SAS® Visual Analytics 7.4 - User's Guide PDF

SAS Visual Analytics 7.
4:
®
User’s Guide
SAS® Documentation
January 8, 2019
The correct bibliographic citation for this manual is as follows: SAS Institute Inc. 2017. SAS® Visual Analytics 7.4: User’s Guide. Cary, NC:
SAS Institute Inc.
SAS® Visual Analytics 7.4: User’s Guide
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7.4-P2:vaug
Contents
Using This Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xv

What’s New in SAS Visual Analytics 7.4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xvii
Accessibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xix
PART 1 Introduction to SAS Visual Analytics 1
Chapter 1 / About SAS Visual Analytics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

What Is SAS Visual Analytics? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Benefits of Using SAS Visual Analytics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
How Does SAS Visual Analytics Work? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
SAS Visual Analytics Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Chapter 2 / Accessing SAS Visual Analytics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

About SAS Visual Analytics Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Use SAS Home to Access SAS Visual Analytics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Overview of SAS Visual Analytics Capabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
About the Availability of Menus and Menu Selections in
SAS Visual Analytics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
About Application Themes in SAS Visual Analytics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Specifying Your Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Personalize SAS Visual Analytics Using SAS Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
PART 2 Accessing Data 13
Chapter 3 / Overview of Data Flow in SAS Visual Analytics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Data Flow in SAS Visual Analytics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Self-Service Data Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Managed Data Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
After a SAS LASR Analytic Server Restart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Requirements for Importing Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Chapter 4 / Importing Local Data Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Import a Local Data File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Limitations and Restrictions for Importing Local Data Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Usage Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Chapter 5 / Importing Data from Servers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Import a SAS Data Set on a Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Import a Database Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Database Connection Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
iv Contents
Chapter 6 / Importing Data from Other Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Import Data from Facebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Import Data from Google Analytics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Import Tweets from Twitter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
PART 3 Preparing Data 35
Chapter 7 / Overview of SAS Visual Data Builder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

What Is SAS Visual Data Builder? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Your First Look at SAS Visual Data Builder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Importing Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
About Managed Access to DBMS Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Working with User-Defined Formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Chapter 8 / Specifying Preferences for SAS Visual Data Builder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Specifying Global and General Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Specify Your Preferences for the Data Builder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Chapter 9 / Creating Data Queries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

What Is a Data Query? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
About Creating Data Queries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Save Your Data Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Save a Data Query as a New Data Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Using the Design Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Adding a Data Source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Specifying Properties for a Data Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Chapter 10 / Working with Tables in Data Queries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Source Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Specifying Properties for a Source Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Output Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Staging Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Output and Staging Table Interactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Create SQL Query Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Chapter 11 / Working with Columns in Data Queries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Adding Columns to a Data Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Remove Columns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Specify a Column Expression . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Specify Aggregations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Remove All Aggregations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Use Group By Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Use the Auto-Aggregate Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Use the Pivot By Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Chapter 12 / Working with Filters in Data Queries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

About Filtering Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Specify a WHERE Clause . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Specify a HAVING Clause . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Best Practices for Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Chapter 13 / Working with Joins in Data Queries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

About Joins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Contents v
How Does the Automatic Join Feature Work? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Adding a Join . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Example: Joins with a Junction Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Remove a Join . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Managing Joins in a Data Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Best Practices for Managing Joins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Chapter 14 / Creating LASR Star Schemas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

What is a LASR Star Schema? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Create a LASR Star Schema . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
How Are Tables Used? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Chapter 15 / Working with SAS LASR Analytic Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Using SAS LASR Analytic Server Libraries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Load a Table (As Is) to SAS LASR Analytic Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Appending In-Memory Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Delete Table Metadata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Distributed Server: Using SASHDAT Libraries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Distributed Server: Save an In-Memory Table to SASHDAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Distributed Server: Legacy Co-located Providers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Distributed Server: Partition Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Monitoring Memory Usage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Chapter 16 / Importing SAS Information Maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

About SAS Information Maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Import a SAS Information Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Limitations and Restrictions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Chapter 17 / Supporting Text Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Features Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Load a Stop List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Add a Unique Numeric Key to a Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Chapter 18 / Customizing Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Use the Code Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Preprocess and Postprocess Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Considerations for Manually Editing Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Chapter 19 / Scheduling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
About Scheduling Data Queries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Creating Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Export Data Queries as Jobs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Additional Scheduling Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Chapter 20 / Using the Results Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

