Plan Availability | All plan types |
Permissions | Solution Creators and Workspace Admins: Create, configure, and manage Area Charts. |
Related Reading | N/A |
Overview
Area charts combine features of Line and Bar charts to show how one or more values change over time. Unlike line charts, area charts feature shading between the edge of the line and the baseline, making it easier to see differences between data sets.
When to Use an Area Chart
Comparing Related Values Over Time: Ideal for tracking trends across multiple categories.
Visualizing Data Clusters: Highlights variations in datasets over time.
When Not to Use an Area Chart
Avoid for values that add up to a fixed total (Pie charts are better for this use case).
Large numbers of data series may obscure information due to shading effects.
Configuring Area Chart Saved Views
Adding an Area Chart
Open the table where you want to create the chart.
Click "Add View" and select "Chart View" from the list (see this article to learn how).
Select "Area Chart" under chart settings.
Specifying Chart Values
Value Field: Select a numeric or countable text field.
Aggregation Options:
Sum: Adds values together.
Avg: Computes the average value.
Min: Displays the smallest value.
Max: Displays the largest value.
Click "Add New" to include additional values in the chart.
Grouping Data
Required for Area Charts: Group By is mandatory for defining the X-axis.
Best Practice: Use a date field for time series representation.
Chart Total
Displays the total value of the Pie Chart.
You can choose to calculate the total for a specific field, with options for MIN, MAX, and AVG values.
Benchmark Line
Allows you to set a reference line on the chart to highlight a key threshold or goal.
Dynamic Filter
Set filters for data that can change over time with a single click, such as status, priority, or numeric fields.
Advanced Options
Provides additional customization, including the ability to show data labels, Dots, Y Axis Labels, and X Axis Labels on the chart for better readability.
Configuring Area Chart Widgets
Open the Dashboard View and click "Add Widget."
Select "Area Chart" from the widget options.
Configure Widget Settings:
Widget Name: Name the chart appropriately.
Table Selection: Choose the table containing the relevant saved view.
Click "Add Widget" to finalize placement on your dashboard.
Note: You can also filter data by specific criteria within the widget. To learn more about filtering, visit this article.
Practical Use Cases and Scenarios
1. Comparing Related Values Over Time
Scenario: A finance team wants to analyze revenue versus expenses over several months.
Solution: Use an Area Chart to visualize income and expenditures.
Outcome: Identifies periods where profit margins tightened or expanded.
2. Tracking Nested "Tiers" of Data
Scenario: A business analyst needs to track product sales across different pricing tiers.
Solution: Use an Area Chart to compare sales volume by tier over time.
Outcome: Highlights relative differences in sales performance.