Datawrapper - Detailed Review
Research Tools
Datawrapper - Product Overview
Primary Function
Datawrapper is intended to simplify the process of creating charts, maps, and tables from various data sources. It allows users to upload their data and generate visual representations that are easy to interpret, making it ideal for communicating data insights effectively.Target Audience
The primary users of Datawrapper include journalists, researchers, data analysts, businesses, and educators. It is particularly useful for those who need to present data clearly and engagingly without requiring advanced technical skills.Key Features
Data Import
Users can import data in several ways: by copying and pasting from a spreadsheet, uploading Excel or CSV files, linking to Google Sheets, or using a URL to an external CSV file.Visualization Types
Datawrapper supports a variety of visualization types, including charts (bar, line, area, pie), maps (chloropleth, symbol, locator), and tables. These visualizations are interactive by default, responding to user interactions like mouse hovering.Collaboration
The tool offers team features, allowing multiple users to collaborate on visualizations. This is particularly useful for investigative teams and organizations working together on projects. Team members can edit, publish, or embed any visualization within a team folder.Customization and Export
Datawrapper provides options for customizing the look and feel of visualizations to match user preferences. Users can export visualizations in static formats like PNG and PDF, or as interactive HTML graphs that can be shared on social media or embedded in websites.User Interface and Support
The tool features a straightforward interface with integrated hints and explanations. It also offers well-written tutorials and support resources through the Datawrapper Academy and other training materials, making it accessible to non-technical users.Free and Paid Plans
Datawrapper has a free plan that allows for unlimited visualizations, though free users must include a “Created with Datawrapper” attribution. Advanced customization features are available in paid plans. Overall, Datawrapper is an excellent tool for anyone looking to create clear, engaging, and interactive data visualizations without needing to know how to code. Datawrapper - User Interface and Experience
User-Friendly Interface
Datawrapper features a straightforward and intuitive interface that guides users through a simple four-step process: uploading data, checking the data, visualizing it, and finally publishing or embedding the visualization. This process is designed to be quick, often taking no more than a few minutes.
Data Upload
Users can upload their data in various ways, such as copying and pasting a data table, uploading an XLS/CSV file, connecting to Google Sheets, or entering a URL link to an external CSV file. This flexibility ensures that users can easily import their data from different sources.
Visualization Options
Once the data is uploaded, users can select from a variety of visualization types, including charts, maps, and tables. Datawrapper supports multiple chart types like bar charts, line graphs, and heatmaps, as well as geographical maps. These visualizations are interactive by default, allowing users to hover over data points for more detailed information.
Customization
The tool offers extensive customization options to ensure that the visualizations align with the user’s preferences or the aesthetic of their organization. Users can adjust margins, colors, fonts, and even add images to their visualizations. This customization is achieved through an intuitive drag-and-drop editor, making it accessible to non-technical users.
Collaboration
Datawrapper also supports team collaboration, allowing multiple users to work together on visualizations. Team members can edit, publish, or embed any visualization within a shared team folder, facilitating efficient workflows and shared insights.
Preview and Export
Before finalizing their work, users can preview their visualizations to ensure they meet their expectations. Datawrapper allows users to export their visualizations in various formats, including PNG, PDF, and interactive HTML, which can be easily embedded into websites or shared on social media.
Support and Resources
To enhance the user experience, Datawrapper provides well-written tutorials and support resources through its Datawrapper Academy and training materials. These resources help users make the most out of the tool and ensure that their data visualizations are both engaging and factually accurate.
Overall, Datawrapper’s user interface is designed to be easy to use, even for those without advanced technical skills. It combines simplicity with powerful features, making it an ideal tool for anyone looking to create high-quality, interactive data visualizations quickly and efficiently.
