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Version: 9.3

Multiseries Line Chart

Use Multiseries Line Charts to display a single value in more than one series (Categories). Effectively, a multiseries chart consists of two dimensions and a measure. Users need to add a single Category, Value and Series field. In a time-based series, this chart shows continuity of aggregated values in your data.

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Create a Multiseries Line Chart​

To provide analytic value, a line chart includes a main category of a continuous nature, such as time or a sequence. However, the series can be any other type of dimension.

To create a Multiseries Line Chart, drag and drop a data field from the Data Panel onto either the corresponding shelf or the canvas.

The following use case visualizes how the number of total orders changes quarterly by country.

  1. Drag and drop the following:

    • orderDate as Category
    • quantityOrdered as Value
    • continents as the Series

  2. Continue styling the chart in the Configuration Panel.

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If you have only one category to visualize, use a Line Chart.

Style the Multiseries Line Chart​

In the Configuration Panel on the right of the Chart Builder, you can style different aspects of your chart.

General​

The General section is available for all chart types, and the options vary depending on the chart selected.

Note: Use the Table Calculations option to add calculations to your chart. For more information, see Table Calculations.

Styles​

The Styles section enables you to control various visual elements of the charts, such as colors, labels, and more. It is available for most chart types, and the options vary depending on the chart selected. This chart includes the following specific options:

  • Theme - Set one of the predetermined themes for a more unified look of your charts.

    • Match colors across charts - Select to unify the colors of each categorical value throughout the page and application.

  • Axis Labels - Show or hide the labels of the axes.

  • Category axis (normally the X-axis)

    • Label - Give the axis a custom label.
    • Values - Show or hide values on the axis.
    • Values Rotation - If values are enabled, decide how you want them to be displayed.

  • Values axis (typically y axis)

    • Label - Give the axis a custom label.

    • Values - Show or hide values on the axis.

    • Values Rotation - If value labels are enabled, decide how you want them to be displayed. You can use this option to avoid overlapping labels.

    • Format - Set the format of the values choosing between Default, Abbreviated, Decimal (set the number of decimal points), Currency (select the currency from the drop-down menu and set the number of decimal points), Percentage (set the number of decimal points), Scientific. Values can also be formatted from the Values column pill.

    • Scale Type - Default scale type is Linear. However, a linear scale is not appropriate for data that is spread over a wide range. Use the Logarithmic scale to display numerical data over a wide range of values in a compact way.

    • Min Range - Set the minimum value for the axis. By default, this is set to the minimum value in the analyzed data.

    • Max Range - Set the maximum value for the axis. By default, this is set to the maximum value in the analyzed data.

    • Steps - Depending on the width of the axis range, the default configuration could display many tick marks, affecting readability. Intervals are set to Auto by default, meaning the chart will calculate the appropriate intervals based on the axis scale range and the dataset values. In the following example, the range of data is from 0 to 8,000. When you set the step to 1000 units, the chart displays eight tick marks. When set to 10,000, the chart displays only one tick mark.

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      When the axis range is wide (for example, 0 - 10,000,000), setting the 'Steps' option to 1 will create 10 million tick marks, causing performance issues. To avoid this situation, the chart ignores the defined value and reverts to automatic mode.

  • Line Thickness - Select thin, normal, or bold.

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  • Line Style - Select solid, dashed, or dotted.

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  • Line Type - Select straight, monotone, cardinal, step before, or step after.

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  • Data Labels - Enable or disable data labels to show specific values directly on the chart for easier reference.

    • Borders - Display the values with or without a border.

  • Offset - Determines the offset of the chart. Select whether to configure a manual offset as a Percentage or in Pixels, and enter values in the Left and Top/Bottom fields. To enable the platform to automatically manage the offsets, select Reset to Default to set the values under Left and Top/Bottom to Auto.

Sorting​

Like all Multiseries Charts, you can sort by either the category or aggregated values from the column pills. If the column is not included in the chart, go to the Sorting section of the Configuration Panel and select a column from the dropdown, then select the sorting direction.

For more information, see Sorting.

Layers​

Add a Trend Line or a Reference Line to your chart to allow users to visually compare the data against a defined trend or reference value.

Format​

The Small Multiples feature is available in all XY Charts. You can apply Conditional Formatting to your Multiseries Chart.

Filters​

You can also add Filters to your data by expanding the Filters section in the configuration panel or by selecting the Filters button in the toolbar above the canvas. Filters that are created in the Chart Builder are hidden from end users. You cannot edit or interact with these filters in view mode.