About the Results Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Data Pages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Navigate within the Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Find . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Filter and Sort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Export Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Column Headings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
vi Contents
PART 4 Exploring Data 105
Chapter 21 / Overview of SAS Visual Analytics Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

What Is SAS Visual Analytics Explorer? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
The Welcome Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Your First Look at the Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Manage Tabs in the Right Pane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Chapter 22 / Specifying Preferences for SAS Visual Analytics Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

Specify Global Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Specify Your Preferences for the Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Chapter 23 / Managing Explorations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

What Is an Exploration? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Create a New Exploration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Save Your Exploration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Delete Explorations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Chapter 24 / Managing Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

Managing Data Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Add Additional Data Sources to Your Exploration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Replace a Data Source in Your Exploration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Remove a Data Source from Your Exploration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Refresh Your Data Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Creating Custom Categories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Working with Global Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Creating Calculated Data Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Creating Aggregated Measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Creating Derived Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Editing a Calculated, Aggregated, or Derived Data Item . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Delete a Calculated, Aggregated, or Derived Data Item . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Duplicate a Data Item . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Defining a Geography Data Item . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Define Data Items for Text Analytics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Chapter 25 / Working with Visualizations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137

Overview of Visualizations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Working with Visualizations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Display Detailed Data for a Visualization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Change the Data Source for a Visualization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Control Visualization Data Updates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Manage Visualization Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Managing Visualization Data Roles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Work with Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Ranking Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Managing Visualization Axes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Working with Visualization Data Ranges and Color Gradients . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Working with Data Brushing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Working with Automatic Charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Working with Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Working with Crosstabs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Working with Bar Charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Working with Line Charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Working with Scatter Plots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Working with Bubble Plots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Contents vii
Working with Network Diagrams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170

Working with Sankey Diagrams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Working with Histograms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Working with Box Plots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Working with Heat Maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Working with Geo Maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Working with Treemaps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Working with Correlation Matrices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Working with Decision Trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Working with Word Clouds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Chapter 26 / Working with Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201

About Filters in SAS Visual Analytics Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Managing Your Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Working with Basic Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Working with Advanced Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Working with Data Source Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Editing a Filter Expression . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Chapter 27 / Exporting Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215

Export an Exploration as a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Export an Exploration as a PDF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Save a Visualization as an Image File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Export Data from a Visualization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
E-mail an Exploration as a Link . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Chapter 28 / Managing Hierarchies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221

What Is a Hierarchy? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Create a New Hierarchy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Derive a Hierarchy from a Date, Time, or Datetime Data Item . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Create a Hierarchy from a Visualization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Edit a Hierarchy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Delete a Hierarchy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Chapter 29 / Performing Data Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225

Overview of Data Analysis in SAS Visual Analytics Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Add a Fit Line to an Existing Visualization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Add Forecasting to an Existing Visualization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Working with Scenario Analysis and Goal Seeking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Chapter 30 / Sharing Comments in the Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231

Sharing Comments in the Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
PART 5 Building Models 233
Chapter 31 / Overview of SAS Visual Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235

What Is SAS Visual Statistics? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Benefits of Using SAS Visual Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Specify Global Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Specify Your Preferences for SAS Visual Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Chapter 32 / Getting Started with SAS Visual Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
viii Contents
Create the Exploration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237

Create a Decision Tree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Create a Linear Regression . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Create a Generalized Linear Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Perform a Model Comparison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Chapter 33 / Modeling Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249

Available Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Overview of Variables and Interaction Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Variable Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Missing Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Group By Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Filter Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Score Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Derive Predicted Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Chapter 34 / Linear Regression Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257

Overview of the Linear Regression Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Linear Regression Model Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Working with the Fit Summary Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Working with the Residual Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Working with the Assessment Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Influence Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Fit Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Details Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Chapter 35 / Logistic Regression Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265

Overview of the Logistic Regression Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Logistic Regression Model Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Influence Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Fit Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Details Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Chapter 36 / Generalized Linear Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273

Overview of the Generalized Linear Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Generalized Linear Model Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Fit Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Details Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Chapter 37 / Decision Trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281

