Circumplex Chart

A Circumplex Chart, a hybrid of a bar and pie chart, visualizes multivariate data by dividing it into equal-angled segments where each segment's area, determined by its radius, represents its value.

The Circumplex Chart—also known as the Polar Area Chart or Nightingale Rose Chart—is a hybrid of the Bar Chart and Pie Chart. Each category is divided into sub-categories, represented as equal-angled segments of a disc. The area of each segment represents the corresponding sub-category’s value, which is adjusted by changing the radius. This chart is especially useful for representing multivariate data where values are compared radially from a common origin point.

When to Use a Circumplex Chart

Use a Circumplex Chart when you want to:

• Display three or more measurable variables on axes that radiate from the same point.

• Compare multiple sub-categories within each category using both area and angle.

• Highlight patterns, cycles, or periodic distributions in datasets.

• Replace or complement a traditional Pie Chart when relative magnitude is better represented through area scaling.

Examples:

• Showing performance scores across multiple departments and KPIs.

• Comparing survey responses across categories and sub-categories.

• Displaying cyclical data, such as monthly sales or energy usage.

Chart Properties

General Settings

• Exclude Global Filter – Exclude this chart from global filters applied at the report level.

• Series Color – Select colors for the series using the color menu.

• Enable Base Zero – Start radial scaling from zero.

• Clockwise Direction – Display values in clockwise order.

• Show Legend – Enable a chart legend.

  • Legend Style – Fixed or Floating.

  • If Fixed:

    • Legend Font Size – Adjust legend text size.

    • Legend Orientation – Vertical or Horizontal.

View Filter

• Filter – Apply a condition to limit chart data (e.g., filter by category or timeframe).

Note: Filters applied here are reflected after the View is added to the report.

Series Color

• Add Color – Add a new color field for the series.

• Modify Colors – Use the color palette to customize auto-selected colors.

Chart Properties

• Clockwise Direction – Toggle to arrange categories clockwise.

• Web Stroke Color – Set color for the radial web lines.

• Category Stroke Color – Set color for category outlines.

• Category Label – Display category labels on the chart.

• Doughnut Width – Adjust the doughnut’s inner radius.

• Web Type – Choose the web background style:

  • Polygon

  • Circle

Value Axis

• Axis Label – Show or hide value axis labels.

• Format Type – Select number formatting: None, Auto, Percent, Thousand, Lacs, Crore, Million, Billion, Trillion, Quadrillion.

• Currency Type – Choose a currency symbol: None, Rupees, Euro, Pound, USD, Yen, Cent.

• Precision – Set decimal precision (up to 5 places).

Insights

• Text – Add annotation text; highlight terms/numbers with asterisks (e.g., 70%, Top Performer).

• Font Size – Adjust text size.

• Font Color – Set annotation text color.

• Text Align – Left, Right, or Center..

• Position – Place annotation at the Bottom or Right of the chart.

Best Practices

• Limit the number of categories and sub-categories to keep the chart readable.

• Use consistent color schemes across sub-categories for easier comparison.

• Apply Clockwise Direction for intuitive left-to-right data reading.

• Use the Polygon web for discrete comparisons; Circle web for smooth cyclical data.

• Add Insights to highlight key thresholds or performance benchmarks.