Relationship and Trend Charts

Relationship and trend charts are powerful tools for understanding how data behaves and interacts. By highlighting patterns, correlations, and shifts within datasets, they enable users to quickly identify trends, detect anomalies, and make informed decisions. As a versatile category of visualizations, these charts provide a clear and intuitive way to explore relationships between variables and track developments across diverse data contexts.

Line Chart
Scatter Chart
Bivariate Area Chart
Stream Chart
Polar Chart
Tips
Version History

Line Chart

A line chart is a basic mathematical plot that maps two variables on the Cartesian plane, determining the horizontal and vertical position of each data point based on the values of the first and second variable respectively. Line charts typically sort data points by their horizontal axis values and connect them with lines to show trends and patterns over continuous intervals. This chart can be used, for example, to plot the relationship between the sepal length and width of iris plants.

Use the Line Chart function by browsing in the tools ribbon:

Plot \(\rightarrow\) Relationship & Trend Charts \(\rightarrow\) Line Chart

Input

A data table in long format consisting of at least two columns, at least one of which is numerical. If necessary, the conversion from wide to long format can be achieved via the Wide to Long function that can be found in the Data Transformation menu of the tools ribbon, under Data Manipulation.

Configuration

Chart Title	Type the chart title.
Horizontal Axis Title	Type the horizontal axis title.
Vertical Axis Title	Type the vertical axis title.
Add Column Pairs	Select the input column pair(s) to be plotted against each other.
	Select X column	Select from the drop-down menu the numerical or categorical variable to be plotted on the horizontal axis.
	Select Y column	Select from the drop-down menu the numerical variable to be plotted on the vertical axis.
Remove Selected Column Pairs	Remove the selected column pair(s).

Chart customization

Upon executing the Line Chart function, the chart will appear in a separate window where the following customization options are available:

Show Legend	Display a legend consisting of the column pair names.
Show Grid	Display grid lines in the background.
X axis ticks	Select the number of horizontal grid line ticks from the drop-down menu.
Y axis ticks	Select the number of vertical grid line ticks from the drop-down menu.
Point Size	Drag and select the data points size.
Background	Select the background color.
Series Properties	Select the desired properties for each series of column pairs plotted on the chart.
	Series Color	Select series color.
	Line	Show a line connecting the data points.
	Point	Show data points.
	Symbol	Select the symbol denoting each data point (e.g. circle or square).

Output

A line plot displaying a selection of data points connected by lines, where the horizontal and vertical coordinates represent the values of the first and second input variables, respectively.

Example

Input

In the left-hand spreadsheet import a table consisting of the categories and the corresponding values (1).

Configuration

Use the Line Chart function by browsing in the tools ribbon:

Plot \(\rightarrow\) Relationship & Trend Charts \(\rightarrow\) Line Chart (1)
Type the chart, horizontal axis, and vertical axis titles (2).
Click Add Column Pair(s) (3) and selected the variables to be plotted on the horizontal (Select X Column) and the vertical axis (Select Y Column) (4). Click Add (5) to select multiple column pairs. When all column pairs are added click Add & Close (6).
Click Execute to generate a line chart (7).

Chart customization

Upon clicking Execute the line chart appears in a separate window.

Display the chart legend and grid lines (1).
Select the number of horizontal and vertical grid line ticks (2).
Select the data points size (3).
Select the background color (4).
In the Series Properties section, select the series color, line or/and point configuration, and data point symbol (5).

Output

To save the chart customization changes in Isalos, click File→ Save (1). To save the chart as a PNG image, select File→ Save as Image (2).

The downloadable, customized line chart is presented below.

Scatter Chart

A scatter chart, or scatter plot, is a mathematical diagram that captures the relationships between two variables on the Cartesian plane. The position of each data point on the horizontal and vertical axis is determined by the values of the first and second variable respectively.

The scatter plot format is useful for identifying correlations, trends and outliers among variables. For example, it can be used to visualize the relationship between a child’s height (in cm) and its age (in years).

Use the Scatter Chart function by browsing in the tools ribbon:

Plot \(\rightarrow\) Relationship & Trend Charts \(\rightarrow\) Scatter Chart

Input

A data table in long format consisting of at least two numerical columns. If necessary, the conversion from wide to long format can be achieved via the Wide to Long function that can be found in the Data Transformation menu of the tools ribbon, under Data Manipulation.

