In addition to pin charts for relative values, we’ve upgraded the visual experience by offering an option to visualize relative values with dots, which correspondingly change size based on the value. This visual type’s greatest advantage is its ability to save space while enabling you to reach insights more quickly and effectively.
How does it work
Simply put, the bigger the dot, the higher the relative value. Along with the whole visual, dots are responsive, so when the visual or, more specifically, the rows are expanded, the dots will also grow in size, and their scale between other relative columns will align.
How to access Sized dots on relative variances
You can access the Sized dots visual type by navigating to any relative variance column and clicking the dropdown menu in the header.
The initial pin chart will switch to the sized dots chart after selection.
If the visual has any outlier limits, they will be shown as a white arrow up/down inside the dot.
Business Example
Imagine a sales team manager analyzing the performance of their team members over the last quarter. By using sized dots in a variance report:
- Larger dots highlight greater over and underperformance, depending on color, signaling opportunities to reward their success or recognize concerns.
- Smaller dots represent smaller impacts, helping the manager quickly identify individuals who may need coaching or additional support.
- White arrows within the dots can flag extreme outliers, such as a salesperson who landed an unusually large deal, allowing for a deeper understanding of exceptional contributions.
This visual allows the sales manager to make informed, timely decisions, such as reallocating resources or setting personalized goals, without being bogged down by lengthy numerical data analysis.
Use in hierarchical tables and cross tables
Sized dots in visual type for relative variances will show corresponding sizes in hierarchical tables and cross tables with groups.
Conclusion
Sized dots are a compact yet powerful addition to data visualization, offering a clear, responsive, and scalable way to represent relative variances. By saving space and simplifying comparisons, this visual type enhances the speed and accuracy of business insights, making it a valuable feature for any data-driven professional.