How (and why) to transpose a dataset

Transposing a dataset means swapping its rows and columns so that the rows become columns and the columns become rows

Let's say we have the following table:

After transposing, it will become this table:

You can see that the names in column 1 became the first row in the transposed table. The dollar values in the second column moved into the second row, and the taste assessments in column 3 became the third row. 

Why transpose data? 

For many chart types in Datawrapper, transposing a table means that the x-axis and y-axis swap. Often, when your chart looks funny, all you need to do is to transpose the data: 

How to transpose data in Datawrapper? 

Because transposing is so essential to having the data appear the way you want it to in your visualization, Datawrapper gives you three ways to transpose your data in the chart editor: two in step 2 and one in step 3.

In step 2: Check & Describe, you can click on the arrow in the left top corner of your table to transpose your data: 

...you can also click on the button "Swap rows and columns (transpose)" at the bottom of the page:

In step 3: Visualize, you can transpose the data by clicking on the blue text in the hint that you can find below the chart types:   

Note that if you transpose in step 3, you will lose setting from step 2 (rounding, etc.)

With a bit of experience using chart types, you will be able to prepare the data accordingly, even in Excel or Google Sheets.  

There are options to transpose data in both spreadsheet applications, although they tend to be a bit more complicated than to transpose the data in Datawrapper. These links offer more explanation if you want to try it:

Transpose data in Excel
Transpose data in Google Sheets