# How to Create Charts in SimplifyQA

Table of Contents

* [Introduction](#introduction)
* [Prerequisites for Dashboard and Chart Creation](#prerequisites-for-dashboard-and-chart-creation-1)
* [Starting with Datasets](#starting-with-datasets)
* [Steps to Create a Chart](#steps-to-create-a-chart)
* [Understanding the Chart Builder Page](#understanding-the-chart-builder-page)
  * [Chart Source](#chart-source)
  * [Metrics & Columns Panel](#metrics-and-columns-panel)
* [Configuring Chart Fields](#configuring-chart-fields)
  * [Sampling Data](#sampling-data)
  * [Choosing Dimensions (X-Axis)](#choosing-dimensions-x-axis)
  * [Adding Metrics or Columns](#adding-metrics-or-columns)
* [Running the Query ](#run-the-query)
* [Visualizing the Chart](#visualizing-the-chart)
* [Further Customizations](#further-customizations)
* [Sharing and Exporting the Chart](#sharing-and-exporting-the-chart)

## Introduction

Charts in Simplify BI allow users to visualize data in various formats such as bar charts, line graphs, pie charts, and more. These visualizations help teams make data-driven decisions by presenting information in an accessible, easy-to-read format.

## Prerequisites for Dashboard and Chart Creation

* Only users with Admin Access can create new dashboards and charts.
* Regular users will only have view-only access to dashboards and charts.
* If you need to build or modify dashboards, ensure your user account has been granted Admin privileges by your SimplifyQA administrator.

## Starting with Datasets

When creating a chart, it’s best practice to start with either a **Physical** or **Virtual dataset**. This approach provides scalability and allows you to re-use **pre-defined metrics**, making future chart building faster and more efficient.

## Steps to create a chart

* In the top navigation bar, click the **"+" (plus)** icon.
* From the dropdown, select **"Chart"**.

<figure><img src="/files/OY7jNUpIAGZCcf8JVhBC" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* The **"Create a new chart"** screen will open.

<figure><img src="/files/HoQXkXIfRJpdlkDEQEyk" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* In the **"Choose a Dataset"** field, click the dropdown and select your preferred dataset.

<figure><img src="/files/WC662tihgvadxKpzYpIl" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* Choose the **chart type** you'd like to use and click **"Create new chart"**.

<figure><img src="/files/hspLNd8lFoBiYDKAWWJt" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* You can later change the chart type in the **Data** tab of the **Chart Builder**.

## Understanding the Chart Builder Page

Once inside the **Chart Builder**, you can start configuring your chart’s layout, data sources, and visual parameters.

### Chart Source

Located at the **top-left** of the Chart Builder, the **Chart Source** panel shows the origin of your query.

* A **Pre-saved Dataset**

<figure><img src="/files/soBdfz8w0NW55a0kqkd2" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

> ⚠️ **Note:** Editing a pre-saved dataset directly in Chart Builder will affect **all charts** that rely on that same dataset.

### Metrics & Columns Panel

Below the Chart Source panel, you'll find the **Metrics & Columns** panel. This allows you to select and configure the data shown in your chart.

<figure><img src="/files/t3Pc8xSdJ6mVOvgsQ12B" alt="" width="279"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Use the **Search Metrics & Columns** field to quickly locate relevant data.

Data types are identified with helpful icons:

* **ƒ**: Function used for metrics
* **Clock**: The data source's time column
* **ABC**: Text data
* **#**: Numeric value data

You can drag and drop these fields into the **Query panel** on the right to start configuring your visualization.

## Configuring Chart Fields

#### 🔎 Sampling Data

Before finalizing your fields, it's a good idea to review a sample of your data.

Above the **"Run a query to display results"** section, click on **"Samples"** to view a raw data preview in table format. This gives you a better understanding of what your data contains before you plot it.

<figure><img src="/files/Q10i5K1HCPslP7iRpeTq" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Choosing Dimensions (X-Axis)

The **X-axis** (horizontal axis) can be configured in the **Query panel**:

* **Temporal Data** (e.g., timestamps):
  * When selected, a **"Time Grain"** field appears to let you control how dates are grouped (e.g., daily, weekly, monthly).
  * Refer to the **Time Configurations** section for detailed guidance.
* **Non-temporal Data** (e.g., category labels):
  * Use any categorical column to group your chart accordingly.

### Adding Metrics or Columns

Once you’ve chosen a dataset and a chart type, you can begin dragging relevant **metrics** or **columns** into destination fields (such as Y-axis, filters, breakdowns, etc.).

When dropped, a **pop-out window** appears automatically to let you enter details and configure settings.

> 🟥 **Red Highlight Warning**\
> If you see a red highlight when dragging a metric or column:

* You're adding it to an invalid field.
* You've already added it elsewhere and are duplicating it inappropriately.

<figure><img src="/files/GEgdgTq6arFvBhsYN9Sb" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Run the Query

**Results Panel**\
Below the chart, there is an expandable section called **Results**. This section expands and displays the results of the fields you configured for your chart.

You can easily search the results in the **search bar** or **copy your results to your clipboard** on the right.

<figure><img src="/files/CbrgTb7lVm6lC0JNqqw7" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Visualizing the Chart

Once the query runs successfully, your selected chart type will render the visualization.

> Most Simplify BI charts are **interactive**. Hover over bars, lines, or pie slices to view detailed information.

## Further Customizations

Simplify BI charts offer a range of customization options depending on the chart type:

* Use the **Customize** tab to explore layout, colors, tooltips, labels, and more.
* Try different configurations or chart types to tell your data’s story more clearly.

**Tips:**

* Experiment with various columns to find the most insightful combination.
* Use filters or adjust time ranges to zoom in/out on specific data slices.

<figure><img src="/files/dStlrfR8ksHwHpzB520h" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Sharing and Exporting the Chart

In the top-right corner (next to the **Save** button), you'll see a **three-dot "meatballs" menu** offering chart tools:

<figure><img src="/files/WPpzyDOXEU3wAL1rsoIA" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

From this menu, you can:

* **Download** the chart as a PNG or export data.
* **In Share, Copy a permalink** to share directly.


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