How to: Add Data to a Chart

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To add data to the chart, you must add fields to the category and value axes. See the Working with Chart Data Regions topic for a visual representation of how these axes relate to regions on the chart.

There are two ways to add data to a chart: you can drag and drop fields from your dataset, or you can use the Property Dialog.

To add data to a chart from the Data pane

1. From the Data pane, drag a category field onto the category data region.

2. From the Data pane, drag a value field onto the value data region.

3. (Optional) From the Data pane, drag a series field onto the series data region.

To add data to a chart from the Chart Properties dialog box

1. In Design view, right-click the chart and click Properties.

2. Click Data on the Chart Properties dialog box and, for Dataset name, select a dataset to use for the chart.

3. In Values, click the Add button.

   Note

   The values list provides data for the chart. For example, in a column chart, data from the values list determines the height of the columns and the labels on the y-axis of the chart.

4. On the Values tab of the Edit Chart Value dialog box, do the following:

   1. In Legend label, type a title or expression that evaluates to a title that will be shown in the legend for the value series.

   2. In the Value Field, type or select a field expression to use for the value series.

      Note

      Depending on the type of chart, the Values tab may contain more than one value box, each with different names. For example, a Bubble chart uses two value boxes labeled Bubble and Bubble Size.

      Note

      If you are grouping data, use an aggregate function with the field expression. For example, to summarizes sales by product category, use the Sum function with the sales field.

   3. Click OK.

5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 to add another value series.

6. In Category Groups, click Add. The Grouping and Sorting Properties dialog box opens.

   Note

   The category group list is used to provide groups of data in the chart. For example, in a column chart, data from the categories list is used to determine the number of columns and the labels on the x axis of the chart.

7. In Name, type a name for the category group.

8. In Group on, type or select a field expression to group by.

   1. In Label, type or select an expression to use as the category label.

      Note

      Use GroupingLabel to place a label on the chart for the category. For example, in a column chart, the value of Label is placed on the X axis to describe each column.

   2. Click OK.

9. Repeat steps 7 and 8 to add another category group.

10. (Optional) In Series Groups, click Add.

    Note

    Series groups are optional. The series group list is used to provide dynamic groups of data in the chart. For example, in a column chart, data from the categories list will result in a column for each series group, in each category.

11. (Optional) In the Grouping and Sorting Properties dialog, do the following:

    1. In Name, type a name for the series group.

    2. In Group on, type or select a field expression to group by.

    3. In Label, type or select an expression to use as the series label.

       Note

       Use GroupingLabel to place a label on the chart for the series. For example, in a column chart, the value of Label is placed in the legend to describe each column.

    4. Click OK.

12. (Optional) Repeat steps 10 and 11 to add additional series groups.

See Also

Concepts

Working with Chart Data Regions
Designing and Implementing Reports: How-to Topics

Other Resources

Report Designer F1 Help

Help and Information

Getting SQL Server 2008 Assistance