Overview of the Decision Tree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Decision Tree Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Information Gain and Gain Ratio Calculations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Pruning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Working with the Tree Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Working with the Leaf Statistics Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Details Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Contents ix
Chapter 38 / Clustering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289

Overview of the Cluster Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Cluster Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Working with the Cluster Matrix Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Working with the Parallel Coordinates Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Details Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Chapter 39 / Model Comparison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293

Overview of Model Comparison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Model Comparison Usage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Model Comparison Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Model Comparison Results Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
PART 6 Designing Reports 297
Chapter 40 / Overview of SAS Visual Analytics Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299

About the SAS Visual Analytics Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Your First Look at the Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Understanding the Tabs in the Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
About the Canvas in the Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
About Report Themes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Specifying Your Preferences for the Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Chapter 41 / Creating and Working with Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307

About Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Create a New Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Choose a Report View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Choose a Report Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
View Report Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Change a Report’s Name or Title . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Import a Report or Report Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Repurpose an Existing Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Open a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Refresh a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Delete a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Chapter 42 / Using Report Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317

About Report Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Insert a Report Object into a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
Show or Hide Report Objects in the Objects Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Using Tables to Display Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Use the Combine Excluded Rows (or Cells) into “All Other” Properties . . . . . 327
Using Graphs to Display Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Using Controls to Display Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Using Container Object Types in Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
Using Other Object Types in Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Using Custom Graphs to Display Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
Duplicate a Report Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350
Working with Alerts for Report Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351
Chapter 43 / Working with Data in SAS Visual Analytics Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355

Overview of Data Sources and Data Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356
Working with Data Sources in Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356
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Working with Hierarchies in a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361

Working with Data Items in a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363
Working with Geography Data Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 379
Working with Calculated Items in Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 380
Working with Data Role Assignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 386
Sorting Data in Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 395
Cancel a Slow-Running Query for a Report Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 399
Chapter 44 / Working with Display Rules for Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 401

Overview of Display Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 401
Add Report-Level Display Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 402
Adding Table-Level Display Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403
Adding Graph-Level Display Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 411
Adding Gauge-Level Display Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 415
Chapter 45 / Working with Report Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 419

About Report Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 419
Using Detail Report Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 420
Using Post-Aggregate Report Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 429
Chapter 46 / Working with Report Interactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 433

Overview of Report Interactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 433
Creating a Report Interaction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 434
Delete a Report Interaction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 446
Chapter 47 / Working with Report Links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 449

Overview of Report Links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 449
Creating Report Links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 450
Edit a Report Link . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 455
Delete a Report Link . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 455
Example: How Report Links and Report Interactions Work Together . . . . . . . 455
Chapter 48 / Ranking Values in Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 459

Overview of Ranking in Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 459
Add a New Rank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 459
Delete a Rank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 462
Chapter 49 / Working with Parameters in Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 463

Overview of Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 463
Where Parameters Can Be Used in the Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 464
Create a New Parameter for a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 465
Edit a Parameter for a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 466
Delete a Parameter for a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 466
Example: Using Parameters in a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 467
Example: Using a Numeric Parameter in a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 468
Chapter 50 / Maintaining Multi-Section Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 471

Overview of Report Sections and Info Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 471
Add a Section to a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 472
Add an Info Window to a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 472
Reorder Report Sections or Info Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 473
Rename a Report Section or an Info Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 473
Duplicate a Report Section or an Info Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 473
Move a Report Object to Another Section or Info Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 474
Delete a Report Section or an Info Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 474
Contents xi
Chapter 51 / Sharing Reports with Other Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 475

Overview of Sharing Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 475
E-mail a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 476
Printing Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 477
Exporting Content from the Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 480
Add Comments to a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 484
Distributing Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 484
Localize Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 488
PART 7 Creating Custom Graph Objects 493
Chapter 52 / Creating and Using Custom Graph Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 495

About the Graph Builder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 495
About the Graph Template Gallery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 496
Build a Custom Graph Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 497
Working with Roles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 498
Adding a Graph Element to an Existing Graph Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 500
Incompatible Graph Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 503
Creating a Data-Driven Lattice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 505
Save a Custom Graph Object So It Appears in the Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 507
Add a Graph Object to the Designer’s Objects Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 508
Specify Your Preferences for the Graph Builder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 508
Chapter 53 / Modifying Custom Graph Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 511

