Chart Types - Requirements and Constraints

This guide explains the specific field requirements and constraints for each chart type in the Chart Module. Understanding these requirements helps you configure charts correctly and know what to expect from field assignments.

Line Chart

Field Requirements:

  • X-Axis: 1 field required (typically dates or categories)
  • Y-Axis: 1 or more fields required (measures/values)
  • Colors: Optional - adds multiple lines or gradients
  • Filters: Optional - filters the displayed data

Behavior:

  • Multiple Y-axis fields create multiple lines on the same chart
  • Color field creates separate lines for each category
  • Time-series data works best with dates on X-axis

Bar Chart

Field Requirements:

  • X-Axis: 1 field required (categories or dates)
  • Y-Axis: 1 or more fields required (measures/values)
  • Colors: Optional - creates grouped/stacked bars or gradients
  • Filters: Optional - filters the displayed data

Behavior:

  • Multiple Y-axis fields create grouped bars
  • Color field can create grouped bars (separate bars) or stacked bars
  • Color with aggregated measures creates intensity gradients

Area Chart

Field Requirements:

  • X-Axis: 1 field required (typically dates or ordered categories)
  • Y-Axis: 1 or more fields required (measures/values)
  • Colors: Optional - creates multiple area series or gradients
  • Filters: Optional - filters the displayed data

Behavior:

  • Multiple Y-axis fields create stacked areas
  • Color field creates separate area series
  • Best suited for showing cumulative values over time

Pie Chart

Field Requirements:

  • Angle: 1 field required (measure/value that determines slice size)
  • Colors: 1 field required (categories that create the slices)
  • Filters: Optional - filters the displayed data
  • X-Axis/Y-Axis: Not applicable for pie charts

Behavior:

  • Color field determines the number and labels of pie slices
  • Angle field determines the size of each slice
  • Aggregation is automatically applied to the angle field

Donut Chart

Field Requirements:

  • Angle: 1 field required (measure/value that determines slice size)
  • Colors: 1 field required (categories that create the slices)
  • Filters: Optional - filters the displayed data
  • X-Axis/Y-Axis: Not applicable for donut charts

Behavior:

  • Same as pie chart but with hollow center
  • Color and angle fields work identically to pie charts

Scatter Plot

Field Requirements:

  • X-Axis: 1 field required (measure or dimension)
  • Y-Axis: 1 field required (measure or dimension)
  • Colors: Optional - creates different colored point groups or gradients
  • Filters: Optional - filters the displayed data

Behavior:

  • Each data point is plotted using X and Y coordinates
  • Color field groups points by category or creates intensity gradients
  • Best for showing correlations between two measures

Data Grid

Field Requirements:

  • Columns: 1 or more fields required (all fields you want to display)
  • Filters: Optional - filters the displayed rows
  • Colors/X-Axis/Y-Axis: Not applicable for data grids

Behavior:

  • All assigned fields become columns in the table
  • No aggregation by default (shows raw data)
  • Supports sorting and pagination

Pivot Table

Field Requirements:

  • Rows: 1 or more fields (row groupings)
  • Columns: Optional fields (column groupings)
  • Values: 1 or more fields (measures to aggregate)
  • Filters: Optional - filters the displayed data

Behavior:

  • Row fields create the vertical grouping structure
  • Column fields create the horizontal grouping structure
  • Values are aggregated at intersection points
  • Automatic totals and subtotals available

Big Number Widget

Field Requirements:

  • Value: 1 field required (the measure to display)
  • Filters: Optional - filters the calculation
  • Colors/X-Axis/Y-Axis: Not applicable

Behavior:

  • Shows a single large number
  • Automatic aggregation (usually SUM or COUNT)
  • Perfect for KPIs and key metrics

Color Field Behavior Summary

The COLOR field selector behaves differently based on chart type:

  • Line/Bar/Area Charts: Creates multiple series or intensity gradients
  • Pie/Donut Charts: Required field that defines the slice categories
  • Scatter Plots: Groups points by color or creates gradient intensity
  • Data Grids: Not applicable (no color field)
  • Pivot Tables: Not applicable (uses row/column structure)
  • Big Number: Not applicable (single value display)

Quick Reference Table

Chart Type Required Fields Optional Fields Color Behavior
Line X-Axis (1), Y-Axis (1+) Colors, Filters Multiple series/gradients
Bar X-Axis (1), Y-Axis (1+) Colors, Filters Grouped/stacked/gradients
Area X-Axis (1), Y-Axis (1+) Colors, Filters Multiple series/gradients
Pie Angle (1), Colors (1) Filters Required for slices
Donut Angle (1), Colors (1) Filters Required for slices
Scatter X-Axis (1), Y-Axis (1) Colors, Filters Point grouping/gradients
Data Grid Columns (1+) Filters Not applicable
Pivot Table Rows (1+), Values (1+) Columns, Filters Not applicable
Big Number Value (1) Filters Not applicable

For more information on chart configuration and field assignment, see the main Charts documentation.