Which visualization type provides an overview of data distribution across categories?

The histogram is particularly effective for providing an overview of data distribution across categories, especially when dealing with continuous or numerical data that has been grouped into bins. By using a histogram, you can visualize how data points are distributed across specified intervals, allowing for insights into trends, patterns, and the overall shape of the data distribution.

For example, a histogram can reveal the frequency of data within certain ranges, such as showing how many values fall under specific numerical categories. This makes it easier to identify aspects like skewness, central tendency, and potential outliers. It effectively summarizes large amounts of data in a clear visual format, facilitating quick assessments of the distribution’s characteristics.

Other visualizations, such as area and line charts, are typically used to show trends over time rather than to represent distribution across categories. A counter, while useful for displaying counts or totals, does not provide insights into the distribution of data nor does it categorize the way a histogram does. Therefore, the histogram stands out as the most appropriate choice for visualizing data distribution across categories.