Datawrapper - Key Features and Functionality
Datawrapper Overview
Datawrapper is a versatile and user-friendly tool for creating interactive charts, maps, and tables, making it an invaluable resource for data visualization. Here are the main features and how they work:Data Upload and Integration
Datawrapper allows users to upload data in several ways: by copying and pasting an existing data table, uploading an XLS/CSV file, connecting to Google Sheets, or entering a URL link to an external CSV file. This flexibility ensures that users can easily import their data from various sources.Visualization Types
The tool supports three primary categories of visualizations: charts, maps, and tables. Users can create a variety of chart types, including pie, line, and bar charts, as well as maps and tables. These visualizations are interactive by default, allowing users to hover over data points to see more details.Creation Process
The process of creating a visualization involves four main steps:1. Upload Data
Import your data using one of the supported methods.2. Check Data
Ensure the data is displayed correctly.3. Visualize
Select the type of chart, map, or table you want to create.4. Publish/Download or Embed
Finalize and export your visualization in various formats such as PNG, PDF, or interactive HTML.Collaboration and Teams
Datawrapper offers robust team features, enabling multiple users to collaborate on visualizations. When you create a team, all members can use the features of the team owner’s pricing plan, including custom design themes and export options. Team members can edit, publish, or embed any visualization within a team folder.Customization and Export Options
Users can customize the look and feel of their visualizations to match their preferences. Datawrapper allows for exporting visualizations in static formats like PNG and PDF, as well as interactive HTML formats that can be embedded in websites or shared on social media.Integration with Other Tools
Datawrapper integrates well with other tools and platforms. For example, there is a free add-in for PowerPoint that allows users to create and update Datawrapper visualizations directly within their presentations. Additionally, Wrapify provides integrations with Google Workspace and MS Office, facilitating seamless incorporation of Datawrapper visualizations into documents, reports, and slide decks.User Interface and Support
The tool features a straightforward and user-friendly interface with integrated hints and explanations. Datawrapper also offers well-written tutorials and support resources through its Datawrapper Academy and training materials. This ensures that users can quickly get started and make the most out of the tool.AI and Automation
While Datawrapper itself does not heavily integrate AI for data analysis, tools like Wrapify that integrate with Datawrapper can provide workflow automations and efficiencies. These automations help in scheduling data updates and automating reporting, which can streamline the process of maintaining and updating visualizations.Conclusion
In summary, Datawrapper is a powerful tool for creating interactive and customizable data visualizations, with strong collaboration features, easy data import options, and seamless integration with other popular tools and platforms. Datawrapper - Performance and Accuracy
Performance
Datawrapper is known for its user-friendly interface and ease of use, making it accessible to a wide range of users, including those without coding or design experience.Speed and Load Times
While Datawrapper does not have a technical hard limit on the number of rows of data that can be uploaded, larger datasets can significantly slow down the loading times of charts and maps. This can impact the user experience, especially for readers viewing the visualizations on websites.
Data Handling
The tool is efficient in handling various types of data, including those from Google Sheets, Excel, and other internet sources. However, it recommends optimizing datasets by excluding unnecessary columns and data to ensure better performance.
Accuracy
Datawrapper places a strong emphasis on the accuracy of the visualizations it produces.Data Verification
The tool prompts users to review their uploaded data carefully to ensure accuracy. This includes checking rows, columns, and cell values to confirm that the data is complete and correct.
Design Defaults
Datawrapper’s focus on beautiful design defaults and responsiveness helps in creating well-designed charts, maps, and tables that accurately represent the data. The team behind Datawrapper, with their background in data visualization and experience in international newsrooms, ensures that the tool adheres to best practices in data visualization.
Limitations and Areas for Improvement
Despite its strengths, Datawrapper has some limitations:Customization Challenges
Some users find it difficult to customize fonts and colors, and adjusting colors can be particularly challenging.
Flexibility
Datawrapper has limited flexibility when working with visuals, which might restrict advanced users who need more detailed customization options.
Security Concerns
As an open-source tool, there can be security concerns, although this is not unique to Datawrapper and is a common consideration for many open-source tools.
Data Storage
On the free plan, data uploaded to Datawrapper is stored on their servers, which could be a concern for users with sensitive data.
