Basic Chart Options in Define

After learning how to create a visualization using the Define panel, this guide will help you explore the various customization options for Basic Charts in One Model.

Note: Users should be familiar with how to create a basic chart/table. If you're not, please refer to the Define (Explore in Storyboards) Guide.

Series Types

If the visualization type is Basic Chart, you can configure individual metrics by clicking on the Metric Chip in the Define Panel. By default, the series type is Column. Any metric can be shown as one of these 5 Series Types: Spline, Column, Line, Area, or Area Spline.

Below are examples that show a metric across time based on different Series Type:

These options are also available for configuration under the Design tab >  Metric Style > Series Type. 

Horizontal Column Charts

The second option when you click on the Metric chip in the Define Panel will be the Horizontal Bars toggle. This option is only available with the Column Series.

This toggle options can also be found under the Design tab > Metric Style > Horizontal Bars.

Data Labels

Data labels display metric values directly on your chart, so viewers can read exact figures without hovering. You can control whether labels show raw values, percentages, or both, and you can customise the format further using format tokens.

Availability: The Data Labels options described here apply to Basic Charts with a Column series type and no stacking enabled.

Turn on Data Labels

Data label settings are found under Design > Metric Style > Data Labels.

1. In the Design tab, select the metric you want to configure under Metric Style.
2. Toggle Show Data Labels on.
3. The Data Label Format dropdown and format text box appear below the toggle.

Choose a label format

Use the Data Label Format dropdown to select what appears on each bar:

Selecting an option automatically pre-fills the Data Label Format text box with the corresponding token and updates the preview on your chart.

Note: Series names cannot be customised at this time.

Customise the label further

The Data Label Format text box accepts free text and format tokens, so you can tailor labels beyond the dropdown defaults; for example, adding custom text or adjusting how the tooltip behaves independently of the chart label.

See Formatting Data Labels for the full list of available tokens and examples.

How percentages are calculated

Percentage values are calculated based on the data visible in the chart at the time of viewing. This means filters, drill-downs, and multi-level configurations can affect what the percentage represents.

For a full explanation of percentage calculation logic, including examples for pivoted dimensions, multiple metrics, filters, and hierarchy levels see How Percentages Are Calculated in Charts.

Stacking

Stacking a Metric with a Dimension.

All Basic Charts can be stacked. This configuration option is under Design> Metric Style > Stacking.  By default stacking is not enabled and selection is None.

Below are examples of stacking a Column chart with Values and Percentages.

Below are a few more examples of different Basic Chart Types with stacking applied.

Stacking using Diverging Bar Chart

The Diverging Bar Chart options is available under the Design tab  > Metric Style > Stacking if the query in a Basic Chart meets the following criteria:

• Two Metrics - includes exactly two metrics in your metric query
• Two Dimension Nodes - includes one metric and one non-pivoted dimension with exactly two nodes selected.

Below are examples of Define queries to enable the Diverging Bar option

• Selecting Two Dimension Nodes

• Selecting Two Metrics

Multiple Metrics

Basic charts can have multiple metrics with different chart types. Under Design > Metric Style, you can select the specific Metric and then choose the Series Type to apply to it. 

In the example below Hires and Terminations are assigned to the Series Type of Column and Termination Rate is assigned to the Series Type of Area Spline.

Filtering

Filtering Top or Bottom (n) results can be applied.  Click on the Metric chip in the Define Panel to display the additional configuration options. By default the Filtering is set to Unfiltered.

Selecting Top or Bottom displays a secondary option for the Count.  Enter the value and ‘Run & Preview Query’ to refine the query and visualization. 

These Filtering options can also be found under the Design tab > Metric Style > Filtering and Count. An “Update Query” needs to be run.

Sorting

Sorting the chart can occur by clicking on the Metric chip in the Define Panel to display the additional configuration options. By default Sorting is set to None.

Selecting Assending or Descending displays sorts as expected. In the example below the Sorting option of Descending has been selected.