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Oracle® Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition Help
11g Release 1 (11.1.1)
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What Types of Views Are Available?

Table 3-1 describes the types of views that are available.


Note:

Your privileges control whether you can access all views or specific views only.


Table 3-1 View Names and Descriptions

View Name Description

Title

Displays a title, a subtitle, a logo, a link to a custom online help page, and timestamps to the results.

Table

Displays results in a visual representation of data organized by rows and columns. A table provides a summary view of data and enables users to see different views of data by dragging and dropping rows and columns.

Pivot Table

Displays results in a pivot table, which provides a summary view of data in cross-tab format and enables users to see different views of data by dragging and dropping rows and columns. Pivot tables structure data similarly to standard tables that contain column groups, but can display multiple levels of both row and column headings. Unlike regular tables, each data cell in a pivot table contains a unique value. By organizing data in this way, a pivot table is more efficient than a row-based table. Pivot tables are ideal for displaying a large quantity of data, for browsing data hierarchically, and for trend analysis.

Performance Tile

Displays a single aggregate measure value in a manner that is both visually simple and prominent, yet it immediately reveals summary metrics to the user that will likely be presented in more detail within a dashboard view.

Performance tiles:

  • Focus the user's attention on simple, need-to-know facts directly and prominently on the tile.

  • Communicate status through simple formatting by using color, labels, and limited styles, or through conditional formatting of the background color or measure value to make the tile visually prominent. For example, if revenue is not tracking to target, the revenue value may appear in red.

  • Respond to prompts, filters, and user roles and permissions by making them relevant to the user and their context.

  • Support a single, aggregate or calculated value.

Treemap

Displays a space-constrained, two-dimensional visualization for hierarchical structures with multiple levels.

Treemaps:

  • Are limited by a predefined area and display two levels of data.

  • Contain rectangular tiles. The size of the tile is based on a measure, and the color of the tile is based on a second measure.

  • Are similar to a scatter plot graphs in that the map area is constrained, and the graph allows you to visualize large quantities of data and quickly identify trends and anomalies within that data.

Trellis

Displays multidimensional data shown as a set of cells in a grid, where each cell represents a subset of data using a particular graph type. Data can be represented with graphs, microcharts, and numbers.

The trellis view has two subtypes: Simple Trellis and Advanced Trellis.

Simple trellis views are ideal for displaying multiple graphs that enable comparison of like to like. Advanced trellis views are ideal for displaying spark graphs that show a trend.

A simple trellis displays a single inner graph type, for example a grid of multiple Bar graphs. The inner graphs always use a common axis; that is to say, the graphs have a synchronized scale.

An advanced trellis displays a different inner graph type for each measure. For example, a mixture of Spark Line graphs and Spark Bar graphs, alongside numbers. In this example, the Spark Line graph might show Revenue over time, and the Spark Bar graph might show Units Sold. A measure column displaying numbers might be placed adjacent to the Spark Line graphs, showing the Revenue measure as a total value for a year.

In an advanced trellis, each measure column operates independently for drilling, axis scaling, and so on.

For definitions of microchart, and spark graph, see "What Terms are Used with Trellis Views?"

Graph

Displays numeric information visually, which makes it easier to understand large quantities of data. Graphs often reveal patterns and trends that text-based displays cannot. However, when precise values are needed, graphs should be supplemented with other data displays, such as tables.

A graph is displayed on a background, called the graph canvas.

For the types and subtypes of graphs that are available, see Table 3-2.

Gauge

Shows a single data value. Due to its compact size, a gauge is often more effective than a graph for displaying a single data value

Gauges identify problems in data. A gauge usually plots one data point with an indication of whether that point falls in an acceptable or unacceptable range. Thus, gauges are useful for showing performance against goals.

Depending on the data in the analysis, a gauge view might consist of multiple gauges in a gauge set. For example, if you create a gauge view to show the sales data for the last twelve months, the gauge view consists of twelve gauges, one for each month. If you create one to show the total sales in the US, then the gauge view consists of one gauge.

