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This section describes the properties of visualization type configurations, possible values, and the definition of those values for creating or editing visual types (custom charts) for Self-Service Analytics.
You must be an administrator to manage custom visual types.

Properties

name - string name is the name of visual type the configuration file represents, and displays in the user interface. This name must be unique in your Self-Service Analytics instance, or it will overwrite or be overwritten by a visual type using the same name. type - string type is one of the properties Self-Service Analytics uses internally to represent and distinguish visual types. Built-in visuals have unique type properties. Any visual you add to the system should use the same value, CUSTOM. controls - array of strings controls is the list of things you enable this visual type to do. Supported values are included in the chart below:
Additional properties may be present in a visualization’s controls array but they may deprecated, irrelevant to a custom visual type that does not use the properties.
variables - array of objects variables are required for the configuration. This array of objects define data and non-data values associated with instances of this visualization. All supported variable configuration are included in the list below. You can also maintain custom charts using the CLI. See Maintain Custom Charts Using the Custom Chart CLI.

attribute

The attribute variable is part of the array of objects you use to define data and non-data values for this visualization.
You must be an administrator to manage custom visual types.

Type

Editor

attribute variables are represented in the side panel as a button that users use to select a field. This variable’s selected field is not used as part of the data request by default, but the name is provided for other uses or for manual configuration within the visualization’s code.

Variable Specific Properties

Generic Properties

Generic properties apply to many variables.
PropertyArgumentDescription
namestringThe name of the property. It must be unique among all variables on the visualization. This name is used to access the data accessor and/or variable value on the controller provided to the visualization.
descrstringA description of the variable for your reference. This is not displayed in the UI.
attributeTypearray of stringsA list of field types to include when selecting fields for this variable. Accepted values:
  • ATTRIBUTE
  • TIME
  • NUMBER
  • INTEGER
requiredbooleanTriggers the UI to require a value for certain variable types. Not used for this variable type.

Deprecated Properties

Samples

See Visual Type Configuration Properties.

bool

The bool variable is part of the array of objects you use to define data and non-data values for this visualization.
You must be an administrator to manage custom visual types.

Type

Editor

bool variables are represented in the side panel as a simple switch.

Variable Specific Properties

Generic Properties

PropertyArgumentDescription
namestringThe name of the property. It must be unique among all variables on the visualization. This name is used to access the data accessor and/or variable value on the controller provided to the visualization.
descrstringA description of the variable for your reference. This is not displayed in the UI.
attributeTypearray of stringsA list of field types to include when selecting fields for this variable. Accepted values:
  • ATTRIBUTE
  • TIME
  • NUMBER
  • INTEGER
requiredbooleanTriggers the UI to require a value for certain variable types. Not used for this variable type.

Deprecated Properties

Samples

See Visual Type Configuration Properties.

box-plot-metric

The box-plot-metric variable is part of the array of objects you use to define data and non-data values for this visualization.
You must be an administrator to manage custom visual types.

Type

Editor

box-plot-metric variables are not represented on the settings panel. Enable editing a box-plot-metric variable by adding an axis label for the variable using the createAxisLabel method on the controller.

Variable Specific Properties

PropertyArgumentDescription
defaultValueobjectAllows you to set the default configuration for the specified field.
funcstringSet to percentiles. This is the only value supported.
argsarray of integersA list of the percentiles to calculated. Supported values:
  • 0
  • 25
  • 50
  • 75
  • 100

Generic Properties

Generic properties apply to many variables.
PropertyArgumentDescription
namestringThe name of the property. It must be unique among all variables on the visualization. This name is used to access the data accessor and/or variable value on the controller provided to the visualization.
descrstringA description of the variable for your reference. This is not displayed in the UI.
attributeTypearray of stringsA list of field types to include when selecting fields for this variable. Accepted values:
  • ATTRIBUTE
  • TIME
  • NUMBER
  • INTEGER
colorNumbintegerThe number of colors to include in the color palette by default. 0 will choose the smallest palette available.
requiredbooleanTriggers the UI to require a value for certain variable types. Not used for this variable type.

Deprecated Properties

Samples

See Visual Type Configuration Properties.

color

The colorvariable is part of the array of objects you use to define data and non-data values for this visualization.
You must be an administrator to manage custom visual types.

Type

Editor

Edit color variables using the color panel. The visual type must include the control color in order to modify these variables.

