Line charts are best for tracking changes over short or long overtime. Compare how several things change over time relative to each other. When minor changes exist, line graphs are better than bar graphs. So If you hear that key phrase "over time," that’s your clue to consider using line charts for your data.

1. Line Chart: Single Axis

Line Chart: Single Axis in Google Data Studio
Line Chart: Single Axis in Google Data Studio
  • In this chart, we display the Daily Users and New Users Trend with Linear Trendline

Recommended: Yes, See The Chart Version That Suits Your Need

  • Line Chart — Single Axis: to trend over time.

  • Line Chart — Double-Axis: to trend over time but if one of the data set compared is significantly smaller than the rest. Best practice to put those metrics on the second's Axis. Else line may a straight line on the X-Axis.

  • Sparkline: by default, everything is unselected except the line representing the data. Most cases used just below a Scorecard later shown

2. Line Chart: Double Axis

Line Chart: Double Axis in Google Data Studio
Line Chart: Double Axis in Google Data Studio
  • In this chart, we display the daily Revenue and Revenue per User trend

Recommended: Yes, See The Chart Version That Suits Your Need

  • Line Chart — Single Axis: to trend over time.

  • Line Chart — Double-Axis: to trend over time but if one of the data set compared is significantly smaller than the rest. Best practice to put those metrics on the second's Axis. Else line may a straight line on the X-Axis.

  • Sparkline: by default, everything is unselected except the line representing the data. Most cases used just below a Scorecard later shown

3. Sparkline Chart

Sparkline Chart in Google Data Studio
Sparkline Chart in Google Data Studio
  • In this chart, we display the Daily Users and New Users Trend

Recommended: Yes, See The Chart Version That Suits Your Need

  • Line Chart — Single Axis: to trend over time.

  • Line Chart — Double-Axis: to trend over time but if one of the data set compared is significantly smaller than the rest. Best practice to put those metrics on the second's Axis. Else line may a straight line on the X-Axis.

  • Sparkline: by default, everything is unselected except the line representing the data. Most cases used just below a Scorecard later shown

Enjoy reading the guide? I have explained every chart available in the new Data Studio Book here. Visual explanations for graphs configurations, style, format, and recommendations. So you can also see how the final result will look and why one design is better than others for the same chart.