Storytelling with Data: Before and After - Practical Makeovers for Powerful Data Stories

“This helpful book distills years of expertise developed by Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic and her team, who have trained people in organisations all over the world to tell better stories with data using well-designed charts and clear, focused narratives. Recommended for anyone who makes presentations and reports containing data.“
– Duncan Clark, Flourish CEO & Canva Head of Europe

“I’ve sat through hundreds—if not thousands—of meetings where data is presented to align us to a problem, make decisions, and take action. I’ve seen firsthand how these conversations can go off the rails: unclear takeaways, confusing graphs, or misinterpreted insights that lead to the wrong conclusions or require a lot of energy to untangle and correct. This book offers something we desperately need—practical, tangible examples that show how to turn charts into compelling, decision-driving visuals. The clear before-and-after makeovers, paired with explanations of what was changed and why, make it easy to understand and apply the lessons. Better storytelling leads to higher-quality discussions—and ultimately, better decisions. I can’t wait to share this book with everyone I work with!”
– Stephanie Chenevert, Senior Director, Google

“Since her first book was published a decade ago, Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic has become a reliable source of sound advice on chart design. The latest installment in her series, storytelling with data: before & after, is my favorite. I’m a great believer in learning by doing and by observing what other chart creators do, so a book that exemplifies how design principles apply to tricky real-world situations is educational—and fun!”
– Alberto Cairo, Knight Chair at the University of Miami and author of The Art of Insight

“Every leader needs to read this book. They are the ones presenting insights at scale, to teams who need to act on their advice and influence. It’s time to throw away the tables, the 3D charts, and the data overloads. It’s time for leaders to consider their point and craft their work—only that way will we all build better data literacy.”
– Andy Cotgreave, Evangelist, Tableau and author of The Big Book of Dashboards

“I keep recommending storytelling with data—both the book and the company—to anyone looking to learn how simple charts can become powerful, engaging narratives. Before & after offers another fascinating peek behind the curtain of Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic and her team’s work. Through real-world redesigns, the authors show how small design choices can drive big improvements. Practical, inspiring, and eye-opening, this book will help you transform your visuals for maximum impact.“
– Lisa Charlotte Muth, Head of Communications at Datawrapper

“I’ve been an SWD fan for at least 15 years, and they never fail to deliver and delight in making presentations come to life. The makeovers in their workshops illuminate, inspire, and arm my teams to elevate their visual persuasions. Before & after allows us to relive those moments of awe as mediocre charts transform into clear and compelling stories. I can’t believe Cole, Mike, and Alex have revealed all their makeover tricks. A joy shared is twice the joy. Thank you, thank you.”
– Amit Mohindra, CEO of People Analytics Success

“Before & after captures the expertise Cole and her team bring to life every time I see them in action. As the co-founder of a consulting firm, I work with data daily—and what continues to impress me is how small, thoughtful changes in the presentation of data can dramatically shift how information is understood and acted upon. With practical strategies and powerful before-and-after examples, this book teaches you how to transform complex data into clear, compelling narratives. It’s a must-read for anyone who wants their audience to spend less time deciphering and more time deciding. Highly recommend!”
– Natalie Johnson, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Paradigm Strategy, Inc.

“Organizations have a critical need for better presentations, and the storytelling with data series provides a core set of clear and effective strategies. Education research shows that simply reading advice is like imagining going to the gym—if you want results, you need practice, across a diverse set of examples. Before & after provides a wonderful array of principled redesigns that will build your redesign muscles.“
– Steven Franconeri, Professor of Psychology, Director of the Cognitive Science Program and the Visual Thinking Lab at Northwestern University

“When data, storytelling, and visual design collide with intention, something extraordinary happens—and storytelling with data: before & after captures that magic perfectly. In a world drowning in spreadsheets and dashboards, this book is a lifeline. It doesn’t just teach you how to visualize numbers—it teaches you how to speak with them. Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic, Mike Cisneros, and Alex Velez show that the true power of data lies not in the digits themselves, but in how we frame them, design them, and bring them to life through story. Whether you’re a seasoned analyst or just learning to find your voice with visuals, this book is your creative companion at the intersection of logic and narrative. It’s not just about charts—it’s about clarity. Not just about visuals—it’s about vision. Read it, and you’ll never look at a bar graph the same way again.”
– Fredrick J. Martin, Associate VP of Human Resources

“We’ve been fortunate to work with the SWD team for multiple seminars, and I’m excited to see before & after bring the insights and thoughtful process that has helped my team greatly improve their ability to clearly communicate the significance of their experimental data to a variety of audiences. Readers will appreciate the clear writing as well as the step-by-step improvements shown in multiple case studies in a variety of fields.”
– Josh Burnett, Senior Principal Engineer (Hemostasis R&D), Werfen

“As a state employee overseeing crucial state funded social service programs, I understand the importance of using data effectively. And I understand the challenges in figuring out how to use your data effectively. storytelling with data: before & after is a must read for anyone who understands the impact of using data but struggles with data visualization and how to make the biggest impact with the data you have.”
– Whitney Joy Howard, Office Chief for Housing and Employment

“Every makeover in here sparks a new ‘aha’ moment! We all love before-and-after photos but the transformation in between can feel like magic. This book generously shares how professional data visualization designers think through each step so you can sharpen your skills and create your own chart makeovers.”
– Alli Torban, Data Visualization Specialist and author of Chart Spark

“I highly recommend this book to anyone involved in interpreting or designing charts and graphs, or those looking to tell powerful stories with data. The authors guide readers through the process of enhancing visualizations with powerful, engaging and fun-to-read examples. Packed with lessons on decluttering, directing focus, effective labeling, and other best practices, this book is a great resource for improving how you communicate data.”
– Kate Strachnyi, Founder of DATAcated and author of ColorWise: A Data Storyteller’s Guide to the Intentional Use of Color

“A masterclass in purposeful design and impactful storytelling. The storytelling with data team proves that great visuals are about more than just looking good—they’re about making people care.”
– Jonathan Schwabish, author of Better Data Visualizations