Declutter your tables and charts

GB

31 Jul 2024

This is the third of my five tips for writing about financial subjects The aim of tables and charts is to convey a message to the reader. For that you want the message to be clear. This means: - clear away gridlines - be careful about the use of colour so that it enhances rather than obscures the message - give the table or chart a meaningful headline instead of a factual title - order the data in the way that makes the message clear (such as making the most important item the top row of the table) - consider rounding figures to 2 significant figures. <img src="https://thearticulateaccountant.com/uploads/2024/2b2fd4dbcb.png" width="600" height="600" alt>

Do your numbers help your readers or confuse them?

If you’re an auditor or accountant, numbers are everywhere in your writing. But it’s not just about choosing between “5” or “five.” Being clear, consistent, and smart about how you use numbers can make a big difference in how your message lands. If your numbers aren’t clear,

Quick win: One sentence that saves everyone time

Get the first page right

The way people read has changed and so should the way we write. When newspapers first went online, journalists wrote articles in the same way they always had. This meant articles were often split across several webpages with a button at the bottom of each page to go to the

Declutter your tables and charts

GB

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Do your numbers help your readers or confuse them?

Quick win: One sentence that saves everyone time

Get the first page right

A new name — same focus on writing that works