Treemap

Alternative name:

Mosaic plot (with specific rectangular layout)

This visualisation uses nested rectangles to represent hierarchical data, with the size of each rectangle proportional to its value. An alternative way to visualise the hierarchical structure of a tree diagram while also showing quantities for each category using area size.

Tips for use and when NOT to use

Use a colour scheme that helps to distinguish between categories and highlights important values, and label each rectangle with its name and value for clarity. Consider using different shades or hues of the same colour to show a hierarchy. Don't use if your data doesn't have a clear hierarchical structure or if you're comparing values between similarly sized rectangles is important.

Use case / Examples

To show the relative importance of different factors (e.g. cost, quality, brand reputation) in B2B purchasing decisions across various industries.

Question example:

Please indicate the proportion of time your employees spend on various work activities throughout a typical week.

Recommended Survey Question Types:

Single mention, Text response