Charts

Use a chart to summarize records, compare categories, show change over time, or surface one important number.

#Understand a chart

A chart is another view of a dataset. It summarizes the records that match the view's filters; it doesn't create a separate copy of those records.

Every chart answers two basic questions:

• What should Bidlo measure, such as a record count, sum, or average?
• How should Bidlo divide that result, such as by status, contractor, or month?

#Create a chart

Create a chart page when you want a standalone visual that teammates can open from the sidebar.

1. Select New in the team toolbar.
2. Select Chart.
3. On Fill your Chart with, choose a suggested dataset, a template, or a dataset under Datasets.
4. Rename the page so its question is clear, such as `Projects by letting month`.
5. Open the view settings to configure the chart.

The chart opens with the selected dataset. Bidlo starts with a column chart, and the settings panel tells you when another field is needed before the chart can render.

#Choose a chart type

Open the view settings and use Chart type to choose a format.

Open More chart types to find Number, Scatterplot, and Dial. Heat map and Funnel appear there but are currently disabled.

#Choose what the chart shows

The data controls adapt to the selected chart type.

#Configure a column, bar, or line chart

Column and line charts put categories on the X axis and calculated values on the Y axis. A bar chart reverses those labels because its bars run horizontally.

1. Under the category axis, select What to show.
2. Choose the field that should divide the records into categories.
3. If you choose a date field, choose Relative, Day, Week, Month, or Year.
4. Under the value axis, select What to show.
5. Choose Count, or choose a field and a supported calculation.
6. To compare several series within each category, select Group by and choose another field.

Number fields can use Sum, Average, Min, Max, or Distinct values.

Other fields can be counted. The chart redraws as you change the category, calculation, or grouping.

Use Sort by to control category order. Turn on Omit zero values when empty categories would distract from the comparison.

#Configure a donut chart

1. Under Data, select What to show and choose the field to calculate.
2. Select Slice by and choose the field that defines each segment.
3. Open Sort by to order segments by name or value.
4. In the Groups list, hide any segment you don't want to display.

Use Show value and Show value label under More style options to control the number and label in the donut's center.

#Configure a number chart

1. Under Data, select What to show.
2. Select Calculate and choose the summary you need.
3. Use Format to choose a number format and decimal places.
4. Turn on Chart title and enter a title when the number needs more context.

A number chart is most useful for a compact total, count, average, minimum, or maximum. Add it to a dashboard when you want several key numbers beside other views.

#Format the chart

Use the Style section after the chart measures the right data.

• Color changes the chart's color or palette.
• More style options controls the legend, data labels, and caption.
• Cartesian charts can also control Group style, Grid line, and `Axis name`.
• Line charts add Smooth line and Gradient area.
• Donut charts can place the Legend at the Bottom or Side, or turn it Off.

Use Format beside an axis or calculation to choose Number, Number with commas, Number (abbreviated), Percent, US dollars, or `US dollars (abbreviated). Inherit` keeps the field's existing format.

#Inspect the records behind a chart value

Select a donut segment or a category in a column, bar, or line chart to open the matching records in a table. The table keeps the chart's filters and shows the fields that shaped that chart value.

Use search inside the dialog to find a particular record, then close the dialog to return to the chart.

#Fix an empty chart

The message in the chart area identifies the next setting to check:

• Select a field before rendering this chart. means the calculation doesn't have a source field.
• Select a field to slice this donut chart. means Slice by is empty.
• Select a field for the category axis before rendering this chart. means a column, bar, or line chart has no category field.
• No matching chart data. means the current fields and filters return no values to plot.

If the required fields are selected, review the view's filters and any hidden groups.

#Related pages

• Views overview
• Build a dashboard
• Filter, sort, and group
• Calculations and summaries

#FAQs

#Does a chart create a separate copy of the data?

No. It summarizes records from its connected dataset and current filters.

#Why is the chart empty?

Confirm that the view contains matching records and that the chart has the required category, value, slice, or calculation field for its type.