Chart Type: Column
Variants
The Column chart type offers the following variants:
-
Simple Column
-
Stacked Column
-
100% Stacked
Column
Summary of Typical Use
Column charts are typically used to compare values between categories.
Description
The Column chart type in Reporting Services
presents values and series groups 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.
Chart Type: Bar
Variants
The Bar
chart type offers the following variants:
-
Simple Bar
-
Stacked Bar
-
100% Stacked
Bar
Summary of Typical Use
Bar charts are typically used to compare values between categories.
Description
The Bar chart type in Reporting Services
presents 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.
Chart Type: Area
Variants
The Area
chart type offers the following variants:
-
Simple Area
-
Stacked Area
-
100% Stacked
Area
Summary of Typical Use
Area charts are typically used to compare values over time.
Description
The Area chart type in Reporting Services
presents 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.
Chart Type: Line
Variants
The Line
chart type offers the following variants:
Summary of Typical Use
Line charts are typically used to compare values over time.
Description
The Line chart type in Reporting Services
presents 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.
Chart Type: Pie
Variants
The Pie
chart type offers the following variants:
Summary
of Typical Use
Pie charts are typically used to present percentages (as in
“percent composition of a whole,” etc.).
Description
The Pie chart type in Reporting Services
presents value data as percentages of the whole. Categories
are represented by individual slices. The size of the slice is
determined by the value.
Chart Type: Doughnut
Variants
The Doughnut
chart type offers the following variants:
-
Simple Doughnut
-
Exploded
Doughnut
Summary
of Typical Use
Doughnut charts are functionally identical to Pie charts
(except for the “hole in the center”), in that they are typically used to present
percentages (as in “percent composition of a whole,” etc.).
Description
The Doughnut chart type in Reporting Services
presents value data as percentages of the whole. Categories
are represented by individual slices. The “hole in the center” of the Doughnut
chart type allows for more contrast in differentiating “slices,” as its three - dimensional
rendering, which gives “slices” four sides (rather than the three afforded in
the Pie
chart).
The Doughnut chart therefore presents
smaller slices more clearly, in many cases.
Chart Type: Scatter (“XY”)
Variants
The Scatter
(“XY”) chart type offers the following variants:
-
Simple Scatter
-
Scatter /
Lines
-
Scatter /
Smooth Lines
Summary
of Typical Use
Scatter (“XY”) charts are typically used to compare distinct
values across categories.
Description
The Scatter (“XY”) chart type in Reporting
Services presents 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.
Chart Type: Bubble
Variants
The Bubble
chart type offers the single Bubble selection option.
Summary
of Typical Use
Bubble charts are typically used to compare distinct values across categories.
Description
The Bubble chart type in Reporting Services
presents 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.
Chart Type: Stock
Variants
The Stock
chart type offers the following variants:
-
High-Low-Close
-
Open-High-Low-Close
-
Candlestick
Summary
of Typical Use
Stock charts are typically used to present values of stocks at
various critical points within a time frame (e.g., a trading
period).
Description
The Stock chart type in Reporting Services
presents 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.
As we
can see from the information above, Reporting Services offers a wide
range of options for chart selection to assist us in the delivery of
information within the business environment. We will extend our examination of chart types,
specifically examining each type, together with the properties and methods we
can manipulate for the precise presentations we seek to be able to deliver, in
other articles of this series.
11.
Select File
-> Exit to leave the design environment,
when ready (saving as desired), and to close the Business Intelligence Development
Studio.
Conclusion
In this,
the “lead” article introducing chart data regions (particularly from the
perspective of their uses with Analysis Services data sources), we introduced the various chart data regions that are
available to us within Reporting Services, discussing the general uses
and characteristics of each. Our intent, we noted, was to prepare ourselves for
subsequent articles where we employ individual chart types in reporting from an Analysis Services data source, and demonstrate
properties (and creative ways to manipulate them within our reports) and
methods that we can employ to format and deliver information to meet the
business needs of our clients and employees.
In
introducing the basic chart types, we first returned to the sample Report
Server project we have accessed for our hands-on sessions in other articles,
AdventureWorks Sample Reports, and ascertained connectivity of
its shared Analysis Services data source. We then created a clone of an
existing sample Analysis Services report, containing a matrix data
region, with which to perform our practice exercise. After enlarging the
canvas upon which the matrix rested within the Layout tab of the Report
Designer, to provide a place to drop a chart item from the Toolbox
for purposes of our overview, we examined chart types from the
standpoint of the existing report, noting how we add them to an open report in
the Layout tab. Finally, we performed a brief overview of each chart
type, discussing its strengths and typical uses, in preparation for
articles focused upon individual chart types to appear in our MSSQL Server Reporting Services series.
About the MSSQL Server Reporting Services Series ...
This
article is a member of the series MSSQL Server Reporting Services. The column is designed to
introduce MSSQL Server Reporting Services (“Reporting Services”),
presenting an overview of its features, with tips and techniques for real-world
use. For more information on the series in general, please see my initial Database Journal article, A New Paradigm for Enterprise Reporting. For the software components, samples and tools
needed to complete the hands-on portion of this article, see BlackBelt Administration: Linked
Reports in Report Manager, another article within this series.
»
See All Articles by Columnist William E. Pearson, III
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