Change a Custom Graph That Has Been Saved . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 511
Select Components and Elements of a Graph Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 512
Change the Order of Graph Elements in a Cell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 513
Remove a Graph Element . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 514
Working with User-Defined Lattices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 514
Working with Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517
Sharing Data Roles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 520
Chapter 54 / Graph Builder Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 523

Example: Data-Driven Lattice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 523
Example: User-Defined Lattice (Butterfly Chart) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 525
Example: Filled Overlay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 528
Example: Vector Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 529
PART 8 Viewing Reports 533
Chapter 55 / Viewing Reports on a Mobile Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 535

What Are the SAS Visual Analytics Apps? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 535
Where Can I Find SAS Visual Analytics Apps? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 535
Chapter 56 / Viewing Reports in Modern SAS Visual Analytics Viewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 537

Overview of Viewing Reports in SAS Visual Analytics Viewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 537
Open a Report in the Modern Viewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 537
View a Report Object with SAS Graphics Accelerator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 538
About Guest Access in the Viewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 539
xii Contents
Chapter 57 / Viewing Reports in Classic SAS Visual Analytics Viewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 541

Open a Report in the Classic Viewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 541
View Report Object Information in the Classic Viewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 542
Add Comments to a Report in the Classic Viewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 543
Interacting with Reports in the Classic Viewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 544
Subscribe and Unsubscribe to Alerts in the Classic Viewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 545
Specify Your Preferences for the Classic Viewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 545
PART 9 Appendixes 547
Appendix 1 / Keyboard Shortcuts for SAS Visual Analytics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 549
Appendix 2 / Gallery of Report Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 553

Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 554
Graphs, Charts, and Plots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 555
Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 570
Other Report Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 571
Appendix 3 / Editing a Data Expression in Text Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 577
Appendix 4 / Aggregations for Measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 581
Appendix 5 / Operators for Data Expressions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 583

Overview of Operators for Data Expressions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 583
Numeric (Simple) Operators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 583
Comparison Operators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 584
Boolean Operators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 585
Numeric (Advanced) Operators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 586
Date and Time Operators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 587
Aggregated (Simple) Operators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 589
Aggregated (Advanced) Operators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 590
Periodic Operators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 591
Text (Simple) Operators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601
Text (Advanced) Operators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 602
Calculating Compound Annual Growth Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 604
Appendix 6 / Conditions for Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 607
Appendix 7 / Data Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 609

Data Limits for SAS Visual Analytics Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 609
High-Cardinality Thresholds for Report Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 612
Appendix 8 / Troubleshooting in SAS Visual Analytics Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 615

Repairing Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 615
Displaying Alert Notifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 616
Exporting Data from Report Objects to Microsoft Excel 2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 617
Specifying Colors for Data Labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 617
Contents xiii
Appendix 9 / Using URL Parameters to View a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 619
Appendix 10 / Schema for Imported Tweets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 621
Appendix 11 / About the Classic SAS Visual Analytics Home Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 625
Your First Look at the Classic SAS Visual Analytics Home Page . . . . . . . . . . . 625
Manage Content on the Classic Home Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 628
Working with the Right Pane on the Classic Home Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 631
Discover Details Using the Object Inspector on the Classic Home Page . . . . 633
Add Comments to Objects on the Classic Home Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 635
Specifying Your Preferences for the Classic SAS Visual
Analytics Home Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 637
About Searching from the Classic Home Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 639
Refining Your Search Results for the Classic Home Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 641
Recommended Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 643

Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 645
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 649
xiv Contents
xv
Using This Book
Audience
The features of SAS Visual Analytics are designed for the following users:
n Persons needing to explore data in support of ad hoc business questions.
n Persons responsible for designing and creating reports for their enterprise.
n Persons responsible for analyzing report data and making decisions based
on that data.
Persons responsible for managing SAS servers and managing the SAS Visual
Analytics environment should refer to SAS Visual Analytics: Administration
Guide.
The content of this document is also applicable to other SAS solutions that
integrate with and use SAS Visual Analytics features.
Prerequisites
Here are the prerequisites for using SAS Visual Analytics:
n A user ID and password for signing in to SAS Visual Analytics.
n A supported web browser installed on your desktop client.
n A supported version of the Adobe Flash player installed on your desktop

client.
n Access to data sources that can be used to obtain data for exploration or
reports.
Note: SAS Visual Statistics is visually and functionally integrated with SAS
Visual Analytics Explorer. SAS Visual Statistics requires a separate license.
If you have questions about whether you are ready to use SAS Visual Analytics,
contact your system administrator.
xvi Using This Book
Documentation Conventions
This book uses short forms of the following phrases where the meaning is clear
from context:
User Interface
Long Form Short Form Labels*
SAS Home the home page SAS Home

