Modifying charts : Types of charts : About meter charts

About meter charts

A meter chart is very effective when showing a small number of values in a prominent manner. A meter chart displays a value as a needle pointer on a circular or semicircular dial. You can use a meter chart to create a gauge or dashboard display. As Figure 7-13 shows, a meter chart resembles a speedometer, with tick marks and numbers, showing a range of values. In this example, the meter chart displays two pointers that represent two values, projected sales total and actual sales total.

Figure 7-13  Meter chart showing projected sales and actual sales

You can show multiple dials in a chart, or one dial with multiple needles, by using a superimposed meter chart. For example, you can use one needle to show interior temperature, and another to show exterior temperature.

Standard meter chart

A standard meter chart displays multiple values in multiple dials, where each dial displays a single value. The meter chart shown in Figure 7-14 displays the same data as the chart in Figure 7-13, by using two dials instead of a single dial.

Figure 7-14  Standard meter chart

Superimposed meter chart

A superimposed meter chart displays multiple values in a single dial, as shown in Figure 7-13. The dials overlap each other so that the chart can represent multiple needles within a single region.