Stepped Area Chart

In this article, we will explain how to create and customize a stepped area chart. So let's get started!

A stepped area chart is a graphical representation of data that uses a series of data points connected by horizontal and vertical lines and is filled in with a color or pattern. Stepped area charts are similar to regular area charts, but the lines connecting the data points are angled in a staircase-like fashion rather than being straight.

Here is an example of a stepped area chart with sample data:

In this example, a stepped area chart is used to show the trend in sales over a period of time (e.g. months or years). The x-axis represents time, and the y-axis represents the total sales for each time period. Each data point on the chart represents the total sales for a specific time period, and the area between the line and the x-axis is filled in to show the overall trend in sales. The lines connecting the data points are angled in a staircase-like fashion.

Sample data:

Time Period	Sales ($)
Jan 2020	100,000
Feb 2020	110,000
Mar 2020	120,000
Apr 2020	130,000
May 2020	140,000
Jun 2020	150,000

How-to build a stepped area chart?

1. Navigate to Add New Chart screen

2. Select data source

3. Select "Stepped Area Chart" type from gallery

4. Configure and customize the chart to create the desired visualization.

Stepped area chart Configuration:

1) The configuration shown illustrates how to map the time period on the x axis and the sales on the y axis in order to generate the line chart.

2) To customize the appearance of an area chart, follow these steps:

1. Click on the "Customize" tab

2. Go to "Series" and select the desired data series

3. Select the desired customization options, such as color, line type, line thickness, point shape, point size, data points, dual axes representation, and more

This allows you to tailor the appearance of the chart to your specific needs and preferences. You can customize a variety of options to create a chart that effectively communicates your data and insights.

Stepped area charts are often used to display trends and patterns in data over time, similar to regular area charts. They can be particularly useful when the data contains a lot of small fluctuations or noise, as the stepped lines can help to clarify the overall trend. Some useful tips for creating stepped area charts include:

• Clearly label the x-axis and y-axis, including units of measurement if applicable

• Use a consistent scale for the y-axis to accurately compare data points

• Use a clear and concise title to describe the data being displayed

• Avoid cluttering the chart with too much data or unnecessary elements

• Use a meaningful and appropriate time scale for the x-axis (e.g. days, weeks, months, years)

Stepped area chart customization options:

Infinity offers many customization options for your chart. To access these options, click on the customize tab in the chart builder screen. This will display a list of customization options.

Here is a list of notable customization options for the line chart.

Feature	Description
Aggregation	To create an aggregation, click on the data series chip in the data mapping section and choose the desired aggregation. There are various aggregation options available based on the data type.
Renaming the Data Series	To rename a data series, click on the data series chip in the data mapping section. A pop-up will appear, allowing you to change the name and any aggregation options.
Dual Axes or Right hand Axes	To enable dual axes, follow these steps: Click on the customization tab. Click on series. Select the series that you want to plot on the right-hand axes.
Titles	To change the titles, follow these steps: Click on the customization tab. Click on the horizontal (or) vertical axes. Proceed to change the titles. You will also have the option to modify the font attributes.
Chart Background	To change the chart background, follow these steps: Click on the customization tab. Click on the chart background. Proceed to selecting the desired color.
Padding and Zoom	To change the padding and zoom, follow these steps: Click on the customization tab. Click on the padding and zoom accordion. Proceed to customize the padding and zoom attributes for your chart.
Legend	To customize the legend, follow these steps: Click on the customization tab. Click on the legend accordion. The platform offers four legend options: top, bottom, right, or none. You can also configure the legend font here.
Axes	To customize the axes, follow these steps: Click on the customize tab. Select the desired axes (horizontal for X, vertical for Y, and right vertical for secondary Y). Proceed to changing the title, fonts, labels, order of axes, scale, or even add formatting such as $ or %.
Gridlines	To change the grid lines, follow these steps: Click on the customize tab. Select the gridlines accordion. Select the orientation (i.e. vertical or horizontal). Update/customize the count and colors of the gridlines.