Variable Specific Properties

Generic Properties

Generic properties apply to many variables.
PropertyArgumentDescription
namestringThe name of the property. It must be unique among all variables on the visualization. This name is used to access the data accessor and/or variable value on the controller provided to the visualization.
descrstringA description of the variable for your reference. This is not displayed in the UI.
attributeTypearray of stringsA list of field types to include when selecting fields for this variable. Accepted values:
  • ATTRIBUTE
  • TIME
  • NUMBER
  • INTEGER
requiredbooleanTriggers the UI to require a value for certain variable types. Not used for this variable type.

Deprecated Properties

Samples

See Visual Type Configuration Properties.

float

The float variable is part of the array of objects you use to define data and non-data values for this visualization.
You must be an administrator to manage custom visual types.

Type

Editor

Edit float variables using a standard browser number input. If minimum, maximum, or both values are specified in the config, a helper message shows below the input to notify the user of these ranges.

Variable Specific Properties

PropertyArgumentDescription
defaultValuefloat
configobjectAll properties are optional.
minfloatThe minimum value allowed for this variable. Inclusive.
maxfloatThe maximum value allowed for this variable. Inclusive.

Generic Properties

Generic properties apply to many variables.
PropertyArgumentDescription
namestringThe name of the property. It must be unique among all variables on the visualization. This name is used to access the data accessor and/or variable value on the controller provided to the visualization.
descrstringA description of the variable for your reference. This is not displayed in the UI.
attributeTypearray of stringsA list of field types to include when selecting fields for this variable. Accepted values:
  • ATTRIBUTE
  • TIME
  • NUMBER
  • INTEGER
requiredbooleanTriggers the UI to require a value for certain variable types. Not used for this variable type.

Deprecated Properties

Samples

See Visual Type Configuration Properties.

group

The group variable is part of the array of objects you use to define data and non-data values for this visualization.
You must be an administrator to manage custom visual types.

Type

Editor

group variables are not represented on the settings panel. Enable editing a group variable by adding an axis label for the variable using the createAxisLabel method on the controller.

Variable Specific Properties

PropertyArgumentDescription
configobjectAll properties are optional.
groupColorSetstringThe name of the color palette to use. The value_inherit uses the palette from the currently selected theme.
colorGroupIndexintegerDefine this property to enable color configuration for this variable.
autoShowColorLegendbooleanDefine as true to show the legend by default.
defaultValueobjectDefine defaulting sort and limit properties for this variable. All properties are optional.
limitintegerLimit to the number of groups to return.
sortobject
dirstringDefault sort direction. Valid values are asc or desc.

Generic Properties

Generic properties apply to many variables.
PropertyArgumentDescription
namestringThe name of the property. It must be unique among all variables on the visualization. This name is used to access the data accessor and/or variable value on the controller provided to the visualization.
descrstringA description of the variable for your reference. This is not displayed in the UI.
attributeTypearray of stringsA list of field types to include when selecting fields for this variable. Accepted values:
  • ATTRIBUTE
  • TIME
  • NUMBER
  • INTEGER
colorNumbintegerThe number of colors to include in the color palette by default. 0 will choose the smallest palette available.
requiredbooleanTriggers the UI to require a value for certain variable types. Not used for this variable type.

Deprecated Properties

Samples

See Visual Type Configuration Properties.

histogram-group

The histogram-group variable is part of the array of objects you use to define data and non-data values for this visualization.
You must be an administrator to manage custom visual types.

Type

Editor

histogram-group variables are not represented on the settings panel. Enable editing a histogram-group variable by adding an axis label for the variable using the createAxisLabel method on the controller. Other options are not presented to users.

Variable Specific Properties

PropertyArgumentDescription
configobjectSets the default values for this variable.
binTypestringHow the system should bin the data.
autoDefine this property to enable color configuration for this variable.
countTry to conform the number of bins to the given value.
widthTry to conform range number of bins to the given value.
binsCountintegerDefault number of bins to display when binType is set to count.
binsCountnumberDefault number of bins to display when binType is set to width.
valuesstringabsolute suggests to the visual type that the actual sum of the bin should be y-axis values.
relative suggests to the visual type that the values should be percentages of the whole sum of all bins.
cumulativebooleanIf true, the chart should include a representation of the cumulative value as the bins move from left to right. Typically represented as an overlaid line.

Generic Properties

Generic properties apply to many variables.
PropertyArgumentDescription
namestringThe name of the property. It must be unique among all variables on the visualization. This name is used to access the data accessor and/or variable value on the controller provided to the visualization.
descrstringA description of the variable for your reference. This is not displayed in the UI.
attributeTypearray of stringsA list of field types to include when selecting fields for this variable. Accepted values:
  • ATTRIBUTE
  • TIME
  • NUMBER
  • INTEGER
colorNumbintegerThe number of colors to include in the color palette by default. 0 will choose the smallest palette available.
requiredbooleanTriggers the UI to require a value for certain variable types. Not used for this variable type.