A gauge or gauge set is displayed on a background, called the gauge canvas.

For the types of gauges that are available, see Table 3-4.

Funnel

Displays results as a three-dimensional graph that represents target and actual values using volume, level, and color. Typically, funnel graphs are used to graphically represent data that changes over different periods or stages. For example, funnel graphs are often used to represent the volume of sales over a quarter.

Funnel graphs are well suited for showing actual compared to targets for data where the target is known to decrease (or increase) significantly per stage, such as a sales pipeline.

In funnel graphs, the thresholds indicate a percentage of the target value, and colors provide visual information for each stage. You can click one of the colored areas to drill down to more detailed information.

For the types of funnel graphs that are available, see Table 3-3.

Map view

Displays results overlain on a map. Depending on the data, the results can be overlain on top of a map as formats such as images, color fill areas, bar and pie graphs, and variably sized markers.

Filters

Displays the filters in effect for an analysis. Filters, like selection steps, allow you to constrain an analysis to obtain results that answer a particular question. Filters are applied before the query is aggregated.

Selection Steps

Displays the selection steps in effect for an analysis. Selection steps, like filters, allow you to obtain results that answer particular questions. Selection steps are applied after the query is aggregated.

Column Selector

Adds a column selector in the results. A column selector is a set of drop-down lists that contain pre-selected columns. Users can dynamically select columns and change the data that is displayed in the views of the analysis.

View Selector

Adds a view selector in the results. A view selector is a drop-down list from which users can select a specific view of the results from among the saved views.

Legend

Adds a legend to the results, which enables you to document the meaning of special formatting used in results, such as the meaning of custom colors applied to gauges.

Narrative

Displays the results as one or more paragraphs of text. You can type in a sentence with placeholders for each column in the results, and specify how rows should be separated.

Ticker

Displays the results as a ticker or marquee, similar in style to the stock tickers that run across many financial and news sites on the Internet. You can control what information is presented and how it scrolls across the page.

Static Text

Adds static text in the results. You can use HTML to add banners, tickers, ActiveX objects, Java applets, links, instructions, descriptions, graphics, and so on, in the results.

Logical SQL

Displays the SQL statement that is generated for an analysis. This view is useful for trainers and administrators, and is usually not included in results for typical users.

You cannot modify this view, except to format its container or to delete it.

Create Segment

Displays a Create Segment link in the results. Users can click this link to create a segment in their Oracle's Siebel Marketing operational application, based on the results data.

This view is for users of the Oracle's Siebel Marketing Version 7.7 (or higher) operational application. For information, see Oracle Marketing Segmentation Guide.

Create Target List

Displays a Create Target List link in the results. Users can click this link to create a target list, based on the results data, in their Oracle's Siebel operational application. This target list can be used as the foundation for initiating and logging call activity information for this defined set of targets.

This view is for users of Oracle's Siebel Life Sciences operational application integrated with Oracle's Siebel Life Sciences Analytics applications


What Types of Graphs Are Available?

Table 3-2 shows the types of graphs that are available and describes their uses. It also shows the available styles for each type. All graph types except for scatter, radar, and microchart can be 2-dimensional (2D) or 3-dimensional (3D). Not all types of graphs are appropriate for all types of data.

Table 3-2 Graph Types

Graph Type Graph Subtype Description Styles

Bar

  • Vertical

  • Horizontal

  • Stacked Vertical

  • Stacked Horizontal

  • 100% Stacked Vertical

  • 100% Stacked Horizontal

Shows quantities associated with categories. Bar graphs show quantities as bar lengths and categories as bars or groups of bars.

Bar graphs are useful for comparing differences among like items; for example, competing product sales, same product sales over different time periods, or same product sales over different markets.

Can be used to compare measure columns by showing bars in a horizontal or vertical direction.


Rectangle
Triangle
Cylinder
Diamond
Gradient
Pattern Fill

Line

-

Shows quantities over time or by category.

Line graphs are useful for showing trends over time.

