Graphs should be standalone – that is, they should be able to be read and understood without having to read the surrounding text. For this reason, all abbreviations should be either written out in full in the figure or defined in a figure note below the figure, even if they have already been defined in the text.
The usual convention is to place figure titles below the graph. This convention can also be used for web-based publications.
Definitions of units, abbreviations and so on that are used in the graph are placed below the graph (see Definitions, notes and sources).
The source of the information in the graph is placed below the graph after the definitions and notes (see Definitions, notes and sources).
If the figure title is positioned below the graph, any abbreviations, explanatory notes or sources are placed between the bottom of the graph and the figure title (see example below).
If the document is to be published online, alternative text should be attached to the figure so that it can be interpreted by assistive technologies (see Making content accessible).
Link to text
Each graph should be referred to in the text as a figure (eg see Figure 3.1), and the graph should be placed as early as possible after its in-text mention.
It is good practice to use the text to highlight key messages from the graph and then point to it with an in-text reference, rather than just announcing the figure (see Use the text to point to the key messages).
Presentation
Keep the graph as clean and uncluttered as possible. Any citations, caveats, logos, background shading, borders, and other nonrelevant data or graphic elements should be removed from within the figure.
Common elements (eg appearance of legends, data elements, axes, typography, borders, colours, line styles) should be standardised across similar graphs in a document, to make the document more consistent and cohesive.
Graphs should be copyedited and proofread so that they are consistent with the rest of the document.
