Chart types

Published: 2023-10-02

Dashboard charts in the ExtraHop system offer multiple ways to visualize metric data, which can help you
answer questions about your network behavior.
You select a chart type when you edit a chart in the Metric Explorer . But how do you know which chart to
select? It helps to first decide which question you want to answer:
• To learn how a metric changes over time, select a time-series chart such as the area, column, line, line &
column, or status chart.
• To learn how a metric value compares to a complete set of data, select a distribution chart such as the
box plot, candlestick, heatmap, or histogram chart.
• To learn the exact metric value for a time period, select a total value chart such as the bar, list, pie,
table, or value chart.
• To learn the alert status of this metric, select the list, status, or value chart.
Find more answers in the Charts FAQ .
The following table provides a list of chart types and descriptions. Click on the chart type to see more
details and examples.

Chart Type Description Type

Area chart Displays metric values as a line Time-series
that connects data points over
time, with the area between the
line and axis filled in with color.
Column chart Displays metric data as vertical Time-series
columns over a selected time
interval.
Line chart Displays metric values as data Time-series
points in a line over time.
Line & Column chart Displays metric values as a line, Time-series
which connects a series of data
points over time, with the option
to display another metric as a
column chart underneath the line
chart.
Status chart Displays metric values in a column Time-series
chart and the status of an alert
assigned to both the source and
metric in the chart.
Box plot chart Displays variability for a Distribution
distribution of metric data. Each
horizontal line in the box plot
includes three or five data points.
Candlestick chart Displays variability for a Distribution
distribution of metric data over
time.
Heatmap chart Displays a distribution of metric Distribution
data over time, where color

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2023ExtraHop Networks, Inc. All rights reserved.
Chart Type Description Type
represents a concentration of
data.
Histogram chart Displays a distribution of metric Distribution
data as vertical bars or bins.
Bar chart Displays the total value of metric Total value
data as horizontal bars.
List chart Displays metric data as a list with Total value
optional sparklines that represent
data changes over time.
Pie chart Displays metric data as a portion Total value
or percentage of a whole.
Table chart Displays multiple metric values Total value
in a table, which can be easily
sorted.
Value chart Displays the total value for one or Total value
more metrics.

Area chart
Metric data is displayed as data points over time connected by a line, with the area between the line and
the x-axis filled in with color.
If your chart contains more than one metric, data for each metric is displayed as an individual line, or a
series. Each series is stacked together to illustrate the cumulative value of the data.
Select the area chart to see how the accumulation of multiple metric data points over time contribute to
a total value. For example, an area chart can reveal how various protocols contribute to total protocol
activity.
For more information about displaying rates in your chart, see the Display rates section.
Note: This chart supports detection markers , which indicate detections associated with chart
data.
Note: Machine learning detections require a connection to ExtraHop Cloud Services .

The following figure shows an example of an area chart.

Bar chart
The total value of metric data is displayed as horizontal bars.

Chart types 2
Select the bar chart when you want to compare the data for more than one metric for a selected time
interval.
The following figure shows an example of a bar chart.

Box plot chart

The box plot chart displays variability for a distribution of metric data. You can only display data from
dataset metrics, such as server processing time, in this chart.
Each horizontal line in the box plot includes three or five data points. With five data points, the line contains
a body bar, a vertical tick mark, an upper shadow line, and a lower shadow line. With three data points,
the line contains a vertical tick mark, an upper shadow, and lower shadow. For more information about
displaying specific percentile values in your chart, see Display percentiles .
The following figure shows an example of a box plot chart.

Candlestick chart
The candlestick chart displays variability for a distribution of metric data over time. You can only display
data from dataset metrics or high-precision network (L2) byte and packet metrics.
Vertical lines at each time interval displays three or five data points. If the line has five data points, it
contains a body, middle tick mark, an upper shadow line, and a lower shadow line. If the line has three data
points, it contains a middle tick mark. For more information about displaying specific percentile values in
your chart, see Display percentiles .
Select the candlestick chart to view the variability of data calculations for a specific period of time.
The following figure shows an example of a candlestick chart.

Chart types 3
Column chart
Metric data is displayed as vertical columns over time. If your chart contains more than one metric, data for
each metric is displayed as an individual column or as a series. Each series is stacked together to illustrate
the cumulative value of the data.
Select the column chart to compare how accumulation of multiple metric data points at a specific time
contribute to the total value.
Note: This chart supports detection markers , which indicate detections associated with chart
data.
The following figure shows an example of a column chart.

Heatmap chart
The heatmap chart displays a distribution of metric data over time, where color represents a concentration
of data. You can only select a dataset metric to display in the chart, such as server processing time or round
trip time.
Select the heatmap when you want to identify patterns in the distribution of data.
Here are some important considerations about the heatmap chart:
• The heatmap legend displays the color gradient that corresponds to the data range in the chart. For
example, the darker color on the heatmap indicates a higher concentration of data points.
• The default data range is between the 5th and 95th percentiles, which filters outliers from the
distribution. Outliers can skew the scale of data displayed in your chart, making it more difficult to spot

Chart types 4
 trends and patterns for the majority of your data. However, you can choose to view the full range of
data by changing the default filter in the Options tab. For more information, see Filter outliers .
• The selected theme, such as Light, Dark, or Space, affects whether a dark or light color indicates a
higher concentration of data points.
The following figure shows an example of a heatmap chart.

