Specifying time hierarchies

Time data is by nature structured hierarchically. When specifying a column with dates and times in a column selector, you have the option to change the default linear series of dates to a hierarchical view of dates in form of years, quarters, months, weeks, and days.

In the hierarchy, dragging a slider lets you change the level of detail.

If you select a column with time data on an axis, a linear series of the data is displayed.

To change to a hierarchical view of the time data, do as follows:

1. In the column selector, click the arrow next to the column name.
   A popover listing all columns opens. Time data columns have arrows indicating they can be expanded.
2. To expand a list of time display options, click the time data column in question.
   The options in the rectangle offer different time hierarchies.
   
   
3. Select the hierarchy.
   A time hierarchy with a slider appears on the axis.
4. Click anywhere outside the popover to close it.

Example

The line chart illustrates a time hierarchy with two levels: year and quarter. You can switch between the two levels by dragging the slider handle to the end points.

You get a more detailed view of the same data by selecting a hierarchy with more levels, for example, year, quarter and month. This slider also offers a middle hierarchy level.

Note: If you move the slider handle one step to the left, that is, to the quarter level in the hierarchy, the lines above appear identical.