Configuration

Chart Title	Type the chart title.
Horizontal Axis Title	Type the horizontal axis title.
Vertical Axis Title	Type the vertical axis title.
Add Column Pairs	Select the input column pair(s) to be plotted against each other.
	Select X column	Select from the drop-down menu the numerical variable to be plotted on the horizontal axis.
	Select Y column	Select from the drop-down menu the numerical variable to be plotted on the vertical axis.
Remove Selected Column Pairs	Remove the selected column pair(s).

Chart customization

Upon executing the Scatter Chart function, the chart will appear in a separate window where the following customization options are available:

Show Legend	Display a legend consisting of the column pair names.
Show Grid	Display grid lines in the background.
X axis ticks	Select the number of horizontal grid line ticks from the drop-down menu.
Y axis ticks	Select the number of vertical grid line ticks from the drop-down menu.
Point Size	Drag and select the data points size.
Background	Select the background color.
Series Color	Select series color.

Output

A scatter plot displaying a selection of data points, where the horizontal and vertical coordinates represent the values of the first and second input variables, respectively.

Example

Input

In the left-hand spreadsheet import a table consisting of the categories and the corresponding values (1).

Configuration

Use the Scatter Chart function by browsing in the tools ribbon:

Plot \(\rightarrow\) Relationship & Trend Charts \(\rightarrow\) Scatter Chart (1)
Type the chart, horizontal axis, and vertical axis titles (2).
Click Add Column Pair(s) (3) and selected the variables to be plotted on the horizontal (Select X Column) and the vertical axis (Select Y Column) (4). Click Add (5) to select multiple column pairs. When all column pairs are added click Add & Close (6).
Click Execute to generate a scatter chart (7).

Chart customization

Upon clicking Execute the scatter chart appears in a separate window.

Display the chart legend and grid lines (1).
Select the number of horizontal and vertical grid line ticks (2).
Select the data points size (3).
Select the background color (4).
Select the series color (5).

Output

To save the chart customization changes in Isalos, click File→ Save (1). To save the chart as a PNG image, select File→ Save as Image (2).

The downloadable, customized scatter chart is presented below.

Bivariate Area Chart

The bivariate area chart is a visualization tool used to display the evolution of two numerical variables along a shared horizontal axis, which is often a time variable. It is particularly useful for identifying trends in both variables, and more importantly, for highlighting the gap, balance, flips, and trade-offs between them. Its most distinctive feature is that the variables’ curves are color-coded, and the area where one variable exceeds the other across the horizontal axis is shaded accordingly. This makes it easier to identify both the number and extent of imbalances between the variables.

The chart is commonly used for commercial and economic analyses, e.g. to visualize the trends in exports and imports over time.

Use the Bivariate Area Chart function by browsing in the tools ribbon:

Plot \(\rightarrow\) Relationship & Trend Charts \(\rightarrow\) Bivariate Area Chart

Input

A data table consisting of the values of two numerical variables and a common numerical variable to be displayed on the horizontal axis. If necessary, the conversion from wide to long format can be achieved via the Wide to Long function that can be found in the Data Transformation menu of the tools ribbon, under Data Manipulation.

Configuration

Chart Title	Type the chart title.
Horizontal Axis Title	Type the horizontal axis title.
Vertical Axis Title	Type the vertical axis title.
Horizontal Axis Column	Select the common numerical variable to be plotted on the horizontal axis.
First variable column	Select the first numerical variable to be plotted on the vertical axis.
Second variable column	Select the second numerical variable to be plotted on the vertical axis.

Chart customization

Upon executing the Bivariate Area Chart function, the chart will appear in a separate window where the following customization options are available:

Show Legend	Display a legend consisting of the two series names.
Show Grid	Display grid lines in the background.
X axis ticks	Select the number of horizontal grid line ticks from the drop-down menu.
Y axis ticks	Select the number of vertical grid line ticks from the drop-down menu.
Show Points	Show data points on the chart.
Point Size	Drag and select the data points size.
Show Bivariate Area	Show the color-coded area where one variable exceeds the other.
Background	Select the background color.
Series Colors	Select the series colors.

