• Home
  • Tools dropdown img
    • Spreadsheet Charts

      • ChartExpo for Google Sheets
      • ChartExpo for Microsoft Excel
    • Power BI Charts

      • Power BI Custom Visuals by ChartExpo
    • Word Cloud

  • Charts dropdown img
    • Chart Category

      • Bar Charts
      • Circle Graphs
      • Column Charts
      • Combo Charts
      • Comparison Charts
      • Line Graphs
      • PPC Charts
      • Sentiment Analysis Charts
      • Survey Charts
    • Chart Type

      • Box and Whisker Plot
      • Clustered Bar Chart
      • Clustered Column Chart
      • Comparison Bar Chart
      • Control Chart
      • CSAT Survey Bar Chart
      • CSAT Survey Chart
      • Dot Plot Chart
      • Double Bar Graph
      • Funnel Chart
      • Gauge Chart
      • Likert Scale Chart
      • Matrix Chart
      • Multi Axis Line Chart
      • Overlapping Bar Chart
      • Pareto Chart
      • Radar Chart
      • Radial Bar Chart
      • Sankey Diagram
      • Scatter Plot Chart
      • Slope Chart
      • Sunburst Chart
      • Tornado Chart
      • Waterfall Chart
      • Word Cloud
    • Google Sheets
      Microsoft Excel
  • Services
  • Pricing
  • Contact us
  • Blog
  • Support dropdown img
      • Gallery
      • Videos
      • Contact us
      • FAQs
      • Resources
    • Please feel free to contact us

      atsupport@chartexpo.com

Categories
All Data Visualizations Data Analytics Surveys
Add-ons/
  • Google Sheets
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Power BI
All Data Visualizations Data Analytics Surveys
Add-ons
  • Google Sheets
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Power BI

We use cookies

This website uses cookies to provide better user experience and user's session management.
By continuing visiting this website you consent the use of these cookies.

Ok

ChartExpo Survey



Home > Blog > Google Sheets

How to Create a Chord Diagram?

Displaying flows and relationships between key variables simplifies data analysis. Why?

Multiple pieces of research prove that the human brain can instantly decode node-to-node flows and relationships.

Displaying relationship insights using flow-based visualization designs can help you communicate your findings easily. And one of such graph is a Chord Chart.

how to read chord diagrams

The Chord chart, as mentioned earlier, is straightforward to interpret.  Now the question is How to create and read a Chord Chart. It’s no secret that Google Sheets is the go-to visualization tool, especially among professionals and business owners.

However, the spreadsheet application does not natively support Chord Diagrams. You need to invest in other tools to visualize your data.

There’s an add-in you can easily download and install in your Google Sheets to access ready-made Chord Charts, plus many other ready-made and advanced visualization designs.

In this blog, you’ll learn the following:

Table of Content:

  1. What is a Chord Diagram?
  2. What Does a Chord Diagram Look Like?
  3. How Does a Chord Diagram Work?
  4. Elements of a Chord Diagram
  5. How to Read Chord Diagrams? Easy-to-follow Steps
  6. Tool For Making a Chord Diagram
  7. How to Create a “Chord Diagram” in Google Sheets?
  8. How to Edit the Chord Diagram?
  9. Best Practices for Chord Diagrams
  10. Wrap Up

We’ll define a couple of basic terms before diving into the how-to guide.

What is a Chord Diagram?

Definition: A Chord Diagram is a chart you can use to display the relationship between data points.

what is a chord on a diagram 012

The visualization design is ideal for comparing the similarities within a dataset or between different data groups.

Nodes are arranged along a circle to depict the relationships between key data points, such as those found in YouTubers analytics. Values are assigned to each connection based on the size of each arc. You have an option of using high-contrast colors to create a distinction between key variables in your data.

The key problem with Chord Diagrams is clutter, especially when many connections are displayed simultaneously.

How to read Chord Diagrams should never be a time-intensive affair for you. Keep reading to discover more.

What Does a Chord Diagram Look Like?

Chord Diagrams allow you to visualize bulky and complex data in an appealing and informative way.

Below are the questions that a Chord Chart helps you address.

  • What is the magnitude of the flow between key categories in your data?
  • Are there anomalies, differences, or similarities in relationships between key data points?

How Does a Chord Diagram Work?

Interpreting a Chord Chart is amazingly easy. Just look at the color codes of various lines in the chart.

For instance:

  • Red depicts decline
  • Green shows growth
  • Grey represents neutrality

Key data points connected by green lines are directly proportionate to each other. If one variable grows, the other will also record growth.

Conversely, variables connected by red lines are inversely proportionate to each other. Data points connected via grey lines are indifferent to each other.

Take a look at the massive table below. Can you tell a data story of what’s going on?

