Introduction
In Digital Humanities (DH) research, data visualization is an essential means of communicating analytical results. However, sophisticated visualization using tools like D3.js or Python’s Matplotlib requires programming knowledge.
Datawrapper is a tool that lets you create professional charts, maps, and tables without any coding. It primarily targets journalists and researchers and is used by major media outlets such as The Washington Post and The Guardian.
Key Features of Datawrapper
20+ Chart Types
Datawrapper supports a wide range of visualization formats, from basic charts like bar graphs, line charts, and scatter plots to donut charts, area charts, and range plots. You can choose the optimal representation method to match the nature of your data.
Choropleth Maps
Datawrapper also handles geographic data visualization. You can create choropleth maps and symbol maps, with map templates available for countries and regions worldwide. In the DH context, this is useful for visualizing cultural heritage distribution and historical population changes.
Responsive & Accessible
All created visualizations are automatically responsive, displaying properly on smartphones and tablets. The tool also addresses accessibility with screen reader support and keyboard navigation.
Easy Data Input
In addition to direct CSV and Excel file uploads, Datawrapper supports Google Sheets integration. Data is automatically parsed when pasted, making it easy to get started.
Use Cases in DH Research
Visualizing Text Mining Results
You can visualize vocabulary frequency and co-occurrence data from text mining of literary works as bar charts or heatmaps. Expressing vocabulary changes across eras as line charts helps provide intuitive understanding of analytical results.
Mapping Historical Geographic Data
Historical trade routes, cultural influence propagation, archaeological site distribution, and other geographically-referenced data can be represented as interactive maps. While Datawrapper’s map features are not as advanced as full GIS software, they provide sufficient functionality for creating maps for presentations and papers.
Sharing Survey Results
DH-related survey results and digital archive usage statistics can be published as clear graphs and tables. Simply embed the code on your website to share interactive visualizations.
Basic Workflow
- Prepare your data: Organize data in CSV or spreadsheet format
- Select chart type: Choose a chart type that matches your purpose
- Upload data: Upload a file or paste data directly
- Customize: Adjust colors, fonts, labels, and annotations
- Publish & embed: Publish the completed visualization and obtain the embed code
Pricing Plans
Datawrapper offers a free plan that allows creating up to 10 charts per month. Discounted plans are available for research and educational institutions. The free plan includes basic chart types and features, making it sufficient for individual research and prototyping.
Comparison with Other Tools
| Feature | Datawrapper | Tableau Public | Google Charts |
|---|---|---|---|
| No coding required | Yes | Yes | No |
| Responsive | Yes | Partial | Yes |
| Accessibility | Yes | Partial | Partial |
| Map features | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Conclusion
Datawrapper is a tool that enables high-quality data visualization without programming knowledge. In DH research, it is particularly powerful for presenting analytical results and publishing them on the web. It is recommended for researchers and journalists who want to easily create responsive and accessible visualizations.