Dissolution / Decomposition Chart

A decomposition chart is a powerful visualization for presenting data across dimensions hierarchically or sequentially.

A Dissolution (Decomposition) Chart is a visualization used to explore and analyze data across multiple dimensions in a hierarchical or sequential manner. It automatically aggregates data and allows users to drill down into dimensions in any order to uncover deeper insights. This makes it a powerful tool for root-cause analysis, multi-level breakdowns, and comparative exploration.

The visualization requires two types of inputs:

• Dimension/ Measure – The metric you want to analyze (must be a measure or aggregate).

• Others – One or more dimensions for drill-down (up to 7 dimensions supported).

When to Use a Dissolution / Decomposition Chart

Use a Decomposition Chart when you want to:

• Break down a metric across multiple dimensions.

• Perform root-cause analysis by drilling into categories step by step.

• Explore patterns, contributions, or anomalies across hierarchies.

• Provide an interactive exploration experience in dashboards or reports.

Examples:

• Breaking down sales revenue by region → product line → channel.

• Analyzing defect counts by department → process → cause.

• Exploring employee attrition by age group → department → tenure.

Chart Properties

Chart properties can be accessed from the Design page via the Chart Properties icon.

General Settings

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

• Aggregation Type – Choose how to aggregate the metric:

  • Percentage

  • Count

• Maximum Nodes – Set the maximum nodes displayed (e.g., for Sankey-like decomposition views).

• Node Height – Define node height.

• Label Font Size – Adjust the font size for labels.

• Font Style – Select style: Normal or Italic.

• Font Weight – Select weight: Normal, Bold, 300, 600, 900.

• Show Context Levels – Enable context-based drill-down.

  • When enabled, right-click the first node to see a list of all dimensions.

  • Choose a dimension from the context menu to display as the next drill-down level.

• Animation – Enable to show animated transitions; disable for static rendering.

Color

• Node Color – Set the color for nodes.

• Fill Color – Define the fill color of decomposition paths.

• Label Font Color – Choose a color for labels.

• Label Value Font Color – Choose a color for label values.

View Filter

• Filter – Apply conditions to restrict which data is displayed (e.g., Region = APAC).

Format

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

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

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

Insights

• Text – Add contextual notes; highlight key metrics with asterisks (e.g., 70%, root cause).

• Font Size – Adjust text size.

• Font Color – Define annotation text color.

• Text Align – Left, Right, Center.

• Position – Place insights at the Bottom or Right.

Best Practices

• Limit drill-downs to 3–4 levels for clarity, even though 7 are supported.

• Use context levels to allow flexible drill paths based on user preference.

• Apply consistent color schemes across decomposition charts to ease comparison.

• Enable animation for interactive dashboards but disable it for performance-sensitive reports.

• Use Insights to guide viewers on where to focus (e.g., highlight anomalies or major contributors).