Which chart type is best for displaying data trends over time?

A line chart is particularly effective for displaying data trends over time because it connects individual data points with a continuous line. This visual representation allows viewers to easily observe fluctuations, patterns, and trends within the dataset. As time typically serves as the independent variable along the horizontal axis, the line chart clearly shows how the dependent variable changes in relation to time.

In contrast, while bar charts and column charts can illustrate data comparisons at different time intervals, they do not inherently convey the progression of data over time as effectively as line charts do. Pie charts, on the other hand, are designed to show proportions and relationships of parts to a whole at a specific point in time, rather than the change over a continuous timeline. Therefore, when the goal is to analyze trends across a period, a line chart emerges as the most suitable choice.