How to Create a Column Chart Widget Using the New Widget Builder

Background information

The new Widget Builder integrates all widget configuration options on a single page.

• By centralizing the management of all configuration options, users no longer need to switch between various pages, saving time and effort, enhancing user experience, improving work efficiency, and simplifying the operation process.
• This integrated design is easy to use and makes the configuration process more intuitive and efficient.  

When to use the Column Chart widget

The Column Chart widget is typically used to display and compare data points in vertical columns. It is useful when you want to visually represent relationships between different categories or show trends over a period of time.

Required permissions

Only users with admin roles can access the New Widget Builder and edit the widget settings. 

1. Access New Widget Builder

1.1 Create a new Column Chart widget using the New Widget Builder

1. Navigate to Widgets on the MSPbots app menu and click New Widget. 
   
   
   
   
2. Choose the Column Chart widget type on the New Widget window. 
   
   
   
   
3. Turn on the Try New Widget Builder switch.
   
   

1.2 Configure an existing widget using the New Widget Builder

1. Navigate to Widgets on the MSPbots app menu.
2. Search and click the widget to open it.
   
   
   
    
3. Turn on the Try New Widget Builder switch.
   
   

2. Add datasets

1. In the Dataset tab, Click the + Dataset button.
   
   
    
2. Select a dataset with the data you need, then click Add Selected.
   
   
    
   Click Dataset name bar to show the fields in the dataset.
   
   
    

What else can you do in the Dataset section?

• Search fields - Use keywords to search for the fields you need.
  
   
   
• Order By - Sort all data from the added datasets based on the selected fields and sorting rules. 
  
   
   
  1. Fill in the Field and Order By rules.
     
     
      
  2. Click Save.
     
      
• Row Limit - Select an option to limit the rows of data for all added datasets.
  
   
   
• Replace the dataset with another one you want.
  1. Hover over the name of the dataset.
  2. Click the ellipsis    button, then select Select.
     
      
      
  3. Click your desired dataset and click Add Selected.
     Replace the dataset with one that matches the structure of the original dataset. For example, a dataset that only differs in field data values is essential to avoid error reports and widget malfunctions.
     
     
     
      
• Rename, Clone, or Delete the dataset
  1. Hover over the name of the dataset.
  2. Click the ellipsis    button, then select Rename/Clone/Delete.
     
      
      
     • When you hover over the dataset, it displays the original name of the dataset. 
        
        
     • If you have renamed the dataset, hovering over it displays both the original name and the name you renamed it to.
       
       
        

   *   If you want to add a Calculate Layer, refer to Adding a Calculate Layer to a Widget.
   *   When you add a dataset with fields next to the triangle icon, it indicates that the field is associated with other datasets. 
   *   The fields in the associated datasets can be dragged or added to the widget configuration area for settings. 
   *   If you configure fields from the associated dataset in Query, Drill Through, or Options, the Widget Builder mode will stay in the New Widget Builder mode and cannot switch back to the original mode. You can switch back to the original mode only after you clear the fields from the associated dataset.


 

3. Set filters for the dataset

1. Data Scope

• When the dataset you are configuring has only one layer, this option is not editable. Skip this option and proceed to the next step.
• When the dataset you are configuring has multiple layers, select a layer you want to configure.
  
  
   
  • How to check the number of layers in the dataset you are configuring?
    1. Search for the dataset you are setting up in Datasets and edit it. 
       
       
        
    2. Click Layer to see how many layers there are.
       
       
        

2. Query
 

 

1. Click Query bar to show the settings.
   
   
    
2. For Measure - Configure the fields to be calculated and the formula for calculating measures.
   1. Drag the required fields from the Dataset column to the Measure area, or click the    button to add a measure.
   2. Configure the following fields:
      1. Fields - Select a computation option from the Fields dropdown. 
      2. Alias - Type an Alias for the measure.
      3. Select one from Formula, Format, or Custom SQL to set.
         • Formula
           • Summarize Type - Select a Summary Type.
             • sum
             • count
             • avg
             • max
             • min
             • string_agg
               
               
                
         • Format
           1. Format Type - Select a Format Type.
              • Text
              • Number
              • Date
              • Date Time
              • Yes/No
              • User
              • Hyperlinks
           2. Display Type
           3. Symbol - When the Display Type is Prefix, set the Symbol. The symbol displayed before the value. For example, if you enter $, it will be displayed as $888.
           4. Decimals - Enter the number of decimal places. 0 represents an integer, such as 1; 1 represents one decimal place, such as 1.1; 2 represents two decimal places, such as 50.21%.
              