Platform Video Type Comments Status Chord Darkness Total PT Comments Total VT Comments
Facebook Film Positive 9 52 25
Facebook Animals Positive 9 52 9
Facebook Sports Negative 9 52 18
YouTube Vehicles Positive 6 24 10
YouTube Travel Neutral 10 24 8
YouTube Comedy Negative 6 24 6
Instagram Entertainment Negative 6 21 8
Instagram Events Negative 6 21 4
Instagram Music Neutral 6 21 9
Twitter People Negative 8 30 15
Twitter News Negative 4 30 5
Twitter Science Negative 6 30 10
Others Education Positive 15 35 15
Others Nonprofit Positive 6 35 5
Others Agriculture Neutral 6 35 15

Note the difference after visualizing the data using a Chord Diagram.

what does a chord diagram show 012

Elements of a Chord Diagram

  1. Nodes: Segments around the circle representing different data points or categories.
  2. Chords: Arcs connecting nodes, indicating relationships or flow between them.
  3. Labels: Text associated with nodes to identify each segment.
  4. Thickness: Width of the chords, reflecting the strength or magnitude of the relationship.
  5. Colors: Distinct colors for nodes and chords to differentiate between various segments and connections.
  6. Tooltip/Legend: Additional information displayed on hover or in a legend to provide context and details about the relationships.

How to Read Chord Diagrams? Easy-to-follow Steps

You can easily point out the relationships between key data points.

  • Education videos and other platforms have a positive relationship. And this implies if you post more educational videos on other platforms, the engagement level grows high.
  • Video types with people and Twitter have an inverse relationship (negative). More posts result in a decline in engagement.
  • The more animal videos are posted on Facebook, the higher the engagement level.

Tool For Making a Chord Diagram

We acknowledge that Google Sheets is one of the most used data visualization tools by many professionals. Besides, it has been around for years and is familiar to a wide range of users. However, while Google Sheets excels as a versatile text visualization tool, it does not natively support Chord Charts. This limitation means you’ll need to use other tools to plot such charts effectively.

To access a ready-to-use and visually appealing Chord Diagram or any type of  Circular Chart in Google Sheets, you have to install third-party apps (add-ons). There are thousands of add-ons purposely for Google Sheets. To save you time, we’ve tested hundreds of add-ons to find the best one for day-to-day visualization needs.

ChartExpo ticks all the boxes concerning the following:

  • Ease of use
  • Ease of access
  • Number of intuitive and advanced charts available
  • Affordability

How to read Chord Diagram should never be a stressful affair for you.

In the coming section, you’ll learn how you can install the ChartExpo add-ins for Excel Mac and Windows to access the advanced ready-made and visually stunning charts in Google Sheets.

How to Create a “Chord Diagram” in Google Sheets?

Click this link to install ChartExpo into your Google Sheets.

Once you have installed ChartExpo for Google Sheets, follow the easy steps below:

  • Open your Google Sheets application.
  • Click the Extensions menu and then click Charts, Graphs & Visualizations by ChartExpo button.
  • Finally, click the Open button in the drop-down.
open chartexpo in google sheets
  • Click the Create New Chart button to access your fully stocked library of charts.
add new chart in google sheets
  • Export your table to Google Sheets.
  • Look for the “Chord Diagram” in the list of charts, as shown below.
search chord chart in google sheets
  • Select the sheet holding your data and select the Metrics option. Fill in the numerical numbers (in our scenario, we’ll fill in cord darkness, positive comments, and negative comments)
  • Select the Dimensions button and fill in the dimensional data (in our example, we’ll use platform, video type, and comment status).
create chord diagram in google sheets 012
  • Finish the simple process by clicking the Create Chart button.
chord diagram in google sheets 012

If you follow the instructions (above), your final chart should look like this (above).

Insights

  • Education videos and other platforms have a positive relationship. And this implies if you post more educational videos on other platforms, the engagement level grows high.
  • Video types with people and Twitter have an inverse relationship (negative). More posts result in a decline in engagement.
  • The more animal videos are posted on Facebook, the higher the engagement level.

How to Edit the Chord Diagram?

To add a title to your chart using the Chord Diagram creator (ChartExpo), follow the simple steps below:

  • To get started, click the Edit Chart button.
edit chord diagram in google sheets 2
  • Once the Chart Header Properties window pops, click the Line 1 box and fill in your title.
  • Toggle the small button (just below the Line 2 box) to the left to keep your title showing.
  • Preserve your changes by clicking the Apply button, as shown above.
save chord diagram in google sheets 012
  • Complete the simple task by clicking the Save button, as shown above.
  • Check out the final diagram below.
chord diagram 012
  • To transfer or share your Chord Diagram, click the Export button, as shown below.
export chord diagram in google sheets 012

Below is the image you will get after exporting:

how does chord diagram work

Best Practices for Chord Diagrams

  1. Simplify Data: Use clear and concise data to avoid clutter and enhance readability.
  2. Distinct Colors: Choose contrasting colors for different nodes and chords to improve visual distinction.
  3. Label Clearly: Ensure all nodes and connections are properly labeled for easy identification.
  4. Focus on Key Relationships: Highlight the most important relationships to draw attention to critical connections.
  5. Consistent Thickness: Use chord thickness to represent data magnitude consistently across the diagram.
  6. Interactive Elements: Incorporate tooltips or interactive features to provide additional context and details.
  7. Balanced Layout: Arrange nodes evenly around the circle to maintain a balanced and aesthetically pleasing design.
  8. Test and Iterate: Review the diagram with stakeholders and iterate based on feedback to ensure clarity and usefulness.

