Sunburst charts
A sunburst chart is useful for visualizing hierarchical data structures. A sunburst chart
consists of an inner circle that is surrounded by rings of deeper hierarchy levels. The angle of
each segment proportional to either a value or divided equally under its inner segment. The chart
segments are colored based on the category or hierarchical level to which they belong.
Creating a simple sunburst chart
- In the Chart Type section, click the Sunburst
icon.
The canvas updates to display a sunburst chart template.
- Select a categorical (nominal or ordinal) variable from the Columns list. The categories in this variable determine the number of segments in the chart.
- Click Add another column and select another categorical (nominal or ordinal) variable from the Columns list. The categories in this variable determine the number of segments in the chart's second ring and represent a hierarchical level.
- Select a statistical summary function for the graphic element (count-based statistic or a sum). The result of the statistic determines the size of each segment. When Sum is selected, choose a scale variable from the Value list to represent the value in the data set to summarize.
- Select a Sunburst layout option (either Traditional or Divergent).
- Click the Save visualization in the project control. Select Create a new asset or Append to existing asset. Provide a Visualization asset name, an optional description, and a chart name.
- Click Apply to save the visualization to the project. The new visualization asset is now available on the Assets tab.
Options
- Columns
- Select a categorical (nominal or ordinal) variable that determines the number of segments in the chart.
- Summary
- Select a statistical summary function for the graphic element (count-based statistic or a sum).
The result of the statistic determines the size of each slice.Two types of statistical summary functions are available. The distinction is important because it determines whether you need to specify a Value variable.
- Functions that do not require a value variable
- All count and percentage statistics are in this category. These statistics are available when there is no defined Value variable.
- Functions that do require a value variable
- For example, the Sum function requires a variable on which the summary is calculated.
- Value
- This field displays when a Summary function that requires a scale variable, is selected. Select a variable to serve as the scale variable.
- Sunburst layout
- Available options are Traditional and Divergent.
- Primary title
- The chart title.
- Subtitle
- The chart subtitle.
- Footnote
- The chart footnote.