              
               
         • Custom SQL
           • Enter your SQL in the Calculate Measure.
           • Save promptly after entering the SQL. If you switch to Formula or Format without saving, the SQL will be automatically cleared.
      4. Remove duplicate data - If you want to remove duplicate data when calculating data, please check this option.
   3. Click Save.
3. For Dimension - Configure the fields and format you want to be displayed as a group.
   1. Drag the required fields from the Dataset column to the Dimension area, or click the    button to add a dimension.
   2. Configure the following fields:
      1. Fields - Select a grouping option from the Fields dropdown.
      2. Alias -Give an Alias for the dimension.
      3. Format
         • Format Type - Select a Format Type.
           • Text
           • Number
           • Date
           • Date Time
           • Yes/No
           • User
           • Hyperlinks
         • Display Type
      4. Custom SQL
         • Calculate Measure
   3. Click Save.
      
      
       
4. For Filter - Add conditions for filtering fields.  
   1. Click the    button.
   2. Select the fields you want to filter.
   3. Set conditions for each field using the subsequent two dropdowns.
      For a guide on each option on the list, refer to the article What Filter Conditions and Formats are Available for Creating Widgets.
   4. Select the logical operator AND or OR for the filter group.
   5. If you want to add multiple conditions or groups, click either + Condition or + Group to add.
      
      
       
   6. Click    to set advanced settings. 
      • Case SenSitive - Configure whether to be case-sensitive when filtering the fields.
      • Slicer - Configure whether to set Slicer.
        
        
         
        1. If you want to add a slicer, turn on the Slicer switch.
           
           
            
        2. Select a slicer from the dropdown list.
           • Ignore Filter - When the Ignore Filter option is checked, the value field will be grayed out. Only the column field and query string need to be filled in. And only the slicer will be effective.
             
             
              
   7. Filter Inspector - Click Filter Inspector to check the filter settings by viewing the Filter Expression and Filter SQL.
      
      
      
      
       
   8. Click Save.
      
      
       
5. For Order By - Sort the data of a specific layer in a certain dataset based on the selected fields and sorting rules. 
   1. Click + Click to Add.
   2. Configure the following fields:
      • Field - Select a parameter to sort the data. 
      • Order By
        • Ascending
        • Descending
   3. Click Save. 
      
      
       
6. Row Limit - Select an option to limit the data rows for a specific layer in a certain dataset.
   
   
    
7. Remove duplicate data - If you want to remove duplicate data, select this option.
   
    
8. Materialized - Select an option from the Materialized dropdown menu to materialize data based on the actual conditions.
   
   
    

3. Drill Through

1. Click Drill Through bar to show the settings.
   
   
    
2. Column - Configure which fields are included in the widget.
   1. Drag the required fields from the Dataset column to the Column area, or click the    button to add a condition.
   2. Configure the following fields:
      • Field
      • Alias
      • Format
        • Format Type
          • Text
          • Number
          • Date
          • Date Time
          • Yes/No
          • User
          • Hyperlinks
        • Display Type
      • Custom SQL
   3. Click Save.
      
      
       
3. Order By - Sort the data from drilling through a specific dataset based on the selected fields and sorting rules.
   1. Drag the required fields from the Dataset column to the Order By area, or click the    button to add a field.
   2. Fill in the following fields:
      • Field
      • Order By
        • Ascending
        • Descending
   3. Click Save.
      
      

4. Clear Query

When you want to clear all fields in Query and Drill Through at once, you can click the Clear Query button to avoid deleting them individually.

1. Click Clear Query at the bottom of the page.
   
   
    

2. Click Continue.
   
   

    

4. Set the Options for the widget

4.1 Chart Type

Switch widget types by clicking the icon of your desired widget type.

