Avoid using color alone to convey meaning

When information is being conveyed using color alone, that information is not accessible to some users.

Using color alone negatively impacts:

• Users with partial sight
• Users who have color-blindness
• Users who have limited color monochrome displays
• Users who rely on printing content in black and white

Common example: Graphs and Charts

Using color alone to differentiate between data in charts and graphs makes it difficult or impossible for some users to understand its meaning. The image below shows how a bar chart that only uses color to differentiate the information can be difficult to understand, with the colors appearing in shades of gray.

Provide alternate ways to convey meaning

The image below shows the same bar charts but it uses color and pattern to differentiate between the data.

Learn more about formatting your charts and graphs in Microsoft products.