The Evolving Duet of Two Modalities: A Survey on Integrating Text and Visualization for Data Communication

TL;DR

This survey reviews how text functions as a narrative tool in data visualization, highlighting research gaps and proposing future directions to improve storytelling and engagement.

Contribution

It systematically analyzes 98 studies on integrating text as narrative in visualization, identifying gaps and suggesting design principles for effective storytelling.

Findings

Text enhances data storytelling and interpretation.

Significant research gaps in narrative functions of text.

Future directions for integrating text and visualization.

Abstract

Text plays a fundamental yet understudied role as a narrative device in data visualization. While existing research has extensively explored text as data input and interaction modality, its function in supporting storytelling and interpretation remains fragmented. To address this gap, this work presents a systematic review of 98 publications that provide insights into using text as narrative. We investigate how text can be utilized in visualization, analyze its functions and effects, and explore how it can be designed to facilitate data communication. Our synthesis identifies significant research gaps in this domain and proposes future directions to advance the integration of text and visualization, ultimately aiming to provide guidance for designing text that enhances narrative clarity and fosters engagement.