The choice of data visualizations involves many factors and choosing the correct one for the data, audience and the target analysis is of utmost importance to a successful dashboard design. This documentation will discuss the various Chart types available in the Dashboard Palette, with examples and recommendations for when to use them.

Pie

Also known as a Circle chart, the Pie chart is used to illustrate relative proportions and percentages of a whole data set. Pie charts illustrate information at a point in time, so it is not useful for visualizing trends or change over time.

The pie chart should give you a visually clear answer to your compositional questions; for example, the chart in this examples clearly tells us how spending is spread across departments. Avoid using too many pie slices that can be hard to decipher. Consider provide value labels on the chart for precision.

The Pie Chart Styles tab allows the designer to customize data labels, the legend, and the pie piece colors.

In the Data Configuration wizard, we can see that the dimension (represented by pie pieces) is "Department", while the metric, or value of those pie pieces, is summing the "GrandTotal" field from all Submissions, and displaying the value rounded to the nearest dollar.

The filter ensures only Submitted and approved orders are included in the data set. It also works with the "StartOfPeriod" and "EndOfPeriod" filter controls on the dashboard, which allows the user to alter the data set at run time.

Donut

A Donut chart is very similar to a Pie Chart, except the center is cut out. Like a pie chart, is used to illustrate relative proportions and percentages of a whole data set. However, generally donut charts work better with fewer categories than pie charts. This will allow the viewer to easily differentiate between the arc lengths to see the relationship between the categories and to the whole.

Donut Chart Styles and Data Configuration are similar to Pie charts.

The Dimension is the categories represented by the different arc colors on the donut, while the Metric determines the size/length of those arcs.

In this example, we have filters to narrow the data set to just those where the "ManagedVendor" T/F control is unchecked, or "is false."

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Bar

Bar and Column charts are used to plot categorized data values and are well suited for plotting multiple related data values per category side-by side. It is best to limit the number of categories and to keep categories clearly spaced on the chart. Bar charts are a good choice when you have long data labels, as they provide space for each bar to be labelled. Avoid time period categorization with horizontal bar charts (time is best plotted on the X axis).

The Bar Chart Styles tab allows you to customize the axis labels and styles, the background, border and grid colors, and the color palette for the bars.

In this example, we've used expressions to create the values shown in the X and Y axes. For the Dimension, the expression concatenates the manager's first and last name. This creates the categories in which to display the metric, which is set to the following expression which calculates the amount the total is over the budget allowance.

sum((GrandTotal > BudgetAllowance) ? (GrandTotal - BudgetAllowance) : 0)

The filter ensures only Submitted and approved orders are included in the data set. It also works with the "StartOfPeriod" and "EndOfPeriod" filter controls on the dashboard, which allows the user to alter the data set at run time.

Column

Bar and Column charts are used to plot categorized data values and are well suited for plotting multiple related data values per category side-by side. Column charts are especially well-suited for plotting chronological data for analyzing trends. You might also choose a column chart if you plan to represent negative values, which will be shown in an easy-to-interpret downward direction. It is best to limit the number of categories and to keep categories clearly spaced on the chart. Here is an example of chart designed to show both PO's within budget and total PO Submissions by month. It's clear to see that while total submissions are increasing, orders within budget are going down in relation to the total orders.

Column Chart Styles and Data Configuration is otherwise identical to Bar charts.

Area

Area and Line charts are very similar, with the Area chart showing the space under the line filled in for a different visual effect. Both Area and Line charts are similar to Column charts in that they can be used to illustrate categorical and time series data. An area chart with multiple metrics can be good for illustrating part-to-whole relationships. Keep in mind that chronological data is best blotted on the X Axis.

The Area Chart Styles tab is just like Bar/Column Chart Styles. Here you'll notice we've formatted the X and Y axis for improved readability, and added some horizontal grids.

The configuration is also very similar to Column charts. Here we have set the Dimension, or X Axis to display the PO Dates by quarter. The metric is the grand total for each quarter.

This chart is filtered to show only submitted, approved workflows where the Managed Vendor T/F field is "False" (unchecked). We've also set a date filter in this case.

Line

Area and Line charts are very similar, with the Area chart showing the space under the line filled in for a different visual effect. A line chart connects discrete but continuous data points by using straight line segments. Line charts are particularly effective for trend analysis, such as visualizing expenditure over time or other factors. You might choose a line chart over an area chart if you need to plot multiple data sets, as it will be easier to distinguish each data set's trend. Keep in mind that chronological data is best blotted on the X Axis.

Similar to other charts, the Chart Styles tab allows the designer to configure how the axes, labels, and legend should display. The configuration for this example shows the dimension of PODate, and multiple metrics which calculate the total for each department.

Scatter

Scatter Line

Data Table

Radar

Radial Gauge

A Radial Gauge chart may also be known as a Gauge, Dial, or Speedometer chart. This chart helps the user visualize Key Performance Indicators or metrics with context about how good (or bad) the current metric value is against a give range of target values.

Use colors to indicate in-range, out-of-range and intermediate zones (e.g. near goal) for visualization of where the metric value falls in relation to the goal.

Here is an example of a a Radial Gauge used to display the average procurement cycle time, which can be handy operational insight into process efficiency.

The Chart Styles tab shows how the Axis Zones have been set with colors to indicate within range, intermediate, and out of range. The average cycle time shown (24.43 days) is a bit above the ideal range.

Let's take a look at the Data Configuration for this chart. The Dimension is set to an expression that averages the days between the PO Date and Received Date in the workflow, and display the result as a number with two decimal points.

The filter ensures that only purchase orders that are submitted, approved, have a Received Date, and fall within the Start of Period and End of Period filter controls are included. Note the importance of filtering by "Received Date contains a value" - the Received Date is optional in this workflow, and including submissions where this value is null could skew the data. See the note on Null or Missing Fields for more information.

KPI

A KPI, or Key Performance Indicator chart may also be known as a Number chart or a Metric chart. Use a KPI chart for real-time metrics and strategic KPI's, when a single numeric value is all that is needed to convey critical information. It can be used for an all-time roll-up number or for a latest period roll-up. 

Use this chart to show a metric against a goal value with in-range/out-of-range indication via a color and indicator symbol. Consider also showing a trend indicator that indicates the percent up or down since last period. You can also customize the trend color for greater visualization.

Here is an example of a KPI chart that shows the percentage of purchases deemed "in time" where the Received Date is less than or equal to the Need By Date.

The Chart Styles tab shows the Goal is set to "maximize" and the Target to 0.75. The result, 50% (or .50), is under that goal, resulting in a red warning symbol. Notice that "Show Trend" is also enabled, which displays the change from the previous quarter, in this case 0% or no change. This gives the user an at-a-glance visualization of progress towards the goal, and what might need attention.

Here's a look at the Data Configuration for this chart. The Dimension is set to the function "quarter()" which aggregates a date or dateTime field/expression to the calendar quarter start date. The Metric is set to calculate the percentage of Purchase Orders where the Received Date is less than or equal to the Need By Date, and display it as a percentage.

Additionally, the filter ensure that only submitted and approved Purchase Orders are shown in the chart.