Adding Reference Lines to Visuals

Reference lines are visual markings in a visual, similar to ruler lines. Usually, you add a reference line for a value that needs to be displayed with the data. For example, you can add reference lines to display thresholds or limits in values.
A reference line is not part of the data that is used to build a chart. Instead, it is based on a value that you enter or a field that you choose from the dataset.
To add and format reference lines in a visual:
  1. Click Dashboards tab, the Dashboards tab.
  2. Click Dashboard Designer, in the bottom-left corner.
  3. On the Analyses dialog, click Options button, the Options button, next to an analysis and select Edit.
  4. On the analysis page, select a visual.
  5. Click Format visual icon, the Format visual icon, in the top-right corner of the visual.
  6. In the Properties panel on the right, expand the Reference lines section.
  7. Click Add new line to open the New reference line panel.
  8. Under Data, set the reference line type.
    • To create a constant line based on a single value that you enter, select Constant line under Type and enter the value that you want to use under Value.

      The specified value determines the location of the line on the visual.

    • To create a calculated line based on a field, select Calculated line under Type.

      Select the column that you want to use for the reference line, the aggregation that you want to apply to the selected column, and the calculation that you want to apply to the aggregation. If you select Percentile, also enter a percentile value from 1 through 100.

  9. Under Line style, specify whether the reference line is solid, dashed, or dotted and set the line color.
  10. Under Label, configure the reference line label.
    • Under Type, specify whether to display a label and whether the label includes only the value, a custom text, or both.
    • Under Position, set the position of the label.
    • Under Value format, specify whether to format the label as a number, as currency, or as a percent.

      By default, the label uses the format of the field that is represented on the axis.

    • Set the font size and color of the label.
  11. Click Done.
To disable, edit, or delete a reference line, click Open menu icon, the Open menu icon, next to a reference line and select Disable, Edit, or Delete from the menu.
Parent topic: Formatting Visuals