The sunburst chart is a multi-dimensional chart that enables you to visualize hierarchical data. The data is organized and displayed in a series of correlated rings where the innermost ring represents the top hierarchy. The outer rings are arranged and colored to indicate their hierarchical relationship with the inner rings.

Contents

• Build a Sunburst Chart
• Show Percentage
• Configure a Center Hole
• Set Axes Style
• Show Empty Categories
• Plot a Symbol Map
• Change Sunburst Size
• Other Actions

Build a Sunburst Chart

To build a Sunburst Chart

1. Connect to the sample data source in Aqua Data Studio.
2. From the Dimensions pane, select Order Date and Product Category.
3. From the Measures pane, select Profit.
4. Click the  tab, and then click . Visualization builds a Sunburst Chart.
   

In the sample data source, you will notice that Visualization has moved the Product Category Dimension to the Color Deck, moved Profit Measure to Rows Deck, and Order Date Dimension to the Label Deck. Also, the Product Category Dimension is moved to the Label Deck. The order of hierarchy formed in Sunburst is based on the placement of dimensions in the Label Deck. You can rearrange the fields in the Label Deck, to change the order of grouping in the chart. In the above example, Product Category forms the inner circle, followed by Order Date that forms the outer circle. Moreover, Visualization places the first dimension to the Color Deck for better display. When you change the default grouping, the chart visualization changes accordingly.

In the sample data source, we have changed the YEAR(OrderDate) to QUARTER(OrderDate) and moved it to the Color Deck so that you can analyze profits of each quarter based on the order date of the product categories. 

Show Percentage

With Product Category Dimension in the Labels Deck, the product category names appear on the rings. Additionally, you can also enable the Show percentage check box and see the profit of each product category directly on the chart rings.

To show percentage on the chart rings

1. In the Chart Properties area, click the Label Deck. 
   
2. Select the Show percentage check box. The profit values appear on the chart as a percentage.
   

Configure a Center Hole

You can configure a hole in the center of the chart. The hole adds to the visualization experience of the Sunburst chart. Depending on the need, you can increase or decrease the size of the rings. 

To configure a hole

1. In the Chart Properties Deck, click the Options Deck. 
2. Move the slider to the right, to configure a hole and the desired width of the hole. 
   If you click Reset Center Hole Size, Visual Analytics reverts the chart to its original appearance.
   

Set Axes Style

Visual Analytics offers three distinct axes style.

To set the axes style

1. From the Dimensions pane, select Customer Name.
2. From the Measures pane, select Profit and Sales Order ID.
3. Click the Visualization tab, and then click. Visualization builds a Pie Chart.

4. Choose one of the following axes type.

   This is the default style.	Visual Analytics merges multiple measures in a single ring. In this example, Visual Analytics merges both Profit and Sales Order ID profits in a single ring. The customer name (Aaron King) appear twice; one contains profit (0.16%) and the other contains profit by sales 22.69%).	Visual Analytics merges multiple measures in multiple rings. The number of rings depends on the number of measures selected. In this example, Visual Analytics merges both Profit and Sales Order ID profits in multiple rings; profits are in the inner ring and profit by sales appear in the outer ring.

Show Empty Categories

If your dataset contains null values, Visualization does not display these values while plotting the Sunburst chart. Instead, it displays white space. On enabling Show Empty Categories, Visual Analytics plots null values on the chart. To show empty categories, we have used Currency Code Dimension in place of Product Category. 

To display null values

1. In the Chart Properties Deck, click Options. By default, Show Empty Categories is turned off. 
2. In the Show Empty Categories area, click On.
   

Plot a Symbol Map

You can plot a symbol map by placing a geographical dimension in the Geo Deck. 
 
To plot a Symbol Map Chart

• From the Dimensions pane, move the State Dimension and place it in the Geo Deck.
  

Visual Analytics plots sunburst charts for each state based on profit. We have filtered records to concentrate only on the US region. For more information on Symbol Map, see How to Make a Symbol Map.

Change Sunburst Size

This deck is enabled when you use the Geo Deck. 
 
To change sunburst size 

1. In the Chart Properties Deck, click the Size Deck.
2. Move the slider to the right, to increase the size of the sunburst or to the left to decrease the size of the sunburst.
   If you click Reset Pie Size, Visual Analytics reverts the chart to its original appearance.
   

Other Actions

Other actions that you can perform on a plotted sunburst chart are as follows: 

• You can sort data by using various sort options available in the chart view or the Advanced dialog. For more information, see Sorting.
• You can use highlight actions to focus on selected sunburst slice. Visual Analytics makes the highlighted slices and its data labels prominent while dimming others in the view. For more information, see Highlight Actions.
• You can filter records directly from the chart view without manually adding any fields to the Filters Deck. For more information, see Filters.
• You can export worksheets containing visualization to Image, HTML, and PDF formats. For more information, see Export Visualizations.