The Stack Cluster or Depth pane represent the third dimension of data, that is, the z axis that projects out toward you or a location in space. This axis can either be qualitative or quantitative. For a Stack each dimension of data of the charts is represented by only one bar. This bar consists of as many components as the data file has data rows, with the data from each row stacked onto the previous row. For example, a single bar can represent the amount of sales for CD-ROM drives in one year on top of a bar representing sales for other years. You can stack the bar charts vertically or horizontally. By stacking items and assigning a different color to each item, you can display trends among comparable or related items, or emphasize visually a sum of several indicators. For a Cluster, data extended in the third dimension is shown as clusters displayed in the foreground. This category creates a vertical column (and only a vertical column) for each data value. If the chart is showing multiple data series, the values are grouped based upon the category value. For example, use clustered bars to compare stores of different types. Alternatively, cluster bars can be used to compare two different values items, such as Amount of Sales and Units Sold. For the Depth, data extends the length of the chart along the z-axis. |