Reference: Time Alignment
Two time settings work together to determine the data sets evaluated in a chart: Time settings on the chart and Time Alignment on an account, variance, or micro chart.
Time on the Chart
The default time stratum, span and range set on the chart using the Time Settings tab.
Time Alignment on a Data Series, Variance, or Micro Chart
The time alignment is based on the current (default time setting on the chart), or a previous period or next period offset.
Apply Time Alignment To | Chart Type | Purpose |
---|---|---|
Account (data series) | Area and Line, Bar and Column |
From Data Settings tab, set up a unique time alignment on each data series, such for a period-over-period comparison. |
Variance | Gauge and Meter, KPI, Scorecard, Waterfall | From Appearance Settings tab, set up a variance comparison between two data series. You can apply a time alignment to the Reference Value and Comparison Value. |
Micro chart |
From Appearance Settings tab, set up a micro chart on a KPI. |
Time alignment settings are not available for Doughnut and Pie, Funnel and Pyramid, and Crosstab charts.
Usage Examples
The following are a few time alignment examples:
Example | Default Time Period on Chart | Time Alignment Settings |
---|---|---|
A bar chart that compares quarterly revenue of the current year to quarterly revenue of the previous year | Stratum: quarter Span: Range: January 2017 - December 2017 |
Set up two revenue accounts from Data Settings tab:
|
A line chart that compares waiter staff for the current winter season to the previous year and to a forecast for next year. | Stratum: Month Span: Range: November 2016 - March 2017 |
Set up three headcount accounts from Data Settings tab:
|
A waterfall chart that compares current year revenue plan to the previous year revenue plan. | Stratum: Year Period: 2017 |
Set up the reference and comparison values from the Appearance Settings tab: Reference: Value:
Comparison Value:
|
A micro chart on a scorecard that shows the capital spending plan for the current year broken down by month. | Stratum: Quarter Period: Q4-2017 |
Set up a scorecard micro chart from the Appearance Settings tab:
|
Options and Settings
Depending on the chart and the time alignment option you choose, additional settings become available for selection.
Time Alignment | Additional Settings *All Charts refers to all chart types that support time alignment |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Option | Description | Period | Period Count | Offset Count | Offset Period | Data Range |
Current | Based on the default Time settings | All Charts* | All Charts* | |||
Previous | For a period that goes back by a specified number of periods, such as go back 12 months. | All Charts* | All Charts* | Gauge and Meter, KPI, Scorecard, Waterfall | Gauge and Meter, KPI, Scorecard, Waterfall | |
Next | For a period that moves forward by a specified number of periods, such as move forward 12 months. | All Charts* | All Charts* | Gauge and Meter, KPI, Scorecard, Waterfall | Gauge and Meter, KPI, Scorecard, Waterfall | |
Trailing | For the specified number of past periods including the period selected in the chart. | Gauge and Meter, KPI, Scorecard, Waterfall | Gauge and Meter, KPI, Scorecard, Waterfall | |||
Leading | For the specified number of future periods including the period selected in the chart. | Gauge and Meter, KPI, Scorecard, Waterfall (Reference Value) | Gauge and Meter, KPI, Scorecard, Waterfall (Reference Value) |