Permissions: Any Data Central user may create, save, and edit visualizations privately for personal use. Saving a visualization as public or editing an existing public visualization requires the Data Central Designer privilege.
A Scatter / Bubble chart analyzes numerical relationships between variables, such as lab test results. A Scatter chart plots data points using two measures along numerical axes to identify relationships, trends, clusters, and outliers. A Bubble chart adds a third measure, represented by the size of each bubble, to compare an additional variable.
Create a Scatter / Bubble Chart
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From Visualizations in the left navigation, click the New Visualization (+) icon.
- Click Scatter/Bubble to open the Scatter/Bubble Designer window.
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In the Fields section, click the arrows, Data Store names, or Domain names to expand the data. Use the Search feature or scroll down to view all available domains and fields.
Tip: Search also supports dot notation, e.g. DataStore.Domain.Field. After entering text, an X icon displays in the Search field. Click the icon to clear the search and reset the field list to its unfiltered state.
Note: System Tables contain operational data that can be used in visualizations. While non-eCS users cannot create visualizations on these tables themselves, they can request that visualizations be built on their behalf through their eClinical Solutions Project Manager, Customer Success Manager, Implementation Consultant, or Tech Services representative. Once created, any user with access to the visualization can view and use it. Tables available for request include: Issue - Tracks issues raised during data review.
Protocol Deviation - Stores protocol deviation records with details.
Protocol Deviation Comments - Stores comments on protocol deviations.
Query - Stores queries to sites.
Review Cycle Status - Tracks review cycle progress.
Review Objectives - Defines goals for data review processes.
Review Objectives Domains and Fields - Links objectives to specific domains and fields.
Review Objectives Review Materials - Associates roles responsible for review tasks.
Review Objectives Reviewer Roles - Assigns roles responsible for review tasks and risks.
Review Objectives Risks - Identifies risks linked to review objectives.
Review Status Metrics by Domain and Role - Measures review progress by domain and role.
Review Status Metrics by Domain and Role and Subject - Tracks review completion per subject, domain, and role.
Subject - Contains subject identifiers and demographics.
Define Measures
A Scatter chart requires at least two measures to plot data on the X-axis and Y-axis. Adding a third measure creates a Bubble chart, with the third measure determining the bubble size. Measure fields should be numeric, support aggregation, and vary along a scale, such as lab results or vital signs. Use consistent units and time points so values are comparable.
- Drag an appropriate numeric field for the X-axis into the Measures (Axes: x, y, size) section. A configuration popout opens. Click the 3-dot icon next to an existing measure to reopen the popout.
- Select an Aggregate: Count Distinct, Count (default), Sum, Average, Minimum, Maximum, Standard Deviation, or Variance.
- The Label field displays the default field name. Enter a user-friendly label if needed. To restore the original value, click the Revert icon.
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Click OK. By default, the Subject field is also added as a dimension. For more information, see the Define Dimensions section.
- Drag another numeric field into the Measures (Axes: x, y, size) section for the Y-axis.
- Select an Aggregate and update the Label as needed. To restore the original label, click the Revert icon.
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Click OK. The chart updates as a Scatter plot.
Hover over a data point to view a tooltip with the Subject ID and the labels and values of the defined measures.
- To create a Bubble chart, drag an optional third numeric field into the Measures (Axes: x, y, size) section for the size measure.
- Select an Aggregate and update the Label as needed. To restore the original label, click the Revert icon.
- Click OK. The visualization updates as a Bubble chart.
The tooltip includes the third measure and its value.
Define Dimensions
A dimension in a Scatter / Bubble chart categorizes and groups data points, such as grouping lab test results by subject or site. A Scatter / Bubble chart supports only one dimension.
- When the first measure is added, the Dimension is automatically populated with the configured Subject field from the measure field's domain. The dimension determines how the data is grouped, with each data point representing the aggregated measure values for each subject.
- To use a different dimension, remove the automatically added Subject field and add another field. The dimension does not need to be numeric. Dynamic Dimensions can also be configured to switch between dimensions. For more information, see the Dynamic Dimensions section.
Note: If the measures are from the same domain, aggregate selections and a dimension are not required. When no dimension is selected, all records with data are plotted as individual data points and are not grouped by subject.
