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Legends, titles, and labels

The use of identifying information, especially on charts and graphs, should conform to a few essential rules of style: they should be brief, descriptive, and clear.

1.Legends

The legend usually appears below the illustration and explains either the meaning of the information, sources or special terminology.

Illustrations, overly complex legends:

Annual percentage growth in revenues, excluding discontinued segments

Comparison between revenue and net return divided by operating units and by geographic regions

Improved legends:

Annual revenue growth

Revenue and net return comparisons

When qualifications are important (such as exclusion of operating segments that have been sold or discontinued), this can be explained ...

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