User Support and Resources
Datawrapper is praised for its strong support and resources. The tool offers well-written tutorials, support resources through the Datawrapper Academy, and responsive customer support. This ensures that users can quickly resolve any issues and make the most out of the tool.In summary, Datawrapper performs well in terms of ease of use, data handling, and accuracy, but it has some limitations related to customization and flexibility. The tool’s strong focus on design and user support makes it a valuable resource for creating accurate and engaging visualizations.
Datawrapper - Pricing and Plans
Datawrapper Pricing Plans
Free Plan
- This plan is free and does not have a trial period; it is a permanent free option.
- Users can create, publish, embed, and export visualizations as PNGs without any limits.
- Features include full copyright to your charts, maps, and tables, and the ability to use these visualizations in all your printed and digital publications.
- However, users on the free plan must keep the “Created with Datawrapper” label below their visualizations.
Custom Plan
- The Custom plan starts at $499.16 per month (or $5,990 per year, excluding VAT).
- This plan includes custom white-label branding, allowing you to remove the “Created with Datawrapper” label.
- It also offers SVG and PDF export options, which are not available in the free plan.
Enterprise Plan
- For larger or more specialized needs, Datawrapper offers an Enterprise plan.
- The pricing for this plan is not fixed and requires contacting Datawrapper for a custom quote.
- This plan is designed to meet the specific requirements of enterprises and can include additional features and support not available in the other plans.
Summary
Datawrapper provides a flexible pricing structure with a strong free plan for basic needs, a Custom plan for more advanced features, and an Enterprise plan for customized solutions. Each plan is designed to cater to different user requirements, ensuring that users can choose the one that best fits their needs.
Datawrapper - Integration and Compatibility
Datawrapper Overview
Datawrapper, a no-code data visualization tool, offers several integration and compatibility features that make it versatile and user-friendly across various platforms and devices.Data Import and Integration
Datawrapper supports data import from multiple sources, including Excel (XLSX), CSV (comma-separated values), and Google Sheets. This flexibility allows users to easily upload their data in a format that is convenient for them. For more advanced data integration, tools like Skyvia can be used to replicate data from various cloud applications to a cloud data warehouse, which can then be connected to Datawrapper for analysis. This ensures that users have the most current data available for their visualizations.Collaboration and Team Features
Datawrapper facilitates collaboration through its team features, enabling multiple users to work together on visualizations. Team members can edit, publish, or embed any visualization within a team folder, making it particularly useful for investigative teams or organizations collaborating on projects.Platform Compatibility
Datawrapper is a web-based tool, accessible from any device with an internet connection. This makes it highly compatible across different devices, including desktops, laptops, and mobile devices.Embedding and Sharing
Users can embed Datawrapper visualizations directly into their websites, blogs, or reports. While free users must use Datawrapper-hosted charts, Enterprise users have the option to self-host their visualizations on platforms like AWS S3 or Google Cloud Storage.Customization and Export Options
Datawrapper offers customization options, especially for users on Custom or Enterprise plans, which include fully customized design themes with the user’s own fonts. Visualizations can be exported in various formats such as PNG, PDF, or interactive HTML, allowing users to share them via social media or embed them in websites.Additional Resources and Support
For users needing additional support, Datawrapper provides well-written tutorials, training materials, and a blog that covers best practices and new features. The Datawrapper Academy is a valuable resource for learning more about the different visualization types and how to use the tool effectively.Conclusion
In summary, Datawrapper integrates well with various data sources, supports team collaboration, and is accessible across different devices. Its compatibility with different platforms and devices, along with its customization and export options, make it a versatile tool for data visualization. Datawrapper - Customer Support and Resources
Customer Support
For any questions, issues, or feedback, users can contact Datawrapper’s support team directly. Here are the key contact points:
- Users can email the support team at
support@datawrapper.defor assistance with account creation, plan upgrades, or any other queries. - The sales team is also available to answer questions, demonstrate the tool over a live call, or create a custom workflow. You can reach them through the “Talk to sales” option on the contact page.