Add Dynamic Dimensions
Dynamic Dimensions allow users to switch between dimensions and automatically update the chart. Dynamic dimensions display at the top of the chart along the X-axis as pills or a popout menu. Fields used for Dynamic Dimensions must belong to the same domain.
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To add another dimension that users can switch to dynamically, click the 3-dot icon to the right of the default Subject field in the Dimension (optional) section. The Dynamic Dimensions popout opens.
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Click Additional Dimensions and select the fields to add. The list contains fields from the selected dimension's domain.
Note: Up to 10 Dynamic Dimensions can be selected from the same domain.
- Display As Pills is checked by default. This option determines whether Dynamic Dimensions display as pills or in a popout menu.
- The Label field displays the default field name. Enter a user-friendly label if needed. To restore the original value, click the Revert icon.
- To remove a dimension, click the X icon to the right of the field name.
- Click OK.
The published Scatter / Bubble chart displays Dynamic Dimensions as pills or a popout menu at the top of the chart along the X-axis. Selecting a dimension updates the chart.
When Display As Pills is checked, click a pill to switch between dimensions:
When Display As Pills is unchecked, select a dimension from the popout menu:
Define the Legend
In a Scatter / Bubble chart, the Legend groups data points by color according to the selected field, while the Dimension determines how data is grouped and positioned. The legend changes the color of data points but does not affect their position or underlying grouping. For example, when a demographic field such as Sex, Ethnicity, or Age is used, subjects are color-coded while the data points remain in place. The legend is optional and may not be appropriate for all charts.
- Drag an appropriate field into the Legend section. A configuration popout opens. Keep Scatter / Bubble selected as the default Legend Type.
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Click OK. The chart updates and uses color to distinguish values from the selected legend field.
The tooltip includes the selected legend field and its value.
Apply Filters to Measures, Dimensions, and Legends
A filter can be applied to a measure, dimension, or legend using fields that belong to the same domain. Only one filter condition can be applied to each measure, dimension, or legend.
- Click the Filter icon to the right of the field name to open the popout.
- Use the default setting, Include Selections, or change to Exclude Selections.
- Click Filter Field to open the list and select the field to filter by.
- Click Operator to open the list and select =, <, >, Null or Empty, or Between.
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Click Filter Value(s) to open the list and select the values to filter by.
- Click OK. The chart opens filtered by the selected values, and the filter icon becomes shaded.
Tip: Click in the whitespace to close the popout if the OK button is not visible.
Note: To filter out Null values for a measure, dimension, legend, or the entire Scatter / Bubble chart, select Exclude Selections and choose the field to filter. Select the Null or Empty operator and click OK.
The Dynamic Filter option is not available for the Null or Empty operator.
Apply Dynamic Filters
Dynamic Filters let users select predefined values from a popout menu at the top of the published chart. Users can select one or more values from the popout menu to immediately update the chart with the selected filter values.
Measure-level, dimension-level, and chart-level filters can be configured as dynamic.
- Turn on Dynamic Filters by clicking the toggle switch.
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Click Optional Default Filter Value(s) and select the default values for the published chart. The list displays values defined in the original filter before it is converted to a dynamic filter. When the chart opens, it is filtered using the selected defaults.
If Select All is checked, the chart opens unfiltered, allowing viewers to choose values in the dynamic filter. The chart updates as selections change.
If no default values are configured, the chart opens filtered by the first value in the list.
- The Label field displays the default field name. Enter a user-friendly label if needed. To restore the original value, click the Revert icon.
- Click OK.
Tip: To collapse or expand each section (Measures (Axes: x, y, size), Dimension (optional), Legend (optional), Filters), click the down and up arrows. Click the box icon to view only one section and collapse all other sections.
Note: In the Measures (Axes: x, y, size) section, each field displays a green badge that identifies its axis and a filter icon. The filter icon displays solid blue when a filter is applied. The data store, domain name, and label also display for each field. Hover over a field to view a tooltip with additional details about filters and aggregates associated with the measure.
Apply Chart Filters
Filters applied in this section affect the entire visualization and are not limited to a single domain like filters applied to measures, dimensions, or the legend.
- From the Fields section, select a field to filter the entire chart and drag it into the Filters section. A popout opens.