SAS Visual Analytics Hub Home
SAS Visual Analytics Administrator the administrator Administrator
SAS Visual Analytics Explorer** the explorer Data Explorer
SAS Visual Analytics Designer the designer Report Designer

(Create Report)
SAS Visual Analytics Graph Builder the graph builder Custom Graph Builder
SAS Visual Analytics Viewer the viewer Report Viewer
SAS Visual Data Builder the data builder Data Preparation

(Prepare Data)
(Create Data Query)
* Labels in parentheses are used only in the classic (Flash) presentation mode.
** Not all SAS Visual Analytics orders include the explorer.
xvii
Whatʼs New
What’s New in SAS Visual Analytics
7.4
General Enhancements to SAS Visual

Analytics
The general enhancements include:

n SAS Visual Analytics Designer (the designer) has dynamic text, improved
calculations, and enhanced prompted filter controls, parameters, report links,
and section links.
n The modern SAS Visual Analytics Viewer (the viewer) now contains most of
the features that the classic viewer had, so many users can switch to using
the modern viewer.
n Enhanced printing features enable you to have page breaks in the PDF for
list tables and to show the filter context for filter controls. Another new feature
enables the same footer to be printed on every page of a report. For
example, you can have the same legal statement on each page in all of your
company’s reports. The customized footer is also displayed in reports that
are distributed using the designer. (This feature must be enabled by a SAS
administrator using SAS Management Console.) For more information, see
the SAS Visual Analytics: Administration Guide.
n Importing data from Teradata no longer requires a user name and password.
SAS Visual Analytics Designer
New and enhanced features in the designer include:

n A new dynamic text feature, which enables you to display a measure value in
a large font. The dynamic text can display the last date that an in-memory
table was updated. It can display the value of a parameter or the value of a
category data item associated with a filter control.
n Calculations have been enhanced. The distinct count option ignores missing
values. You can specify a reset-to-zero offset for time-based calculations,
xviii What’s New in SAS Visual Analytics 7.4
which enables you to adjust for a fiscal calendar or another calendar that
does not start on January 1. Time period calculations are not restricted to the
applied filter view of data.
n Parameters have been enhanced. You can now have parameters with
multiple values, which enables you to use them in a list control. And,
parameters can now be based on date and datetime formats.
n There are now cascading prompts. Filter controls placed at the report level
and the section level can now include dependencies.
n You can now synchronize prompt values and parameters across linked
reports.
n The CumulativePeriod operator for aggregated measures now enables you
to customize the starting month for each year (for example, to calculate year-
to-date based on the fiscal year for your company).
n Periodic operators for aggregated measures have a new parameter that
enables them to be calculated before datetime filters are applied.
n Slider controls have two new properties that enable you to set dynamic
minimum and maximum values for the slider. The dynamic minimum and
maximum values automatically adjust to the current data query.
n Custom shape files for geo maps are now supported. For more information
about custom polygon data, see the SAS Visual Analytics: Administration
Guide.
SAS Visual Analytics Viewer
New and enhanced features in the modern viewer include:

n Data can be exported to Microsoft Excel or to a CSV file.
n An image of a graph can be exported to a PNG file.
n The context of a report filter can be displayed.
n There is now an option to expand all hierarchies in crosstabs.
n Pages (or sections) in a report can be navigated using tabs.
n You can select all or clear all selections for list prompt controls using the right
mouse button.
n You can sort on graphs.
n There is a redesigned landing page, which includes new features. For

example, you can e-mail and print a report from the landing page without
actually opening the report.
SAS Visual Analytics Administration
For information about changes and enhancements in the administration of SAS

