Horizon Charts

Key points

A horizon chart is a compact way to show how data changes over time, especially when there are big ups and downs or when you want to compare many time series in a small space.
Example Horizon Chart data visualization

Best Practices

A horizon chart is similar to an area chart, but instead of using a tall line, a horizon chart "folds" the data into colored bands, where deeper or darker colors mean higher values. This lets you fit more information into less space without losing the overall trend.

Benefits:

  • Shows patterns clearly and makes it easy to spot seasonal trends, peaks, or sudden changes over time.
  • Saves space by showing many series side by side (for example, multiple states or age groups) without taking up much room.
  • Highlights intensity using color bands to help you instantly see how strong or weak a signal is.
  • Simplifies comparisons by allowing users to compare patterns.
  • Balances detail and simplicity because users can see both overall trends and local variations at the same time.

Quick Build Notes

  1. Choose Visualization Type: Horizon Chart.
  2. Import Data and configure.
  3. General: Set Number of Layers.
  4. Data Series: Add Data Series.
  5. Date/Category Axis: Set Data Scaling Type.
  6. Date/Category Axis: Set Data Key.
  7. Date/Category Axis: If shown, set Data Parse Format and Axis Date Display Format.

Configuration Options

The example visualization below highlights options available for horizon charts. Key configuration selections are in the build notes section under the example.

For in-depth configuration information visit the Configuration Options section.

Example Horizon Chart

Sample Data: Example Horizon Chart

Data Format

  • Vertical
  • Multiple Series: Yes
  • Single Row

General

  • Chart Type: Horizon Chart
  • Number of Layers: 5

Data Series

Add Data Series:

  • Data 1
  • Data 2
  • Data 3
  • Data 4

Left Value Axis

  • Axis Type: Numeric (Linear Scale)

Date/Category Axis

  • Data Scaling Type: Date (Linear Scale)
  • Data Key: Date
  • Date Parse Format: %m/%d/%Y
  • Axis Date Display Format: %m/%Y%
Visual
  • Use Selected Palette in Reverse Order, Off
  • Sequential palette
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