- For general inquiries or feedback, users can email
hello@datawrapper.de.
Additional Resources
Datawrapper provides several resources to help users get the most out of their tool:
Datawrapper Academy
The Datawrapper Academy is a valuable resource that offers tutorials, guides, and blog posts. It includes straightforward descriptions of various chart, map, and table types, which can help users determine the best visualization for their data. The academy also covers steps for checking and preparing data to ensure accuracy and proper display.
Tutorials and Guides
Datawrapper offers in-depth tutorials on how to create the first chart and map, as well as sample datasets to get users started quickly. These tutorials are accessible directly from the Datawrapper app when you click the “Start creating” button.
Blog and Customer Stories
The Datawrapper blog features customer stories, which provide insights into how different organizations use the tool. This can be helpful for understanding real-world applications and best practices.
Team Collaboration Resources
For users working in teams, Datawrapper provides detailed instructions on creating and managing teams. This includes information on how team members can collaborate on visualizations, edit, publish, or embed them, and use the features available under the team owner’s pricing plan.
General Information and Contact
Datawrapper’s website also includes a section on “About Us,” where users can find information about the team behind the tool, their background, and their expertise in data visualization. This can be reassuring for users looking for a reliable and knowledgeable support team.
By leveraging these support options and resources, users can ensure they are using Datawrapper effectively and efficiently.
Datawrapper - Pros and Cons
Advantages of Datawrapper
Datawrapper offers several significant advantages that make it a valuable tool for data visualization:
User-Friendly Interface
Datawrapper is known for its easy and simplified user interface, which does not require any coding or design skills. Users can create interactive charts, maps, and tables with just a few steps.
Variety of Visualizations
The tool supports a wide range of visualization types, including bar charts, line charts, scatter plots, locator maps, choropleth maps, and symbol maps. It also includes data tables with various styling options.
Customization and Design Flexibility
Users can customize the look and feel of their visualizations to match their preferences or company branding. This includes options for changing colors, fonts, margins, and adding images and other brand elements.
Integration and Accessibility
Datawrapper is web-based, making it accessible from any device with internet access. It supports integration with various data sources such as Google Sheets, Excel, and CSV files. Users can also export visualizations in static formats like PNG and PDF, or as interactive HTML files.
Collaboration and Support
The tool allows users to set up teams for collaboration on projects. It also offers well-written tutorials, support resources through the Datawrapper Academy, and customer support via phone and online channels.
Free Plan with Extensive Features
Datawrapper’s free plan includes unlimited visualizations and many powerful features, making it a valuable resource for users who need to create data visualizations without incurring significant costs.
Disadvantages of Datawrapper
While Datawrapper is a powerful and user-friendly tool, it also has some limitations:
Limited Flexibility with Visuals
Some users find that Datawrapper has limited flexibility when working with visuals, particularly in terms of advanced customization options.
Customization Challenges
Users may encounter difficulties when customizing fonts and colors, and adjusting colors can be particularly challenging.
Data Storage and Security
Data uploaded using the free plan is stored on Datawrapper’s servers, which can raise security concerns, especially since the tool is open-source.
Export Limitations
While Datawrapper offers various export options, some users might find the limitations in the free plan’s data storage and export capabilities restrictive.
Overall, Datawrapper is a highly accessible and effective tool for creating interactive and visually appealing data visualizations, but it does come with some limitations, especially in terms of advanced customization and security.
Datawrapper - Comparison with Competitors
Market Share and Competitors
Datawrapper faces significant competition from several well-established tools. The top competitors include:- Google Charts: Holds a dominant market share of 64.38%.
- TradingView: With a market share of 15.45%.
- Infogram: Accounting for 13.68% of the market share.
Unique Features of Datawrapper
- Datawrapper is an open-source tool that allows users to create simple, correct, and embeddable charts quickly. It is particularly popular among journalists, researchers, and advertisers due to its ease of use and the quality of the charts it produces.
