MicroStrategy Visualizations

Reference Guide

Bubble Grid Widget

Visualization Goal
The main aim of the Bubble Grid widget is to
convey information in a fashion that an analyst
can identify important trends and anomalies with
respect to total contribution of accompanying
data at a single glance. In this widget, the metric
values are plotted as bubbles of different colors
and sizes. The colors and sizes of the bubbles generates Bubbles at the intersections of the
elements from these objects. Elements from the
represent the values of two distinct metrics on the
first object (starting from left) are displayed on the
widget template. Each bubble is displayed at the
X-axis of the widget. This object represents one
intersection of two different attribute elements. of the business areas that can be analyzed in the
widget. In order to analyze data along the X-axis
Report Objects required for Grid/ with respect to time, we have to use time-based
Graph attribute such as Hour, Day, or Month.
Place two attributes, custom groups, or Elements from the second attribute are displayed
consolidations on the Grid/ Graph’s rows: It on the Y-axis of the widget. This attribute repre-

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 sents another business area that can be analyzed user to display or hide any of the Microchart types.
in the widget. To display all three Microchart types, place at least
Place at least two metrics on the columns: The seven metrics on the columns, as follows:
values of these two metrics produce the bubbles in – The first (left-most) metric determines the height
the widget, as described below – of the bars in the bar Microcharts and the peak
The first (the one at extreme left) metric points in the Sparkline Microcharts.
determines the size of the bubbles. The smaller – The second metric creates the horizontal
metric values produce the smaller bubbles in the reference lines that are displayed in the Sparkline
widget while the larger metric values produce the Microcharts.
larger bubbles. – The second metric determines – The third metric determines the length of
the color of the bubbles. For example, if Profit is the performance measure bar in the bullet
the second metric on the columns, the color of the Microcharts. The bar represents the actual metric
bubbles depicts the range of profit values. value.
The additional metrics are displayed in tooltips – The fourth metric determines the maximum
when the analyst brings the cursor over a bubble possible values in the bullet Microcharts.
in MicroStrategy Web. – The fifth metric determines the right-most
boundary of the first color band, Band 1, in the
Note: This widget requires MicroStrategy 9.3
bullet Microcharts.
– The sixth metric determines the right-most
Microcharts Widget boundary of the second color band, Band 2, in the
Visualization Goal: Bullet Microcharts.
The Microcharts widget consists of compact – The seventh metric determines the value of the
representations of data that allow analysts to vertical reference line in the Bullet Microcharts,
quickly visualize the trends in data. Microcharts which is typically the target value for the metric.
display information in such a manner that a user – Any additional metrics are displayed in the col-
can determine the trend of a metric over time or umns of the widget, after the Microcharts and their
how a metric is performing compared to forecasted associated metrics.
figures, in a single glance. The Microcharts widget
is useful for this purpose because individual
Note: This widget requires MicroStrategy 9.3
Microcharts can display the attribute and metric
data in a small graph that would otherwise be
displayed as a single value in a grid report cell.

Report Objects required for Grid/

Graph:
Following the steps below ensures that the
widget can display all the three Microcharts (bar,
sparkline, and bullet).These steps also enable the

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Media Widget Weighted List Viewer Widget
The Media widget allows you to present a variety
Visualization Goal:
of media, such as video, audio, images, or website
The Weighted List Viewer combines the data vis-
content, on your dashboard. You can include me-
ualization techniques of thresholds and graphical
dia in the widget to provide background informa-
weighting into a single visualization that displays
tion about data or instructions on how to use the
how the items within a portfolio are performing.
dashboard. You can also use the Media widget to
Much like a “heat map,” it is intended to show the
simply enhance the look and feel of a dashboard.
weighted performance of a portfolio, at a single
By using dynamic URLs driven by a selector in
glance. This could be a portfolio of stocks or the
the dashboard, the user can configure the Media
entries in a sale pipeline report.
widget to play a media file based on any attribute
Thresholds in the widget highlight rows based on
in your dashboard.
the value of a metric. The rows are also ordered
Note: This widget requires MicroStrategy 9.3 automatically so that metrics that are performing
well are at the top and metrics that are performing
poorly are at the bottom. In addition, a stacked bar
RSS Reader Widget chart is included next to the grid; it indicates the
The RSS Reader widget helps provide a 360-de-
relative contribution, or weight, of each row.
gree view of your business by allowing you to
compare and contrast the data in your dashboard
with information from external news feed sources.
The widget retrieves news from an RSS news feed
and displays it alongside the other components of
your dashboard. You can use these widgets on a
dashboard to view and update your favorite RSS
news feeds as you analyze grids, graphs, and
other objects in the dashboard.
By using dynamic URLs driven by a selector in the
dashboard, you can configure the RSS Reader
widget to automatically display news related to any
attribute in your dashboard.
Note: This widget requires MicroStrategy 9.3

