Line chart

This chart displays a change to one or more measures over a time interval. It indicates trends, seasonality, dynamics, and a ratio of multiple measures in a single point in time. A chart is built using points with (X, Y) coordinates that are then connected by a line.

It can show multiple measures with different lines. For example, the basic sales targets, optimistic sales targets, and actual sales can be represented as a dotted, dashed, and solid line, respectively.

If measure values differ significantly, you can place them on different Y axes. In this case, the values of each measure will be plotted on their own axis. For example, a chart for sales and customer count.

This chart lets you compare multiple categories by a single measure. Each category's line has its own color and form. For example, the sales amount for different product categories.

If you use a single value on the X axis to build the chart, e.g., the value you got by filtering, the chart will display dots.

Wizard sectionsWizard sections

Creating a line chartCreating a line chart

To create a line chart:

1. Go to the DataLens home page.
2. In the left-hand panel, select Charts.
3. Click Create chart → Chart.
4. At the top left, click Select dataset and specify the dataset to visualize.
5. Select Line chart as your chart type.
6. Drag a dimension from the dataset to the X section. The values will be displayed in the lower part of the chart on the X axis.
7. Drag one or more measures from the dataset to the Y section. The values will be displayed as a chart on the Y axis.
8. Drag one or more measures from the dataset to the Y2 section. The values will be displayed as a chart on the second Y axis.
9. Drag a dimension to the Color section. The measure value is divided by color depending on the selected dimension.
10. Drag a dimension or measure from the dataset to the Filters section. The field can be empty. In this case, no filters are applied.

Configuring display of null valuesConfiguring display of null values

If the source data includes a row where the measure value is null, the chart will not be built for that point at default settings. For example, if the source has a row with a date (20.07.2022) but the sales amount for it is missing.

You can configure how the chart will display null values in the chart section settings:

1. In the section with a measure whose values you want to show, in the top-right corner, click (the icon appears when you hover over the section).
2. In Empty values (null), select Display as 0.
3. Click Apply.

Now, the chart will use 0 instead of null.

If a row is missing from the source data completely, the chart section settings will not change the way the chart is presented. For example, if the source does not have a row with a certain date (20.07.2022), nothing will be shown for this date on the chart.

For more information, see Configuring the display of null values.

RecommendationsRecommendations

• The line chart data perception depends on its proportions. An upward or downward trend may intensify if the chart is compressed and become less evident if it is stretched out.

  Chart examples

  

• If the values of the categories contain a large amount of text, try to reduce it. Then the signatures on the diagram will look more accurate. You can use string functions in the calculated fields or conditional operators CASE.

• When visualizing multiple measures, select colors carefully. They should be distinguishable and contrasting. We recommend using no more than 3-5 colors per chart. If you want to emphasize one certain measure above the others, highlight it in some bright color.

• Disable the Sum in tooltips option in the chart settings if the chart lines represent different entities. For example, the sales amount and the number of customers.

• Sign measure values on the chart. To do this, drag a measure from the dataset to the Signatures section. The chart will display its values.

  Chart example

  

  If multiple measures are added to the Y or Y2 section, drag Measure Values to this section.

  Chart example

  

  You can also sign only the last value on the chart by adding a calculated field with the MAX function. For more information, see Demo dashboard.

• You can split a chart by dimension into a number of small charts that are convenient to compare to one another. To do this, drag a dimension from the dataset to the Split section.

  Chart example

  

• For better visualization, use formatting in the dimension and measure setup window. Check the data type for correct sorting and comparison of values. Specify additional parameters. For example, the format and units for numeric data and the number of decimal places for fractions.

  Example of measure settings

  

See alsoSee also

• Creating a dashboard in DataLens
• Adding a chart to a dashboard
• Adding a selector to a dashboard