An interactive chart can help discuss one group at a time, but only if the presenter knows what each control position represents. A slider that moves smoothly is not enough: its stages must correspond to the intended periods, departments or scenarios.

Prepare a small table with three clearly named groups and noticeably different values. For example, use three periods with one category rising, another falling and a third remaining unchanged. Write down the expected view for the first, middle and last period before creating the chart.

In Numbers on Mac, choose Chart, Interactive and add a chart. Click Add Chart Data and select the intended cells. The pop-up menu at the bottom lets you choose whether rows or columns are plotted as series. Click Done. In Format, Chart, the Interactive Chart menu can switch the controls to Buttons Only.

Interactive charts present data in stages using a slider and buttons, or buttons alone. Changes in their source table update the chart. Treat the data selection and its orientation as part of the presentation design, rather than relying on the default arrangement.

Match each stage to the source table

Move to the first stage and compare all displayed values with the corresponding group. Repeat in the middle and at the end. If the chart steps through categories when you intended it to step through periods, revisit the row-or-column series choice.

Use the deliberately unchanged category as a comparison. Its value should not appear to grow merely because you selected the wrong row or interpreted a stage label incorrectly. The rising and falling categories provide separate checks that the chosen groups are being followed in order.

Change one practice value in the final group and check that the appropriate stage reflects it. Restore the value afterwards. This links the visible stage to a specific source record instead of testing only that the controls respond.

Prepare a readable handover

Label the chart so another person knows what the control changes. Rehearse the sequence you intend to show and pause long enough to compare the groups meaningfully. If the audience needs to compare all stages simultaneously, provide an appropriate accompanying table or view.

Finally, inspect the actual delivery environment. A screenshot or other static output can show only a particular state, so identify that state in its caption. Keep the editable Numbers document and the source table available for future updates to the interactive version.

Reference: Apple: interactive charts in Numbers.