Can be used to plot multiple measure columns.


Standard Line
Stepped Line
Curved Line

Area

  • Stacked

  • 100% Stacked

Shows the trend of the contribution of each value over time or by category.

An area graph is a line graph for which the regions between lines are filled in. Regions stack, adding up to the total value for each time period or category. In 100% stacked graphs, each category is displayed as a percentage contribution to the total value.


Solid Fill
Gradient Fill
Pattern Fill

Pie

-

Shows data sets as percentages of a whole.

Pie graphs are useful for comparing parts of a whole, such as sales by region or by district.


Solid Fill
Gradient Fill
Pattern Fill

Line-Bar

  • Standard

  • Stacked

Plots two sets of data with different ranges, one set as bars, and one set as lines overlaid on the bars.

Line-bar graphs are useful for showing trend relationships between data sets.


Rectangle
Triangle
Cylinder
Diamond
Gradient
Pattern Fill

Time Series Line

-

Plots time series data. It scales the horizontal axis based on the time that has elapsed between data points.


Standard Line
Stepped Line
Curved Line

Pareto

-

Is a form of bar graph and line graph that displays criteria in descending order. In this graph type, the line shows a cumulative total of the percentages.

Pareto graphs are useful for identifying significant elements, such as best and worst or most and least.


Rectangle
Triangle
Cylinder
Diamond
Gradient
Pattern Fill

Scatter

-

Displays x-y values as discrete points, scattered within an x-y grid. It plots data points based on two independent variables. This enables you to plot large numbers of data points and observe the clustering of data points.

Scatter graphs are useful for observing relationships and trends in large data sets.


Standard Scatter
Scatter-with-Lines

Bubble

-

Is a variation of a scatter graph that displays data elements as circles (bubbles). It shows three variables in two dimensions. One value is represented by the location of the circle on the horizontal axis. Another value is represented by the location of the circle on the vertical axis. The third value is represented by the radius of the circle.

Bubble graphs are useful for plotting data with three variables, and for displaying financial data over a period of time.

None

Radar

-

Plots the same information as a bar graph, but instead displays data radiating from the center of the graph. Each data element has its own value axis.

Radar graphs are useful for examining overlap and distribution.

None

Microchart

  • Spark Line

  • Spark Bar

  • Spark Area

A text-sized graphic (of similar size to a piece of nearby text) that displays only in the context of the trellis view and that is ideal for showing trend information.

A microchart graph type is useful within an advanced trellis, where data is displayed as a mixture of spark graphs and numbers.

A microchart does not have axes or legends. Like larger graphs, a microchart's measure values are rendered as relatively sized bars (or lines, or area). Each measure name is displayed in its column header. Further details of the measure appear as tooltip text when you hover the mouse over a data cell.

None

Waterfall

-

A waterfall graph lets you visualize how a value increases or decreases sequentially and cumulatively. Waterfall graphs have the following characteristics:

  • Focus the user's attention on how each measure contributes to the overall total.

  • Communicate through simple formatting by using color.

An initial value is summed with subsequent values (both negative and positive deltas or changes) to arrive at a total. There is only one total per waterfall graph and subtotals can be added. See "What Types of Waterfall Graph Formats Are Available?" for additional information.

None


What Types of Funnel Graphs Are Available?

Table 3-3 lists and describes the types of funnel graphs that are available. The style of each type can be either solid or gradient fill.

Table 3-3 Funnel Graph Types

Type Description

Standard

Uses a standard shape with equal stage widths.

Non-Standard

Uses a standard shape with unequal stage widths

Last-Stage Only

Uses a standard shape with equal stage widths. It is similar to standard funnel except that the target values of all the stages before the last is calculated based on the last stage target value and a constant called target factor.


What Types of Graphs Are Available to Trellis Views?

The list of graph types that are available for use in trellis views varies by trellis view subtype: Simple Trellis or Advanced Trellis.

