I. An Overview of Area Chart
1) An Area Chart is a graphical tool that emphasizes trends over time by showcasing the quantitative changes in data within a two-dimensional space. This type of chart is particularly useful for visualizing the cumulative magnitude of multiple data streams, allowing for comparisons and insights into how individual contributions evolve and stack up against each other over time.
2) By utilizing variations such as Stacked and Percentage Stacked Area Charts, these visualizations can highlight total volumes and proportional relationships, respectively. The practical application of an area chart in a work setting enhances data interpretation, facilitates the detection of trends, and supports decision-making processes by providing a clear and dynamic representation of complex datasets. This visualization technique is thus invaluable for presenting and analyzing temporal data in a comprehensible and aesthetically pleasing manner.
3) Related Articles： Data Integration in Chart Visualizations、Dynamic Chart Interactivity Features
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II. Steps to Create an Area Chart
This article takes a Custom Area Chart as an example. The settings of other subtypes are similar.
1. Prepare Data for an Area Chart
Create a new Template Dataset: DB Query named ds1. Select FRDemo for the Data Connection Enter the following query statements.
SELECT * FROM
Product JOIN ProductCategory
ON Product.CategoryID=ProductCategory.CategoryID
WHERE Category_name! ="Daily necessities"
ORDER BY Category_name
2. Insert Area Chart
Take a Floating Chart as an example: Refer to Insert Floating Chart:
In the pop-up [Chart Type] panel, select [Area Chart] on the left.
Select [Custom].
Click [OK] to finish inserting the Custom Area Chart.
3. Bind Data for the Area Chart
Set data as follows:
Double-click onthe chart.
Click [Cell Element] on the right-hand pane. Click [Data].
Select [Dataset data] in [Data source], and [ds1] in [Dataset]
Select [Category_name] for the [Category].
Select Filed Name for the Series Name. Add [Order_quantity] and [Re_order_quantity]. Select [Sum] for the Summary Method.
4. Set style for the Area Chart
1) General style
Selectthe chart and click [Style]. There are various chart types, but most style settings are similar to the general style. You can refer to Chart Style and the default setting is as follows:
Change the chart title:
Click [Title].
Change the [Text] of the Title to: Area Chart.
2) Special Style
Some settings in the [Style] of the Area Chart are different from the general style and are introduced separately here.
Label: Click on [Label] to set the Label of the chart, and find the options under [Layout].
Position: An option [Automation] has been added for the Position. When this option is selected, some labels may change position based on best case scenario.
Overlap Adjust: When multiple labels are overlapped, this function can be activated, and then the system will automatically stagger the position of labels.
Custom Axis: For a Custom Area Chart, you can add X or Y Axis under the [Style]>[Axis], and set the attributes of the new axes. For example, there are two Y axes in the following figure: Y Axis and Y Axis2.
Series - Stack and Axis: For a Custom Area Chart, the newly added axes need to correspond to different series. You can find the [Stack and Axis] under [Style]>[Series] to custom the series corresponding to the axes, and whether the series is Stacked or 100% Stacked or not. For example, the Series2 (i.e., Re_order_quantity) corresponds to Y Axis2, and will not be Stacked or 100% Stacked.
5. Set Special Effect
For a detailed description of the settings of Special Effects, see Chart Special Effects for the settings of general special effects.
6. Preview Effect
1) Save and preview.
2) You can see that Series1 Order_quantity corresponds to the Y axis on the left, and Series2 Re_order_quantity corresponds to the Y axis on the right.
3) When the mouse hovers over the legend of a series, it will become solid and filled with highlights.
III. A Conclusion of Area Chart
In conclusion, Area Charts are powerful tools for data visualization, especially when it comes to tracking quantitative changes over time. By visually highlighting how individual data points contribute to the overall total, they offer a clear and compelling way to interpret trends and dynamics. This makes Area Charts invaluable in business analytics and decision-making. Their ability to effectively display both cumulative and proportional data makes them highly versatile, enabling them to communicate complex information in a straightforward and impactful way.
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