Reference line

Reference lines are used in charts as a benchmark against which to compare data points. This helps viewers quickly assess whether values are above or below a certain target, goal, or historical average. They also help in identifying trends and aid in comparisons between different segments.

You can add reference lines for the average, minimum, maximum, standard deviation, etc of a measure or the variance.

1.Position

The reference line can be horizontal or vertical. Click the images to see the different positions available for reference lines.

Horizontal reference line

Vertical reference line

You can choose the position of the reference line on the x-axis when the vertical option is selected. In the example, the reference line is rendered at the fourth position.

2. Display

You can use measures or the absolute or relative variance to plot reference lines. Select the source from the dropdown.

Source for reference lines

3. Based on

Select the aggregation method to be used to plot the reference line. Click on the images to view reference lines plotted using maximum, minimum, median, and standard deviation.

Reference line based on median

Reference line based on minimum

Reference line based on maximum

When you choose standard deviation as the aggregation type, you can specify the Standard Factor in the textbox. Values between 0 and 10 are the accepted range.

4. Label

Analytics+ displays the aggregation type and the value used to plot the reference line. You can choose from the options listed below:

• Text: displays the aggregation type only

• Value: displays the calculated value only

• Text + Value: displays the aggregation type as well as the calculated value

• None: Does not display a label

Reference line label

• Name: You can set a custom name for the reference line. By default, the selected aggregation type will be displayed. In the example, we've set the name of the reference line to "Avg of AC".

Reference line name

• Offset: You can set the position of the label with respect to the X-axis and Y-axis.

Label offset

• Rotation: The labels can be rotated for enhanced visibility.

Label rotation

5. Placement

The reference line can be rendered in front of the chart or behind the chart using this option. In the example, we've plotted the reference line behind the chart.

Placement of the reference line

6. Format

You can customize the label and reference line.

• Label: You can set the label font size, style, and color. You can choose from Regular, Semi bold, and Bold font styles. In the example, we've used Bold with a font size 18 and changed the font color to black.

Label customizations

• Label background color: Highlight reference lines by applying a custom background color for the label.

Label background color

• Line: You can set the reference line thickness and style.

Reference line customizations