Using a dial

Video tutorials

A dial indicator displays data values using a needle that points to data values and range boundaries appearing on a semi-circular dial. To compare values with defined bounds, define data measures, values, and properties for a dial using the following features on Definition:

Measure: Add, edit, duplicate, or delete measures and formulas.

Values: Assign maximum, mean, and minimum values to a dial by selecting an appropriate measure. To indicate multiple values, use Add dial to create a new needle, then set alias, color, and size properties for each new needle.

Properties: Choose values to appear as boundaries for defined ranges, and assign a unique color or shade to each range.

You can covert a dial into a meter, sphere, or cylinder indicator.

How to create measures to display on a dial indicator

1	In Gallery—Dial, choose Definition.

2	To create a measure for the dial, choose New measure.

3	In Alias, type a name for the new measure.

4	Select Maximum as the function for the new measure. From My Data, drag a column on which to base the measure and drop it next to Maximum, as shown in Figure 5-1.

Figure 5-1

Defining a new measure for a dial

5	To create a filter, double-click a column in My Data. Drag a field from Discrete Values and drop it in Filter, as shown in Figure 5-2.

Figure 5-2

Adding a filter to a measure

6	Choose the green check mark to create the new measure.

7	To create another measure with properties similar to the first, select a measure and choose Duplicate.

8	Type a name and change the function to Minimum, as shown in Figure 5-3.

Figure 5-3

Creating a new measure based on a measure having similar properties

9	Choose the green check mark to create the new measure.

10	Repeat steps 7–9, changing the function to Mean.

How to add formulas and thresholds to a dial indicator

Choose New formula to create a formula.

1	In Alias, type a name for the formula, and type a formula for a lower threshold in the dialog box below Alias. In this example, the formula is a value.

2	Choose Validate. At the message that the formula definition is valid, shown in Figure 5-4, choose OK.

Figure 5-4

Validating the definition for a formula

3	To create the new formula, choose the green check mark.

4	Repeat steps 1–3, entering a formula for a higher threshold.

5	Choose Values.

6	For each value appearing on the dial, choose an appropriate measure from the list. For example, choose measures that correspond to minimum, mean, and maximum values, as shown in Figure 5-5.

Figure 5-5

Assigning measures to values that appear on a dial

How to add properties to the dial indicator

1	Choose Properties.

2	Choose Add range.

3	Choose a measure or formula to indicate the minimum and maximum thresholds for the range, as shown in Figure 5-6.

4	In Color, open the palette and select a color for the range. Choose OK.

Figure 5-6

Configuring properties for a dial

5	Repeat steps 2–4 until you have created three ranges.

6	Choose OK.

7	Choose Calculate to view the dial. To see the average value, hover the cursor over the needle, as shown in Figure 5-7.

Figure 5-7

Viewing the value of an average on a dial

How to configure a dial so that min, max, and average values for two similar groups appear

1	In Data Tree, choose My folders.

2	Locate and open a previously saved dial. Choose Calculate. The dial appears on Graphic, as shown in Figure 5-8.

Figure 5-8

Calculating results for a dial

3	Choose Definition.

4	Select a measure and choose Duplicate.

5	In Alias, type a name, then replace the filter. To replace a filter, drag a segment, drop it in Filter, as shown in Figure 5-9, then choose Replace.

Figure 5-9

Replacing the filter in a duplicated measure

6	Choose the green check mark to create the new measure.

7	Choose Values.

8	Choose Add dial.

9	In Alias, select the measure shown to open a pull-down menu and choose the newly created measure, as shown in Figure 5-10.

Figure 5-10

Adding a new measure to a dial

10	In Color, open the palette and select a color for the range. Choose OK.

11	Choose Calculate to view the dial. The dial now represents two similar groups. Hover the cursor over each needle to see and compare values represented by each needle, as shown in Figure 5-11.

Figure 5-11

Viewing a dial representing values from two similar groups

Converting data measures to another indicator type

Data measures that you define for one BIRT Analytics indicator may appear on another indicator. Convert lists indicators for which a calculated indicator supports conversion.

How to convert a dial to a meter

1	In Data Tree, select My Folders.

2	Locate and open a previously saved dial. Choose Calculate. The dial appears on Graphic, as shown in Figure 5-12.

Figure 5-12

Visualizing a data measure using a dial

3	Select Convert, then choose Meter.

4	Choose Definition, then view the Measures, Values, and Properties tabs.

5	Choose Calculate. The new meter appears on Graphic, as shown in Figure 5-13.

Figure 5-13

Visualizing a data measure using a meter

How to convert a dial graph to a sphere

1	For a calculated dial, select Convert, then choose Sphere.

2	To view Measures, Values, and Properties, choose Definition.

3	Choose Calculate. The new sphere appears on Graphic, as shown in Figure 5-14.

Figure 5-14

Visualizing a data measure using a sphere

How to convert a dial graph to a cylinder

1	For a calculated dial, select Convert, and choose Cylinder.

2	To view Measures, Values, and Properties, choose Definition.

3	Choose Properties.

4	Using the palette, choose a color, as shown in Figure 5-15.

Figure 5-15

Formatting properties of a data visualization gadget

5	Choose Calculate. The cylinder appears on Graphic, as shown in Figure 5-16.

Figure 5-16

Visualizing a data measure using a cylinder

Related topics

Using BIRT Analytics basic tools

Using a meter

Using a label

Using a sphere

Using a cylinder

Using a funnel

Understanding the sample data model

Video tutorials

Creating a dial visualization

Showing two groups on a dial

Converting a dial to a meter

Copyright Actuate Corporation 2013

BIRT Analytics 4.2