Report Objects required for Grid/

Graph:
Place at least one attribute on the rows: The
attribute’s elements are displayed in the grid
rows of the widget. For example, if you place the
Region attribute on the rows, each region is listed
in the grid in the widget, with corresponding metric
values on the right and a contribution graph on the
left.
Place at least two metrics on the columns: The
values of these metrics are displayed in the grid
rows of the widget, along with the attribute. The
metric data and corresponding colors displayed

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 in the widget reflect the performance of different Place either two attributes on the Grid/Graph’s
attribute elements. rows and one attribute on the columns: along with
– The first metric on the columns is the threshold one metric on the columns; or you must place
metric. This metric is used to set the color of the three attributes on the rows and one metric on the
rows. These colors are also displayed in the grid columns:
on the right side of the widget. – Place at least two attributes on the rows. The
– The second metric on the columns is the weight- first (left-most) attribute on the rows (and the
ing metric that determines the percent-to-total second, third, fourth, and so on) provide the
value for each business attribute. It is used to set row headers in the widget. The last (right-most)
the relative size of each section of the contribution attribute on the rows provides the X-axis of the
graph on the left side of the widget. graphs. This attribute, which is generally time
– Any additional metrics are displayed in the grid, based, is used to drive the time series of the
but do not have any effect on the threshold colors graphs.
or contribution graph on the left side of the widget. – If there are fewer than three attributes on the
rows, place at least one attribute on the columns:
Note: This widget requires MicroStrategy 9.3
The first (left-most) attribute on the columns
provides the column headers in the widget. These
Graph Matrix (Deprecated) values are used to slice the data by grouping
Widget it, based on the column attributes. Additional
attributes on the columns produce separate line
Visualization Goal: graphs within each area graph in the widget.
The Graph Matrix widget allows you to quick- – Place at least one metric on the Grid/Graph’s
ly analyze various trends across several metric columns: (If there is an attribute on the columns,
dimensions. You can use the widget to assess place the metric to the right of, or below, the
questions such as “How are sales comparing vs. attribute.) The value of this metric is graphed
forecast, by time and region?”. The Graph Matrix on the Y-axis. The first metric on the columns is
widget consists of several area graphs that display depicted as the colored series in the area graphs.
actual values. Each area graph also has a line Any additional metrics are depicted as the forecast
graph above it to show forecasted values. One lines in each area graph.
graph is displayed for every combination of ele-
ments from the attributes on the widget template’s Note: This widget requires MicroStrategy 9.3
rows and columns. You can click any graph to
zoom in for a more detailed view. Interactive Stacked Graph
Report Objects required for Grid/ Visualization Goal:
Graph: This graph allows the users to view the contribu-
tion of an individual series or a specific group of
series to the total. They can interactively select the
series that comprises of the total data selected.

Report Objects required for Grid/

Graph:
Two attributes, one on the rows and one on the
columns: The attribute placed in the columns will
appear in the list of check boxes on the left side

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of the widget. The attributes placed in the rows
will appear on the X-axis at the bottom of the area
graph in the widget.
One metric on the columns: The metric values are
displayed on the Y-axis of the graph.
(No maximum number of attributes and metrics)
(No maximum number of attributes and metrics)
Note: This widget requires MicroStrategy 9.3

Interactive Bubble Graph

Visualization Goal:
This is a variant of bubble graph with time series
animation, drilling and automatic color coding.
Note: This widget requires MicroStrategy 9.3

Time Series Slider Report Objects required for Grid/

Visualization Goal: Graph:
Place at least one attribute in the rows: To enable
A Time Series Slider widget is an’ Area Graph’
drilling on the bubble chart, add one additional
that allows the analyst to choose a particular
attribute to the left of the attribute in the rows. To
section of the graph to view at a time. The widget
enable time series animation, add yet another
consists of two related graphs that are positioned
attribute (a third attribute) on the left-most side of
one above the other. The top graph is the con-
the rows.
troller, and contains a slider. The bottom graph is
the primary graph. You can use the slider on the
controller to select some portion of the controller,
which determines the range of data visible in the
primary graph.