The available types for switching in New Widget Builder mode are:

• Card Number
• Grid
• Column Chart
• Line Chart
• Heatmap
• Pie Chart
• Progress Tracker
• Pivot Table
  
  
   

4.2 Design

Click Design bar to show the settings. Fill in the following fields:

1. Chart Style - Select the Stacking Column, Column, or Bar from the dropdown list.
   • Stacking Column
     
     
     
     
   • Column
     
     
     
     
   • Bar
     
     
     
     
2. Chart Title - Provide a title for the data being presented. 
   
   
   
   
3. Dimension - Select the data for the x-axis (horizontal) of the bar chart. 
4. Measure - Select the data for the y-axis (vertical) of the bar chart. 
5. Multiple Measure
   • If not selected, the y-axis will have one measure.
   • If selected, multiple measures will appear on the y-axis, such as the left y-axis and the right Y-axis.
6. Measure Color - Select the color for the y-axis. When you set multiple measures, the colors of the measures are displayed sequentially.
7. Column Limit - Set the number of measures to display. For example, setting it to 2 will display 2 measures.
8. Trend Line - Select the preferred trendline from the dropdown list, if necessary.
   • linear
   • exponential
   • polynomial
9. Label Font Size - Set the font size for the label.
   
   
   
   
10. X-Axis Font Size - Set the font size for the x-axis.
    
    
    
    
11. Goal - Provide the preferred set goal, if necessary.
    
    
    
    
12. Goal Color - Select a color for the goal.
13. Measure Line - Select the preferred measure-line from the dropdown list, if necessary. 
    
    
    
    
14. Dimension Group - Select the preferred dimension group from the dropdown list, if necessary.
15. Dimension Name - Provide a name for the x-axis of the bar chart.
16. Measure Name - Provide a name for the y-axis of the bar chart. 
17. Y-Axis Percentage - Selecting this option will display the percentage on the y-axis.
18. Right Y-Axis Coordinate - If selected, it will display the coordinates on the right x-axis.
    • Right Y-Axis Measure - Select the measure for the right y-axis.
    • Right Y-Axis Label Name - Enter the label name for the right y-axis.
    • Right Y-Axis Percentage - Select to display the percentage on the right y-axis.
19. X-Axis Name Location - Select Left, Center or Right as the location for the Dimension Name from the dropdown list, if necessary.
20. X-Axis Name Gap - Provide the preferred number of gaps for Dimension Name, if necessary.
21. X-Axis Name Rotate - Provide the preferred orientation for Dimension Name, if necessary. 
22. Y-Axis Name Location - Select Bottom, Middle or Top as the location for the Measure Name from the dropdown list, if necessary.
23. Y-Axis NameGap - Provide the preferred number of gaps for Measure Name, if necessary.
24. Y-Axis NameRotate - Provide the preferred orientation for Measure Name, if necessary.
25. Show Label - The default is to show the labels. Remove the selection for the Show Label checkbox if you prefer not to show these.
26. (Optional) Overlapping Columns/Overlapping Bars - Turn on this switch to make multiple columns/bars at the same X/Y-coordinate overlap with each other.
    The overlapping column chart widget highlights overall trends, prominent outlier data, saves chart space, making it easier to display a large amount of data in a limited space, thus improving data visualization effectiveness. 
    
    • This switch still shows the column chart widget with only 1 dimension and 1 measure, but will not take effect if turned on.
      • When the option Chart Style is selected as Column, the switch is named Overlapping Columns.
      • When the option Chart Style is selected as Bar, the switch is named Overlapping Bars.
27. Show Split Line - Select the checkbox for Split Line Show if you wish to show the split lines.
28. (Optional) Stacked Statistics - Enable this switch to display the column chart using stacked statistics.
29. (Optional) Stacked Statistics Sort - Select descending or ascending to sort the stacked statistics.
    
30. Label Format - You can configure the Label Format with the following tokens:
    • {x_val}: The value of the x-axis.
    • {x_val2}: The dimension value of the legend.
    • {y_val}: The total value of the y-axis in the bar chart.
    • {y_val2}: If a stacked bar chart is selected, this is the value of each part of the y-axis.
    • {measure_name}: The name of the y-axis.
      