The following types of graphs can be used in simple trellises:

  • Bar (subtype Vertical)

  • Bar (subtype Horizontal)

  • Line

  • Area

  • Line-Bar

  • Pie

  • Scatter

  • Bubble

The following visualization choices are available in advanced trellises:

  • Numbers

  • Microchart, of the following subtypes:

    • Spark Bar

    • Spark Line

    • Spark Area

For details on each graph type, see Table 3-2.

What Types of Gauges Are Available?

Table 3-4 lists and describes the types of gauges that are available. All gauges are 2-dimensional (2-D) except for bulb gauges which can be either 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional (3-D). Their sizes can be small, medium, large, or a custom size.

Table 3-4 Gauge Types

Type Description

Dial

Shows data using a dial arc with one or more indicators that point to to where the data falls within predefined limits.

Horizontal bar

Shows data using a horizontal bar that changes color to indicate whether the data is within predefined limits. The inner rectangle of the horizontal bar shows the current level of data against the ranges marked on an outer rectangle.

Vertical bar

Shows data using a vertical bar that changes color to indicate whether the data is within predefined limits. The inner rectangle of the vertical bar shows the current level of data against the ranges marked on an outer rectangle.

Bulb

Shows data using a circle that changes color to indicate whether the data is within predefined limits.

Bulb gauges are useful when you must know what the status is, and not any indication of a specific value, or relative information about other threshold ranges.


What Types of Logical SQL Views Are Available?

Table 3-5 lists and describes the types of Logical SQL views that are available.

Table 3-5 Logical SQL View Types

Type Description

Standard

Displays only logical SQL. This view is useful to check whether the generated logical SQL is correct.

Diagnostic

Displays diagnostic information that is helpful to include with a Service Request when you are having issues with incorrect data.


What Types of Waterfall Graph Formats Are Available?

Waterfall graph formats have predefined bar color combinations. The default colors for increasing (positive) and decreasing (negative) are green and red, respectively. The format defines the appearance of the waterfall graph, including the color of the bars and the bars that display.

Table 3-6 lists and describes the types of formats available for waterfall graphs.

Table 3-6 Waterfall Graph Formats

Format Type Description

Increase, Decrease and Total

Use this format to display increasing measures, decreasing measures, and a total (subtotal) in the specified colors. Both the total and subtotal display in the same associated color.

First, Increase, Decrease and Total

Use this format to display increasing measures, decreasing measures, and a total (or subtotal), where the first bar and the total (subtotal) have the same color bar.

Single Color

Use this format to display all bars in the same color.

Dual Color

Use this format to display the first bar and total (or subtotal) in one color, and positive or negative values in a second color.

Custom

Use this format to create unique colors for increasing and decreasing values, the first bar, and total bars. Once you select a color from one of the color block lists, the format automatically becomes custom. Both the total and subtotal display in the same associated color.


By default, the waterfall graph includes the following characteristics:

  • The bars are rendered in a cumulative manner. Each bar starts rendering from the top of the previous bar (positive values go up, negative values go down). Cumulative totals may be rendered (from the chart baseline) at various points.

  • The graph is rendered as a 2D bar graph with a format of Increase, Decrease and Total.

  • Default colors are green (positive), red (negative), and blue (total).

  • Data labels display according to defined specifications. See the Vertical Axis Labels, Horizontal Axis Labels or Data Markers: Format Label button in the "Graph Properties dialog: Titles and Labels tab" for additional information.

  • Tooltips for waterfall graphs contain the same information as other graph types (for example, member name, dimension, and actual value), but they also contain a subtotal value.

  • Left-click interactions are not available for the total bar or the legend.

Figure 3-1 shows a sample waterfall graph. This particular graph shows the Increase, Decrease and Total format. The green bars indicate positive or increasing values, the red bars indicate negative or decreasing values, and the total is indicated by the blue bar.

Figure 3-1 Sample Waterfall Graph

This image is described in surrounding text.

See "Graph Properties dialog: Style tab" and "Graph Properties dialog: Titles and Labels tab" for detailed information on editing waterfall graph properties.