About graphs

Adobe Illustrator graph tools let you create nine different graph types:

Column

The default graph type. It compares one or more sets of values by using rectangles whose lengths are proportional to the values.

Stacked column

Similar to a column graph, but stacks the columns on top of one another, instead of side by side. This graph type is useful for showing the relationship of parts to the total.

Bar

Similar to a column graph, but positions the rectangles horizontally instead of vertically.

Stacked bar

Similar to a stacked column graph, but stacks the bars horizontally instead of vertically.

Line

Uses points to represent one or more sets of values, with a different line joining the points in each set. This type of graph is often used to show the trend of one or more subjects over a period of time.

Area

Similar to a line graph, but emphasizes totals as well as changes in values.

Scatter

Plots data points as paired sets of coordinates along the x and y axes. Scatter graphs are useful for identifying patterns or trends in data. They also can indicate whether variables affect one another.

Pie

A circular graph whose wedges represent the relative percentages of the values compared.

Radar

Compares sets of values at given points in time or in particular categories, and is displayed in a circular format. This type of graph is also called a web graph.

For a gallery demonstrating the use of graph tools, see Toolbox overview (4 of 5).