Cloudy’s Chalkboard: Grouped Bar Charts

Salesforce.com charts and dashboards create useful snapshot views of your data. Bar charts are popular because you can easily add valuable detail to a basic bar chart by using groupings.

Look at Cloudy’s examples below and then follow the step-by-step instructions to create a grouped bar chart for your report or dashboard:

Salesforce.com grouped bar charts

Step 1: Create your report.

You need to include at least 3 fields:
-Record Name or ID (ie. Activity ID)
-Group Category 1 (ie. Activity Type)
-Group Category 2 (ie. Assigned to)
Check your filters:
-Set the date filters to the time frame you are interested in.
-Add any other filters needed to zoom in on the records you want to see.
Summarize:
-In the report Preview pane, select the Format drop-down and choose “Summary.”
-Drag the Group Categories into the Summary drop zones in any order you wish.
Step 2: Create your chart.
You can create a chart on a dashboard or on the report itself.
Chart Editor:
(these instructions assume a horizontal bar chart. Switch X and Y axis instructions in the case of a vertical bar chart)
-If you are on the report itself, the Chart Editor appears automatically when you add a chart. If you are on a dashboard, click the wrench icon to open Chart Editor.
-Click the “Chart Data” tab
-For the X-Axis, choose the correct measurement metric (ie. Record Count, $ amount, etc.)
-For the Y-Axis, choose the first Group Category you want to see. These will be the bars on your chart.
-Next, click the “Group By” drop down and choose the OTHER Group Category.
-Select the type of Grouped Bar Chart by clicking the icons below the Group By menu. For stacked grouping like the example above, click the middle icon.
Click OK to view your Grouped Bar Chart!
Read more of Cloudy’s Salesforce.com step-by-step instructions:
If you would like help creating these or other dashboard components, CONTACT US
Cloudy Cumulus is part of Redpath Consulting Group, based in Minneapolis, MN (c) 2012

With the rapid evolution of technology, Salesforce solutions are ever-changing and improving features. Contact our team for up-to-date information.

Published On: December 20, 2012

About the Author: Stephanie King

Stephanie King is a Senior Consultant at Redpath Consulting Group, Co-Leader of the Twin Cities Salesforce Nonprofit User Group, and has been blogging as Cloudy Cumulus since 2012.