These colour combinations must be used when the data visualisation contains two or more distinct categories that have no inherent rank or order – for example gender, actor type, or incident type. Select the number of required colours from left to right following either the complementary or analogous order. Any combination of colours may be supplemented with light grey. The choice for complementary or analogous colour order must be consistent for the entire product.
Complementary
Analogous
The number of colours used in a visualisation must be limited to the minimum necessary to convey the information clearly, without distraction, clutter, or risk of misleading the readers. Direct labelling, using patterns and/or shapes as alternative or additional means to differentiate the categories in your visualisation should be considered. Although it is possible to use all seven data colours in a single visualisation, first consider reducing the number of categories in your visualisation by grouping together the least frequent categories, or by splitting your visualisation into small multiples. When too many colour-coded categories are presented in a single visualisation, readers must repeatedly look back and forth between the legend and the data, reducing comprehension speed and accuracy.