When did the graphical presentation of data start? What prompted it? How were large sets of data handled previously?
My response to an earlier question about graphs.
A Sumerian tablet from 3200-3000 B.C. has data for delivery of barley and malt to make beer. But that might not be what you are looking for.
The Egyptian tables on papyrus mentioned by CommodoreCoCo may be closer to what you want.
The first grid type x/y axis tables would go back to Mesopotamia beginning around 1850 BC. These would be your first example of what would look like a modern spreadsheet.
The first known use of a database to represent compiled data. Rather than just record it would be Eusebius who compiled a chronology using Greek, Roman, Persian and Hebrew sources. By doing this he was able to make a relatively accurate timeline showing how the separate timelines overlapped and contradicted each other. The original of this work would date from about 310 AD.
The first known graphical depiction of data points is from approximately 1000 AD and shows the movement of the planets as a function of time.
The first known use of visual data points in a graph with nontrivial positioning dates to 1644 In a graph showing distance to Rome by Michael Florent van Langren.
Check out these great papers for more information
Warning PDF
The Visual Display of Quantitative Information
Exploring the Origins of Tables for Information Visualization
Here's the "tables on papyrus" iwinagin brings up:
Some of the earliest, instantly recognizable tables are papyrus administrative records from Old Kingdom Egypt (2682-2181 BC). The scrolls from the funeral complex at Abusir are particularly well-preserved. This one describes the goods offered at King Neferirkare's temple, who gave them, and when. They date from the early-mid 25th century BC, since the king died in 2460.
A Scott named William Playfair was very influential in the development of modern charting. His book, "The Commercial and Political Atlas" from 1786 contained many innovations. Apparently, he developed both the bar chart and the pie chart. He also focused on charting time series accurately. Source - "Visual Display of Quantitative Information", Tufte