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This article was originally published on my ExcelCharts.com blog in 2007 and migrated to this site in 2026. The text preserves the context of the original publication.
Scatterplots are not used by the NY Times because readers simply can’t make sense of them. Don't oversimplify, but don't assume that your audience can read a complex chart. Know your audience, and if possible test your charts with a small sample. Know what they expect, deliver that and perhaps a little more. When adding new charts, explain them thoroughly but make sure you have a backup plan (some pies...).
