Knowledge Graph

A Knowledge Graph, also known as a Network Graph or Node-Link Diagram, is a visualization method that illustrates the relationships and connections between entities (nodes). Each node represents an entity, and edges (lines) represent the relationships between them.

Knowledge Graphs are particularly useful for analyzing complex systems where multiple components are interdependent, such as social networks, transportation systems, or organizational structures.

Best Situations to Use

Use a Knowledge Graph when you want to:

  • Visualize relationships between different entities in a dataset.

  • Explore transportation planning by mapping connections between routes, modes, or hubs.

  • Analyze social networks to identify influencers, clusters, or relationship strength.

  • Represent conceptual frameworks and interdependencies in research or business contexts.

Examples:

  • A transportation planner can map how bus, rail, and air networks interconnect in a city.

  • A social media analyst can uncover communities and influencers by visualizing follower or interaction networks.

Variations

  • Network Knowledge Graph: Nodes represent concepts or entities, and edges represent relationships.

  • Concept Map: Shows links between ideas with connecting phrases (useful for teaching, brainstorming).

  • Hierarchical Knowledge Graph: Displays data in parent-child relationships, useful for structured taxonomies.

Properties of the Knowledge Graph

General

  • Component Name: Unique identifier for the chart.

  • Left / Top: Position on the canvas.

  • Height / Width: Chart dimensions.

  • Initial Visibility: Toggle visibility on load.

  • Max Button: Enable maximize functionality.

  • Hierarchical Layout: Enable structured, hierarchy-based display.

  • Hierarchy Direction: Choose hierarchy direction (e.g., top-down, bottom-up).

Background

  • Gradient Rotation / Gradient: Define gradient fill style.

  • Opacity: Adjust background transparency.

  • Border / Border Color / Radius: Configure chart border style.

  • Shadow / Color / Transparency: Add shadows for depth.

Node Styles

  • Shape: Define node shape (predefined or custom).

  • Size: Adjust node size.

  • Color / Custom Color: Configure node colors (fixed or conditional).

  • Use Custom Shapes: Enable and assign indicator-driven node shapes.

  • Border Color: Set node border color.

  • Opacity: Adjust node transparency.

  • Hover Color: Define color change on hover.

  • Font Properties: Customize text inside nodes (color, size, style, weight, family).

Edge Styles

  • Color Inherit: Inherit color from connected nodes.

  • Color: Set edge line color.

  • Font Properties: Customize edge label font (color, size, style, weight, family).

  • Align: Align edge labels (left, center, right).

  • Padding: Add spacing around edge labels.

  • Arrows: Configure arrow style for directional flows.

  • Dashes: Style edges with dashed lines for differentiation.

Tooltip

  • Show Tooltip: Enable/disable tooltips.

  • Customization:

    • Background Color, Opacity, Border Color.

    • Tooltip Font Size.

    • Box Width.

    • Precision for numeric values.

    • Highlighter to emphasize hovered nodes or edges.

Title & Subtitle

  • Title Box Color: Background for title container.

  • Show Title Box / Show Title: Toggle title display.

  • Title Customization: Font color, size, style, weight, family, alignment, decoration.

  • Description: Add supporting text.

  • Subtitle: Configure font color, size, style, weight, alignment, and decoration.

Export Options

  • Context Menu: Enable right-click export in preview.

  • Supported Formats: Excel (.xlsx), CSV (.csv), JPEG (.jpg), PNG (.png), PPTX (.pptx), PDF (.pdf).

  • Print Option: Print chart directly.

  • Export Metadata: Add heading, subheading, filename.

  • Global Export Type: Define export type (Snapshot or Tabular).

Applying Properties

Setting Custom Node Shapes

  1. Navigate to Node Styles.

  2. Enable Use Custom Shapes.

  3. Select indicator type (Type or Value).

  4. Assign shapes to types or ranges.

  5. Save changes and preview the chart.

Setting Custom Node Colors

  1. Navigate to Node Styles.

  2. Enable Use Custom Colors.

  3. Select indicator type (Type or Value).

  4. Assign colors to nodes based on indicator conditions.

  5. Save changes and preview results.

Dataset Mapping

When configuring a Knowledge Graph:

  • Source (Parent Label): Starting node.

  • Target (Child Label): Connected node.

  • Edge Label: Describes the connection type.

  • Value Field: Defines node size.

  • Type Field: Defines node type for shape/color customization.

Example

Using the sample dataset:

  • Source: parent_label (e.g., "Bus")

  • Target: child_label (e.g., "Rail")

  • Edge: edge_label (e.g., "Connected to")

  • Value: Determines node size (e.g., passenger volume).

  • Type: Determines node type or group.

This produces a Knowledge Graph where transportation modes are connected, and edge widths or node sizes represent traffic intensity or importance.

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