Using Additional Formatting Features

Procedure: How to Set 3D Depth on a Bar Chart

You can apply a 3D-effect to a 2D-chart.

Note: If you find that the depth of the 3D effect makes it difficult to distinguish the values on the Y-axis scale, then you can turn this option off. This procedure explains how to set the 3D effect for a default vertical bar chart.

The following image shows a bar chart before the 3D effect is applied.

Create a 2D chart.
In Live Preview, apply the 3D effect in one of the following ways:
- Ribbon: On the Format tab, in the Features group, click 3D Effect.
- Shortcut Menu: Right-click the frame of the chart, point to Show 3D, and click On.
The 3D effect is applied to the chart, as shown in the following image.

Procedure: How to Rotate a Chart

You can rotate bar, line, and area charts to change the orientation of the data.

Create a chart.
On the Format tab, in the Features group, click Rotate.

The chart is rotated 90 degrees clockwise.

Procedure: How to Sort a Chart by Total Value

Once you create a bar, line, or area chart, you can sort the results in ascending or descending order. While this feature was implemented specifically for Stacked Bar charts, it also applies to other chart types, as previously mentioned. This feature enables you to view your data in numerical order, allowing you to identify trends and determine what data points are priorities.

Note: This feature is available in Chart and Visualization mode.

Create a bar, line, or area chart with at least one measure and one dimension.
In the Query pane, right-click on the Horizontal Axis and select Sort by Total Value.
From the cascading menu, select Ascending to sort the chart from the lowest value to the highest value, as shown in the following image.
Select Descending to sort the chart from the largest value to the lowest value.

Procedure: How to Display a Static Reference Line

Reference lines draw attention to specific data locations on a chart. You can add up to three horizontal (X axis) and three vertical (Y axis) reference lines to a chart.

Reference lines can be created using either a constant or a computed field.

Field values allow a property to be dynamic, so that the reference line can change position dynamically on the chart depending on the value of the field that is assigned to it.

Note: A reference line value should be a single value, such as 10K, for example. In the Reference line dialog box, if you select a field with multiple values, (Quantity Sold, for example), then InfoAssist plots the last value on the chart.

Create a chart.
On the Format tab, in the Features group, click Reference.
In the drop-down menu that opens, select one of the following:
- Add Reference Line to Y-Axis
- Add Reference Line to X-Axis
The Reference Line dialog box opens, as shown in the following image.
Create the reference line with a static value that you set.
1. Select the Value option.
2. In the Value text field, type the value that you want to distinguish with the reference line.
In the Text field, type the text for the reference line.
In the Position drop-down menu, select the position for the reference line on the chart. For example, Above Center.
Click the Style button to set the style for the reference line. For example, Solid.
Click the Color button to open the Color dialog box, where you can select a color for the reference line and the text.
Click the Weight button to select the weight of the reference line. For example, 1px - Light.
Click OK to save the options that you have selected, and close the Reference Line dialog box.

The reference line is added to the chart.

The following image shows a bar chart for accessories and camcorders, revenue for which exceeds 15 million dollars.

Procedure: How to Display a Dynamic Reference Line

Reference lines can be created using either a constant or a computed field.

Field values allows a property to be dynamic, so that the reference line can change position dynamically on the chart depending on the value of the field that is assigned to it.

Note: A reference line value should be a single value, such as 10K, for example. In the Reference line dialog box, if you select a field with multiple values, (Quantity Sold, for example), then InfoAssist plots the last value on the chart.

The following procedure provides an example of how to create a dynamic reference line, where the value changes based on the date. In this example, you can track the number of estimated delivery days per shipping company, where the number of days estimated for delivery are based on whether or not the sale date is a holiday.

Create a COMPUTE field to calculate the Reference Line.
1. On the Data tab, in the Calculation group, click Summary (Compute).
  
  The Summary Field (COMPUTE) dialog box opens.
2. In the Field text box, enter Reference.
3. Set the format to D12.2.
4. Enter IF WF_RETAIL_LITE.WF_RETAIL_TIME_SALES.TIME_HOL EQ 'Y' THEN 5 ELSE 2 into the expression.
5. Click OK to close the dialog box.
Hide the Reference field from the chart.
Add a dynamic reference line.
1. On the Format tab, in the Features group, click Reference.
2. From the drop-down menu, select Add Reference Line to Y-Axis.
  
  The Reference Line dialog box opens.
3. Select the Field option.
4. From the Field drop-down menu, select Reference.
5. In the Text field, enter Acceptable.
6. From the Weight drop-down menu, select 2px - Medium.
7. From the Position drop-down menu, select Above Left.
8. Optionally, you can change the color and style of the Reference line.
9. Click OK to close the Reference Line dialog box.
Run the chart.

The reference line displays.

Procedure: How to Display Annotations

Annotations are explanatory notes or comments. You can add up to eight annotations on a chart.

Create a chart.
On the Format tab, in the Features group, click Annotate.
In the drop-down menu that opens, click Add an annotation.

The Annotation dialog box opens.
In the text input field, type the text for the annotation.
In the Position drop-down menu, select the position for the annotation on the chart. For example, Top Left.
Click OK to save the options that you selected, and close the Annotation dialog box.

The annotation is added to the chart.
Click Run to generate the report.

The following image shows a chart with an annotation in the middle right position.