Database Reference
In-Depth Information
Bullet graphs such as the one shown in Figure 12-13 are a custom comparison
in Excel. This graph was developed by superimposing two bar graphs with a
transparent background and a colored shape with a gradient.
F I g u R e 12 -13
A bullet graph in Excel
Other custom visualizations include filled-up shelves shown in Figure 1-3 in
Chapter 1, or the animated building in Figure 2-21 in Chapter 2. The animated
buildings are essentially just prettified columns in a column graph.
Another custom visualization is the prism map also shown in Chapter 1.
Tool CHoICeS, wITH eXAMPleS
The Microsoft toolset is relatively good with comparison visualizations, and
works well across the toolset. The only large gap is an automatically gener-
ated heatmap. While Excel can be used to generate a heatmap of sorts, it is
far from use friendly. The InfoVis toolkit is discussed later in this chapter to
show you what these heatmaps look like.
PErForMANCEPoINT SErVICES
PerformancePoint is very good with the basic comparison visualizations. It has
column charts, scorecards (the indicators covered in Chapter 13 are a form of
comparison visual), and an analytic grid. It is, however, limited in that further
customization is not possible. The interactivity of being able to slice your vari-
ous comparisons by a scorecard—as shown in Figure 12-14—makes up for this
in large part by making the experience of filtering the comparisons very easy.