Deprecated Properties

Samples

See Visual Type Configuration Properties.

integer

The integer variable is part of the array of objects you use to define data and non-data values for this visualization.
You must be an administrator to manage custom visual types.

Type

Editor

Edit integer variables using a standard browser number input. If minimum, maximum, or both values are specified in the config, a helper message shows below the input to notify the user of these ranges.

Variable Specific Properties

PropertyArgumentDescription
defaultValueinteger
configobjectAll properties are optional.
minintegerThe minimum value allowed for this variable. Inclusive.
maxintegerThe maximum value allowed for this variable. Inclusive.

Generic Properties

Generic properties apply to many variables.
PropertyArgumentDescription
namestringThe name of the property. It must be unique among all variables on the visualization. This name is used to access the data accessor and/or variable value on the controller provided to the visualization.
descrstringA description of the variable for your reference. This is not displayed in the UI.
attributeTypearray of stringsA list of field types to include when selecting fields for this variable. Accepted values:
  • ATTRIBUTE
  • TIME
  • NUMBER
  • INTEGER
requiredbooleanTriggers the UI to require a value for certain variable types. Not used for this variable type.

Deprecated Properties

Samples

See Visual Type Configuration Properties.

metric

The metric variable is part of the array of objects you use to define data and non-data values for this visualization.
You must be an administrator to manage custom visual types.

Type

Editor

metric variables are not represented on the settings panel. Enable editing a metric variable by adding an axis label for the variable using the createAxisLabel method on the controller.

Variable Specific Properties

PropertyArgumentDescription
colorSetstringThe name of the color palette to use by default. The value_inherit uses the palette from the currently selected theme. Other available values include DefaultSequential and DefaultQualitative.
metricTypestringSet to color to enable this metric as the color metric. Only set this to one metric on the visualization.
legendTypestringAvailable values include palette and range.
configobjectAll properties are optional.
displayNoneOptionbooleanWhen set to true, users can select None when choosing a field for this variable.
defaultValuearray of objectEnable to allow setting of a default configuration for the chosen field.
namestringA value of none combined with config.displayNoneOption set to true will default the selected field to None. A value of count will automatically select the Volumemetric.
colorConfigobject
autoShowColorLegendbooleanIf true, show a legend for this variable by default.
colorNumbintegerThe number of colors to include in the color palette by default. 0 will choose the smallest palette available.
legendTypestringAvailable values include palette and range.
colorScaleTypestringAvailable values include gradient and distinct.

Generic Properties

Generic properties apply to many variables.
PropertyArgumentDescription
namestringThe name of the property. It must be unique among all variables on the visualization. This name is used to access the data accessor and/or variable value on the controller provided to the visualization.
descrstringA description of the variable for your reference. This is not displayed in the UI.
attributeTypearray of stringsA list of field types to include when selecting fields for this variable. Accepted values:
  • ATTRIBUTE
  • TIME
  • NUMBER
  • INTEGER
colorNumbintegerThe number of colors to include in the color palette by default. 0 will choose the smallest palette available.
requiredbooleanTriggers the UI to require a value for certain variable types. Not used for this variable type.

Deprecated Properties

Samples

See Visual Type Configuration Properties.

multi-group

The multi-group variable is part of the array of objects you use to define data and non-data values for this visualization.
You must be an administrator to manage custom visual types.

Type

Editor

multi-group variables are not represented on the settings panel. Enable editing a multi-group variable by adding an axis label for the variable using the createAxisLabel method on the controller.

Variable Specific Properties

PropertyArgumentDescription
configobject
groupLevelarray of integersA label to show for each grouping level. The number of entries in this array should match the value set for groupLevel.
groupNamesarray of stringsThe number of grouping levels to allow.
groupTypesarray of stringsThe set of field types to allow for each grouping level. Each entry should be a space-delimited list of all field types to allow. The number of entries in this array should match the value set for groupLevel. Accepted values:
  • ATTRIBUTE
  • TIME
  • NUMBER
  • INTEGER
  • MONEY
  • NONE
groupTypesstringThe name of the color palette to use by default. The value_inherit uses the palette from the currently selected theme.
colorGroupIndexintegerDefine this property to enable color configuration for this variable.
autoShowColorLegendbooleanIf true, show a legend for this variable by default.