Output

A bivariate area chart in which the areas where one variable exceeds the other are shaded accordingly.

Example

Input

In the left-hand spreadsheet import a table consisting of at least three numerical columns, including a common numerical variable to be plotted on the horizontal axis and two variables to be plotted on the vertical axis (1).

Configuration

Use the Bivariate Area Chart function by browsing in the tools ribbon:

Plot \(\rightarrow\) Relationship & Trend Charts \(\rightarrow\) Bivariate Area Chart (1)
Type the chart, horizontal axis, and vertical axis titles (2).
Select from the drop-down menu the horizontal axis variable (3), and the first (4) and second (5) vertical axis variables.
Click Execute to generate a bivariate area chart (6).

Chart customization

Upon clicking Execute the bivariate area chart appears in a separate window.

Display the chart legend and grid lines (1).
Select the number of horizontal and vertical grid line ticks (2).
Show the data points on the chart (3).
Select the data point size (4).
Show the color-coded area where one variable exceeds the other (5).
Select the background color (6).
Select the series colors (7).

Output

To save the chart customization changes in Isalos, click File→ Save (1). To save the chart as a PNG image, select File→ Save as Image (2).

The downloadable, customized bivariate area chart is presented below.

Stream Chart

A stream chart, or streamgraph, is a type of stacked area graph in which the numerical values of different categories (layers) are distributed around a horizontal axis in the center of the graph, creating a flowing, stream-like shape. The stacked categories are displayed as continuous areas through interpolation between the given data points. The height of each layer is analogous to its numeric value, and the total height of the graph reflects the sum of categories at any given point. The geometry of the chart is dependent on the bottom layer outline which is determined by the minimization of the average of the squares of slopes between each layer’s midpoints, weighted by layer height.

This chart is typically used to illustrate how the values of each category evolve over the baseline category on the horizontal axis (e.g. the variable of time). This characteristic makes it particularly useful for visualizing the relative proportions of the whole as they evolve along the horizontal axis, while also revealing trends and patterns within the data. For example, stream charts can be used to capture the trends of energy consumption across different sectors (industrial, commercial, transportation) over a given period of time.

It should be noted that since the horizontal axis is not fixed in a stream chart, distinguishing between positive and negative values is not possible. Therefore, exclusively positive or negative values should be included in one plot.

Use the Stream Chart function by browsing in the tools ribbon:

Plot \(\rightarrow\) Relationship & Trend Charts \(\rightarrow\) Stream Chart

Input

A categorical or numerical column consisting of the categories to be layered and a numerical column with continuous values for each category. The baseline values (categorical or numerical) over which the main categories are evolving should be given in a separate column. If necessary, the conversion from wide to long format can be achieved via the Wide to Long function that can be found in the Data Transformation menu of the tools ribbon, under Data Manipulation.

Configuration

Chart Title	Type the chart title.
Horizontal Axis Title	Type the horizontal axis title.
Vertical Axis Title	Type the vertical axis title.
Time	Select the categorical or numerical column consisting of baseline values over which the main categories are evolving.
Category	Select the categories column which can be either numerical or categorical.
Value	Select the numerical values column.

Chart customization

Upon executing the Stream Chart function, the chart will appear in a separate window where the following customization options are available:

Show Legend	Display a legend consisting of the categories names.
Show Smooth Lines	Connect chart peaks with smooth lines.
Background	Select the background color.
Stream Colors	Select the stream colors.

Output

A stream chart depicting the evolution of the given variables along a baseline as a symmetrical flowing shape.

Example

Input

In the left-hand spreadsheet, import a table in long format that consists of a numerical or categorical baseline variable (for example, a time variable), a numerical or categorical column representing different categories, and a numerical column containing the corresponding values (1).

Configuration

Use the Stream Chart function by browsing in the tools ribbon:

Plot \(\rightarrow\) Relationship & Trend Charts \(\rightarrow\) Stream Chart (1)
Type the chart, horizontal axis, and vertical axis titles (2).
Select from the drop-down menu the baseline (Time) variable (3), the categories column (4), and numerical variable (5).
Click Execute to generate a stream chart (6).

