Start axes in bar and line charts at zero

When using a bar, line, or mixed bar and line chart to visualize your data in an executive report, you can customize the axes to change the scale and appearance of the data.

You can choose whether to start the measurement of the data points at zero or at a higher number. For example, for a bar chart that compares the total number of clicks and visits over the past 30 days, the totals on the y-axis range from 200 to 400.

You can change the range of measurement to start one or both metrics at zero (shown in the following bar chart) to more accurately represent the scale of change between data points in a bar chart.

Because line charts are generally used to show trends, you may want to start the axis at a higher number. 

If the data uses the same unit of measurement, you can also display the metrics on one axis to compare them along the same scale. As shown in the preceding images, the chosen metrics are counts, so they can be displayed using one axis. Clicks and costs cannot be displayed on one axis because clicks are counted and costs are shown in a currency.

Start a bar, line, or mixed bar and line chart axis at zero

1. Create an executive report or open an existing executive report:

   1. From the top navigation bar in DS, click Executive Reports.

   2. Click on a report title.

2. Create or edit a bar, line, or mixed bar and line chart.

3. If a chart contains more than one metric, you can choose to start one or both metrics at zero. Click one or both of the following check boxes:
   • Start left axis at 0 
   • Start right axis at 0 (available only if the chart contains two metrics)

   For horizontal bar charts, click one or both of the following check boxes:

   • Start bottom axis at 0
   • Start top axis at 0 (available only if the chart contains two metrics)
4. Save your changes.

To combine metrics on a single axis

1. Create an executive report or open an existing executive report:

   1. From the top navigation bar in DS, click Executive Reports.

   2. Click on a report title.

2. Create or edit a bar, line, or mixed bar and line chart.
3. If the metrics use the same unit of measurement, select the Display metrics on one axis check box.

   The range for the metrics are displayed on the left axis.

4. Optionally, select the Start left axis at 0 checkbox to start the axis range at zero.

   For horizontal bar charts, select the Start bottom axis at 0 check box.

5. Save your changes.