Report Objects required for Grid/

Graph:
This graph has one attribute on the rows, (prefer-
ably time based ones). The attribute elements are
displayed along the X-axis.
Place 3 metrics on the columns: These metrics are
One metric on the columns: The metric values get
displayed along the X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis, in
displayed along the Y-axis. If you include two met-
order from left to right. To display a different color
rics, a line graph and an area graph are displayed
bubble (series) for each attribute element on the
together.
bubble chart, add an additional (that is, a fourth)
(No maximum number of attributes and metrics)
attribute above the other three metrics
graph are displayed together.
(No maximum number of attributes and metrics)
Note: This widget requires MicroStrategy 9.3
Note: This widget requires MicroStrategy 9.3

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 Single Value Visualization
Heat Map Visualization Goal:
The goal of this visualization is to represent a sin-
Visualization Goal: gle value in a visual manner such as a Gauge of a
The goal of the Heat Map is to allow a user to
cylinder or a Thermometer. A Gauge can display
grasp the state and impact of a large number of
multiple metrics. A Selector enables the user to
variables at once quickly. This graph displays the
interact with the Dashboard. Single Value Visuali-
rows of data as groups of rectangles that can be
zations consist of Gauge, Cylinder and Thermom-
arranged, sized and colored to graphically reveal
eter.
the underlying data patterns. This visualization
technique allows users to easily recognize com-
plicated data relationships that are otherwise
non-obvious from a tabular display of data

Report Objects required for Grid/

Graph:
The main report objects required in Heat Map is
at least one of more attributes on the rows.. If you Report Objects required for Grid/
add additional attributes, all of them will be dis-
Graph:
played as separate rectangles in the heat map.
The report Objects required for Single value Visu-
Two or more metrics on the columns: First metric
alization are as follows:
determines the relative size of the rectangle 2nd
One attribute on the rows: The attribute elements
metric determines color Metrics can be changed
are displayed in the selector that is used to display
on the fly.
different data in the widget.
One metric on the columns: The metric values
Note: This widget requires MicroStrategy 9.3 determine the location of the needle on the gauge,
the level in the cylinder or the reading the ther-
mometer.
(No maximum number of attributes and metrics)
Note: This widget requires MicroStrategy 9.3

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 Funnel Widget
Visualization Goal:
Data Clouds Widget A Funnel widget allows you to quickly analyze
Visualization Goal: various trends across several metric values. The
A Data Cloud widget displays attribute elements Funnel widget can be used for a wide variety
in various sizes to depict the differences in met- of business purposes, including application
ric values between the elements. The widget is management, click management, pipeline
similar to a heat map. In a way that it allows the analyses for sales forecasts, and sales process
analyst to quickly identify the most significant, analysis. The widget is a variation of a stacked
positive, or negative contributions. percent bar chart that displays data that adds up to
The widget consists of a list of attribute elements. 100%. Therefore, it can allow analysts to visualize
The font size of each attribute element represents the percentage of contribution from sales data or
a metric value for that element. These metric val- the stages in a sales process and reveal the amount
ues represent the values of the first metric on the of potential revenue for each stage. When the
widget’s template. widget is used to analyze a sales process, analysts
can use the widget to drill down to key metrics
such as deal size, profit potential, and probability
Report Objects required for Grid/ of closing. The widget can also be used to identify
Graph: potential problem areas in an organization’s sales
At least one attribute on the rows: The elements processes.
of the attribute are displayed in the widget. If you
include additional attributes to the right of the first
attribute, elements from all of the attributes are
Report Objects required for Grid/
combined and displayed in the widget. Graph:
At least one metric on the columns: The first At least one attribute on the rows: The attributes
metric on the columns determines the size of the are displayed as separate sections in the widget.
font of the attribute elements in the widget. If you At least one metric on the columns: The size of
include additional metrics to the right of the first each section of the widget is determined by the
metric, the metrics are displayed in the too tips values of the metric.
available in Flash Mode. When a user hovers the
cursor over an attribute element, a tool tip is dis-
played. The tool tip lists the metric values for that
attribute element or group of attribute elements.

