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An area chart plots performance over time, displaying data as a shaded area that falls below a set of points connected by straight lines. Area charts are good for comparisons - for example, using two color-coded shaded areas to display this year vs. last year, or sales vs. orders. 

An area will be displayed for each focused item in the current dimension. If you are in summary view, without any dimensions selected, the chart will typically display an area each for current and previous period or stream. 


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Example

Create an area chart showing the profitability of 4 key product categories, this year to date. This example uses a 'Sales' database. 

Step 1. Prepare the grid as follows:

  • Select the 'Sales' database and period mode.
  • Select Measures > Profit
  • Select Period > Calendar YTD
  • Choose 'Product category' dimension, select four categories in the grid and Focus.


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Step 2: Choose Chart and select Area Image Modified .

  • The y axis will display the total.
  • The x axis will display the time units of your current period (e.g. months/days/years).

The chart displays the profitability of our 4 key product categories for this year to date. The chart can now be saved as a favorite or added to the dashboard (see Add a widget from the grid).   

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View cumulative data in an area chart

In an area chart, the 'Use cumulative' option will only appear if you are in summary view and period mode.

'Use Cumulative' means that rather than charting current vs. previous for each time unit, Phocas will chart current cumulative vs. previous cumulative.  


Create a simple area chart using totals

To create a simplified area chart, you can select Use total if you have a dimension selected and are in period mode. This option means that rather than charting all the focused items for each time unit, Phocas will chart only the total. 

In the example below, when Use Total is left unticked, we can see the 5 sales reps as different shaded areas for each month. When Use Total has been ticked, the total value of the 5 sales reps has been added together for each month, represented by a single blue shaded area.

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