8. How to visualize data – create interactive charts & graphs

Effective data visualization is essential for transforming complex data into easily interpretable insights. In Workmaster, you can create interactive charts and graphs that allow users to dynamically explore data, identify patterns, and make informed decisions. This module covers the key concepts of data visualization, explaining how to summarize, aggregate, and display data in a variety of visual formats.

At the heart of this process are Data Models, which serve as the sources of data for visualizations. Data Objects, queries, and business processes are all types of Data Models that can be used to power charts, tables, and data lists in your app.

This guide explains how to visualize your data by setting up charts, summarizing data, applying filters, and using advanced charting techniques to create an engaging, interactive experience for your users.

Steps to Create Interactive Charts

1. Choose the Chart Type:

The first step is to decide which type of chart best represents your data. Workmaster offers a range of chart types, such as bar charts, line graphs, pie charts, and more. Select the chart type that will effectively communicate your data's message.

Charts & Tables

2. Add the Chart to Your Page and Bind Data Model:

• Open the Widgets Panel in the Page Tab.

• Select your desired chart type and drag it onto your page.

• Bind the chart to the relevant Data Model to populate it with data.

3. Apply Filters to the Data Model (Optional):

• You can apply filters to your Data Model to limit the data displayed in the chart. This is useful when you want to focus on specific data points, such as a particular date range or category.

• Filters help refine the data, making the chart more focused and meaningful.

4. Select the Row (Pivot) from Available Fields:

• In the chart configuration, select which field(s) will serve as the row (pivot). This determines the data categories shown on the chart (e.g., Customer Names, Product Types, etc.).

• If you want to enable drill-down functionality, select multiple fields so users can click through different levels of data.

5. Add Dataset and Configure Columns:

• Add the Dataset for your chart, which will specify which columns from your Data Model will be displayed.

• Configure the columns and choose how to summarize the data. For example, you can select to sum, average, or count the data in a column to get meaningful aggregates.

6. Enable Drilldown and Filter on Selection:

• Drilldown allows users to click on specific data points in the chart to view more detailed data. Enable this option to provide an interactive experience.

• Filter on Selection enables automatic filtering when users click on a data point in the chart. This allows them to narrow down the data based on their selection and explore deeper insights.

To reinforce your understanding of creating interactive charts & graphs in Workmaster, we highly encourage you to complete Exercise 8: Building a Sales Dashboard with Drill-Down Functionality.