Alternatives and Their Features
Highcharts
- A JavaScript-based charting library known for its interactive charts and graphs. It is widely used by major companies and developers due to its robust feature set, ease of use, and strong community support.
Infogram
- While Infogram is a competitor, it also offers advanced features like interactive charts, maps, and infographics. It is user-friendly and does not require coding skills, making it a popular choice for non-technical users.
TradingView
- Primarily focused on financial charts and technical analysis, TradingView offers real-time data and a wide range of charting tools. It is highly regarded in the financial community for its advanced charting capabilities.
FusionCharts
- Another alternative that provides a wide range of chart types and is known for its ease of integration with various web and mobile applications. It offers a robust set of features and is used by many organizations for their charting needs.
Juicebox
- This tool focuses on producing beautiful, interactive web experiences for data reports and presentations. It allows users to design reports once and deliver them to multiple customers with personalized data, all without requiring coding skills.
Lido
- Lido enables users to connect, analyze, and visualize data from multiple sources in a single spreadsheet. It is known for its ease of use and the ability to create dashboards quickly without the need for coding.
Other Considerations
For users looking for tools with specific features, here are a few more alternatives:- Oxylabs, Pentaho, RapidMiner, and KNIME Analytics Platform: These tools are more geared towards big data analytics and offer a range of features that might be more suitable for advanced data analysis and visualization needs.
- QlikSense and Arcadia Data: These tools are known for their business intelligence and data visualization capabilities, offering more advanced features compared to Datawrapper.
Datawrapper - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about Datawrapper
What are the different pricing plans offered by Datawrapper?
Datawrapper offers several pricing plans:
- Free Plan: This plan is free and includes many powerful features, allowing users to create and publish charts, maps, and tables without any limits on views.
- Custom Plan: This plan starts at $499.16 per month and includes features like custom white-label branding, SVG and PDF export, and more.
- Team Plan: While not consistently listed across all sources, some mention a Team plan at $129/month, which is likely part of their flexible pricing structure.
- Enterprise Plan: This plan is customizable and requires contacting Datawrapper for a quote. It includes all features from the Custom plan, plus self-hosting of visualizations, Single-Sign-On, and dedicated service and support level agreements.
Does Datawrapper offer any discounts?
Yes, Datawrapper offers a 20% discount on annual and monthly Custom plans for NGOs. You can get in touch with their support team to set up this discount.
What types of visualizations can I create with Datawrapper?
Datawrapper allows you to create interactive charts, maps, and tables. There are 20 interactive chart types, three interactive map types, and responsive data tables with various styling options.
How do I upload data to Datawrapper?
You can upload data to Datawrapper in several ways:
- Copy and paste an existing data table.
- Upload an XLS/CSV file.
- Connect to Google Sheets by inputting a link.
- Enter a URL link to an external CSV file.
Can I collaborate with others using Datawrapper?
Yes, Datawrapper offers team features that allow multiple users to work together on visualizations. When you create a team, all members can use the features of the team owner’s pricing plan, including editing, publishing, and embedding visualizations.
What export options are available in Datawrapper?
Datawrapper allows you to export visualizations in various formats, including PNG, SVG, PDF, and interactive HTML that can be embedded in websites or shared on social media.
Does Datawrapper require any coding or design skills?
No, Datawrapper is designed to be user-friendly and does not require any coding or design skills. It features a straightforward interface with integrated hints and explanations to help users create visualizations easily.
Is there any support or training available for Datawrapper?
Yes, Datawrapper offers well-written tutorials and support resources through their Datawrapper Academy and training materials. This includes detailed instructions and blog posts to help users get started and improve their skills.
Can I host Datawrapper visualizations on my own infrastructure?
Yes, the Enterprise plan allows for the self-hosting of published visualizations on your own infrastructure.
How do I manage access to Datawrapper for my team?
The Enterprise plan includes Single-Sign-On (SSO) capabilities, allowing you to configure SSO with your identity provider to centrally manage access to Datawrapper.