• 10 Oct 2024

Jaspersoft Report Built-in Charts: A Comprehensive Overview

Jaspersoft Report Built-in Charts
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Jaspersoft Reports comes with built-in support for a wide variety of charts, making it easier to create visually compelling reports and dashboards. Using the chart component, users can configure settings and define expressions that build the chart dataset. Jaspersoft utilizes JFreeChart, a popular open-source library, to render these charts.

In this guide, we will explore the charting features in Jaspersoft, providing insights into how each chart type can be utilized for different reporting needs.

Create custom Jaspersoft visualizations using JavaScript, SVG, JSON, and libraries like D3.js.

Configuring a Chart Component

When setting up a chart in Jaspersoft, three main components need to be configured:

  1. The Chart Component: The overall framework that defines the chart type and integrates it into the report.
  2. The Chart Dataset: This defines the data structure that will feed into the chart, such as a Category dataset or Time Series dataset.
  3. The Chart Plot: The visual settings that determine how the chart elements are rendered (e.g., colors, labels, axis settings).

Types of Charts in Jaspersoft

Jaspersoft supports a diverse range of charts, allowing users to visualize data in multiple ways. Below is an overview of the built-in chart types:

1. PieChart: Displays data in a circular format, with segments representing different categories.

  • Use Case: Best suited for comparing proportions between categories (e.g., market share distribution).

2. BarChart: A basic bar chart using a Category dataset, ideal for comparing quantities across different groups.

  • Use Case: Great for visualizing comparisons like sales by region or product category.

3. StackedBarChart: Stacks data from multiple categories on top of each other, making it easier to compare parts of a whole.

  • Use Case: Suitable for comparing contributions of different subcategories to the total (e.g., sales per quarter, broken down by product type).

4. LineChart: Plots data points connected by lines, typically used to show trends over time.

  • Use Case: Useful for visualizing changes over time, such as revenue growth or temperature variations.

5. ScatterChart: Displays data points scattered across an XY axis, helpful for showing relationships between variables.

  • Use Case: Commonly used for displaying correlation or distribution of data (e.g., customer age vs. spending).

6. TimeSeriesChart: Focuses on data points over a period, using a Time Series dataset.

  • Use Case: Ideal for showing time-based data, such as stock prices or website traffic over time.

7. CandlestickChart: Commonly used in financial reports to show stock market data, this chart uses a specialized plot with high, low, open, and close values.

  • Use Case: Perfect for displaying stock or commodity price movements.

8. MeterChart and ThermometerChart: These charts visualize single values within a range, often used for performance metrics.

  • Use Case: Useful for showing KPIs like server uptime or sales targets.

Customizing Chart Appearance

Each chart type in Jaspersoft can be fully customized to match specific visual requirements. Users can adjust:

  • Orientation: Define how the chart should be displayed (horizontal or vertical).
  • Background Color: Choose background colors to improve contrast and visibility.
  • Label Rotation: Adjust label angles for better readability, especially on axes with dense data points.
  • Legend Display: Show or hide legends depending on the complexity of the chart.

For more advanced users, Jaspersoft’s commercial editions also provide HTML5 interactive charts, offering enhanced interactivity and responsiveness.

Best Practices for Chart Design

  • Choose the Right Chart Type: Selecting the appropriate chart for your dataset is crucial. Pie charts work well for proportions, while line charts are better for trend analysis.
  • Simplify Visuals: Avoid overloading the chart with too many categories or datasets. Focus on clarity to ensure the data tells a story.
  • Utilize Custom Colors: Customize colors to make important data points stand out, especially in charts with multiple series.

Conclusion

Jaspersoft’s built-in charting features empower users to create flexible and powerful visualizations tailored to various reporting needs. From pie charts to multi-axis visualizations, these tools enhance data communication and decision-making. Understanding the different chart types enables clearer insights for stakeholders.

For those seeking personalized assistance, DataTerrain offers expert support to maximize your Jaspersoft experience. With over 200 customers in the US and 60 worldwide, we’re dedicated to helping you transform data into actionable insights. Contact us today to elevate your reporting journey!