Create a line chart

A line chart is a type of chart that displays information in the form of a series of data points called “markers” connected by straight line segments. This is a common type of basic chart in many areas. It is similar to a scatter plot except that the measurement points are ordered (usually by their value on the x-axis) and joined with straight segments. A line graph is often used to visualize a trend in data over time intervals—a time series—so the line is often drawn chronologically. In these cases, they are known as walking boards .

  1. When to use a line chart?
  2. Create a line chart
  3. Configure the line chart
  4. Example 1: indicator values (male vs female)
  5. Example 2: expenditures per year per budget line

When to use a line chart?

The line chart is ideal for data that changes through time and is only useful if you have a “Number” field (budget, rate, number of, etc.). 

Examples:

  • Indicator values
  • Expenditures and budget
  • Custom forms (it there is a “date” field and a “number” field)

Create a line chart

To create a line chart:

  • Click "Analytics" in the main menu (left)
  • Click the + sign
  • To create the new analytics report, you must:
    • Enter a name
    • Select a dataset
    • Select an output type (in this case: Line chart)
    • Click Save
  • A draft data visualization will be displayed
  • Configure your report:
    • Click the "Toolbox icon" to open the configuration panel
    • Configure the chart to fit your needs
    • Click "Generate" see the result
  • Click "Save" to save the report
  • If you open this line chart in the future, it will be updated to reflect newly added data. So if you need to keep the report that reflects the current data, you must export it.

Configure the line chart

In the configuration panel of the line chart, you will see the following parameters:

  • 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. (the dropdown will only contain number fields)
  • Add measure: Allows to display (and calculate) a second value.
  • X axis: Field that will be used to create the X axis (generally a date field)
  • Coloring of lines: Field that will be compared (this could be gender/region/budget line, etc.)
  • Add disaggregation: Allows to add another level of disaggregation to rows or columns
  • Distinct value: Allows to count items only once (example: a participant could have attended multiple activities of the same type during the same period. If the rows are activity types and columns are periods, and you need count participations only once per attendee, then you need to select the Attendee field as a distinct value.)
    • For more details, you can read the "Distinct count" article.
  • Position of labels: Allow to specify if you want to display the values on the chart. And if so, over or under the dot. 
  • Axis minimum and maximum value: Range of values that will be displayed in the Y axis. By default, the Y axis will start at 0 and adjust to the highest value that appears in the chart.
  • Filters: Allows to filter out part of the dataset

Example: line chart to compare indicators disaggregations through time

In this example, we want see to compare the values (male vs female) of an indicator.

This example uses the "Indicator disaggregated values" dataset.

Parameter Chosen option for the parameter
Calculation method Sum
Field Actual
X axis Actual year
Coloring of lines Gender
Distinct values not applicable - empty
Position of labels Over
Dropdown lists: use predefined colors Checked (yes)
Min and max values for the Y axis not applicable - empty
Filters We would select the indicator
(the one for which we want to compare the male vs female values)

Example: Expenditures per quarter and per budget line

In this example, we want see to see the expenditures of a project through time (and compare budget lines).

This example uses the "Project finance" dataset.

Parameter Chosen option for the parameter
Calculation method Running total
(cumulative from the beginning,
and not only the expenses that were made during that period)
Field Amount
X axis Start quarter
Coloring of lines Budget group
Distinct values not applicable - empty
Position of labels Hide
Dropdown lists: use predefined colors not applicable - empty 
Min and max values for the Y axis not applicable - empty
Filters We would select the project
(the one for which we want to see the expenditures per quarter)
AND "Type(Budget or expenditure)" = Expenditure
(because the budget rows and expenditures rows are in the same dataset, we need to use this filter.
Otherwise, it would sum up the budgets as well as the expenditures)