A simple Line Chart can be created when a Dimension is placed in the Columns deck and a Measure is placed in the Rows deck.

Download and connect to the sample data source. We are making this chart using 1 dimension and 1 measure.

1. Execute a select * from bistudio_example within the query analyzer on the bistudio_example.xlsx file

2. Click the [Visual Analytics] icon in the Query Analyzer Grid Results toolbar.

3. Drag ShipDate from Dimensions to the Columns deck.

4. Drag Freight from Measures to the Rows deck.

5. Select [Line] in the Chart Properties drop-down.

6. Right-click on ShipDate in the Columns deck and choose [Quarter (Q3 2005)] date grouping from the bottom half of the date options to ensure you it's displayed as Continuous Data.

7. Enable data labels by selecting [Analysis > Show Data Labels] from the toolbar menu.

Multi-line Chart

A Multi-line Chart with colored lines per category can be created by having multiple Dimensions in the Columns deck and a Dimension with Categories and a Measure in the Rows deck.

1. Execute a select * from bistudio_example within the query analyzer on the bistudio_example.xlsx file

2. Click the [Visual Analytics] icon in the Query Analyzer Grid Results toolbar.

3. Drag ShipDate from Dimensions to the Columns deck. Right-click it and select [Quarter (Q3 2005)] date grouping from the lower half of the date options to ensure it displays as Continuous Data. 

4. Drag Freight, Profit, and Total Due from Measures to the Rows deck.

5. Select [Line] in the Chart Properties drop-down.

7. Select [Merged Axes] from Chart Properties Axes.

For more on how to modify charts, such as showing Independent Axes and Dual Axes, see Chart Properties Axes.

Charts can quickly be swapped from Vertical to Horizontal and vice versa by selecting [Analysis > Swap Rows and Columns] or clicking its button in the Toolbar.

Format Data Labels

To format data labels

  1. Open Label Deck.
  2. In the Data Label Color area, change the foreground color and keep the background to Automatic.

Other Actions

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

  • You can customize the foreground and background color for all labels. For more information, see Label Appearance. 
  • 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 line or data point. Visual Analytics makes the highlighted lines or data points 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.


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