Generic Properties

Generic properties apply to many variables.
PropertyArgumentDescription
namestringThe name of the property. It must be unique among all variables on the visualization. This name is used to access the data accessor and/or variable value on the controller provided to the visualization.
descrstringA description of the variable for your reference. This is not displayed in the UI.
attributeTypearray of stringsA list of field types to include when selecting fields for this variable. Accepted values:
  • ATTRIBUTE
  • TIME
  • NUMBER
  • INTEGER
colorNumbintegerThe number of colors to include in the color palette by default. 0 will choose the smallest palette available.
requiredbooleanTriggers the UI to require a value for certain variable types. Not used for this variable type.

Deprecated Properties

Samples

See Visual Type Configuration Properties.

multi-metric

The multi-metric variable is part of the array of objects you use to define data and non-data values for this visualization.
You must be an administrator to manage custom visual types.

Type

Editor

multi-metric variables are not represented on the settings panel. Enable editing a multi-metric variable by adding an axis label for the variable using the createAxisLabel method on the controller.

Variable Specific Properties

PropertyArgumentDescription
colorSetstringThe name of the color palette to use by default. The value_inherit uses the palette from the currently selected theme. Other available values include DefaultSequential and DefaultQualitative.
metricTypestringSet to color to enable this metric as the color metric. Only set this to one metric on the visualization.
legendTypestringAvailable values include palette and range.
defaultValuearray of objectEnable to allow setting of a default configuration for the chosen field.
namestringA value of none combined with config.displayNoneOption set to true will default the selected field to None. A value of count will automatically select the Volumemetric.
colorConfigobject
autoShowColorLegendbooleanIf true, show a legend for this variable by default.
colorNumbintegerThe number of colors to include in the color palette by default. 0 will choose the smallest palette available.
legendTypestringAvailable values include palette and range.
colorScaleTypestringAvailable values include gradient and distinct.

Generic Properties

Generic properties apply to many variables.
PropertyArgumentDescription
namestringThe name of the property. It must be unique among all variables on the visualization. This name is used to access the data accessor and/or variable value on the controller provided to the visualization.
descrstringA description of the variable for your reference. This is not displayed in the UI.
attributeTypearray of stringsA list of field types to include when selecting fields for this variable. Accepted values:
  • ATTRIBUTE
  • TIME
  • NUMBER
  • INTEGER
colorNumbintegerThe number of colors to include in the color palette by default. 0 will choose the smallest palette available.
requiredbooleanTriggers the UI to require a value for certain variable types. Not used for this variable type.

Deprecated Properties

Samples

See Visual Type Configuration Properties.

multilist

The multilist variable is part of the array of objects you use to define data and non-data values for this visualization.
You must be an administrator to manage custom visual types.

Type

Editor

multilist have two modes:
  1. If the values property is provided, the variable is represented by a multi-select tag input.
  2. If values is not provided, the variable is represented by a control that provides an arrangeable list of fields that includes an edit button. Users can select which fields should and should not be included.

Variable Specific Properties

Generic Properties

Generic properties apply to many variables.
PropertyArgumentDescription
namestringThe name of the property. It must be unique among all variables on the visualization. This name is used to access the data accessor and/or variable value on the controller provided to the visualization.
descrstringA description of the variable for your reference. This is not displayed in the UI.
attributeTypearray of stringsA list of field types to include when selecting fields for this variable. Accepted values:
  • ATTRIBUTE
  • TIME
  • NUMBER
  • INTEGER
requiredbooleanTriggers the UI to require a value for certain variable types. Not used for this variable type.

Deprecated Properties

Samples

Static Values

Field Selection

See Visual Type Configuration Properties.

singlelist

The singlelist variable is part of the array of objects you use to define data and non-data values for this visualization.
You must be an administrator to manage custom visual types.

Type

Editor

singlelist variables are represented in the settings sidebar as a simple drop down.

Variable Specific Properties

Generic Properties

Generic properties apply to many variables.
PropertyArgumentDescription
namestringThe name of the property. It must be unique among all variables on the visualization. This name is used to access the data accessor and/or variable value on the controller provided to the visualization.
descrstringA description of the variable for your reference. This is not displayed in the UI.
attributeTypearray of stringsA list of field types to include when selecting fields for this variable. Accepted values:
  • ATTRIBUTE
  • TIME
  • NUMBER
  • INTEGER
requiredbooleanTriggers the UI to require a value for certain variable types. Not used for this variable type.

Deprecated Properties

Samples

See Visual Type Configuration Properties.

string

The string variable is part of the array of objects you use to define data and non-data values for this visualization.
You must be an administrator to manage custom visual types.

Type

Editor

Users can edit string variables using a standard browser text input.

