Create a radar chart
The radar chart (also known as a spider chart) is a two-dimensional chart representation that depicts one or more data series (represented by various colored polygons) in relation to several quantitative variables (represented by the axes).
Each variable is represented by a separate axis, and all axes are connected at the center of the chart.
When to use a radar chart?
The radar chart is useful for comparing quantities of one or more different categorical variables (dimensions) - such as comparing the number of people by gender and region.
The operation requires at least 1 numerical field (what will be calculated) and 1, 2 or 3 categorical variables (what will be compared).
1, 2 or 3 categorizations :
- If you only need to compare 1 categorization/dimension, it will be represented by the axes (and you'll only have 1 color/polygon).
- If you're comparing 2 categorizations/dimensions, one will be represented by the axes and the other by various polygons and colors.
- If you're comparing 3 categorizations/dimensions, one will be represented by the axes, the other by various polygons/colors and the last will be the slider.
Create a radar chart
To create a radar chart:
- Click "Analytics" in the main menu (left)
- Click the "+" sign
- To create the new analytics report, you must:
- Enter a title
- Select a dataset
- Select an output type (in this case: Radar chart)
- Save
- A draft data visualization will be displayed
- To configure the report:
- Click the "Toolbox icon" to open the configuration panel (top right-hand corner)
- Configure the chart to fit your needs
- Click "Generate" to view the result
- Click "Save" to save the report
- If you open this chart again in the future, it will be automatically updated to reflect the newly added data. Therefore, if you wish to keep the report that reflects the current data, you need to export it.
Configure the radar chart
The following parameters are displayed in the radar chart configuration panel:
| Parameter | Details | Example or Link |
|---|---|---|
| Calculation method | Allows to select the calculation that will be applied (Average, Sum, Count, etc.). | For more details, you can read the "Calculation methods" article. |
| Field | The field on which the calculation will be applied. | This must be a numerical field (number). |
| Axes | First field that will be compared (categories represented by axes). | This could be gender/region/activity type, etc. |
| Coloring | Second field that will be compared (sub-categories represented by polygons of various colors). | This is optional. This could be gender/region/activity type, etc. |
| Distinct values | Allows to count items only once and avoid duplicates. | Example: a participant could have attended multiple activities of the same type. If you need to count participation only once per attendee/type, then you need to select the Attendee field as a distinct value. For more details, you can read the "Distinct count" article. |
| Axis limits: minimum value and maximum value | Allow to specify the minimum and maximum values displayed on the axis. | This is optional. |
| Slider: the slider filters by... | Allows to select a 3rd field to compare (categories that will be displayed as you slide the slider). | This is optional. The slider allows to compare a 3rd categorization/dimension. When you move the slider up or down, it will display a different radar chart. |
| Filters | Allows to filter out part of the dataset. | This is optional. |
Example
In this example, we want to compare the average level of motivation of beneficiaries before (baseline) and after (endline) the project, by age group.
This example uses a "baseline-endline survey" custom form dataset.
| Parameter | Chosen option for the parameter |
|---|---|
| Calculation method | Average |
| Field | Level of motivation |
| Axes | Age groups |
| Coloring | Baseline or endline |
| Distinct values | Not applicable |
| Axis limit: min and max value | Empty (automatic) |
| Slider | Not applicable |
| Filters | Not applicable |