Chart customization

Upon clicking Execute the stream chart appears in a separate window.

Display the chart legend (1).
Connect the chart peaks with smooth lines (2).
Select the background color (3).
Select the streams colors (4).

Output

To save the chart customization changes in Isalos, click File→ Save (1). To save the chart as a PNG image, select File→ Save as Image (2).

The downloadable, customized stream chart is presented below.

Polar Chart

A polar graph is used to represent data defined by a radius-angle coordinate system, where each data point is specified by a magnitude (radius) and a direction (angle). This type of chart is particularly effective for visualizing measurements that depend on orientation, rotation, or angular position, allowing patterns and variations to be observed around a central point rather than along linear axes. For example, the polar chart is used to capture the trends in signal phase vs. amplitude in physics or engineering problems.

Use the Polar Chart function by browsing in the tools ribbon:

Plot \(\rightarrow\) Relationship & Trend Charts \(\rightarrow\) Polar Chart

Input

Configuration

Chart Title	Type the chart title.
Add Column Pairs	Select the input column pair(s) to be plotted against each other.
	Radius	Select from the drop-down menu the numerical variable representing the magnitude.
	Angle	Select from the drop-down menu the numerical variable representing the direction.
Remove Selected Column Pairs	Remove the selected column pair(s).

Chart customization

Upon executing the Polar Chart function, the chart will appear in a separate window where the following customization options are available:

Show Legend	Display a legend consisting of the column pair names.
Show Values	Display the coordinates on the chart.
Point Size	Drag and select the data points size.
Background	Select the background color.
Series Colors	Select the series colors.

Output

A polar chart depicting data on the polar system, with each point defined by a radius and an angle.

Example

Input

In the left-hand spreadsheet, import a table in long format that consists of at least two numerical columns (1).

Configuration

Use the Polar Chart function by browsing in the tools ribbon:

Plot \(\rightarrow\) Relationship & Trend Charts \(\rightarrow\) Polar Chart (1)
Type the chart title (2).
Click Add Column Pair(s) (3) and select the radius and angle variables (4). Click Add (5) to select multiple column pairs. When all column pairs are added click Add & Close (6).
Click Execute to generate a polar chart (7).

Chart customization

Upon clicking Execute the polar chart appears in a separate window.

Display the chart legend (1).
Display the coordinates for each data point (2).
Drag and select the points size (3).
Select the background color (4).
Select the series colors (5).

Output

To save the chart customization changes in Isalos, click File→ Save (1). To save the chart as a PNG image, select File→ Save as Image (2).

The downloadable, customized polar chart is presented below.

Tips

Line and Scatter Chart

They are commonly used to visualize linear relationships between two variables, but other patterns can also be detected, e.g. sin, cos, square relationships.
Avoid including a vast number of observations on the scatter plot (oversampling), as it can lead to overlapping data points.
Avoid displaying too many lines in a line chart (spaghetti chart) to ensure readability.
For time series line charts, ensure time intervals are consistent to avoid misleading slopes.

Polar Chart

It is ideal for representing the relationships between periodical or cyclical data.

Stream Chart

A stream chart cannot simultaneously represent both positive and negative values, as the central axis is not a true zero baseline but rather a visual balancing point.
Usually, it is difficult to accurately compare or subtract layer heights, so this type of chart should not be used to visualize quantitative information, but patterns and trends in an intuitive and engaging way.

Version History

Introduced in Isalos Analytics Platform v2.0.0

Instructions last updated on December 2025

Relationship and Trend Charts

Table of contents

Line Chart

Input

Configuration

Chart customization

Output

Example

Input

Configuration

Chart customization

Output

Scatter Chart

Input

Configuration

Chart customization

Output

Example

Input

Configuration

Chart customization

Output

Bivariate Area Chart

Input

Configuration

Chart customization

Output

Example

Input

Configuration

Chart customization

Output

Stream Chart

Input

Configuration

Chart customization

Output

Example

Input

Configuration

Chart customization

Output

Polar Chart

Input

Configuration

Chart customization

Output

Example

Input

Configuration

Chart customization

Output

Tips

Version History