Computer-implemented systems and methods provide near real-time graph data feedback to a user during a drag-and-drop graph display creation process. A graph creation display region is displayed, where a graph display data structure contains associations between graph display components and variables, the associations in the graph display data structure defining what graph components are to be displayed on the graph creation display region. The display device contains a plurality of graph hotspot regions that are associated with a graph display component, where using the user manipulation device to drag a variable from the variable selection region to the graph hotspot results in an association between the graph display component and the dragged variable. While the variable is being dragged over a hotspot, the graph creation display region is modified to provide near real-time feedback to the user of a temporary association between the graph display component and the dragged variable.