FAQs About Chord Diagram

What are Chord Diagrams used for?

The Chord Visualization Design is ideal for comparing the similarities within a dataset or between different groups of data.

Nodes in the chart are arranged along a circle to depict the relationships between key data points. Values are assigned to each connection based on the size of each arc.

What is the function of Chord Diagram?

A Chord Diagram is a graphical method used to visualize relationships between data points in a circular layout. It shows how different segments (nodes) are interconnected through arcs (chords), making it useful for illustrating complex networks, such as connections between entities, flow of resources, or migration patterns.

The diagram helps to quickly identify and understand the strength and direction of relationships within the data.

Wrap Up

As we said, displaying flows and relationships between key variables simplifies data analysis.

Displaying relationship insights using flow-based visualization designs can help you communicate your findings easily. One of the tested and proven charts for the task mentioned above is a Chord Diagram. The aforementioned chart is amazingly easy to interpret.

It’s no secret that Google Sheets is the go-to visualization tool, especially among professionals and business owners.

But Google Sheets does not natively support Chord Diagrams. You have to invest in other tools to visualize your data using the visualization design.

We recommend you install a particular add-on called ChartExpo in your Google Sheets to access the ready-to-use, insightful, and visually appealing Chord Diagram.

ChartExpo has a ready-made, easy-to-interpret, and visually stunning Chord Diagram for your data stories.

You don’t need programming or coding skills to visualize your data using Chord Diagrams in the tool. Furthermore, you can easily export your charts to the world’s most recognized formats, namely JPEG and PNG.

How to read Chord Diagram should never throw a curveball at you.

Sign up for a 7-day free trial today to access a complete list of ready-made, insightful, and visually appealing Chord Diagrams.

How much did you enjoy this article?

GSAd1
Start Free Trial!
136187

Related articles

next previous
Google Sheets11 min read

How to Create a Chart in Google Sheets in Few Steps?

Learn step-by-step how to create a chart in Google Sheets to visualize your data clearly and effectively, even if you're a beginner.

Google Sheets14 min read

How to Use Google Spreadsheet for Insightful Results

Learn how to use Google Sheets for data management. You’ll discover tips on adding data, using formulas, creating charts, and more to streamline your work.

Google Sheets11 min read

Commission Spreadsheet Template: An Easy Guide

A commission spreadsheet template ensures accuracy, saves time, and reduces errors. Learn its benefits and best practices for efficient commission tracking.

Google Sheets12 min read

How to Make Progress Bar in Google Sheets: Step-by-Step

Learn how to create a dynamic progress bar in Google Sheets to visually track goals, tasks, or project completion. Step-by-step guide with tips and examples.

Google Sheets11 min read

Travel Expenses Spreadsheet Template for Better Planning

A travel expenses spreadsheet template helps organize and manage trip costs. It simplifies budgeting, tracking, and reporting expenses in one place.

ChartExpo logo

Turn Data into Visual
Stories

CHARTEXPO

  • Home
  • Gallery
  • Videos
  • Services
  • Pricing
  • Contact us
  • FAQs
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Sitemap

TOOLS

  • ChartExpo for Google Sheets
  • ChartExpo for Microsoft Excel
  • Power BI Custom Visuals by ChartExpo
  • Word Cloud

CATEGORIES

  • Bar Charts
  • Circle Graphs
  • Column Charts
  • Combo Charts
  • Comparison Charts
  • Line Graphs
  • PPC Charts
  • Sentiment Analysis Charts
  • Survey Charts

TOP CHARTS

  • Sankey Diagram
  • Likert Scale Chart
  • Comparison Bar Chart
  • Pareto Chart
  • Funnel Chart
  • Gauge Chart
  • Radar Chart
  • Radial Bar Chart
  • Sunburst Chart
  • see more
  • Scatter Plot Chart
  • CSAT Survey Bar Chart
  • CSAT Survey Chart
  • Dot Plot Chart
  • Double Bar Graph
  • Matrix Chart
  • Multi Axis Line Chart
  • Overlapping Bar Chart
  • Control Chart
  • Slope Chart
  • Clustered Bar Chart
  • Clustered Column Chart
  • Box and Whisker Plot
  • Tornado Chart
  • Waterfall Chart
  • Word Cloud
  • see less

RESOURCES

  • Blog
  • Resources
  • YouTube
SIGN UP FOR UPDATES

We wouldn't dream of spamming you or selling your info.

© 2025 ChartExpo, all rights reserved.