Data Story: Basics
Inform with Data, Inspire with Data Stories
This tool never stores your data, all processing stays on this device
Drop in a small table of data, choose what matters, and see the chart and story that emerge.
This becomes the main character of your story, such as a population or partner group.
Your aha moment will appear here after you generate a story.
The callout will connect what you expected to see with what actually happened in the data.
1
Upload your data
Start with a simple table of counts by month, quarter, or another time period. CSV files work well, even if they are a bit messy.
First row should contain column names. One column should represent time, such as month or date.
2
Choose your story indicators
Pick the time column, the main indicator, and whether increases are good or bad. These drive the visual and the story.
The tool will guess based on names like month or date, but you can override it here or pick a category column.
Example: total SMVF screenings per month.
When is change good?
Example: veterans screened or follow up contacts.
Story focus
Trend preview
Chart type: Line
Once you generate a story, this line will call out the biggest jump or shift in the series.
First half vs second half
Once data is loaded, this mini chart will compare the average in the first half of the period to the second half for your primary indicator.
Data Story
Once you add data and generate the view, this section will tell a short story about the journey in your numbers. It will explain what changed, why it matters, and how your audience should read the pattern.
In a full version, this text could be exported as a one page PDF or pasted into a grant report, board packet, or coalition update.
One line takeaway (for slides)
Your key slide friendly takeaway, including the story arc, will appear here after you generate your story.
