---
title: Area and Stacked Area Chart
description: Learn how cumulative trends and composition analysis are visualized using area and stacked area charts to deliver impactful data insights.
---

An area chart is a type of chart that is a combination of line chart and bar chart. The area between the line and the x-axis is filled with color or shading. Area charts are commonly used to represent cumulative totals over time and to show the composition of a whole.

<center>
  <img src="/images/chapter5-Images/1.png" alt="Area chart" width="800" />
</center>

## When to Use an Area/Stacked Area Chart

- Showing Trends Over Time: Area charts are most commonly used to show trends over time, similar to line charts.

- Comparing Categories: Area charts can be used to compare the trends of different categories or groups.

- Showing Cumulative Total Values: Area charts are effective for highlighting cumulative totals over time.

- Part to Whole: Area charts can also be used to visualize the composition of a whole.

- Showing Patterns: Area charts can help identify patterns or trends in the data.

## Do’s:

- Use a legend or data labels to provide additional information about each category or group.

## Don’ts:

- Don’t use when you have a small number of data points.

- Don’t use when the data points are not evenly spaced or when there are gaps in the data.

- Don’t overcrowd the chart with too many categories or groups.