Requests: Charts

Navigation Path: Requests > View All > Charts > + New Chart

The Requests application now includes powerful charting capabilities powered by Ag Grid Charts. This feature allows you to visualize your Requests data in multiple chart formats directly from the list page.

Adding Charts and Locating Saved Charts (Image 1)

Getting Started

Important: The chart will reflect whatever is currently displayed in the table. If you filter the table to show only "Open" Requests, your chart will only include those open requests. Use the search bar, quick filters, or column filters to refine your data before creating charts.

1. Open the Charts Menu
   • Locate the CHARTS dropdown button in the top toolbar (Image 1, #1)
   • Click the dropdown to see your chart options
2. Create a New Chart
   • Click + NEW CHART from the dropdown menu (Image 1, #2)
     • NOTE: Doing this will close any existing charts and all progress will be lost (unless the chart is saved)
   • If you haven't created any charts yet, you'll see a message stating "You have no saved charts"
3. Configure Your Chart
   • The chart dialog will open, displaying a default visualization of your filtered data
   • Within the chart, click the "<" button to open the chart configuration panel (Image 2, #1) if it does not open automatically (or click again to close)
     • Chart tab changes the chart type
     • Data tab contains data sources and configurations
     • Format tab allows you to customize the chart
       • Chart title can be added here
   • Choose your preferred chart type from the gallery on the right side
   • Customize the data series and formatting options
4. Apply Filters (Optional but Recommended)
   • Use the search bar at the top of the table to find specific requests
   • Click on column headers to filter by specific criteria (status, type, customer, etc.)
   • Your chart will only include the filtered data visible in the table
     • You can note this by editing the title
5. Save Chart
   • Within the chart, click "Save" (Image 2, #3) to save the chart with a custom name
     • NOTE: Saved charts are stored on your computers local storage - clearing cache, using incognito browsers, different browsers, etc will result in a saved chart not appearing
   • Data filtering is retained in the saved chart
6. Reopen Saved Chart
   • To reopen a saved chart, within the chart, click + NEW CHART from the dropdown menu (Image 1, #2)
   • Next to the chart of interest is a blue button to open it (Image 1, #3)
     • The copy button will duplicate the chart
     • The delete button will delete the chart

Understanding the Chart Interface

The main chart visualization displays your filtered data in the selected format. The example shows "Record Count by Status and Requests Type" with multiple data series representing the data currently visible in your table.

Navigating a Generated Chart (Image 2)

Key Chart Actions (Image 2)

• Edit Chart (#1): Modify chart configuration and data sources (can be opened and closed)
• Filtering Chart (#2): Filter the visible data in the chart using the table quick filters, column filters, and search box
• Save Chart (#3): Store the chart configuration for future use
• Download Chart (#4): Export the chart as an image file for reports or presentations
• Maximize/Minimize (#8): Expand chart to full screen for better visibility (also used to collapse)
• Close Chart (#9): Exit the chart and return to the table view (unsaved changes will be lost)

Important Note: Charts are saved to your browser's local storage only. Saved charts will not persist if you:

• Clear your browser cache
• Access the page from a different browser or device
• You can share the page URL with other users (or bookmark) but they will not receive formatting changes

When you return to the page later, you can reload your saved chart from the CHARTS button.

Navigating a Generated Requests Chart - Menu and Filtering Options (Image 3)

Chart Configuration (Image 2 or 3)

After opening the chart configuration panel, you will see the following options:

• Chart Tab (#5): Choose from various chart types including:
  • Column charts - Stacked and grouped vertical bars
  • Bar charts - Horizontal orientation for long category names
  • Pie charts - Circular charts for proportional data
  • Line charts - Show trends and changes over time
  • Polar charts - Circular displays for cyclical data
  • Statistical charts - Advanced visualizations like box plots
  • Combination charts - Mix multiple chart types in one view
• Data Tab (#6): Configure data sources, series, and axes
• Format Tab (#7): Access chart styling, chart and axes titles, colors, fonts, and layout options (see image below for options)
  • The title is located under "Chart"

Chart Actions (Image 2 #10-11)

• Chart Tool tips (#11): Hover over lines, bars, etc. to see more details
• Data Window (#10): Reduces or expands the data displayed
  • Adjust the visible data range by dragging the edge handles
  • Pan across your data by clicking and dragging the highlighted section
  • Focus on specific time periods or categories without filtering the underlying table data
  • Scroll through large datasets while maintaining context of the overall data distribution
  • This is particularly useful when you have many data points and want to examine specific segments in detail.

