Data Analysis and Reporting with Intelligence Clients

Line Charts

Line charts show trends in data at equal intervals and are effective for comparing highs and lows in a continuum. In a line chart, items in the Y-Facts pane determine the height of the line, and items in the X-Categories pane itemize the line sections. You can create multiple lines by adding items to the Z-Categories pane.

Line charts have one advantage over bar charts. They do not allow one set of data to obstruct the representation of another. Since lines are thin compared to bars, the data displayed in the front does not block out the data behind.

As a result, data that is not easily represented in bar or area charts work well in line charts. Many more dimensions of data can be superimposed without impairing the chart’s effectiveness.

	Note   A line chart can have two different looks depending on if the chart was switched from a stacked or non stacked chart. If a line chart was switched from a stacked chart, the Z Axis items on the chart are stacked. If a line chart was switched from a non stacked chart, the Z Axis items are not stacked and appear as originally created.

To create a standard line chart (Y-Facts for values):

Select Line from the Chart drop-down list.
Drag a value item from the Catalog pane to the Y-Facts pane in Outliner.
Drag label items from the Catalog pane to the X-Categories and Z-Categories panes in Outliner.
Select Legend On Z from the Legend drop-down list to distribute colors along the Z-axis.