Chart types

There are many types of charts for presenting your data in a way that is meaningful to you and your
users.
To choose the appropriate type of chart, first define what you want the chart to communicate and then
identify the most effective chart to suit that purpose.

Table 1. Types of charts

Purpose of the chart Type of chart to use

Emphasize the magnitude of change over time Area chart, line chart

Show trends over time Area chart, column chart, line chart

Compare data Bar chart, column chart, gauge chart

Show the relationship of parts to the whole Pie chart, donut chart, stacked charts

Show the parts that contribute to the total Stacked column chart

Show groups of related data Bar chart, column chart

Highlight proportions Pie chart, donut chart

Compare different kinds of quantitative information Column chart, line chart

Show the distribution of data Scatter chart, bubble chart, point chart

You can select the following formats for the chart types:

Standard
Standard charts compare specific values and represent discrete data, such as data for
different regions or individual employees.

Stacked
 Stacked charts compare the proportional contributions within a category, showing the
relative value that each data series contributes to the total. The top of each stack represents
the accumulated totals for each category.

100 percent stacked

100 percent stacked charts compare the proportional contributions across all categories,
showing the relative contribution of each data series to the total. This format highlights
proportions. When absolute values are required, use another format.

Three-dimensional
Three-dimensional charts are a visually effective display for presentations. When exact
values are not important, such as for control or monitoring purposes, use another format. The
distortion in three-dimensional charts can make them difficult to read accurately. Legacy
chart formats support three-dimensional charts.

Crosstab or list tables

Table

Crosstab or list tables are useful for displaying data in rows and columns (crosstab) or in columns (list
table), particularly large sets of data.

Area charts

Area

Area charts are useful for emphasizing the magnitude of change over time. Area charts are also used to
show the relationship of parts to the whole.

Area charts are like line charts, but the areas below the lines are filled with colors or patterns.

You can select the following formats: stacked, 100 percent stacked, or three-dimensional.

Bar charts

Bar
Bar charts are useful for plotting many data series.

Bar charts use horizontal data markers to compare individual values.

You can select the following formats: standard, stacked, 100 percent stacked, or three-dimensional.

Column charts

Column

Column charts are useful for comparing discrete data.

Column charts use vertical data markers to compare individual values.

You can select the following formats: standard, stacked, 100 percent stacked, or three-dimensional.

Gauge charts

Gauge

Gauge charts are useful for comparing values between a small number of variables, either with multiple
needles on the same gauge or with multiple gauges.

Gauge charts display data by using needles to show information as a reading on a dial. The value for
each needle is easily read against the colored data range.

Line charts

Line

Line charts are useful for showing trends over time and comparing many data series.

Line charts plot data at regular points connected by lines.

You can select the following format: standard or three-dimensional.

Pie and donut charts

 Pie, Donut

Pie charts are useful for highlighting proportions.

They use segments of a circle to show the relationship of parts to the whole. To highlight actual values,
use another chart type, such as a stacked chart.

Pie charts plot a single data series. If you need to plot multiple data series, use a 100 percent stacked
chart.

You can select the following formats: standard, donut, or three-dimensional.

Scatter, bubble, and point charts

Scatter, Bubble, Point

A scatter chart uses data points to plot two measures anywhere along a scale, not only at regular tick
marks, and is useful for exploring correlations between different sets of data.

A bubble chart, like a scatter chart, uses data points and bubbles to plot measures anywhere along a
scale. The size of the bubble represents a third measure, and the color represents a fourth measure. It
is useful for representing financial data.

A point chart uses multiple points to plot data along an ordinal axis. It is the same as a line chart
without the lines. Only the data points are shown. A point chart is useful for showing quantitative data
in an uncluttered fashion. To display a point chart, the report object must contain at least one measure
(numeric value).

Parent topic:
 Displaying data in lists, crosstabs, and charts

Related concepts:
 Supported chart formats

Related tasks:
 Exploring all display types
 Using the recommended display type