Comparing multiple measures on one chart

1. Comparing multiple measures on one chart

In this video, we'll demonstrate how to display more than one data column on Sigma charts. Along the way, we'll learn about a new type of chart called a combo chart. Broadly, there are two ways to set up your y-axis when comparing different data columns on the same Sigma chart. Option 1 is to create a shared y-axis for 2 or more columns. This is done by stacking both data columns under the y-axis section. These two columns now share a y-axis, and Sigma scales the axis according to the minimum and maximum values across both columns. Option 2 is to move one data column to a second y-axis on the right side of the chart. This is done using the dropdown menu of one of the y-axis columns, and it gives each data column its own y-axis scaled to that column's minimum and maximum values. Let's talk through some examples to understand when to use each option. If we want a chart comparing over time how many minutes the average customer spent on hold versus actually speaking with an agent, we might start with a basic line chart. Both metrics, time on hold and time with an agent, share the same units of minutes. They also share a similar scale, as hold and call times were mostly less than 10 minutes. These criteria make this chart a good candidate for a shared Y axis. Placing both columns under the y-axis section, we can see how they reference a single left-hand axis and the chart is easily read and understood. For our next example, let's imagine we need to compare the total number of calls to calls in which fraudulent activity was flagged. Both of these metrics share a similar unit - they represent a count of calls, but when we place them on the same y-axis, they are vastly different in scale. Fraudulent calls are thankfully a small proportion of overall call volumes, but this makes it hard to see any trends. We'll shift the [Fraud Flagged] column from display on the left axis, to display on the right using its drop-down menu. Separating the axes in this way allows each axis to have a minimum and maximum automatically scaled to the data present in the column. In the chart's Format menu, we can customize the appearance of both Y axes independently. The menus are named "Y Axis" for the left-hand axis and "Y Axis 2" for the right-hand axis, regardless of the titles you ultimately give them inside these menus. Looking better, but perhaps we're not satisfied with the appearance - it's still tricky to see the relationship between the two lines. It might be better to view one data column as a bar graph, and the other as a line. Changing chart type to combo allows us to show each data field as either a bar, line, area or point visualization. Using the drop-down for either y-axis field, we can customize the shape. Changing total call volume to a bar allows better contrast to the fraudulent calls line.

2. Let's practice!

Now you’ve seen how Sigma can easily incorporate different configurations of single and double y-axes. In the next few exercises, you’ll practice building some examples.

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