Time Series Graph Examples: Analyzing Time-Based Data

In the dynamic realm of data representation, “time series graph examples” stand as stalwarts, offering a fresh perspective into the evolution of variables over time.

As a data analyst of your company, your stakeholders have tasked you to keep track of specific data. Your stakeholders are interested in the forecast you provide.

In such a scenario, you will need a visualization that helps to identify data trends over time. The question is, what type of visualization will save your day?

You guessed right. You will need one of the time series graph examples.

Why? This is because time and dates are always continuous. A time series graph in Google Sheets can help you create a compelling forecast that will impress your stakeholders.

Buckle up as we get to know more about time series graph examples.

Do you want to improve your data visualization? If yes, walk with us as we uncover essential tips for time series visualization.

In this blog you will learn:

Table of Contents:

1. What is a Time Series Graph?
2. Role of Time Series Graphs
3. When Should we use Time Series Graphs?
4. Benefits of a Time Series Graph 
5. Time Series Graph Examples
6. How to Draw a Time Series Graph?
7. Wrap Up

What is a Time Series Graph?

Time Series Graphs in Google Sheets are a type of chart used to analyze data collected at different time points.

A time series graph is one of the most common types of charts in investing and finance-related fields. Why? Investors track their investments and stock performance over time to make informed decisions.

Forex stock analysis is a real-life example of time series analysis.

If you are a Forex trader, this type of chart is likely very familiar—you’ve probably seen it many times while tracking currency prices across different periods

In the economic sector, economic experts use a time series data graph to track the Gross Domestic Product of a country across a period.

A graph for time series data offers meaningful insights if your data has these characteristics:

• Shows seasonality
• Has explosive behavior
• Has structural breaks
• Has a time trend

Let us assume you are analyzing the daily closing stock price for one year. It is essential to obtain all the customary closing stock prices and arrange them chronologically.

Such data would serve as a time series of the daily stock.

When using time series graph examples or a dot plot example, you plot your data on the y-axis against the time increment on the x-axis. This approach helps you visualize patterns and behaviors in your data more effectively.

Now that you know what a time series visualization is let us look at the examples of time series graphs.

Role of Time Series Graphs

Time series graphs are crucial for analyzing data trends over time. By plotting data points against time intervals, these graphs reveal patterns, fluctuations, and trends, aiding in decision-making and forecasting.

They help in understanding historical patterns, monitoring performance, and making predictions based on past behavior, making them invaluable across various fields like finance, economics, and meteorology.

When Should we use Time Series Graphs?

They are particularly useful in scenarios where historical data needs to be examined to identify patterns, monitor changes, or make predictions about future outcomes.

Common applications include financial analysis, sales forecasting, inventory management, and monitoring trends in various industries such as healthcare, transportation, and climate science.

Benefits of a Time Series Graph

• Visualizing Trends: They provide a clear visual representation of data trends over time, making it easier to spot patterns, cycles, and seasonal variations.
• Monitoring Changes: These graphs allow users to track changes in data over time, which helps in identifying anomalies, trends, and shifts in patterns.
• Forecasting: Time series analysis enables forecasting future values based on historical data trends, aiding in decision-making and planning for the future.
• Comparing Performance: Time series graphs facilitate the comparison of performance metrics across different periods, making it easier to analyze performance trends and benchmark against past performance.
• Communicating Insights: They offer a concise and visually appealing way to communicate insights and findings to stakeholders, making complex data more understandable and enhancing decision-making processes.

Time Series Graph Examples

Let’s learn about some of the best examples of time series graphs in Google Sheets, which you can use in your data analysis. Some of the best charts for data analysis are as follows:

1. Dual Axis Line Graph
2. Multi-Axis Line Graph
3. Sentiment Trend Graph
4. Area Line Graph

• Dual Axis Line Graph

This visualization is one of the best time series charts in Excel. Why? Because it’s easy to read and analyze data. An Axis line Graph is essential if you want to compare the performance of two different variables in a specific period.

It doesn’t take much effort to show how two variables are related. Even with limited space in the visualization, it can reveal many insights and meaningful information.

With a Dual Axis Graph, you can quickly discover trends over time by analyzing many data visualizations.

That’s not all.

You can use a Dual Axis Graph to visualize two different variables with numerical units. The Dual Axis Chart is remarkable because it cannot be overwhelmed with such information. It can help give an incredible data story.

Below is an example of a Dual Axis Line Graph.

• Multi-Axis Line Graph

A Multi-Axis Line Graph functions like a Dual Axis Graph. It is one of the best time series graph examples. The only difference is that this graph has multiple axes. This feature makes it more flexible to use.

Most people are familiar with reading a simple line graph. A Multi-Axis Line Graph is different because it uses data with three or more different scales.

