Linking data to a chart
Use the chart builder to link a data set to a chart and plot the data. Choose Select Data, then select one of the following options to link data to a chart, as shown in Figure 16‑1:
Inherit Data from Container
Retrieves data from the data set that is bound to the container, such as a grid or table in which the chart appears.
Use Data from
Retrieves data from a data set, a cube, or another report item’s result set.
After linking data to the chart, Data Preview displays actual data. If you select Show data preview, you see column headings and up to six rows of data by default. To reduce the previewing time, deselect Show data preview. You then see column headings only. Inspect the data preview to verify that the data meets your needs. You can exclude values by filtering data or by using a parameter to return only certain data.
As described later in this chapter, you can drag and drop data columns from Data Preview to the upper half of the Select Data page to plot the data. For example, use this technique to specify which axis of a bar chart uses which column of data.
If there is no data available then you can select a message to appear in its place. In Format Chart, select Chart Area➛Chart Visibility and accept the default message or enter appropriate text, as shown in Figure 18-2.
Figure 16‑2 Empty chart message
