There are different types of charts available in Dashboards, Charts allow you to represent data visually to make it easy for users to see comparisons, patterns, and trends. Lets get started:
The area chart
It is a standard chart with vertical and horizontal axes. Each point along the horizontal axis represents a data point. The values for each data point are plotted along the vertical axis. For each series, colored areas are created by connecting the plotted points against the horizontal axis. Use this chart in models that emphasize a trend line, such as stock prices or revenue history.
Bar charts and Column Chart
It show and compare one or more items over a period of time or in a specific range of values. You could, for example, use a column chart in models that contain the quarterly headcount by region.
Note:
Bar charts and column charts are functionally identical; they display the same information. The only difference is the orientation of the bars.
Bubble chart
It is one of the most powerful analytic tools available. It lets you compare a group or series of items based on three different parameters. It has an X-axis and Y-axis to represent the item location over the chart area, and a Z value to represent the item size. You could, for example, use this chart to represent the market composition with the X-axis representing the return on investment (ROI) by industry type, the Y-axis representing the cash flow, and the Z-axis representing the market value.
Bullet chart
It provides a method to display information in a condensed, less-distracting format and is available with either a vertical or horizontal orientation. Bullet charts have a single primary measure (for example, current year-to-date revenue) that is displayed as a vertical or horizontal bar. A marker indicates a target or Performance goal and changing color hues behind the bar indicate qualitative ranges of performance (for example, poor, satisfactory, and good). Designers can configure the bullet chart to display multiple series and can configure the scale, axis, and ticks separately for each series. For example, the chart can be configured to show revenue in thousands of dollars, profit in dollars, and order size as a count.
Combination column and line chart
It's ideal for displaying a range of values and a trend line for those values. You can use the combination chart in models examining stocks. A line series might show the historical stock price over the year, and a column chart might show the volume of trading for that stock. A combination chart can also have alert notifications when it has multiple data series. Combination charts are the only type of chart with this capability.
Line Chart
A single- or multi-line chart is ideal for showing tendency over a period of time. Use this chart in models that emphasize a trend or a continuing sequence of data, such as stock prices or revenue history.
OHLC and Candlestick Chart
The open-high-low-close (OHLC) and candlestick charts are primarily used to display stock data. Each marker corresponds to the values, which are represented as lines attached to the marker on the OHLC chart and as colors on the candlestick chart. The open value displays the opening price of the stock. The high value displays the highest price the stock achieved on that day. The low value displays the lowest price of the stock on that day. The close value displays the closing price of the stock.
Pie Chart
A circular chart that represents the distribution or participation of each item (represented by a slice) of a certain total that is represented as the overall pie value. The pie chart is appropriate for models such as revenue contribution by product. In that example, the overall pie size would represent the total revenue, and each slice would represent a different product.
Radar Chart and Filled Radar Chart
Radar charts have axes that radiate outwards from the center of the chart. These charts can have several axes. They are useful for plotting multi-dimensional sets of data. In the filled radar chart, the shape created by connecting the points along each axis is filled in with color. You could use the radar charts to compare aspects of stocks. One axis could display the price, another the volume, another the Price to Earnings ratio, and any other relevant data.
Sparkline
The sparkline presents trends and variations associated with some measurement, such as stock market activity, in a simple and condensed way. Designers can set key data points (start value, end value, low value, and high value) that are displayed as markers on the sparkline. They can also define a normal range that is displayed as a colored background behind the chart.
Stacked Area Chart
This standard chart has vertical and horizontal axes. Each point along the horizontal axis represents a data point. The actual values for the data points are plotted against the vertical axis, with each series adding to the total value. You could use the stacked area chart to compare the revenue for multiple products as well as the combined revenue of all the products and the contribution of each product to the combined revenue.
Stacked Column Chart and Stacked Bar Chart
Stacked bars compare one or more variables, with each series adding to the total value. This chart compares several variables over a period of time, for example, marketing cost and administrative cost. Each one of the cost components is presented in a different color and each bar represents a different time period. The total bar size represents the total cost.
Tree Map
This chart displays data in a two-dimensional area. Each data point is represented by a rectangle. The tree maps display two parameters, represented by size and color intensity and can be used to compare two sets of data.
For example, a tree map could be used to represent the size and interest rate of loans. You can set the size of the rectangle as the loan amount; a large loan would be represented by a larger rectangle. The color of the rectangle would represent the interest rate; a higher interest rate would be represented by a brighter color value.
Waterfall Chart
A waterfall chart is commonly used to display how an initial value is affected by a series of sequential positive or negative values. The initial and final values are represented by full columns, while the intermediate values are represented by partial columns. The columns are color-coded to distinguish between positive and negative values.
For example, a waterfall chart could be used to represent the inventory level of goods that your retail business sells. Purchases of additional inventory are represented by positive values, and sales from inventory are represented by negative values.
XY Chart
This chart displays data that encompasses two dimensions. The XY chart shows each data point as a result of the intersection of X values and Y values. You can, for example, use the XY chart in models that compare ROI (on the X axis) against market value (on the Y axis) for a group of companies.
For better understanding of some practical examples please open Dashboard > File > Samples and you can select whatever component needed.
Reference:-
Dashboards and Presentation Design User Guide
■ SAP BusinessObjects 4.0 Feature Pack 3