A boxplot is a graphical summary of the distribution of a sample that shows its shape, central tendency, and variability. Boxplots have lines extending vertically from the boxes (whiskers), indicating variability outside the upper and lower quartiles, hence the box-and-whisker plot and box-and-whisker diagram.
How to Create a Box Plot in Knowi
Step 1: Prepare Your Data
Before creating a box plot, make sure your dataset includes the following:
- Numerical Field: The values to be visualized (e.g., run times).
- Grouping Fields (Optional): Categories to organize the data (e.g., Subject, School).
Knowi will automatically calculate the five-number summary (minimum, first quartile, median, third quartile, maximum) for the numerical field.
Step 2: Configure the Box Plot
Navigate to the Visualization Tab under the Widget Configuration Section and set up the following:
- Plot Data/Y-Axis: Select the numerical field for the box plot.
- Grouping/Legend Fields: Optionally, add fields to group your data (e.g., test types, build numbers). The first field determines the legend and color coding.
- X-Axis: Choose the field to display along the X-axis.
Chart Configuration
| Field | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Plot Data/ Y-Axis | Numerical Y-Axis field. The five number summary will be calculated on this field. |
| Grouping/Legend | Add one or more fields to group your data (e.g., test types, build numbers). The first field determines the legend and color coding. |
| X-Axis | X-axis field if applicable. |
| X-Axis Type | Data type selection for X-Axis. Set to date/time for a time series chart. |
| Theoretical mean | You have the option to include a theoretical mean as a line across the widget. This is the expected average value of a dataset under a specific theoretical distribution, such as a normal distribution. |
| Data Operation | Median or Average for the center line of the box plot |
| Y-Axis Tick Interval | Optional Y-Axis tick interval to set the Y-Axis labels |
| Invert Axes | To invert the axes |
| Y-Axis Min | Set the Y-axis minimum values |
| Y-Axis Logarithmic Scale Axis | For log scale, enter logarithmic |
| Y-Axis Values in Reverse Order | Check to reverse the axis so that the highest number is closest to the origin |
Display & Formatting
| Field | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Display Theme | Select a theme for chart types (Light/Dark) |
| Background Color | Change the background color of the widget |
| Legend Alias | Change legend display text |
| Legend Show/Hide | Display legend when enabled |
| Legend font size | The font size of the legend |
| Reverse Legends | To reverse the order of the legend items |
| Y-Axis Grid Line width | Defaults to 1; set to 0 to hide grid lines |
| Column (bar) width | Set the width for columns or bars in pixels, defaults to 15 |
Widget Title & Border
| Field | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Title Font Color | Set widget title font color |
| Title Font Size | Defaults to 14px |
| Show Title | Show, hide, or inherit settings from the dashboard. |
| Show Border | Show, hide, or inherit settings from the dashboard. |
Widget Labels
| Field | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Display Y-Axis Title | Display Y-axis title; enabled by default |
| Y-Axis Label Display | Hide/show Y-axis labels |
| Y-Axis Title Text | Title for Y-axis |
| X-Axis Title | Title for X-axis |
| X-Axis Label Display | Hide/show X-axis labels |
| X-Axis Label Rotation | Degrees of rotation of X-axis labels; useful for long labels |
| X-Axis Date Formatter | Override the default X-axis date format. Only applicable for chart types with Date/time X axis. See formats here |
|
Hover Date Formatter |
Override the default Hover date format. Only applicable for chart types with Date/time X axis. Example: YYYY-MM-DD h:m:s would be displayed as 2021-10-01 01:10:15. See formats here |
| X-Axis labels format as data units | Bytes, KB, MB, GB, etc. |
| Data Label Display | Check to display value labels. Default is false |
| Data Label Font Size | Enter font size if the display label is set to true. Example: 15px. Defaults to 9px. |
| Data Label Formatter | For formatting help |
| Y-Axis Labels Formatter | For formatting help |
| Data Label Decimal Places | Number of decimal places in the data label |
| Symbol After Data Label | Symbol to display after data label |
| Data Label Padding | Set padding around data labels |
| Data Label Allow Overlap | To allow data labels to overlap |
| Data Labels X Offset | The X position offset of the label relative to the point in pixels |
| Hover Label Format | For formatting help |
| Data Labels Y Offset | The Y position offset of the label relative to the point in pixels |
| Hover Decimal Places | Number of decimal places to show on the tooltip |
Widget Menu
| Field | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Show Title | Show Title on Widget |
| Analyze | Show Analyze menu |
| Alerts | Show Alert icon |
| Filters | Show Filter icon |
| Drilldowns | Show Drilldowns menu |
| Query | Show Query menu |
| Data/Export | Show Data/Export menu |
| Data Diagram | Show Data Diagram |
| Share | Show Share menu |
| Refresh | Show Refresh menu |
| Maximize | Show Maximize menu |
| Remove from Dashboard | Show Remove from the Dashboard menu |
Advanced Configuration
| Field | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Animation | Animation of the chart, ON by default |
| Time Series Navigator | Enable/Disable time series navigator at the bottom of a time series chart; enabled by default |
| Polar | To transform cartesian charts like line, spline, area, and column into the polar coordinate system |
| Use UTC for Time Series Charts | Disable auto browser conversion of Timezone for the time series charts and show UTC timestamps |
| X-Axis Ordinal | Points are equally spaced in the chart regardless of the actual time or x distance between them |
| Change Dataset | Change to a different dataset |
| On Click Event Handler | Define custom javascript behavior when a point is clicked |