Data Dynamics Analysis enables users to create bar charts very easily from any relational or multidimensional data source.

This walkthrough illustrates how to analyze relational data from a Microsoft Access database.

The walkthrough is split into the following activities:

• Connect to a relational data source using the Data Dynamics Analysis Viewer sample application
• Build a simple vertical bar chart display with gradient color encoding
• Build a simple horizontal bar chart display and rank the bars descending on a numeric value
• Build a simple stacked bar chart display
• Split the stacked bars into multiple rows (or layers)

To use this walkthrough, you will need access to the Data Dynamics Analysis Viewer sample application that is included with the installation.

Connect to a relational data source using the Data Dynamics Analysis Viewer sample application

1. Open Data Dynamics Analysis Viewer Sample application from your Start menu.

   

2. Using the Data menu navigate to Establish Connection...

   

3. Connect to the NWindMDB-SalesProductsSuppliers schema.

   

Build a simple vertical bar chart display with gradient color encoding 

1. Change the Marking combo to Bar.

   

2. Drop the Order count measure onto the Rows shelf.

   

3. Drop the Products dimension onto the Columns shelf.

   

4. Your display should look like this:

   

5. Drop the Average Unit Price measure onto the Color encoding shelf.
6. Change the color display to make the high priced products stand out.

   

   1. Double click on the gradient color legend.
   2. Set the low value color to Gray.
   3. Set the high value color to Red.
   4. Click the Advanced button.
   5. Check the Middle check box.
   6. Drag the slider to the right until the value in the text box is approximately 35.
   7. Voila!

   

   This view shows you that the products with the most cost on average are not selling well.

Build a simple horizontal bar chart display and rank the bars descending on a numeric value

This section of the walkthrough will start where the last section ended. We will build off of the vertical bar chart above.

1. Click the Swap XY button on the built-in toolbar.

   

2. Your display should now look similar to this:

   

3. Using the Category field drop down navigate to Sort > More sort options...

   

4. Sort Category members descending on Order count:

   

   1. Sort order = Descending
   2. Sort by = Field
   3. Sort by field = Order count
5. Expand the Category field to show all products.

   

6. Sort Product members descending on Order count by mimicking steps 2 and 3 above.
7. Your display should look like this:

   

   This view shows us that there is a single product in Beverages that costs a lot and is in the lower percentile of its category for the number of sales.
8. Scroll the view down and see other hidden gems in this view.

Build a simple stacked bar chart display

This section of the walkthrough will start where the last section ended. We will build off of the horizontal bar chart above.

1. Drag the Average Unit Price field from the Color encoding shelf to the Level of Detail shelf.
   Hovering over the bars will still show you the value of Average Unit Price.
2. Expand the Employees dimension.
3. Drop Employee Country onto the Color encoding shelf.

   

4. This should create a legend with two series:

   

   And should split each bar in the display to have two colors - just like on the display below:

   

5. As you scroll down the view, you will see that the most prominent color is Orange, which means that more products were sold in USA.

Split the stacked bars into multiple rows (or layers)

1. Click on the Auto Query toolbar button to turn it off.

   

   This will allow us to perform multiple actions on the display without causing a requery for each action.

2. Expand the Products dimension.

   

3. Drag the Product field directly onto the Category field located on the Rows shelf.

   

4. Click the Swap XY button again to switch back to vertical bars.

   

5. Drop the Date dimension onto the Rows shelf (to the left of Order count).

   

6. Your shelves should look like this:

   

7. Click on the Auto Query toolbar button again to turn it back on.

   

   This will allow all future actions to requery the display immediately.

8. Your display should look similar this:

   

9. As you scroll the view to the right, you are quickly able to see, which Products sold more for each Year. Hovering over the bars provides detailed information.

See Also