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Version: 9.2

Combo Chart

Combo Charts allow users to layer multiple XY Charts (Bar Chart, Line Chart, and Symbol Chart) over each other, in a single chart area. The charts can be of different types. Combo Charts consist of one shared dimension or Category, and multiple measures or Values. Use them to compare different metrics grouped by the same category — for example, showing the total sales amount of each product layered over the same product quantities.

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When multiple values are added to the Values shelf, each value field can be visualized as a different X/Y Chart and each chart’s visual representation can be customized in Styles where each added Value appears with further configuration options.

Values and Other Values can also be formatted directly from the Column Pill by selecting the three-dot menu and choosing the desired Values Format.

Creating a Combo Chart​

Use combo charts when you want to present multiple values for a single category. To create a Combo Chart, drag and drop a data field from the Data Panel onto either the corresponding shelf or the canvas.

In the following example, the image shows how the total sales (priceTotal), the total number of items sold, (quantityOrdered) and the number of stocked items (quantityInStock) changed throughout the years.

  • Category - orderDate
  • Value - priceTotal
  • Other Values - quantityInStock, quantityOrdered

To add contrast, the visualization of priceTotal is set as a line graph.

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Styling the Combo Chart​

In the Configuration Panel on the right of the Chart Builder, you can style different aspects of your chart.

General​

The General section is available for all chart types, and the options vary depending on the chart selected.

Note: Use the Table Calculations option to add calculations to your Combo Chart. For more information, see Table Calculations.

Styles​

The Styles section enables you to control various visual elements of the charts, such as colors, labels, and more. It is available for most chart types, and the options vary depending on the chart selected. Style options specific to this chart are listed below.

  • Axis Labels - Show or hide the labels of the axes.

  • X-axis

    • Label - Give the axis a custom label.
    • Values - Show or hide values on the axis.
    • Values Rotation - If values are enabled, decide how you want them to be displayed.

  • Y-axis

    • Label - Give the axis a custom label.
    • Values - Show or hide values on the axis.
    • Values Rotation - If values are enabled, decide how you want them to be displayed.

  • Bar Width - Manually set the width of the bars.

  • Type - Choose whether you want your bars to appear side by side or stacked.

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  • Data Labels - Show or hide value labels of your data points.

    • Borders - Display the data labels values within a frame.

  • Data Field - This section takes the name of the data field in the Values and Other Values shelves. Each section corresponds to one of the selected Value fields and allows the respective chart for that field to be configured.

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    • Color Type - Show your chart component in a single color or color each category differently. For example, if your Value is Quantity and you choose a single color, all Quantity values in the chart will be the same color. If you select By Category, Quantity data points will be colored differently for each Category.

      By default, the Match colors across charts option is enabled for colors set by category. You can apply custom colors for each chart category by selecting the Color by Value icon in the Theme section. You can then use the Color by value dialog to assign custom colors for each category, or select one color for all values.

      Note To make the Color by Value icon available to customize category colors, the Category field in a chart must be set to a date or a text column.

    • Color - Select a color from the color picker.

    • Type - Select bar, line or symbol to represent data from the Values shelf.

    • Axis Label - Give your Y-axis a custom label.

    • Axis Format - Set the format of the values by selecting one of the following options: Default, Abbreviated, Decimal (set a number of decimals), Currency (choose the currency from the drop-down menu and set a number of decimals), Percentage (set a number of decimals), or Scientific.

    • Scale Type - To use an equal value to provide equal distance between the data points, select the linear scale type. To compute data points based on the exponents, use a logarithmic scale (creates a compact display of numerical data over a wide range of values).

    • Min/Max Range - Set the range of values displayed on the Y-axis. This determines the starting and ending values shown on the axis.

Sorting​

Combo Charts can be sorted by their selected category column, or either of the value columns used in them. Select a column to sort from the dropdown list and select the sorting direction (ascending or descending) from the icons under the dropdown.

For more information, see Sorting.

Layers​

Add a trend line or a reference line to your chart to allow users to visually compare the data against some set trend or reference value.

Format​

Both the Small Multiples and Conditional Formatting options are available in this chart.

Filters​

You can also add filters to your data by expanding the Filters section in the configuration panel or by selecting Filters in the toolbar above the canvas. Filters that are created in Chart Builder are hidden from end users. You cannot edit these types of filters or interact with them in view mode.