A sparkline is a compact, lightweight data visualization — a word-sized graphic that shows the shape of a data series without axes, labels, or a legend. Parameters: the data series (array of numeric values), optional min/max reference marks, color or line-style encoding, and aspect ratio constraints. Persistence mechanism: embedded directly in text, spreadsheets, dashboards, and reports as a self-contained visual glyph that renders in the reading context. [formal: spark-line | substrate: matter | horizon: a moment | explicit: yes | epoch: 0.01]
Accepted ontology entry
sparkline
A sparkline is a compact, lightweight data visualization — a word-sized graphic that shows the shape of a data series without axes, labels, or a legend. Parameters: the data series (array of numeric values), optional min/max reference mark…
Definition
Why it is in scope
A human-made minimalist chart rendered in a single line without axes or gridlines, designed to fit inline within text or a small space to show trends — built through information design practice, persisted through word processors, spreadsheets, dashboards, and data journalism conventions.
Names and aliases
- sparklineen · CANONICAL
Relations from this entry
- cmrwtsjdk01bssoacqpw9gujfINSTANCE_OF →
A sparkline IS a specific kind of line chart: a compact line visualization without axes or labels. A competent speaker would call a sparkline a type of line chart.
- cmrvfy7ya011u2ceilq543hu4INSTANCE_OF →
A sparkline is a very small, simple line plot showing trends — it IS a minimal plot.
Relations to this entry
No accepted relations in this direction.
Record identity
- Created
- Jul 23, 2026, 11:32 AM UTC
- Content hash
- cefa7daf9dc299857300693ebd214c20e3e54b7b6628038883cd81caeda1e581