Working With Charts

Using the available chart formats, you can find many different ways in which to view data in a graphical format.

Chart formats

You can view data in several types of chart formats.

Bar chart

A bar chart is a chart in which vertical bars along the horizontal axis represent the value of each symbol in the down dimension, for each symbol in the across direction.

If you want, you can reverse the orientation of the axes. For more information, see step 8.

Stacking bar chart

A stacking bar chart is a chart in which each bar represents the total “stacked” value of the symbols in the down dimension (as listed in the legend) for each symbol in the across direction. Each symbol is shown in proportion to its share of the total value.

If you want, you can reverse the orientation of the axes. For more information, see step 8.

Line chart

A line chart is a chart in which the value for each symbol in the down direction is plotted for each symbol in the across direction. The points for each symbol are then connected with a line to show a trend.

If you want, you can reverse the orientation of the axes. For more information, see step 8.

Area chart

An area chart is similar to a line chart in that each point, representing the value of each symbol in the down dimension, connects to the others with a line. In an area chart, however, the area below the line is filled to give the value greater visibility. The horizontal axis is the range of symbols in the across direction. Symbol values are placed one on top of the other, each symbol’s value starting at 0 on the horizontal axis.

If you want, you can reverse the orientation of the axes. For more information, see step 8.

Pie chart

A pie chart is a chart in which each symbol in the down dimension appears as a sector of a circle, in proportion to its share of the total parent value (the total value of the pie). When you view data in pie chart format, you see one pie for each symbol in the across direction.

Stacking area chart

A stacking area chart is similar to a pie chart in that the values of the symbols in the down dimension are shown in proportion to their share of the total value of the symbols as a whole. In a stacking chart, however, the values are stacked on top of each other. The horizontal axis is the range of symbols in the across direction.

If you want, you can reverse the orientation of the axes. For more information, see step 8.

Viewing data in alternate formats

The default format for viewing data is report format. Depending on your responsibilities, you may be able to switch back and forth between report and chart format.

Switching to chart format

Depending on your role and the properties of the template, you may be able to view data in chart format.

To view data in chart format, follow these steps.

1. Specify the orientation and symbols as required.

   Note: Make sure only one dimension appears in each of the down and across directions. Otherwise, the chart does not run.

2. In the toolbar, choose View > Chart. The data appears in chart format.

   

3. To switch back to report format, choose View > Normal.
4. To zoom in on a specific area of the chart, left click on the area. To zoom out again, right-click anywhere in the chart.
5. When the data appears in chart format, choose Format > Chart Preferences. The Chart Preferences dialog appears, with the General tab in view.

   

6. Complete these fields:

   Field	Description
   Title	Type a title for the chart.
   Footer	Type the text for the footer of the chart.

7. Select a chart type:

   Field	Description
   Line	To view the chart in line format. For more information, see Line chart.
   Pie	To view the chart in pie format. For more information, see Pie chart.
   Bar	To view the chart in bar format. For more information, see Bar chart.
   Stacking Bar	To view the chart in stacking bar format. For more information, see Stacking bar chart.
   Area	To view the chart in area format. For more information, see Area chart.
   Stacking Area	To view the chart in stacking area format. For more information, see Stacking area chart.

8. Complete these fields:

   Field	Description
   Hide expanded parents	To hide the parent symbol in an expanded hierarchy.
   Horizontal orientation	To display the chart horizontally.
   Grid lines	To include grid lines in the chart.
   Flip axes	To switch the position of the axes in the chart. For example, if the chart shows ACCOUNTS down and TIMEPER across, select this field to switch them.
   3D look	To display the chart in three-dimensional format.

9. Click the Colors tab.

   

10. Complete these fields:

    Field	Description
    Title	Select a color for the title.
    Footer	Select a color for the footer.
    Grid lines	Select a color for the grid lines.
    Background	Select a color for the background.
    Labels	Select a color for the chart’s labels.

11. For the Data Series section, you can select a color for each symbol in the down dimension of the chart. To make the color for a symbol transparent, so that you can see the symbols behind it, select Transparency.
12. Click Apply to see changes before exiting this dialog.
13. When you are finished, click OK. The data appears in chart format.
14. To save the chart as a graphic file, select File > Save Chart As. The Save dialog appears.

    

15. Complete these fields:

    Field	Description
    Save in	Select the folder in which you want to save the chart.
    File name	Type a name for the file.
    Save as type	PNG file (*.png) is automatically selected.

16. Click Save. The data appears in chart format.

Switching to report format

If you were able to make data appear in chart format, you can switch it back to report format. To switch back to report format, choose View > Normal.