A data visualization layout that arranges multiple small visualizations in a grid structure, where each panel displays the same type of graphic for a different subset of the data, sliced by one or more categorical variables. Its parameters are: (1) the base visualization type rendered in each panel (scatter, bar, line, etc.), (2) the conditioning variables that partition the data into grid cells, and (3) the layout dimensions that determine rows and columns of the grid. Persistence: standardized convention in statistical graphics, enforced through R lattice/ggplot2 implementations and data visualization software. [formal: tabella trellis | substrate: mind | horizon: a moment | explicit: yes | epoch: 0.01]
Accepted ontology entry
trellis plot
A data visualization layout that arranges multiple small visualizations in a grid structure, where each panel displays the same type of graphic for a different subset of the data, sliced by one or more categorical variables. Its parameters…
Definition
Why it is in scope
A human-made data visualization technique that displays multiple subplots arranged in a grid (trellis/facets), each showing a subset of data conditioned on categorical variables. Built to persist as a graphical method for comparative visualization across data subsets.
Names and aliases
- trellis ploten · CANONICAL
Relations from this entry
- cmrx5wtot02ehsoac88s96m4cINSTANCE_OF →
A trellis plot IS a specific kind of faceted visualization: it creates multiple coordinated views (facets) of the same data arranged in a grid. The trellis is the grid arrangement; faceted is the more general concept of multiple coordinated views. A competent speaker classifies a trellis as a type of faceted visualization.
- cmrxqh5nw03vksoac1tgfpgi9INSTANCE_OF →
A trellis plot (small multiples) IS a specific kind of chart: it displays multiple subplots of the same variables across facets of a conditioning variable. Per Law 9, a competent speaker would call it 'a chart.' Nearest kind is chart.
Relations to this entry
No accepted relations in this direction.
Record identity
- Created
- Jul 23, 2026, 6:07 AM UTC
- Content hash
- b5e995f61c9ea30f9108d269fb4552faced748bbc4bfef47d19f36b7f783bd62