- Use the default setting, Include Selections, or change to Exclude Selections.
- Click Operator to open the list and select =, <, >, Null or Empty, or Between.
- Click Filter Value(s) to open the list and select the values to filter by.
- Click OK. The chart opens filtered by the selected values. Up to 25 filters may be added.
- To apply Dynamic Filters to the chart, refer to the Apply Dynamic Filters section.
Note: Each Dynamic Filter, whether defined at the measure level, dimension level, or chart level, appears as a popout menu at the top of the published chart. Users can select one or more values, and hovering over a filter displays a tooltip with the current selections.
Reorder and Remove Fields
Fields can be reordered or removed from any section in the designer window.
- Reorder Fields: Click and hold the 6-dot icon next to a field and drag it above or below another field.
- Remove Fields: Click the X icon at the right of a field to remove it.
Add a Chart Description
Enter a Chart Description in the text field above the chart preview. The description appears at the top of the published chart.
Export and Import Scatter / Bubble Chart Configuration
After creating or editing a Scatter / Bubble chart, the chart configuration can be exported directly from the designer. This allows users to replicate charts across different environments without recreating them manually.
Export a Scatter / Bubble Chart Configuration
Click the Export icon in the upper right corner of the designer window to download the configuration file.
Import a Scatter / Bubble Chart Configuration
When importing a chart configuration, the created chart must match the exported chart type to ensure compatibility.
- Click the New Visualization (+) icon and select Scatter/Bubble.
- After the designer window opens, click the Import icon in the upper right corner.
- In the popout, upload the configuration file.
Note: Users with the Data Central privilege can export and import their own chart configurations. Users with the Data Central Designer privilege can also export and import chart configurations created by other users.
Toolbar Icons and Actions
Each chart includes a toolbar in the top right corner of the chart designer and published chart. Available icons vary by chart type and whether the chart is open in the designer or published. The following icons are available for a Scatter / Bubble chart.
| Icon | Icon Name | Description |
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| Edit* | Click to open the designer window. | |
| Add Filter* | Click to open a popout and apply a Runtime Visualization Filter to the visualization. The filter displays in the Local section of the Filter Panel. When a filter is active, the icon is shaded blue and changes to Edit Filter. | |
| 3-dot* | Click to open a popout menu with additional visualization options. | |
| Tooltips | Click to activate or deactivate tooltips that display when hovering over the chart. | |
| Rotate Chart | Click to rotate the chart by switching the X-axis and Y-axis. | |
| Series Label | Click to show or hide series labels within the chart. | |
| Crosshairs | Deactivated by default. Click to activate crosshairs, which display when hovering over the chart. | |
| Zoom Out | Click to zoom out and view the entire chart without scrolling. | |
| Drag to Zoom | Click to activate, then click and drag over an area of the chart to zoom in. | |
| Chart Notes | Click to view Chart Notes added in Advanced Chart Settings. | |
| Export | Click to access a popout menu to print or export to PDF, PNG, or JPG. | |
| Advanced** | Click to open Advanced Chart Settings on the left side of the designer. | |
| Dock Item* | Click to dock the visualization to the sheet. | |
| Maximize* | Click to maximize the visualization. |
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| Restore* | Click to restore the visualization to its previous size. |
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| Close* | Click to close the visualization. |
* Available in published chart only
** Available in designer only
Note: A blue icon indicates that the option is active. A gray icon indicates that the option is inactive.
Advanced Chart Settings
Advanced Chart Settings provide additional options for configuring axes, labels, the legend, colors, zoom behavior, reference lines, highlight strips, and chart notes.
- To open the Advanced Chart Settings window:
- Click the Advanced button in the bottom right corner of the chart designer window.
- Click the Advanced icon in the chart designer toolbar.
- The Advanced Chart Settings window opens on the left and displays the current settings.
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Y-Axis Position (Measure): This setting uses the label of the Y-axis measure field. For example:
<Aggregate> of <Y-axis Measure Field> Axis Position:- Left
- Right
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X-Axis Position (Measure): This setting uses the label of the X-axis measure field. For example:
<Aggregate> of <X-axis Measure Field> Axis Position:- Top
- Bottom
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Horizontal Axis Label Display:
- Standard
- Stagger
- Rotate
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Axis Label Visibility:
- Show
- Hide
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Zoom Type: This setting determines how Drag to Zoom functions.
