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6 Tools to Allow Non-Programmers to Explore Data

There�s lots of database software you can take advantage of to explore data without
the help of a programmer. This guide is going to introduce you to some of the best
tools non-programmers can use to explore data.

Data is everything to a company. No marketing campaign should go forward without


being backed up by a solid amount of data. But turning that data into something
that the non-programmer can understand is a challenge. You can�t expect your
marketing manager to look in the database and find the answer. A programmer can do
this, but you can hardly rely on the programmer every time you need the answer to a
question.

There�s lots of database software you can take advantage of to explore data without
the help of a programmer. This guide is going to introduce you to some of the best
tools non-programmers can use to explore data.

Datawrapper
The Datawrapper is an online tool you can use to create interactive charts with the
click of a button. All you have to do is upload the data from your CSV file and
paste it into the relevant field. You can ask Datawrapper to produce any type of
visualization you like, whether that be a bar, line, or something else entirely.

The graphics are solid and a lot of news organizations have used it to frame data
in a way that�s attractive and easily understandable.

Tableau
Anyone who has ever looked into this issue has likely heard of Tableau Public. It�s
the most popular visualization tool on the market today. It produces graphs, maps,
charts, and special graphics at the click of a button. The best part about it is
you can do this completely free of charge.

Take note that the free version is nowhere near as effective as the premium
version. A large footer is appended to the bottom of graphics produced using the
free version. This isn�t a problem if you�re using it internally, but anything
hitting the public eye might warrant purchasing the premium version.

Fusioo
Fusioo is an online database software application that is designed to bring
database applications to the masses. This well-designed online database software
comes with a simple and intuitive interface that even a novice can use. It also
comes equipped with powerful reporting and team collaboration functionality. You
can also invite your clients or external collaborators on board, for free.

Anyone who wants to explore data without writing any code will love Fusioo.

Timeline JS
Timeline JS does exactly as you would expect. Without writing any code, you can
create timelines that are attractive to look at. This is another free open-source
tool. It�s not an unknown piece of software, either. Websites like Radiolab and
Time use it to create timelines in their articles.

To use this tool, you need to follow the four-step process. You can pull in media
from lots of different sources to support your data. For example, you can pull in
Twitter statistics, maps from Google Maps, and videos from YouTube.

Infogram
Anyone who uses the Internet regularly knows that infographics are all the rage. If
you want to present, your data in infographic form this is the tool to use. It
comes with a free version and a couple of paid options. Creating infographics can
be done with the free version, but if you want maps and private sharing you�ll need
to pay up for one of the premium versions.

The basic charts available are designed with simplicity in mind. The only real
downside of Infogram is that you can�t embed charts online without having a giant
logo stamped in the middle of it. The only way you can get around this is by
paying.

Plotly
This web-based graphing and data analysis tool supports a multitude of chart types.
It also comes with social sharing buttons built in, so if you want to go public
with your data you should use this. Exploring data is easy with Plotly because the
graphs and charts produced both look and feel professional.

Last Word � Exploring Data is Easy with Charts


You can explore data in a number of ways, but by simply uploading your CSV file you
can have the data presented in a way that you can understand. Being able to
visualize data in a way you can understand can mean the difference between a
successful campaign and one that flops.

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