Visualization is the first step to make sense of data. To translate and present complex data and relations in a simple way, data analysts use different methods of data visualization — charts, diagrams, maps, etc. Choosing the right technique and its setup is often the only way to make data understandable. Vice versa, poorly selected tactics won’t let to unlock the full potential of data or even make it irrelevant. Selecting the most powerful tool available isn’t always the best idea: Learning curves can be steep, requiring more resources to just get up and running, while a simpler tool might be able to create exactly what’s needed in a fraction of the time. Remember, though, that the tool is only part of the equation in creating a data visualization; designers also need to consider what else goes into making a great data visualization.