31. Chart Margin (Grid Setting) -Turn on the switch, then you can customize and adjust the widget display size by entering pixel margins from the top, left, right, and bottom.
    

5. Conditional Formatting

If you want to change the text or background color when the fields meet specific conditions, or display as an icon, set a conditional formatting rule for your widget.

 
 

1. Click Conditional Formatting bar to show the settings.
2. Click the    button.
3. Configure the following fields:
   1. Name
   2. Field
   3. Value
   4. Color Cell - Select the format to be applied once conditions are satisfied. You can apply color to a cell or row.
      • Background Color
      • Text Color
      • Icon
   5. Color Entire Row
      • Background Color
      • Text Color
4. Click Save.
   
   
    

6. Save your settings

1. Click the    button in the upper right corner.
   
   
    
2. Fill in the following fields.
   • Name
   • Description
   • More Info
   • Tag
   • Role
     
     
      
3. Click Save.

   New widgets are at the bottom of dashboards, scorecards, and reports. When you save a new widget, the screen will automatically scroll to show where the new widget is.

   You can edit the dashboard design by modifying the widget's placement in the dashboard.

What other actions are available from the widget's screen in the new Widget Builder?

Switching to the original Widget Builder

If you want to switch back to the original Widget Builder page, click to open the Unsaved Changes pop-up window.

• If you do not want to save the settings in the New Widget Builder, click Leave without Saving.
• If you want to save the settings in the New Widget Builder, click Save Changes.
  
  

Creating a bot from the widget

1. Click   > Create Bot.
   
    
    
2. For more details on creating a bot, see How to Create a Bot from a Widget in New Widget Builder mode.

Creating a filter for the widget

The filter is for secondary filtering of the data filtered in the Dataset.

1. Click   > Filter.
   
    
    
2. Select a field you want to filter.
   
   
    
3. Set a condition for the field using the subsequent two dropdowns. For descriptions of each option, refer to What Filter Conditions and Formats are Available for Creating Widgets.
4. If you want to add multiple filter conditions,
   1. Click the Add icon and choose either Add Condition or Add Group.
      • Add Condition - Add a filter condition.
      • Add Group - Add a condition group.
        
        
         
   2. Repeat steps 2 and 3.
5. Select the logical operator AND or OR for the conditions or filter groups.
   • AND - Conditions within a group or groups are connected by an AND relationship, which requires that all conditions or groups must be fulfilled.
   • OR - Conditions within a group or groups are connected by an OR relationship, which means that only one of the conditions or groups needs to be fulfilled.
6. Click ok to keep your settings.
   
   
    

Cloning the widget

1. Click the    button in the upper right corner.
2. Hover over Clone to and select from:
   • Clone to "My Widgets"
   • Clone to Existing Dashboard
   • Clone to New Dashboard
     
      
      
3. Follow the steps below:
   • If you select Clone to "My Widgets",
     1. Fill in the following fields:
        • Name
        • Role
        • Description
          
          
           
     2. Click Confirm to clone the widget as a new widget.
   • If you select Clone to Existing Dashboard,
     1. Select a existing dashabord from the list.
        
        
         
     2. Click Clone.
     3. The page will redirect to the editing mode of the existing dashboard. For more information on how to edit the dashboard, see How to Create and Use Dashboards in MSPbots. 
        You can also find the cloned widget in My Widgets category in Widgets.
   • If you select Clone to New Dashboard,
     1. Select Dashboard or Report.
        
        
         
     2. For more information on how to edit the dashboard or report, refer to the below articles. 
        • How to Create and Use Dashboards in MSPbots
        • How to Create and Use Reports in MSPbots 
          You can also find the cloned widget in My Widgets category in Widgets.

Deleting the widget

1. Click More Options , and then select Delete.
   
    
    
2. Click Confirm.
   
   

Sharing the widget

1. Click the Share icon to copy the URL of the widget.
   
   
    
2. The message Copy Success indicates that the copy was successful and you can share the URL with others who want to view the widget.
   
   

Adding the widget to My Favorites

Click the   button in the upper right corner to add the widget to My Favorites.


 

• When   changes to  , it means the addition was successful.
• After that, you can find the widget in the My Favorites tab.
  
  
   
• If you want to remove it from My Favorites, click   to change it to  .