Navigating the Requests Chart Configuration Panel (Image 4)

Understanding the Chart Axes and Legend

The chart legend displays information about your data series. In the example used above (see image 4 for more details on data sources):

• X-axis (#2): Categories from the Data tab
  • In the example this is Requests Type
• Y-axis (#3): Series data selections
  • In the example these are the individually selected statuses + record count
• Chart (#4): Since the example is a combination chart, each individual series can have it's own chart type
  • Each status was selected as a stacked column while the record count is a line
  • Secondary Axis can be selected if the output of a series does not match the category
• Legend: Clicking a series (for example, record count) will show/hide the series automatically which allows you to focus on specific data
• Filtering (#1): Filter the visible data in the chart using the table quick filters, column filters, and search box
  • Sorting columns will also impact the chart so we recommend avoiding doing this (although it's easily reversible)

Chart Type Selection

Choose the right chart type for your data and analysis goals:

• Column Charts
  • Vertical bar charts ideal for comparing values across categories. Perfect for showing request counts by status, type, or department. Available in stacked (showing composition) and grouped (showing side-by-side comparison) variants.
• Bar Charts
  • Horizontal orientation of column charts, useful when category labels are long or when you have many categories to display.
• Pie Charts
  • Circular charts showing proportional data, perfect for displaying percentages or parts of a whole. Best used with 5 or fewer categories for clarity.
  • Note: can only accept one series in the data tab (although it will allow you to select multiple)
• Line Charts
  • Show trends over time or continuous data with connected data points. Ideal for tracking request volumes, aging, or other metrics over time periods.
• Statistical Charts
  • Advanced visualizations including box plots, histograms, and distribution charts for detailed data analysis.
• Combination Charts
  • Merge multiple chart types (like columns and lines) to display different data series with different scales, such as showing both request counts and average aging.

Best Practices

Getting Meaningful Charts

1. Start with a clear question - What do you want to learn from the data?
2. Filter first - Apply table filters before creating charts to focus on relevant data
3. Choose the right chart type - Match the visualization to your data structure
4. Use appropriate groupings - Select meaningful categories for your analysis
5. Keep it simple - Don't overcrowd charts with too many data series

When to Use Each Chart Type

• Column/Bar Charts: Comparing discrete values across categories (e.g., requests by status)
• Line Charts: Showing trends or changes over time (e.g., monthly request volumes)
• Pie Charts: Displaying composition or percentage breakdowns (best with 5 or fewer categories)
• Combination Charts: Comparing metrics with different units or scales (e.g., count vs. percentage)

Performance Considerations

• Charts with large datasets may take longer to render
• Use table filters to reduce the number of records before charting for better performance
• Use the range navigator to focus on specific data subsets within the chart
• Consider limiting your data to specific date ranges or categories for complex visualizations

Sharing Charts

Because charts are saved in browser local storage:

• Take screenshots to share chart visualizations with colleagues
• Use the Download Chart option to export images for reports or presentations
• Document your filters - Note which table filters you used so others can recreate the view
• Share your configuration - Write down your chart settings if others need to create similar charts

Troubleshooting

My saved chart disappeared

• Check if you cleared your browser cache or cookies
• Verify you're using the same browser where you created the chart
• Remember that local storage is browser-specific and device-specific

The chart isn't displaying all my data

• Check your table filters - The chart only shows data visible in the table
• Review the search bar to ensure it's not filtering out records
• Check the range navigator at the bottom of the chart
• Adjust the visible range by dragging the navigator handles
• Click column headers to verify which filters are active

My chart looks different than before

• Review your table filters and search criteria
• Verify that the underlying data hasn't changed

I can't find a specific chart type

• Browse through all categories in the chart type gallery
• Some chart types may require specific data configurations
• Use combination charts if you need multiple visualization styles
• Try the Data tab to configure data series for specialized charts

The chart is slow or unresponsive

• Reduce the number of records by applying more specific table filters
• Limit date ranges to smaller time periods
• Consider using summary data rather than individual records
• Close other browser tabs to free up system resources