Adding a Calculation Visualizer to a Dashboard

The Calculation Visualizer works with Metric Visualizers that are on the Dashboard. The Formula Editor allows you to select the Metrics available to make calculations.

For a Calculation to work properly, you must have at least one Metric on your Dashboard.

The exercises used are based on a testing database. You will need to adjust your values of your entries (when applicable) to accommodate the data in your database. Results displayed will differ than those in the exercises.

1. Select the appropriate Visualizer with the left mouse click and drag it to the desired location on the DisplayGrid. You will see a small plus sign next to your cursor when dragging the Visualizer. For this example, the first Visualizer is Calculation.
   
   
2. The Visualizer will appear with sizing squares. The sizing squares allow you to adjust the size of the Visualizer. Select the square and drag to the appropriate size.
   
   

3. The center sizing square is used to move the entire Visualizer around on the Designer  Grid. The cursor will turn to a 4-way arrow.

4. After you have the Visualizer in the appropriate location, you can utilize the Properties area to make changes to the Calculation. You can make changes to the following:
• Font
  • Background Color - Allows you to change the Background color against the Font. Leave the default, Transparent.
  • Color - Allows you to change the actual Font color. Set to Black.
  • Font -Allows you to change the Font type. Set to MS Sans Serif, Size 20.

  You can access extended Font properties by clicking the Plus sign next to the Font heading.
  
  

• Misc (For this example, two Metrics on the Dashboard are being used. 'MTDBilledFees' labeled as "Billed Fees" and 'MTDCollectedFees' labeled as "Collected Fees")
• Format - The format is the type of value you wan the calculation to represent.You can select from 'Currency', 'Date Time', 'Number', 'Percentage' and 'String'. For this example select 'Currency'.
5. Click the ellipses button in the Formula field to display the Formula Editor window. This window allows you to select the Available Values (metrics on the dashboard based on {Titles})

6. To utilize the metric values, double click on the appropriate title to place it in the calculation field. Be sure to select the value in the appropriate order as there is not way to change the value position in the calculation. If a mistake is made, you will have to click the Clear All button and start over.

   To minimize the errors when creating the calculation, it is best practice to write them on a piece of paper using the titles of the metrics. Use the Clear All button.

7. Use the calculator pad or click inside the calculation area and manually enter the operators. You can ensure the calculation is functional by click the Validate button at any time. A dialog window will appear expressing validation or non-validation. For this example Calculated Fees will be subtracted from Billed Fees.
   
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8. Click the OK button when complete.
9. Set Initially Expanded as True.
10. Set Show Title As Label as True.
11. Enter Outstanding Fees in the Title.
12. Set Wrap with Border as True.
13. Review the Properties entries.
    
    
14. Click the Save button on the Dashboard tool ribbon.
15. Click the Preview button to view the Calculation.
    
    

16. Make any changes necessary with formatting, metrics and calculations.