Chart Guide

Reports in Analytics are easy to create and understand. There are several report types available for selection. This guide provides information on the available report types.

Note: when you click the Report Types dropdown, your recently used reports display first in the list.

Table Pivot Stacked-Bar Pareto
Icon used for the Table chart Icon used for the Pivot chart. Icon used for the Stacked-Bar chart. Icon used for the Pareto chart.
Treemap Pie Waterfall Sunburst
Icon used for the Treemap chart. Icon used for the Pie chart. Icon used for the Waterfall chart. Icon used for the Sunburst chart.
Box Plot Scatter Radar Bar
Icon used for the Box Plot chart. Icon used for the Scatter chart. Icon used for the Radar chart. Icon used for the Bar chart.
Line Area Bubble Control
Icon used for the Line chart. Icon used for the Area chart. Icon used for the Bubble chart. Icon used for the Control chart.
KPI Gantt Gauge
Icon used for the KPI chart. Icon used for the Gantt chart. Icon used for the Gauge chart.  

Area

Area charts are basically a line chart, but the space between the x-axis and the line is filled with a color or pattern. They can be used to show how quantities have changed over time across multiple related data series.

Screen capture showing an example area chart with several areas illustrating change over time.

The following data must be selected:

  • X-Axis: One non-numeric field to define the main category on the x-axis (horizontally).
  • Series: One non-numeric field to define the measure.
  • Y-Axis: An unlimited number of numeric fields to define the values on the y-axis (vertically), in relation to the data points. Typically, the y-axis has numbers for the amount of values being measured.

Bar

A bar chart is a common chart type for graphing categorical data or data sorted into groups. It consists of multiple rectangles aligned to a common baseline. The length of each is proportional to the value it represents.

Screen capture of an example bar chart showing multiple vertical bars to illustrate different values.

The following data must be selected:

  • X-Axis: Two non-numeric fields.
    • The first field (Series 1) to define the main category on the x-axis (horizontally).
    • The second field (Series 2) is optional to define an additional category on the x-axis.

      • Note: Use the second field when you are trying to show that one data series moves in or out of sync with another data series. The reason that a second axis is required is that the measurement units for the two data series are different. If the measurement unit was the same, a simple line graph should be used.

  • Y-Axis: An unlimited number of numeric fields to define the value range on the y-axis (vertically).

Box Plot

Box plot charts present information from a five-number summary. They are very useful when large numbers of observations are involved and when two or more data sets are being compared. Box plot charts are especially useful for indicating whether a distribution is skewed and whether there are potential unusual observations (outliers) in the data set.

Use box plot charts for comparing distributions since the center, spread, and overall range are immediately apparent.

Screen capture of an example box plot chart with three box plots.

The following data must be selected:

  • X-Axis: One non-numeric field to define the categories on the x-axis.
  • Maximum Value: One numeric field to define the largest value.
  • Upper Quartile: One numeric field to define the median of the upper half (anything more than the median of the entire dataset)—also known as the 75th percentile.
  • Median: One numeric field to define the middle value when the numbers are ordered (or the average of the two middle values if there are an even number of data points)—also known as the 50th percentile because half of the values are above (and below) the median.
  • Lower Quartile: One numeric field to define the median of the lower half (anything less than the median of the entire dataset)—also known as the 25th percentile.
  • Minimum Value: One numeric field to define the lowest value.

Bubble

Bubble charts display the relationship between three data fields. Each dot corresponds with a single data point, and the variables’ values for each point are indicated by horizontal position, vertical position, and dot size.

Use bubble charts to present financial data. You can use a bubble chart instead of a scatter chart if your data has three data series that each contain a set of values. The sizes of the bubbles are determined by the values in the third data series.

Screen capture of an example bubble chart depicting several bubbles of varying sizes.

The following data must be selected:

  • Categories: One non-numeric field to define the correlation.
  • X-Axis: One numeric field to define the value on the x-axis (horizontally).
  • Y-Axis: One numeric field to define the value on the y-axis (vertically).
  • Bubble Size: One numeric field to define the size value for each bubble.