Visual Analytics, see the SAS Visual Analytics: Administration Guide.
xix
Accessibility
For information about the accessibility of this product, see Accessibility Features
of SAS Visual Analytics 7.4.
xx What’s New in SAS Visual Analytics 7.4
1
Part 1
Introduction to SAS Visual Analytics
Chapter 1
About SAS Visual Analytics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Chapter 2
Accessing SAS Visual Analytics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2
3
1
About SAS Visual Analytics
What Is SAS Visual Analytics? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Benefits of Using SAS Visual Analytics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
How Does SAS Visual Analytics Work? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
SAS Visual Analytics Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
What Is SAS Visual Analytics?

SAS Visual Analytics is an easy-to-use, web-based product that leverages SAS
high-performance analytic technologies. SAS Visual Analytics empowers
organizations to explore huge volumes of data very quickly to identify patterns,
trends, and opportunities for further analysis. SAS Visual Data Builder (the data
builder) enables users to summarize data, join data, and enhance the predictive
power of their data. Users can prepare data for exploration and mining quickly
and easily. The highly visual, drag-and-drop data interface of SAS Visual
Analytics Explorer (the explorer), combined with the speed of the SAS LASR
Analytic Server, accelerate analytic computations and enable organizations to
derive value from massive amounts of data. This creates an unprecedented
ability to solve difficult problems, improve business performance, predict future
performance, and mitigate risk rapidly and confidently. SAS Visual Analytics
Designer (the designer) enables users to quickly create reports or dashboards,
which can be viewed on a mobile device or on the web.
Starting in the 7.2 release, the explorer enables you to create, test, and compare
models based on the patterns discovered during exploration of the data. The
explorer enables you to explore, discover, and predict using your data. You can
export the score code, before or after performing model comparison, for use with
other SAS products and to put the model into production.
SAS Visual Analytics empowers business users, business analysts, and IT
administrators to accomplish tasks from an integrated suite of applications that
are accessed from a home page. The central entry point for SAS Visual
Analytics enables users to perform a wide variety of tasks such as preparing
data sources, exploring data, designing reports, as well as analyzing and
interpreting data. Most important, reports can be displayed on a mobile device or
in the SAS Visual Analytics Viewer (the viewer).
4 Chapter 1 / About SAS Visual Analytics
Benefits of Using SAS Visual Analytics

Using SAS Visual Analytics, users can enhance the analytic power of their data,
explore new data sources, investigate them, and create visualizations to uncover
relevant patterns. Users can then easily share those visualizations in reports. In
traditional reporting, the resulting output is well-defined up-front. That is, you
know what you are looking at and what you need to convey. However, data
discovery invites you to plumb the data, its characteristics, and its relationships.
Then, when useful visualizations are created, you can incorporate those
visualizations into reports that are available on a mobile device or in the viewer.
SAS Visual Analytics provides users with the following benefits:
n enables users to apply the power of SAS analytics to massive amounts of
data
n empowers users to visually explore data, based on any variety of measures,
at amazingly fast speeds
n enables users to quickly create powerful statistical models if SAS Visual
Statistics is licensed at your site
n enables users to quickly create reports or dashboards using standard tables,
graphs, and gauges
n enables users to quickly create customized graphs
n enables users to share insights with anyone, anywhere, via the web or a
mobile device
How Does SAS Visual Analytics Work?

