Packed Bubbles Visuals

In Arcadia Enterprise, packed bubble charts compare the relative values in close physical proximity. We use two main series of data: the field on the Dimensions shelf names the bubble, and the field on the Measures shelf determines the relative area of the bubble.

Contrast this with the traditional approach, where bubbles represent three dimensions of data — one each for horizontal and vertical axes, and one for the area of bubble. This type of visualization is part of flexibility built into Arcadia's scatter charts.

The following steps demonstrate how to create a new packed bubbles visual representation on dataset World Life Expectancy [data source samples.world_life_expectancy]. For an overview of shelves that specify this visual, see Shelves for Packed Bubbles Visuals.

1. Start a new visual based on dataset World Life Expectancy [data source samples.world_life_expectancy]; see Creating Visuals.

2. In the visuals menu, find and click Packed Bubbles (row 2, column 6).

   

3. Note that the shelves of the visual changed.

   They are now X, Y, Dimensions, Measures, Tooltips, and Filters.

   Both Dimensions and Measures are mandatory.

   

4. Populate the shelves from the available fields (Dimensions, Measures, and so on) in the Data menu.

   • Under Dimensions, select country and drag it over Dimensions shelf on the main part of the screen. Drop to add it to the shelf.
   • Under Measures, select population and drag it over Y shelf on the main part of the screen. Drop to add it to the shelf.

   

5. Change the aggregate of the population field from sum(population) to avg(population):

   • On the shelf of the visual, click the icon to the right of the field.

   • In the Column Properties menu, click the icon next to Aggregates.

   • From the list of aggregate functions, select Average.

     

   • Click icon at the top of the Column Properties menu to close it.

   • Note that the shelf now contains the modified field with avg() aggregation function.

6. Click Refresh Visual.

   The packed bubble visual graph appears.

   

7. On the Filters shelf, add several Dimensions and Measures from the Data menu.

   This enables you to dynamically control the data input, and discover the data at a more granular level.

   For example, from Dimensions, drag year onto the Filters shelf.

8. On the Filter shelf, click the icon (down arrow) on the year field, and select Pick values from a list.
9. In the Pick values for year modal window, select 2010, and click Save.

10. On the Measures shelf, click the icon (down arrow) on the avg(population) field, select Order, and then select Ascending.

    

11. Click Refresh Visual to see the updated packed bubbles chart.

    

12. Click (pencil icon) next to the title of the visualization to edit it, and enter the new name.

13. Change the title to World Population - Packed Bubbles.

14. At the top left corner of the Visual Designer, click Save.