When reading a line graph with multiple lines, you must pay attention to each label and axis range. The data point positions in each line indicate a relationship within a specific range.

You can use three or more variables on a multi-axis line graph to show trend changes over time. While a multi-axis line graph can seem complicated, it is easy to read and provides meaningful insights. Below is an example of a multi-axis line graph.

• Sentiment Trend Graph

This is one of the best time series graph examples. A Sentiment Trend Graph displays variable trends over time. It has positive and negative sentiments as well.

The visualization is essential, especially if your objective indicates growth and reduction of vital variables.

The line curve indicates a variable’s overall trend and pattern within a specific period.

Forex brokers use this visualization to forecast the future of share prices. Even in business, you can use this visualization to study your business performance based on past results.

A Sentiment Trend graph has a clear title, a time frame, a trend line, and a little clutter. All these elements help you avoid confusion during interpretation, much like how understanding what a data analyst does can clarify the analysis process. You can analyze the profits and losses of your business using this chart.

The visualization can appear complex in its structure. But it offers the benefit of easy clarity and interpretation.

Below is an example of a Sentiment Trend graph.

• Area Line Graph

This is one of the best time series plot examples. An Area Line Graph is a time series graph connecting data points with a line. The area below the line is filled with a solid color.

The visualization seems to be unique from different time series graphs in Google Sheets. However, your audience can still gain meaningful insights from such a graph.

An Area Line graph has several uses, which include:

• Showing total amounts over time.
• Showing changes over time in individual panels.
• Highlight a part-to-whole relationship over time when one part is significant, or changes occur from small to large.
• Indicating the fall and rise of data series over time.

It is essential to focus on how the values in the vertical axis change. From these changes, you can gain vital insights into the evolution of a variable with time.

Below is an example of an area line graph.

How to Draw a Time Series Graph?

You have three metrics in your business that you want to visualize. They include:

• Order
• Sales
• Profits

How do you visualize such data? Let us use the data in the table below.

Months	Orders	Sales	Profits
Jan	756	18766	19
Feb	485	18788	29
Mar	412	18743	28
Apr	607	18788	24
May	915	16406	26
Jun	413	17765	24
Jul	828	20532	27
Aug	611	20016	23
Sep	683	20122	21
Oct	886	20125	20
Nov	397	23783	16
Dec	408	22942	18

Let us take the necessary steps in using one of the time series graph examples in Google Sheets.

• Start by Installing ChartExpo in your Google Sheets add-on by clicking on this link.
• After installation, use ChartExpo as follows: Extensions > Charts, Graphs & Visualizations by ChartExpo > Open.

• Click the Add New Chart button to access your fully stocked library of visualization.

• Once ChartExpo is loaded, you will see a list of graphs.

• Then, scroll through the numerous visualization templates until you see the Multi-Axis Line Chart, or you can alternatively search by entering the visualization name in the search box.

• Select the sheet holding your data and select the Metrics option. Fill in the numerical numbers (in our scenario, we’ll fill in Profits, Sales, and Orders)
• Select the Dimensions button and fill in the dimensional data (in our example, we’ll use Months).
• Click the Create chart button, as shown below.

• Check out the final visualization.

Insights

• Profits and sales recorded the lowest amount in November.
• The Profits recorded high amounts in February.
• Since July, Sales, orders, and profits have recorded a decline. However, for sales, the drop is sustainable.
• As shown in the Multi-Axis Line visualization above, for sales to revive, the business needs to invest in R&D. This is for the benefit of releasing more competitive products.

FAQs:

What visualization is best for displaying time series?

The best visualization for displaying time series data is the Multi-Axis Line Graph. This is because it can plot multiple variables against time.

From a Multi-Axis Line visualization, you can establish relationships among variables. This feature helps you to obtain many insights from such a chart.

When should you use a Time Series Graph?

Use a time series graph when you want to give a compelling data story to your audience. Your data story should reveal the insights your audience needs.

In addition, you should use a time series graph to highlight key takeaways for your audience.

Wrap Up

Let us recap what we have covered so far.

We have defined what a time series graph is. We have learned that it is a visualization that visualizes variables against time.

If stakeholders in your company would require that you provide a forecast report, this is the graph to use.

We have covered the types of time series graphs in Google Sheets, which include:

• Dual Axis Line Graph
• Multi-Axis Line Graph
• Area Line Graph
• Sentiment Trend Graph

The Graph types have given us a deeper understanding of how we can identify data trends over time.

We also used real-life time series analysis examples to broaden our practical skills. We used a Multi-Axis Line Graph in our example.

Our goal was to gain meaningful insights for our data store. With such time series graph examples, we can give a compelling forecast to our audience.

None of this would have been possible without the Google Sheets add-on called ChartExpo. It has saved much time with just a few clicks.

Now it’s time for you to try it. Start a 7-day free trial and access one of the time series graph examples.