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 Fish Eye Selector Widget Report Objects required for Grid/
Visualization Goal: Graph:
The Fish Eye Selector magnifies an item when a The rows can have any of the following:
user brings the cursor over it in Flash Mode, Inter- No attributes or metrics: If there are no attributes
active Mode, or Express Mode in MicroStrategy or metrics on the rows, you must place one or
Web. Any item that a user hovers over or selects more attributes and metrics on the columns or
remains magnified, while rest of the items remain place one or more metrics on the columns.
minimized and are displayed in the background of One or more attributes and/or metrics: The widget
the selector. A Fish Eye Selector shown is in Flash displays the elements of attributes placed on the
Mode, targeting a graph, which changes as the rows on the X-axis. Similarly, the metrics placed
selection on the left changes. on the rows are displayed on the X-axis of the
widget. The widget also displays the bars which
Report Objects required for Grid/ are based on the values of these metrics are
displayed in the widget. If you want the metrics on
Graph:
the widget template to generate the increment and
An Attribute or a Metric: Select an attribute or a
decrement bars in the widget, it is recommended
metric from the Dataset Objects panel on the left,
that you place the metrics on the rows. When we
and drag it on top of the Grid/Graph’s rows. The
place attribute and Metric both on the rows, a
attribute elements or metric values will be dis-
combination of those objects is displayed on the
played in the selector.
X-axis.
The rows can have any of the following:
Water Fall Widget No attributes and one or more metric:/ One or
Visualization Goal: more attributes and/or metrics: Metrics placed
A Waterfall widget highlights the increments on the columns are displayed in the legend. Bars
and decrements of the values of metrics over based on the values of the metrics are displayed
time. Analysts can use the widget to identify the in the widget. The elements of attributes placed
aspects of the business that are contributing to on the columns are displayed in the legend.
the fluctuations in the values. Analyst can also When both attributes and metrics are placed on
use this widget to perform “What-if” analyses. the columns, a combination of those objects is
The widget consists of a group of clustered bars displayed on the X-axis.
displayed from left to right. The X-axis contains
either attribute elements or metrics, depending
on where the attributes and metrics are placed on
the widget’s template in Design Mode or Editable
Mode. The Y-axis displays a range of values
based on the metrics on the widget’s template.

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Graph Matrix An interactive style of selector that is displayed
only in Flash Mode. It is a calendar selector that
Visualization Goal: allows you to select which dates you want to see
The Graph Matrix widget allows you to quickly data about in a dashboard. You are able to see
analyze the various trends across several metric all of the dates of each month in the widget, which
dimensions. The widget consists of a matrix of allows you to be able to select dates more easily.
graphs that allow users to analyze and compare
trends in metric data. Report Objects required for Grid/
Graph:
Report Objects required for Grid/ Report Objects required for Grid/Graph:
Graph: From the Dataset Objects panel on the left, select
At least one attribute, either on the row or the one attribute and drag it on top of the Grid/Graph’s
columns. rows. The attribute must be of a date type
At least one metric on the columns, below all Note: This widget requires MicroStrategy 9.3
attributes that are on the columns.
Note: This widget requires MicroStrategy 9.3
Image Layout
Visualization Goal:
You can add an Image Layout widget to a doc-
ument to display an image overlaid with colored
areas or bubble markers. For example, you can
display a map of the United States, with a bubble
marker displayed over each state. You can have
states with a high number of stores displayed
using large bubble markers, and states with a low
number of stores displayed using small bubble
markers.
You can display the Image Layout widget on a
mobile device with MicroStrategy Mobile

Report Objects required for Grid/

Date Selection Graph:
At least one location specific Attribute;
Visualization Goal: To specify the areas or bubble markers to display
in the widget, place one attribute on the rows
of the widget’s Grid/Graph. This attribute must
contain the name of each location that you want
to display in the widget, as described in the
prerequisites. Place at least two metrics on the
columns of the widget’s Grid/Graph.

Prerequisites :
This procedure assumes that an administrator has
already created the following:
The shape of the file you want to use to display the

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 widget: A shape file is an HTML file that contains
the image that you want to display in the widget,
as well as the location of each bubble marker or
area you want to display on top of the image. Web
provides several default shape files for you to
choose from, including a map of countries of the
world and a map of states in the United States.
An attribute with the name of each location that
you want to display in the widget: Each element
in this attribute should contain the name of a
location defined in the shape file described above,
as listed in the ALT parameter for the location.
For example, if the shape file defines a bubble
marker for Washington state as follows: <AREA
SHAPE=”triangle” HREF=”#” ALT=”Washington”
COORDS=”69, 30” />, the attribute should contain
an element named Washington.
Note: This widget requires MicroStrategy 9.3

Area Mashup
Visualization Goal:
Shortly after its debut in 9.0.1 Jump Start, the in both color and tooltip to your underlying report
widget was renamed from Map Widget to Area data. The most common implementation is as a
Mashup. The reason is that it is not a map in geographical map, but you could use it for
the geographical sense, but a map in the image anything.
sense. It is a widget that will load an image and
draw polygon regions on your image that will react

Network Widget

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Visualization Goal:
To create a Network Visualization widget that allow analysts to quickly and easily identify relationships
between related items and clusters, such as when visualizing a social network or displaying a market
basket analysis.

Report Objects required for

Grid/Graph:
Attribute elements are displayed as nodes in the visualization, with lines (called edges) drawn between
the nodes to represent relationships between elements. Once the visualization is created, users can view
characteristics of the nodes and the relationships between them, using display options such as:
Node size, edge thickness, and edge color.

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