In Chapters 3, 4, and 5, we have already acquainted ourselves with classic visualizations for rating and structure. Now let’s move on to dynamics: analyzing changes in a metric over time. For this purpose we are accustomed to using line charts. They are made up of points with coordinates (x, y) that are connected by a line. In Figure 6-1, you can see a chart with two measures—actual and planned sales by month.
Figure 6-1. Line chart for two measures
It may happen that we don’t have planned values, and we are displaying only the actual values, evaluating their dynamics. In this case, a semitransparent fill under the line will look good (Figure 6-2). Technically, this is another Power BI visual—the area chart—but it functions similarly to the line chart.
Figure 6-2. Area chart for a single measure
In this chapter, we will guide you on how to fine-tune these visuals to achieve a pixel-perfect view and introduce you to features unique to line charts.
Furthermore, when we say “line chart,” we mean the full family of visuals that can be used with a time axis:
Line chart
Area chart, stacked area chart
Combined chart: line + stacked column, line + clustered column
Ribbon chart
Column chart also joins this family when we add the date to the x-axis. We will ...
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