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Datawrapper
Hidden Gem

Curated by Surfaced Editorial·Data·3 min read
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Datawrapper is a web-based tool for creating responsive charts, maps, and tables for publication, developed by a Berlin-based company. It allows users, particularly journalists and content creators, to quickly turn data into clear, embeddable visualizations. Its core feature is a streamlined workflow that guides users from data upload to publication with minimal design effort, offering a consistent, professional look. It's built for newsrooms, marketers, and anyone needing to present data visually and accurately to a broad online audience. A user would open Datawrapper when they have a dataset for a story or report and need to create a professional-looking, interactive chart or map without coding or design expertise. It supports data upload via CSV, Excel, or Google Sheets and provides direct embed codes for websites.

Why It’s Useful

Datawrapper simplifies the creation of high-quality, interactive visualizations far more than generic spreadsheet software or complex design tools, making it superior for rapid, consistent data communication. For the journalist on a tight deadline, Datawrapper allows them to quickly create an embeddable map showing election results or a chart illustrating economic trends, ensuring accuracy and visual appeal. For the small business owner creating a blog post, it offers a way to present market research data professionally, enhancing credibility without needing a graphic designer. It has a free tier for public visualizations, with paid plans offering private charts, custom branding, and team features. A hidden gem is its extensive collection of 'how-to' articles and best practices for data visualization, embedded directly within the platform. It's not more popular outside of journalism and data communication circles because its specialization means it doesn't offer the broad functionality of a full BI suite, but it excels at its core task. Datawrapper maintains a strong presence in the data journalism community, regularly updates its features, and provides excellent support.

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