What Is a Line Chart

This line graph sample shows the number of airlines departures in 1996-2002. It was designed on the base of the Wikimedia Commons file: -6 time series.JPG
[commons.wikimedia.org/ wiki/ File:-6_ time_ series.JPG].
"The social science of economics makes extensive use graphs to better illustrate the economic principles and trends it is attempting to explain. Those graphs have specific qualities that are not often found (or are not often found in such combinations) in other sciences. ...
More generally, there is usually some mathematical model underlying any given economic graph. For instance, the commonly used supply-and-demand graph has its underpinnings in general price theory — a highly mathematical discipline." [Economic graph. Wikipedia]
The line chart example "Number of airlines departures in the given years" was designed using the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software extended with the Line Graphs solution from the Graphs and Charts area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.

"A chart can take a large variety of forms, however there are common features that provide the chart with its ability to extract meaning from data.
Typically the data in a chart is represented graphically, since humans are generally able to infer meaning from pictures quicker than from text. Text is generally used only to annotate the data.
One of the more important uses of text in a graph is the title. A graph's title usually appears above the main graphic and provides a succinct description of what the data in the graph refers to.
Dimensions in the data are often displayed on axes. If a horizontal and a vertical axis are used, they are usually referred to as the x-axis and y-axis respectively. Each axis will have a scale, denoted by periodic graduations and usually accompanied by numerical or categorical indications. Each axis will typically also have a label displayed outside or beside it, briefly describing the dimension represented. If the scale is numerical, the label will often be suffixed with the unit of that scale in parentheses. ...
Within the graph a grid of lines may appear to aid in the visual alignment of data. The grid can be enhanced by visually emphasizing the lines at regular or significant graduations. The emphasized lines are then called major grid lines and the remainder are minor grid lines.
The data of a chart can appear in all manner of formats, and may include individual textual labels describing the datum associated with the indicated position in the chart. The data may appear as dots or shapes, connected or unconnected, and in any combination of colors and patterns. Inferences or points of interest can be overlaid directly on the graph to further aid information extraction.
When the data appearing in a chart contains multiple variables, the chart may include a legend (also known as a key). A legend contains a list of the variables appearing in the chart and an example of their appearance. This information allows the data from each variable to be identified in the chart." [Chart. Wikipedia]
The vector stencils library "Time series charts" contains 10 templates: 3 column charts, 3 bar charts, 2 line graphs and 2 dot plots. All these charts are Live Objects displaying the data from external data source files.
Use these chart templates to design your business performance digital dashboards using the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software.
The example "Design elements - Time series charts" is included in the Time Series Dashboard solution from the area "What is a Dashboard" of ConceptDraw Solution Park.

This line chart sample depicts data from the European Economic Forecast (EUROPEAN ECONOMY 1|2013, Economic and Financial Affairs Winter 2013, European Commission).
[ec.europa.eu/ economy_ finance/ publications/ european_ economy/ 2013/ pdf/ ee1_ en.pdf]
"Exports in France decreased to 36526 EUR Million in October of 2013 from 36637 EUR Million in September of 2013. Exports in France is reported by the Ministère de l'Économie et des Finances. Exports in France averaged 17102.29 EUR Million from 1970 until 2013, reaching an all time high of 37964 EUR Million in August of 2012 and a record low of 1165.60 EUR Million in May of 1970. France is one of the largest exporters of luxury goods and agricultural products in the world. France main exports are: aircrafts (10.1 percent of total exports), food (9.7 percent), chemicals (9.5 percent), industrial machinery (8.3 percent), iron and steel (7.9 percent), electronics (6.7 percent), motor vehicles (6.3 percent) and pharmaceuticals (6.1 percent). Trade outflows to Europe account for 70 percent of total exports. Main export partners are: Germany (16.6 percent of total exports), Italy (8.2 percent), Spain (7.3 percent), Belgium (7.2 percent), the United Kingdom (6.6 percent), the United States (5.6 percent), Netherlands and China. This page contains - France Exports - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news." [tradingeconomics.com/ france/ exports]
The line graph example "France exports of goods and services" was created using ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software extended with Line Graphs solution from Graphs and Charts area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.

The vector stencils library Comparison charts contains 4 Live Objects: Horizontal bar chart, Column chart (Vertical bar chart), Line chart and Dot plot (Scatter chart).
The vector stencils library Comparison indicators contains 7 Live Objects:
Two column indicator, Two bubbles indicator, Scales indicator, Left and right arrows indicator, Up and down arrows indicator, Two up arrows indicator.
The ConceptDraw Live Objects are ready-to-use templates of charts and visual indicators for dashboard design. You can set data source file for Each Live Object, and your charts or indicators will represents actual data from the data source files, and change their appearance with changing of the data in source files. The comparison charts and indicators are useful to compare and rank of your data by categories.
Use the design elements libraries "Comparison charts" and "Comparison indicators" to create your own business visual dashboards using the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software.
The example "Design elements - Comparison charts and indicators" is included in the Comparison Dashboard solution from the area "What is a Dashboard" of ConceptDraw Solution Park.