Adding a Chart
A chart is a data region that displays a graphical representation of the data in a report. You can add charts of different types and specify values and category and series groups. You can also change the style of the chart to include different colors, symbols, and 3D effects.
To view instructions about working with charts, click a topic in the following list:
Chart Data
Data for charts in Reporting Services is organized into three areas: values, category groups, and series groups.
Values
When you define a chart, you add at least one value series to the chart. Values determine the size of the chart element for each category group. For example, values determine the height of a column in a column chart and the size of a slice in a pie chart.
Value series are static. If you define a single value series and no series groups, a single chart element is displayed for each category group. For example, a simple column chart with one value series displays a single column for each category group. If you define multiple values, the chart will display a chart element for each value series. If there are multiple value series, the chart legend displays the name of each value series.
In most charts, you will group data by category. In this case, you must use an aggregate expression for the value expressions in the chart. You do not need an aggregate expression if you are not grouping data, that is, there is one category value for each value in the dataset. However, you do need an aggregate expression if you are using series groups.
Category Groups
Use category groups to group data. Categories provide the labels for chart elements. For example, in a column chart, category labels are placed on the x-axis of the chart, one for each set of columns.
You can nest category groups. When you define multiple category groups, each category is nested within another category. For example, in a column chart that displays products by model, the first category group would be model, and the second category group would be product. The column chart would display groupings of products by model on the x-axis.
Series Groups
Series groups are optional. You can use series to add an additional dimension of data to a report. For example, in a column chart that displays sales by product, you can add a series group to display data by year for each. Series groups labels are placed in the legend of the chart.
Series groups are dynamic. Using a series group results in one chart element for each value in the group. When combined with categories, this can result in a large number of chart elements. In a simple chart with a single value series and no series groups, the chart displays one chart element (for example, a column) for each category. In a complex chart that uses category groups with series groups, the chart displays a chart element for each series group for each category.
Chart Types
Reporting Services supports the following chart types: column, bar, line, pie, scatter, bubble, area, doughnut, and stock.
Column
A column chart displays series as sets of vertical columns that are grouped by category. Values are represented by the height of the columns as measured by the y-axis. Category labels are displayed on the x-axis. Column charts are typically used to compare values between categories.
The types of column charts are as follows:
- Column chart
- Stacked column chart
- 100% stacked column chart
Bar
A bar chart displays series as sets of horizontal bars that are grouped by category. Values are represented by the length of the bars as measured by the x-axis. Category labels are displayed on the y-axis. Bar charts are typically used to compare values between categories.
The types of bar charts are as follows:
- Bar chart
- Stacked bar chart
- 100% stacked bar chart
Line
A line chart displays series as a set of points connected by a line. Values are represented by the height of the point as measured by the y-axis. Category labels are displayed on the x-axis. Line charts are typically used to compare values over time.
The types of line charts are as follows:
- Line chart
- Smooth line chart
Pie
A pie chart displays value data as percentages of the whole. Categories are represented by individual slices. The size of the slice is determined by the value. Pie charts are typically used to show percentages.
The types of pie charts are as follows:
- Pie chart
- Exploded pie chart
Series groups are ignored for pie charts.
XY (Scatter)
An XY or scatter chart displays series as a set of points. Values are represented by the position of the point in the chart space. Categories are represented by different points in the chart. Scatter charts are typically used to compare distinct values across categories.
The types of scatter charts are as follows:
- XY scatter chart
- Scatter with data points connected by lines
- Scatter with data points connected by smoothed lines
Bubble
A bubble chart displays series as a set of symbols. Values are represented by the position of the point in the chart space and the size of the symbol. Categories are represented by different symbols in the chart.
There is one type of bubble chart, named bubble chart.
Area
An area chart displays series as a set of points connected by a line, with an area filled in below the line. Values are represented by the height of the point as measured by the y-axis. Category labels are displayed on the x-axis. Area charts are typically used to compare values over time.
The types of area charts are as follows:
- Area chart
- Stacked area chart
- 100% stacked area chart
Doughnut
A doughnut chart displays value data as percentages of the whole. Categories are represented by individual slices. The size of the slice is determined by the value. Doughnut charts are typically used to show percentages.
The types of doughnut charts are as follows:
- Doughnut chart
- Exploded doughnut chart
Series groups are ignored for doughnut charts.
Stock
A stock chart displays series as a set of lines with markers for high, low, close, and open values. Values are represented by the height of the marker as measured by the y-axis. Category labels are displayed on the x-axis.
The types of stock charts are as follows:
- High-low-close chart
- Open-high-low-close chart
- Candlestick chart
Chart Appearance
You can change the appearance of the plot and chart areas, the x- and y-axes, and legend in a chart. You can also apply a three-dimensional effect to the chart.
Note The gradient plot area fill does not appear when the three-dimensional effect is applied.
Note If you use a font size larger than 10 pt in the chart legend, some legend labels may be truncated. This may only be visible in larger font sizes.
Note The chart control used in Reporting Services is licensed from Dundas Software. For more information about charting functionality available from Dundas Software, visit the company Web site at www.dundas.com.
See Also
Working with Data Regions