- Box
- X-Axis
- Y-Axis
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Legend Position:
- Outside
- Inside
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Legend Horizontal Alignment:
- Center
- Right
- Left
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Legend Vertical Alignment:
- Bottom
- Top
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Palette:
- Select from the available color palettes. Material is the default.
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Vertical Reference Line / Horizontal Reference Line:
- Upper Limit
- Lower Limit
- Click the + icon to add an additional reference line.
- Click the X icon to remove a reference line.
- Click the back arrow to reset the reference line.
- Click the 3-dot icon to configure the Label, Color, Width, Dash Style, and Highlight Outlying Data options. Click OK.
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Vertical Highlight Strip / Horizontal Highlight Strip:
- Start Value
- End Value
- Click the + icon to add an additional strip.
- Click the X icon to remove a strip.
- Click the back arrow to reset the strip.
- Click the 3-dot icon to configure the highlight color, font color, and label. Click OK.
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Chart Notes:
- Add text to describe the chart. After a note is added, the Chart Notes icon displays in the toolbar.
- To close the Advanced Chart Settings window:
- Click the X icon in the top right corner.
- Click the Advanced button in the bottom right corner of the page.
- Click the Advanced icon in the toolbar.
- Click Save to save the changes or Cancel to discard them.
Save and Save As
When creating a visualization, only the Save button displays in the bottom right corner. After the visualization is saved, both Save and Save As display.
When a saved visualization opens in the Chart Designer, the header displays the title followed by Preview. A blue badge to the right of the title shows the number of segments currently displayed in the visualization.
The Save Chart window opens when Save is clicked for the first time or when Save As is clicked.
Tip: Click Save As to duplicate an existing chart with a different name or save a new version with different settings. Click Save to update the existing chart.
When the Save Chart window opens, enter or edit the save options.
- Enter the Name of the chart (maximum 100 characters).
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Select the folder where the chart is to be saved.
Note: Users with the Data Central Designer privilege can also add a new folder by hovering over an existing folder and clicking the add folder icon. To edit or delete existing folders, click the Actions icon in the master header and select Manage Objects.
- Select the Public or Private radio button. Users with the Data Central privilege only see Private as an option. Public is also available to users with the Data Central Designer privilege.
- Select the Roles. This option is available when saving a public visualization and is grayed out for a private visualization. Users with the selected roles can access the visualization.
- Update the Scope. By default, the current study is selected. Use the drop-down lists for Therapeutic Areas, Compounds, Programs, or Studies to update the scope as needed.
- Click Save to confirm the save settings or Cancel to discard the changes.
Edit a Scatter / Bubble Chart
A Scatter / Bubble chart can be edited to update its data, description, and advanced settings. Chart settings in the Save Chart window can also be updated, including the name, folder, visibility, roles, and scope.
Note: The Data Central Designer privilege is required to change a private chart to public.
Edit Content
- Hover over the visualization to edit.
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Click the Edit icon. The Scatter/Bubble Designer window opens.
Note: Users may also click the Edit icon in the published chart's toolbar to open the designer.
- Edit fields in the Measures (Axes: x, y, size), Dimension (optional), Legend (optional), or Filters sections as needed.
- Edit the Description as needed.
- Update Advanced Chart Settings as needed.
- Click Save to update the existing chart or Save As to save it as a new chart.
Edit Settings
- Hover over the visualization to edit the settings.
- Click the Configure icon to open the Save Chart window.
- Update the settings as needed.
- Click Save to confirm the changes or Cancel to discard them.
Delete a Visualization
Saved Visualizations, Workspaces, Filter Sets, and Advanced Filters are deleted from Manage Objects, available from the Actions icon in the master header. The Data Central Designer privilege is required to delete public items. All Data Central users can delete their own private items.
- Click the Actions icon in the master header, then select Manage Objects. The Manage window opens.
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Hover over the name of the item to delete.
Tip: Hover over the icon to the left of the item name to view a tooltip that identifies the item type, such as Saved Workspace, Advanced Filter, or a visualization type.
- Click the Delete icon.
- In the Delete Item confirmation window, click Delete to delete the item or Cancel to cancel the action.