A user selects a dataset and a first interaction profile. There are multiple interaction profiles, each specifying a corresponding user interface and a corresponding decision tree for forming data visualizations according to user-selected data fields. A first data visualization user interface is displayed corresponding to the first interaction profile. Using the first data visualization user interface, the user selects data fields from the dataset and uses them to specify data visualization characteristics. The method displays a first data visualization according to the user-selected data fields and the decision tree for the first interaction profile. When the user selects a second interaction profile, the method displays a second data visualization according to the second interaction profile. The second data visualization uses at least some of the user-selected data fields. The second data visualization is displayed according to the specified data visualization characteristics and the decision tree for the second interaction profile.