Variable Specific Properties

Generic Properties

Generic properties apply to many variables.
PropertyArgumentDescription
namestringThe name of the property. It must be unique among all variables on the visualization. This name is used to access the data accessor and/or variable value on the controller provided to the visualization.
descrstringA description of the variable for your reference. This is not displayed in the UI.
attributeTypearray of stringsA list of field types to include when selecting fields for this variable. Accepted values:
  • ATTRIBUTE
  • TIME
  • NUMBER
  • INTEGER
requiredbooleanTriggers the UI to require a value for certain variable types. Not used for this variable type.

Deprecated Properties

Samples

See Visual Type Configuration Properties.

text

The text variable is part of the array of objects you use to define data and non-data values for this visualization.
You must be an administrator to manage custom visual types.

Type

Editor

Users can edit text variables using a standard browser text input.

Variable Specific Properties

Generic Properties

Generic properties apply to many variables.
PropertyArgumentDescription
namestringThe name of the property. It must be unique among all variables on the visualization. This name is used to access the data accessor and/or variable value on the controller provided to the visualization.
descrstringA description of the variable for your reference. This is not displayed in the UI.
attributeTypearray of stringsA list of field types to include when selecting fields for this variable. Accepted values:
  • ATTRIBUTE
  • TIME
  • NUMBER
  • INTEGER
requiredbooleanTriggers the UI to require a value for certain variable types. Not used for this variable type.

Deprecated Properties

Samples

See Visual Type Configuration Properties.

ungrouped

The ungrouped variable is part of the array of objects you use to define data and non-data values for this visualization.
You must be an administrator to manage custom visual types.

Type

Editor

ungrouped variables are represented by a series of buttons to allow users to select a set number of fields matched up with labels. Below the field buttons is a number input to choose a limit to the number of records that should be returned. By default, the labels provided are used to attempt to select the correct fields. If no fields match the labels, the first n fields are selected.

Variable Specific Properties

PropertyArgumentDescription
configobjectAll properties are required.
groupLevelintegerThe number of fields to be selected.
groupNamesarray of stringsA list of labels for the fields. The length of this array should match the value set for groupLevel.
limitintegerThe number of ungrouped records to return.

Generic Properties

Generic properties apply to many variables.
PropertyArgumentDescription
namestringThe name of the property. It must be unique among all variables on the visualization. This name is used to access the data accessor and/or variable value on the controller provided to the visualization.
descrstringA description of the variable for your reference. This is not displayed in the UI.
attributeTypearray of stringsA list of field types to include when selecting fields for this variable. Accepted values:
  • ATTRIBUTE
  • TIME
  • NUMBER
  • INTEGER
requiredbooleanTriggers the UI to require a value for certain variable types. Not used for this variable type.

Deprecated Properties

Samples

See Visual Type Configuration Properties.

ungroupedList

The ungroupedListvariable is part of the array of objects you use to define data and non-data values for this visualization.
You must be an administrator to manage custom visual types.

Type

Editor

ungroupedList variables are represented by two styles of control depending on the presence or absence of the groupLevel and groupNames properties in the config. If no groupLevel and groupNames properties are defined, the control provides only an arrangeable list of fields with an edit button which allows selecting or deselecting which fields should be included. custom chart settings sidebar ungrouped list If groupLevel and groupNames are defined in the config, the variable is represented by a combination of the UI from the ungroupedvariable and the UI shown above. This allows you to supply a set number of fields as named properties as well as an undefined number of additional fields for other purposes. When selecting the field for any named properties or for the additional fields list, the fields selected for other uses will not be selectable. custom chart settings example

Variable Specific Properties

PropertyArgumentDescription
configobjectAll properties are optional but groupLevel and groupNames should be provided together if they are provided.
groupLevelintegerThe number of fields to select.
groupNamesarray of stringsA list of labels for the fields. The length of this array should match the value provided as groupLevel.
limitintegerThe number of ungrouped records that should be returned.
additionalFieldsLabelstringThe label that will be shown above the field list if groupLevel and groupNames are provided.

Generic Properties

Generic properties apply to many variables.
PropertyArgumentDescription
namestringThe name of the property. It must be unique among all variables on the visualization. This name is used to access the data accessor and/or variable value on the controller provided to the visualization.
descrstringA description of the variable for your reference. This is not displayed in the UI.
attributeTypearray of stringsA list of field types to include when selecting fields for this variable. Accepted values:
  • ATTRIBUTE
  • TIME
  • NUMBER
  • INTEGER
requiredbooleanTriggers the UI to require a value for certain variable types. Not used for this variable type.

Deprecated Properties

Samples

See Visual Type Configuration Properties.