Charts
On this page
The chart view of an analysis shows the time series graphically. You can choose the chart type and the displayed period and change the appearance of the chart.
Chart types
| Type | When to use |
|---|---|
| Line | Development of time series over time — the most common type |
| Column | Comparing values by period (e.g. annual changes) |
| Bar | Horizontal columns — convenient when category labels are long |
| Scatter | Relationship between two indicators: one series on the X axis, one or more on the Y axis; a linear trend line can be added |
| Area | A line chart with a filled area |
| Stacked column / bar | Contributions of components to a total (e.g. drivers of GDP growth) |
Each series can have its own type — e.g. GDP growth as columns and inflation as a line (combination chart). A series can be moved to the right axis when the scales differ a lot (e.g. EUR million and %).
In a scatter chart choose which series is on the X axis and which are on the Y axis. Points are matched by period, so the series must have the same frequency.
Displayed period
Set the start and end of the displayed period (e.g. from 2010-Q1 to 2025-Q4, or from 2015 to 2025). The period changes only what is shown — calculations (such as changes or trends) use the whole series.
You can also zoom temporarily by selecting an area with the mouse; double-click to return to the full view.
Appearance
You can change:
- the title and subtitle;
- the position of the legend (top, bottom, right) or hide it;
- colours — the palette of the whole chart and the colour of each series;
- lines — width, style (solid, dashed, dotted) and point markers;
- value labels on points or columns;
- axes — titles, minimum and maximum, logarithmic scale, gridlines, number format;
- the background colour, font size and chart height;
- the source note at the bottom (e.g. “Source: Eurostat; MacroLens”) — shown by default.
The default palette was chosen so that colours remain distinguishable when printed in black and white and for people with colour-vision deficiency.
Appearance settings are saved with the analysis and used in reports and presentations.
Export, copy and print
- Download the chart as an image: PNG (raster, for documents and e-mails) or SVG (vector, for layout work).
- Copy image — the chart to the clipboard to paste into a document or e-mail (where the browser supports it).
- Download data — the chart data as XLSX or CSV.
- Print — the analysis page is print-ready; only the chart and essential information are printed, without menus.
- Add the chart to a report or presentation — there it is refreshed with the data, and in PowerPoint files it is stored as an editable (native) chart.