended citation:
Mitchell, J., & Deckard, T. (2025). Leveraging Data Visualization to Communicate Effectively. PALNI Open Press. https://doi.org/10.59319/ADKD6575

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License:
Creative Commons Attribution

Contents

Book Information

Authors

Jennie Mitchell and Trent Deckard

License

Icon for the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

Leveraging Data Visualization to Communicate Effectively by Jennie Mitchell and Trent Deckard is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

Subject

Business communication and presentation

Metadata

Title
Leveraging Data Visualization to Communicate Effectively
Authors
Jennie Mitchell and Trent Deckard
Reviewers
Marcelo Pastore and Eric Hubbard
Contributors
Scribe Inc. (Copyeditor) and Victoria Peters (Project Manager)
License

Icon for the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

Leveraging Data Visualization to Communicate Effectively by Jennie Mitchell and Trent Deckard is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

Product screenshots used with permission from Microsoft and/or under fair use for educational purposes as outlined in U.S. copyright law (17 U.S.C. § 107).

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Icon images courtesy of Microsoft 365 Stock Images.

Leveraging Data Visualization to Communicate Effectively is an independent publication and is neither affiliated with, nor authorized, sponsored, or approved by, Microsoft Corporation.

Excel, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Copilot, Microsoft Designer, Microsoft Teams, Power BI, PowerPoint, Visio, and Word are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.

Primary Subject
Business communication and presentation
Additional Subject(s)
Data capture and analysis
Publisher
PALNI Open Press
Publication Date
July 7, 2025
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.59319/ADKD6575
Ebook ISBN
978-1-956390-47-6
Print ISBN
978-1-956390-49-0