You can use SAS Visual Analytics to explore and view data, interact with and
create reports, and display reports using a native mobile app or on the web. You
can explore your data by using interactive visualizations such as charts,
histograms, and tables. Report designers can easily point and click to query
central sources of data. You can add filters and design the layout using tables,
graphs, and gauges. You can use drag and drop to create a well-formatted
report.
The following figure illustrates how the different pieces of SAS Visual Analytics
work together. It shows how users interact with the different interfaces.
SAS Visual Analytics Community 5
Figure 1.1 Overview of SAS Visual Analytics
Explore Data
Utilize Self-Service
Predictive and
Prescriptive Analytics
Create Hierarchies
Dynamically
Filter on Selection
Viewer Export Visualizations
Build Analytical
Analyst Models
Reports View on
Home
Build Predictive Mobile Device
Find Content and
Descriptive Models View Online
and Offline
Statistician or Explore Data
Data Scientist Evaluate Models Filter and Drill
Create Report
Generate DATA Step Collaborate
Code for Scoring
Prepare Data Customize Reports
Generate Model
Outputs Using Parameters
Report Designer Manage
Environment
Create Report
Data Administrator Design Reports View on Web
and Dashboards
View Online
Layout and
Style Precisely
Filter and Drill
Define Interactions
IT Administrator and Display Rules
Collaborate
Add Controls
for Filtering Customize Reports
Schedule and Using Parameters
Distribute Reports
Prepare Data
= SAS Visual Analytics license
Join Tables
Stage Data
= SAS Visual Statistics license
Distribute Data
Manage
Environment
Monitor Resources
Administer Security
Load Tables
Manage
Mobile Devices
and
LASR Servers
SAS Visual Analytics Community

The SAS Visual Analytics community is dedicated to users who are focused on
exploratory visualization and analytical techniques, data preparation, dashboard
reporting, and mobile reporting. You can share your experiences, discuss topics
and ideas, seek help from your peers, and share information about upcoming
events. You can access the user community at communities.sas.com/visual-
analytics.
6 Chapter 1 / About SAS Visual Analytics
For questions requiring immediate technical assistance, contact SAS Technical

Support at support.sas.com.
7
2
Accessing SAS Visual Analytics
About SAS Visual Analytics Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Authenticated Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Guest Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Use SAS Home to Access SAS Visual Analytics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Overview of SAS Visual Analytics Capabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
About the Availability of Menus and Menu Selections in
SAS Visual Analytics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
About Application Themes in SAS Visual Analytics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Specifying Your Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Specify Preferences for SAS Visual Analytics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Specify Settings Using SAS Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Specify Global Settings Using SAS Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Personalize SAS Visual Analytics Using SAS Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
About SAS Visual Analytics Users
Authenticated Users
SAS Visual Analytics uses the standard sign-in window for SAS applications. To
display the sign-in window, use the URL that is supplied by your system
administrator. For example, you might enter: http://host/SASVisualAnalyticsHub
Click Sign Out in the upper right corner of the user interface to sign out of SAS
Visual Analytics. When you click Sign Out, you are signed out of all SAS web
applications. For example, suppose that you have SAS Home (the home page),
the explorer, and the designer open, and then you click Sign Out when you
finish working on a report in the designer. In this case, you have also signed out
of the home page and the explorer.
Guest Access
SAS Visual Analytics system administrators can configure support for guest
access. Users with guest access can access only the home page and SAS
Visual Analytics Viewer (the viewer). Guest access uses a shared account, so it
does not provide individualized features, such as history or alerts. If provided by
the system administrator, favorites and preferences are read-only features.
8 Chapter 2 / Accessing SAS Visual Analytics
Accessing SAS Visual Analytics as a guest is useful if you do not have a

metadata identity. This enables you to view reports that are widely available
under a generic, shared account. You can also view reports that are available to
the public on the Internet.
Use SAS Home to Access SAS Visual

Analytics
After you sign in to SAS Visual Analytics using the standard sign-in window for
SAS applications, you will see SAS Home (the home page). The home page
enables you to create new content in SAS Visual Analytics. In addition, it
enables you to access content that you and others have created. For more
information, refer to the online Help that is available for the home page.
Overview of SAS Visual Analytics

Capabilities
Users might have access to different functionality, depending on their assigned
roles. Roles are mapped to capabilities. A capability, also known as an
application action, defines the operations a user can perform.
Note: Access to functionality depends on how SAS Visual Analytics is installed
at your site. For example, a site might not have the explorer.
SAS Visual Analytics provides five predefined roles—Basic, Report Viewing,
Analysis, Data Building, and Administration. A predefined set of capabilities is
available for each role. A system administrator can modify these roles and
specify the capabilities for each role that meet the guidelines for your company.
They can also define new roles. If you have questions about your assigned role,
contact your system administrator. For more information about the roles and the
capabilities that are available, see the SAS Visual Analytics: Administration
Guide.
Note: This user's guide discusses tasks that you might be able to perform,
depending on your role.
About the Availability of Menus and Menu