Control

Control charts are used to filter out the probable noise (inherent variation or common cause) from the potential signals (nonrandom variation or special cause). From this, you know when and where to take action on a process.

Use control charts to monitor any sort of process you have in place so you can learn how to improve your poor performance and continue with your successes.

Screen capture of an example control chart showing three data points between the upper and lower control lines.

The following data must be selected:

  • X-Axis: One non-numeric field to define the main category on the x-axis (horizontally).
  • Series: One non-numeric field to define the different points that will create the line, in relation to the data set on the y-axis.
  • Y-Axis: One numeric field to define the values on the y-axis (vertically), in relation to the data points.

Gantt

Gantt charts are a type of bar chart that illustrates a project schedule. This chart lists the tasks to be performed on the vertical axis, and time intervals on the horizontal axis.

Use Gantt charts to plan projects of all sizes. They are a useful way of showing what work is scheduled to be done on a specific day. They also help you view the start and end dates of a project in one simple view.

Screen capture of an example Gantt chart with five task bars.

The following data must be selected:

  • Categories: A maximum of three non-numeric fields to define the task to be performed. Use multiple fields to add sub-levels of the main task.
  • Start Date: One date field for the start date.
  • End Date: One date field for the end date.

Gauge

Use a gauge chart to indicate progress/activity. Values are indicated on a circular numeric scale in terms of percentage. The value of these charts must be in percentage (between 0 and 100). This chart type is often used in executive dashboard reports to show key business indicators.

Screen capture of an example Gauge chart showing a score of 17.50 and the gauge at approximately 75% full.

The following data must be selected:

  • Pointer: One numeric field to define the pointer value of the gauge.
  • Min Value: One numeric field to define the minimum value for the gauge.
  • Max Value: One numeric field to define the maximum value for the gauge.

KPI

Key Performance Indicators (KPI) are measurable values that demonstrate how effectively a company is achieving key business objectives.

Use KPIs to evaluate your success at reaching targets. Each department will use different KPI types to measure success based on specific business goals and targets.

Screen capture of an example KPI chart showing two numbers: the primary and the secondary KPI values.

The following data must be selected:

  • Primary Value: One field to display the main number of the KPI. Use custom fields to display values with thresholds.
  • Secondary Value: One field to include additional information. This field is optional.

Line

Line graphs display your data within a series as points connected by straight line segments on two axes and helps determine the relationship between two sets of values.

Use line graphs to show how the value of something changes over time, or compare how several things change over time relative to each other.

Screen capture of an example Line chart with four metrics displayed as lines connecting data points.

The following data must be selected:

  • X-Axis: One non-numeric field to define the main category on the x-axis (horizontally).
  • Series: One non-numeric field to define the different points in the line(s), in relation to the data set on the y-axis.
  • Y-Axis: An unlimited number of numeric fields to define the values on the y-axis (vertically), in relation to the data points.

Pareto

Pareto charts contain both columns sorted in descending order and a line representing the cumulative total percentage. The Y axis on the left displays the value and the Y axis on the right displays the cumulative percent. Pareto charts only include positive values.

Use Pareto charts when:

  • Analyzing data about the frequency of problems or causes in a process.
  • There are many problems or causes and you want to focus on the most significant.
  • Analyzing broad causes by looking at their specific components.
  • Communicating with others about your data.

Screen capture of an example Pareto chart connecting 7 data points.

The following data must be selected:

  • X-Axis: One non-numeric field to define the main category on the x-axis (horizontally).
  • Y-Axis: One numeric field to define the value range on the y-axis (vertically).

Pie

Pie charts display a part-to-whole relationship in your data. Each slice represents one component and all slices added together equal the whole.

Use pie charts when you are trying to compare parts of a whole. Note that they do not show changes over time.

Screen capture of an example Pie chart with four large slices.

The following data must be selected:

  • Categories: One non-numeric field to define the category that is being measured. The number of elements of each category will specify the number of slices on the pie.
  • Values: One numeric field to define the values of the dimension fields. These values define the size of each pie slice.

