Add a Reference Line

Add a reference line to your visual to compare, measure, or emphasize a specific value.

Who can use this feature?

Users with this permission capability:

  • Ad Hoc Analysis

Not sure if you have this feature or capability? Reach out to your administrator.

Note: This type of comparison is available for the Breakdown and Trend Breakdown visual.

Add a vertical line to quickly summarize or compare data. The reference line spans the data region of the chart.

Let's say you're looking at the Breakdown of Employee Exit Rate by Location. Using the Custom value reference line type, you can add a reference line to highlight the upper limit of the Employee Exit Rate to help you visualize the locations that have exceeded this threshold. The following screenshot shows a reference line that indicates the upper limit of the Employee Exit Rate at 2.50%.

  1. Click the Compare to button on the Visual Actions menu to create a comparison.

    Tip: If you want to add a reference line to your existing comparison (for example, metric comparison), click Add another comparison in the Compare to panel.

  2. In the Compare to panel, click Reference line.
  3. If you're adding a reference line to an existing comparison, choose the comparator to use as the basis for your reference line in the Select comparison list.
  4. Choose the reference line type in the Add Reference line panel:
    ToDo this
    Add a reference line for the overall metric value

    Select Overall.

    The Overall option is only available for non-additive metrics (such as ratios and rates). A non-additive metric is a metric whose values for different populations cannot be summed to calculate an overall value for the combined population.

    Add a reference line for a specific metric value

    Select Custom value and then enter the metric value where you want the reference line to appear in the Value box.

    Note: The custom value is not expressed in the same units as the values in the chart. For example, if your chart is expressed in millions and you want to add a reference line for 50 million USD, you must enter the value 50000000.

    Add a reference line for the overall value of another metric
    1. Select Metric value and then click Add metric.
    2. In the Metric picker, select the metric you want to compare.
    3. Optional: Click Add filter to refine the population of the comparison metric.

    Note: The analysis context for your visual (filters, assumptions, and security permissions) will also be applied to the comparison metric. If any part of the analysis context cannot be applied to the comparison metric, you'll see the Some filters don't apply note in the Insights tab of the Info panel. Expand the note and click Inspect context to find out what parts of the analysis context has been applied to the comparison metric.

  5. Customize the appearance of the reference line:
    1. Enter a label for the reference line in the Display name box.
    2. Select the color of the reference line by clicking the Change color button in the Display name box.
  6. Click Add.
  7. To add another reference line, click Add another comparison in the Compare to panel and repeat steps 2 to 6.

    Note: You can add a maximum of 4 reference lines.

  8. To rename comparators, select the comparator in the Compare to panel, enter a display name, and click Done.

    Note:  

    • The custom display name is used in the visual title, captures, and chart cards in an analysis.
    • Changing the display name of comparators in a capture or chart card will not affect other existing captures or cards.