Creating Graphs

About creating graphs

When you create a graph, current financial data is automatically included in the graph. You can base a graph on the default graph template, or on an open graph or report.

Process for creating graphs

Follow these general steps to create a new graph.

1. Choose New from the File menu and then choose Graph.

2. Select the data that you want to include in the graph. For more information, see "Selecting data to include in a graph".

3. You can change the graph type. For more information, see "Types of graphs".

4. You can adjust the layout of the graph. For more information, see "Changing the layout of a graph".

5. You can apply formatting to the graph. For more information, see "Formatting Graphs".

Selecting data to include in a graph

As part of creating a graph, you must specify which slices of data that you want the graph to include A data slice is defined by a financial data item, multiple dimensions, and a set of values of those dimensions.

For more information on the tools and techniques that are available for selecting data, see Chapter 7.

Example: Selecting data to include in a graph

Suppose you want to create a graph that compares Actuals data with Budget data. Using the Selector, you would select:

• Both the Actuals and Budget financial data items

• A set of dimension values for each item

For example, if the financial data items are dimensioned by Time, Line Item, and Organization, you would select a set of time periods, line items, and organizations for each financial data item.

Changing the layout of a graph

Once you have created a graph and selected the data that you want to work with, you can arrange the dimensions according to how you want to view the data. You rearrange dimensions in a graph by changing the positions of the dimension tiles in the graph window. You can move dimension tiles to unoccupied locations or drop labeled tiles onto other labeled tiles to have the dimensions swap positions.

Related information

For more information about creating graphs, search for the following topics in the Financial Analyzer Help system:

"Choosing Graph Types"

"Creating Graphs"

"Selecting Data"