Pivot

A pivot table is an interactive way to quickly summarize large amounts of data. They are helpful when you have a large data set, but only need a small section of it to summarize or analyze for trends and comparisons.

Use pivot tables to summarize, sort, reorganize, group, count, total, or average data stored in Analytics. You can transform columns into rows and rows into columns and group by any field.

Note: you can also use a pivot on individual fields in your report.

Screen capture of an example Pivot chart with multiple columns and rows.

The following data must be selected:

  • Rows: An unlimited number of non-numeric fields to define the row(s).
  • Measures: An unlimited number of numeric fields to define the measure(s).

    Tip: open the See More menu (three dots ) to select a single column to pivot by if you don't want to pivot by all columns.

  • Columns: An unlimited number of non-numeric fields to define the column(s).

Radar

Radar charts display data across several unique dimensions.

Use radar charts to compare two or more items or groups on various features or characteristics.

Screen capture of an example radar chart showing the relationship between 7 data sets.

The following data must be selected:

  • Radial Axis: One non-numeric field to define the measure.
  • Values: A minimum of three numeric fields to define each node of the chart.

Scatter

Scatter graphs display two data fields as a collection of points each having one coordinate on the horizontal axis and one on the vertical axis.

Use scatter graphs to observe relationships between variables.

Screen capture of an example scatter chart showing the relationship between 6 data sets.

The following data must be selected:

  • Categories: One non-numeric field to define the correlation.
  • X-Axis: One numeric field to define the value on the x-axis (horizontally).
  • Y-Axis: One numeric field to define the value on the y-axis (vertically).

Stacked-Bar

Stacked-bar charts are best used when showing comparisons between categories. Use stacked-bar charts to show how a larger category is divided into smaller categories and what the relationship of each part has on the total amount.

Screen capture of an example stacked bar chart showing four stacked bars.

The following data must be selected:

  • X-Axis: One numeric field to define the main category on the x-axis (horizontally).
  • Series: One non-numeric field to define the subdivision on each column (x-axis).
  • Y-Axis: One numeric field to define the value range on the y-axis (vertically).

Sunburst

Sunburst charts are used to visualize hierarchical data in a circular format. Each level of the hierarchy is represented by one ring with the innermost ring as the top of the hierarchy.

Screen capture of an example sunburst chart showing two levels of hierarchy.

The following data must be selected:

  • Categories: An unlimited number of non-numeric fields to define the measure. The order of the fields will define the hierarchy on the graph.
  • Values: One numeric field to define the value of the dimension fields. This value defines the size of the slices.

Table

A table organizes data into a tabular structure, consisting of rows and columns. They are easy to read, reasonably easy to build, and they are incredibly flexible. Unlike other types of charts, tables are not constrained to a specific type of data or underlying relationship. They might contain numerical values, text, symbols, or even a combination of data types.

The following data must be selected:

  • Columns: An unlimited number of all types of fields to define the column(s)

Treemap

Treemaps are primarily used to display data that is grouped and nested in a hierarchical (or tree-based) structure. Use a treemap to simultaneously display the magnitude of the major categories - as well as the magnitude of the larger subcategories in one visualization.

Treemaps typically have the appearance of horizontally-oriented rectangles subdivided by size into the major categories and subcategories, so as to convey the part-to-whole relationships.

For treemaps, rectangle size and color are the crucial elements.

Screen capture of an example treemap chart.

The following data must be selected:

  • Categories: A maximum of three non-numeric fields to define the categories and subcategories that are typically color-coded to match the highest-level parent categories.

  • Rectangle Size: One numeric field to define the size of the value. The greater the sum of the selected value for each category, the larger its box.

  • Rectangle Color: One numeric field to define the color of the value. The greater the sum of the selected value for each category, the darker its box.

Waterfall

A waterfall chart is a type of bar chart that reveals the story behind the net change in a value between two points.

Use waterfall charts to show changes in revenue or profit between two time periods.

Screen capture of an example waterfall chart.

The following data must be selected:

  • X-Axis: One non-numeric field to define the values on the x-axis (horizontally).
  • Y-Axis: One numeric field to define the values on the y-axis (vertically).