Data Visualization Specification

A detailed visualization spec with chart types, data mappings, accessible colors, and annotation guidance that a developer can build directly.

Best For

•A data analyst handing a developer an exact chart spec, axis mappings, and colors instead of a vague 'make it look nice' request
•A BI team lead standardizing chart titles to state insights rather than topics across an executive reporting deck
•An accessibility-conscious product team specifying colorblind-safe palettes and alt text for a customer-facing analytics report

Prompt Template

Write a data visualization specification for displaying the following data: [DATA_DESCRIPTION]. The visualization is for: [AUDIENCE, e.g., executive dashboard / customer-facing report / internal analyst]. The key insight the visualization must communicate: [KEY_INSIGHT]. For each visualization recommended: (1) Chart type and rationale, name the chart type and explain in one sentence why it's the right choice for this data and message, (2) Data mapping, specify exactly which data field maps to X axis, Y axis, color, size, and tooltip, (3) Title and labels, provide the exact chart title (state the insight, not the topic), axis labels, and legend labels, (4) Formatting, number formatting, date formatting, color palette (use [BRAND_COLORS] or suggest neutral accessible colors), (5) Annotations, any reference lines, callout labels, or highlighted regions and what they show, (6) Interactivity, if applicable, what hover states, filters, or drill-downs are needed, (7) Accessibility, alt text for the chart and any colorblind-safe considerations. Recommend [NUMBER_OF_VIZZES, e.g., 2–3] visualizations that work together to tell the complete story.

Pro Tip

Write the chart title as the insight itself, for example 'Referral users retain 35% longer' instead of 'Retention by Channel', since titled-as-insight charts get read correctly without anyone opening the underlying data.

Example Output

A sample of what this prompt produces once you fill in the placeholders.

Chart 1: line chart titled 'Mobile checkout drop-off doubled after the redesign.' X axis: date, Y axis: drop-off rate, color: platform (mobile vs. desktop). Annotation: reference line marking the redesign launch date on March 3. Chart 2: heatmap of conversion by device and traffic source using a neutral blue-to-orange accessible palette.