Charts and Graphs
- Updated2023-02-17
- 2 minute(s) read
Charts and Graphs
Chart and plot data.
What Is the Difference between Graphs
and Charts?
You can collect data, usually in an array, and then plot the data to a graph. This process is similar to a spreadsheet that first stores the data and then generates a plot of it.
A chart appends new data points to those points already in the display to create a history. On a chart, you can see the current reading or measurement in context with data previously acquired.
Deciding Which Graph or Chart to Use
Knowing what type of data you need to display determines the type of graph or chart you should use.
| Control | Accepted Data Types | Display Examples | When to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graph | Numeric, complex, X/Y, or point sample data contained in arrays and analog waveforms | Analog waveform data acquired at a constant rate | Use a graph for fast processes that acquire data continuously. |
| Chart | Numeric data contained in arrays and analog waveforms | Analog waveform data acquired at a constant rate with a history, or buffer, of the data from previous updates | Use a chart for processes that require a cumulative history of incremental updates to be maintained. |
| Intensity Graph | 3D data on a 2D plot by using color to display the values of the third dimension | Patterned data, such as frequency of sound intensity | Use an intensity graph for 3D data. |
Autoscaling
You can enable autoscaling for graphs and charts, which means they adjust their horizontal or vertical scales to fit the data you wire to them. Graphs and charts support the following types of autoscaling:
- Fit exactly—Fits the end markers to the exact minimum and maximum values of the data.
- Fit loosely—Rounds the end markers to a multiple of the increment used for the scale.
- Grow only—Fits the end markers to the minimum and maximum values of the data at run time. This type of autoscaling is available only for the vertical axis of graph, chart, and intensity graph.