Composed Chart By Category X
Build mixed dashboard charts from categorical data with multiple series, separate Y axes, and per-series chart type selection
Specs
Version
0.1.0 (updated on 2026-05-18)
Developer
Labii Inc.
Type
Dashboard
Support Configuration
Yes
Overview
The Composed Chart By Category X dashboard widget displays multiple numeric measures against the same categorical X axis in a single mixed chart. Each configured series can use its own chart type, color, aggregation rule, and left or right Y axis, which allows laboratory teams to compare metrics with different units or display styles without splitting the view into separate widgets. It is well suited for dashboards that need to combine totals, rates, averages, and other operational or scientific indicators in one compact visualization.
Use Cases
Operations Dashboard: Compare sample intake, completion rate, and turnaround time by project, team, or workflow stage
Quality Monitoring: Display defect count as bars, pass rate as a line, and average deviation as an area series across batches or instruments
Inventory Oversight: Track stock level, usage volume, and reorder frequency by reagent category or storage location
Executive Reporting: Present multiple KPIs together for laboratories that need a compact summary of throughput, exceptions, and utilization
Research Program Review: Compare assay output, response rate, and variance across study groups or treatment categories
Multi-Site Comparison: Split each metric by site, operator, or business unit to monitor differences across grouped categories
Configuration
Initial Setup
Open the dashboard where you want to place the widget
Click Add Widget and select Composed Chart By Category X from the Data Driven Charts category
Open the widget settings, select the source table, and define the categorical X axis
Add one or more numeric series, configure display options, then click Save
Required Settings
Table: Select a table to update the filter dropdown and define the dataset used by the dashboard widget
Optional Settings
Data Source and Filtering
Query: Specify a query to limit the results shown in the chart. This is useful for restricting the widget to a subset such as a single project, status, team, or date range
X Axis Settings
X axis: Choose a column for the X axis. If nothing is selected, the record name will be used as the X axis
X axis sorting: Choose how to sort the X axis values
String (A-Z): Sort alphabetically in ascending order
String (Z-A): Sort alphabetically in descending order
Number (Ascending): Sort numerically in ascending order
Number (Descending): Sort numerically in descending order
RID (Ascending): Sort by record ID in ascending order
RID (Descending): Sort by record ID in descending order
X axis format: Choose how foreign key values are displayed on the X axis
Full (UID: Name): Show the full foreign key label
Name only: Show only the referenced record name
Grouping
Group: Choose a column to group the data by. Group values become separate chart series for each configured numeric series, allowing comparison across cohorts, conditions, or teams
Series Configuration
Series: Add one or more series. Each series can use its own column, chart type, color, Y axis, and aggregation
Series > Column: Choose a numeric column for the series
Series > Chart type: Choose how the series is drawn
Area: Fill beneath the series to emphasize magnitude
Bar: Highlight category-by-category comparison
Line: Emphasize movement or trend across categories
Scatter: Emphasize point values without connected lines
Series > Color: Choose the display color for the series
Series > Y axis: Choose whether the series uses the left or right Y axis
Left: Use the primary Y axis
Right: Use the secondary Y axis
Series > Data aggregation: Choose how values are summarized when multiple records share the same X axis value
Aggregation Options
The widget supports the following aggregation values for each series:
None: Do not apply an aggregation when raw values are appropriate
Sum: Add matching values together
Max: Use the largest matching value
Median: Use the middle matching value
Min: Use the smallest matching value
Average: Use the mean of matching values
Display Settings
Chart title: Provide the title displayed above the chart
Height: Set chart height in pixels. The default is 250px
Auto-Update Settings
Should auto update: If checked, the widget performs a live calculation when the source data changes
Should auto update when empty: If checked, the widget performs a live calculation even when the widget initially has no data
This widget works best when each series reflects a distinct numeric metric and the X axis contains a manageable number of categories for dashboard viewing.
Display Configuration
Click the widget's Configure button after adding it to the dashboard
Choose the Table, X axis, and optional Group settings to define how categories are created
Add each Series and assign its Column, Chart type, Color, Y axis, and Data aggregation
Set Chart title, Height, and any auto-update options, then click Save to refresh the widget
Data Source Configuration
Use the widget settings to control what data is visualized:
Select the source Table that contains the dashboard metrics you want to monitor
Apply an optional Query to limit the records included in the chart
Choose the X axis and optional Group column to define category structure
Configure each series with the correct numeric column and aggregation logic for the KPI it represents
Large numbers of categories, groups, or configured series can reduce readability and may slow dashboard refreshes. Use query filters to keep the widget focused on the most relevant metrics.
Advanced Configuration
For more complex dashboards:
Assign percentages, rates, or normalized values to the Right Y axis while keeping counts or totals on the Left Y axis
Mix Bar, Line, Area, and Scatter series to distinguish totals, trends, envelopes, and point-based measures within one widget
Use Group with multiple configured series to compare the same metrics across locations, operators, projects, or assay conditions
Enable auto-update for live dashboards that need to reflect changing operational or experimental data throughout the day
Readonly View
Dashboard widgets display data in read-only mode, and Composed Chart By Category X focuses on quick visual comparison of several metrics at once.
Display Features
Visual Representation: A composed chart with categorical values on the X axis and multiple numeric series drawn as bars, lines, areas, or scatter points
Data Points: Each category can display several series at once, including grouped variants if a group column is configured
Dual Scale Support: The chart can show primary and secondary Y axes so different units remain interpretable on the same widget
Interactive Details: Hovering over a category reveals the values for visible series
Legend and Color Coding: Colors and labels identify each configured series and any grouped splits
Visual Elements
Category Axis: The X axis shows record names or values from the selected category column
Series Traces: Each configured series is rendered with its assigned chart type and color
Left and Right Y Axes: Separate axes support measures with different scales
Chart Title: A descriptive title appears above the visualization when configured
Data Indicators
Values: The chart shows aggregated or raw numeric values depending on per-series configuration
Trends: Line and area series highlight directional movement across categories
Comparisons: Bar and scatter series make category-level contrasts easier to interpret
Grouping: When enabled, groups create additional traces for comparison within the same widget
Interactive Features
Hover Details: View exact series values for each category without leaving the dashboard
Download: Export the underlying chart data for spreadsheets, presentations, or statistical analysis
Auto Refresh: If auto-update is enabled, the widget recalculates as source data changes
Additional Functions
Mixed Chart Composition
This widget supports several chart styles in one dashboard tile.
Bar series work well for totals, counts, and discrete category comparison
Line series work well for trends or directional changes
Area series emphasize magnitude and continuity
Scatter series highlight discrete points or sparse observations
Separate Y Axes
Each series can be assigned independently to the left or right Y axis. This makes it practical to compare values such as volume and percentage in one view without flattening one metric against another.
Grouped Analytics
When a Group column is configured, the widget creates distinct traces for each group value within each numeric series. This helps dashboard viewers compare the same KPI across conditions such as:
project versus project
site versus site
operator versus operator
treatment versus control
Data Export
Open the dashboard and locate the Composed Chart By Category X widget
Click Download to export the chart data currently displayed
Save the exported file for use in Excel, presentations, or external analysis tools
Live Monitoring
When auto-update is enabled, the widget can support near-real-time monitoring for operational dashboards, QC reviews, or active project overviews.
Use this widget when stakeholders need a compact dashboard view that compares several metrics at once without navigating into separate reports.
Related Widgets
Chart By Category X: Use when a single chart type and simpler series setup are sufficient
Chart By Numeric X: Use when both axes should represent numeric values instead of categorical X labels
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