The "View Chart" option provides a visual representation of the data, making it easier for you and other end-users to recognize trade trends and market share. Data can be represented in 12 different types of charts, including pie and line graphs, among others. The trick to mastering this feature is to familiarize yourself with the organization of the tables. A good rule of thumb is to remember that the categories adjacent to the data cells will be illustrated in your chart. For example, if the time dimension goes along the top of the report and the countries dimension falls along the side of the report, then the graph will place countries on the y-axis and time on the x-axis. You can use this feature to create column charts like this:

Figure A: Top U.S. Trading Partners in 2004

Building Charts in USA Trade Online

To transform your standard report table into a chart, click the "View Chart" option under the Report Options list. By default, the system will regenerate your table into a column chart and add a "Chart options" link to the list of Options. Now you can use the drag and drop feature to move the column headers, as well as the "Chart options" feature to change the default column chart to any of the following options (also see Figure B):

• Pie. The basic pie chart. The row dimension (i.e. a dimension that helps to make up a report’s rows) that is directly adjacent to the data cells is graphically represented in the chart. Each section of the pie is color coded and listed in the legend at the bottom of the chart.
• 3D Pie. Same as the pie chart except now the chart is 3D.
• Bar. The basic bar chart. Bars are represented horizontally. Each of the row dimension members that are directly adjacent to the data cells makes up one bar in the chart. These are color coded and they are listed in the legend at the bottom of the bar chart. The row dimension that is next to the row dimension directly adjacent to the data cells makes up the chart’s x-axis. The column dimension that is directly adjacent to the data cells makes up the chart’s y-axis.
• 3D Bar. Same as the bar chart except now the chart is 3D.
• Stacked Bar. This is a modified bar chart. The column dimension that is directly adjacent to the data cells makes up the chart’s y-axis. The row dimension members that are directly adjacent to the data cells are the component members of each bar. These bars are color coded and listed in the legend. The row dimension that is next to the row dimension that is directly adjacent to the data cells makes up the chart’s x-axis.
• Line. Basic line chart. The row dimension members that are directly adjacent to the data cells makes up each line in the chart. These are color coded and they are listed in the legend at the bottom of the bar chart. The row dimension that is next to the row dimension directly adjacent to the data cells makes up the chart’s y-axis. The column dimension that is directly adjacent to the data cells makes up the chart’s x-axis.
• Doughnut. Same as the pie chart except there is blank hole in the middle.
• 3D Doughnut. Same as the doughnut chart except now the chart is 3D.
• Column. This is just like the bar chart except the bars are represented vertically. Each of the row dimension members that are directly adjacent to the data cells makes up one bar in the chart. These are color coded and they are listed in the legend at the bottom of the bar chart. The row dimension that is next to the row dimension directly adjacent to the data cells makes up the chart’s y-axis. The column dimension that is directly adjacent to the data cells makes up the chart’s x-axis.
• 3D Column. Same as the column chart except now the chart is 3D.
• Stacked Column. This is just like the stacked bar chart except now the bars are represented vertically. The column dimension that is directly adjacent to the data cells makes up the chart’s x-axis. The row dimension members that are directly adjacent to the data cells are the component members of each bar. These bars are color coded and listed in the legend. The row dimension that is next to the row dimension that is directly adjacent to the data cells makes up the chart’s y-axis.
• Spline. This is just like the line chart except now the edges are rounded.
• Note: The number of items on the y-axis and x-axis is limited. This number varies although it is usually around 25 for the y-axis and 50 for the x-axis. The chart is split into many charts if these numbers are exceeded.

Figure B: Chart Options in USA Trade Online

• It's never too soon to start thinking about your chart. When building your report table, remember that the categories adjacent to the data cells are the ones that will be illustrated in your chart. For example, if the time dimension goes along the top of the report and the countries dimension falls along the side of the report, then the graph will place countries on the y-axis and time on the x-axis.
• One of the most popular charts is a monthly time series represented in a column chart type. This effectively shows monthly trade values for commodities over time, making it easy to see trends and/or outliers. To make a chart like this, go to the Report Table page and move the "Time" header so that it makes up the report’s columns and is directly adjacent to the data cells. Once you have done this, move the "Measures" header so that it makes up the report’s rows and is directly adjacent to the data cells. Now press "View Chart," and your time series chart should display nicely!
• While making charts, you may also come across a situation where you want to do more than one chart at once. For example, you may want to compare the time series of three different commodities for the same time period. To do this, first select the commodities that you wish to see in your time series. Then follow the time series steps listed above, all the time making sure that the time dimension makes up the report’s columns, the measures dimension makes up the report’s rows, and that both these dimensions are directly adjacent to the data cells (Note: The placement of the commodity dimension in this case is irrelevant as long as it is not adjacent to the data cells). Finally, press "View Chart," and your time series chart should display nicely. Notice that while the charts are displayed graphically, they are organized in a table structure.