Histogram chart
The histogram chart displays a distribution of metric data as vertical bars, or bins. You can only select a
dataset metric to display in this chart, such as server processing time or round trip time.
Select the histogram chart to view the shape of how data is distributed.
Here are some important considerations about the histogram chart:
• The default data range is from the 5th to 95th percentile (5th-95th), which filters outliers from
the distribution. The minimum to maximum (Min-Max) view displays the full data range. Click the
magnifying glass in the upper right corner of the chart to toggle between the two views.
• Data is automatically distributed into bins on either a linear or log scale based on the data range. For
example, when the data range spans several orders of magnitude, data is placed into bins on a log scale.
Min-Max (log) appears in the upper right corner of the chart.
• Click-and-drag to zoom in on multiple bins or a specific bin. Click the magnifying glass again in the
upper right corner of the chart to zoom out to the original view (either 5th-95th or Min to Max).
Note: Zooming in to view a custom time interval does not change the global or region time
interval.
• Your toggle selection (between the 5th-95th and Min-Max views) will persist for your chart, but not for
the users that you shared your dashboard and chart with. To set a persistent toggle selection before
sharing a dashboard, see Filter outliers .
The following figure shows an example of a histogram chart.

Chart types 5
 Note: This chart does not support baselines or threshold lines.

Line chart
Metric data is displayed as data points over time that are connected in a line. If your chart contains more
than one metric, data for each metric is displayed as an individual line or as a series. Each series overlaps.
Select the line chart to compare changes over time.
Note: This chart supports detection markers , which indicate detections associated with chart
data.
The following figure shows an example of a line chart.

Line & column chart

Metric data is displayed as data points over time connected by a line, with the option to display a column
chart underneath the line chart. For example, if your chart contains more than one metric (for example,

Chart types 6
HTTP Requests and HTTP Errors), you can select Display as Columns to display one of the metrics as a
column chart underneath the line chart.
Columns are displayed in the color red by default. To remove the red color, click Options and deselect
Display columns in red.
Select the line & column chart to compare different metrics at different scales in one chart. For example,
you can view error rates and the total number of HTTP responses in one chart.
Note: This chart supports detection markers , which indicate detections associated with chart
data.
The following figure shows an example of a line & column chart.

List chart
Metric data is displayed as a list. Select the list chart to view long lists of metric values, such as detail
metrics.
This chart includes the following options:
• Add a sparkline, which is a simple area chart placed inline with the metric name and value. A sparkline
shows how data changed over time. Click the Options tab and select Include sparklines.
• Display the metric value in an alert status color. Different colors indicate the severity of the configured
alert. For example, if an alert threshold is crossed for a metric that is displayed in the list chart, the
value for that metric appears in red. Click the Options tab and select Color indicates alert status.
Note: This chart does not support baselines or threshold lines.

The following figure shows an example of a list chart.

Chart types 7
Pie chart
Metric data is displayed as a portion or percentage of a whole. If your chart contains more than one metric,
data for each metric is represented as single slice, or series, in the pie chart.
Select the pie chart to compare the metric values that are mutually exclusive, such as status code detail
metrics for the top-level HTTP Response metric.
This chart includes the following options:
• Display as a donut chart. Click the Option tab and select Show total value.
• Specify the decimal precision, or the number of digits, displayed in your chart. Percentile precision is
useful for displaying ratios of data, especially for service-level agreements (SLAs) that might require
precise data for reporting. Click the Options tab, and in the Units section, select Show percents instead
of counts. Then select 0.00% or 0.000% from the drop-down list.
The following figure shows an example of a pie chart.

Status chart
Metric data is displayed in a column chart. The color of each column represents the most severe alert status
of the configured alert for the metric. You can only select one source and metric to display in this chart.
To view the status of all of the alerts associated with the selected metric category, click Show Related
Alerts. A list of alerts is then displayed below the column chart.
Select the status chart to see how data and the alert status for your metric change over time.
Note: This chart does not support baselines.

The following figure shows an example of a status chart.

Chart types 8
Table chart
Metric data is displayed across rows and columns in a table. Each row represents a source. Each column
represents a metric. You can add multiple sources (of the same type) and metrics to a table.
Select the table chart when you want to view metric data in a grid and easily sort values across multiple
metrics.
Note: This chart does not support baselines or threshold lines.

The following figure shows an example of a table chart.

Value chart
The total value for one or more metrics is displayed as a single value. If you select more than one metric,
metric values are displayed side-by-side.
Select the value chart to see the total value of important metrics, such as the total number of HTTP errors
occurring on your network.
This chart includes the following options:
• Add sparklines, which is a simple area chart placed underneath the metric value. A sparkline shows how
data changed over time. Click the Options tab and select Include sparklines.
• Display the metric value in an alert status color. Different colors indicate the severity of the configured
alert. For example, if an alert threshold is crossed for a metric, the value appears in red. Click the
Options tab and select Color indicates alert status.
Note: This chart does not support baselines or threshold lines.

The following figure shows an example of a value chart.

Chart types 9