Selections in SAS Visual Analytics
All of the following conditions influence whether a SAS Visual Analytics menu or
menu selection is available to use:
n your role and the associated capabilities. For example, you must have a Data
Building role to prepare data.
n your location in SAS Visual Analytics. For example, some application
features are available only if you are designing a report.
Specifying Your Preferences 9
n the currently selected report object. For example, ranges are not available for
list tables.
n whether the data for a report has been defined. For example, if the data has
not been selected, then you cannot create a filter.
For more information about roles and capabilities, see the SAS Visual Analytics:
Administration Guide.
About Application Themes in SAS Visual

Analytics
An application theme is the collection of colors, graphics, and fonts that appear
in the application. SAS Visual Analytics provides the following themes: SAS
Corporate (default theme), SAS Blue Steel, SAS Dark, SAS High Contrast, and
SAS Light. To change the application theme, see “Specifying Your Preferences”
on page 9.
Note: If you have special requirements for your themes, then contact your
system administrator about using SAS Theme Designer for Flex to build custom
themes. SAS Theme Designer for Flex is installed with SAS themes. For more
information, see SAS Theme Designer for Flex: User’s Guide.
Report themes are available in the designer. The designer provides the following
report themes: SAS Snow, SAS Light, SAS Dark, or SAS High Contrast. SAS
Snow is the default report theme. Your site might also have custom report
themes. For more information, see “About Report Themes” on page 304.
Specifying Your Preferences

All of your preferences and settings persist between sessions. Settings and
preferences are not available for guest users.
Specify Preferences for SAS Visual Analytics

You can specify preferences for SAS Visual Data Builder (the data builder), SAS
Visual Analytics Explorer (the explorer), SAS Visual Analytics Designer (the
designer), SAS Visual Analytics Graph Builder (the graph builder), SAS Visual
Analytics Viewer (the viewer), or SAS Visual Statistics. For example, you can
specify a default scheduling server for the data builder, a default map provider
mode for the explorer, or your preferred report theme for the designer.
Preferences are saved on a per-user basis.
If you are in the data builder, the explorer, the designer, the viewer, or SAS
Visual Statistics, then select File  Preferences to open the Preferences
window.
For information about the specific preferences that are available, see the
following:
n Preferences for the data builder on page 41
n Preferences for the explorer on page 111

n Preferences for SAS Visual Statistics on page 236
n Preferences for the designer on page 305
n Preferences for the graph builder on page 508
n Preferences for the classic viewer on page 545
Note: Settings are available for the modern viewer. For more information, refer
to the online Help that is available for the modern viewer.
Specify Settings Using SAS Home

You can specify settings for the modern home page (or preferences for the
classic home page). For example, you can specify the initial screen when the
home page is displayed.
Settings for the home page affect SAS Visual Analytics. For example, you can
specify which piece of SAS Visual Analytics opens a report. Suppose that you
specify Edit - Report Designer as the first action in the list of actions for the
SAS report (2G) content type. Then, you receive an e-mail message with a link
to a report. When you click the link to the report, it is displayed in the designer
instead of the viewer.
To specify settings:
1 On the modern home page, select your name, and then click or tap Settings.
2 Click or tap Home in the side menu.
3 Specify any of the following settings:
Default Appearance
enables you to specify the appearance when the home page is displayed.
Initial Screen
enables you to specify the initial screen when the home page is
displayed. The available options depend on your role and capabilities.
Application Shortcuts
enables you to specify the order of your application shortcuts.
Tiles
enables you to specify which tiles are displayed and the order in which
they are displayed.
For more information, refer to the online Help that is available for the modern
home page.
4 Click or tap Done to apply your changes.
For information about the classic home page, see “Specify Your Preferences for
the Classic Home Page” on page 638.
Specify Global Settings Using SAS Home

You can specify global settings that are applied to all SAS web applications.
These settings are set by each user.
To specify global settings:
1 On the modern home page, select your name, and then click or tap Settings.
Personalize SAS Visual Analytics Using SAS Home 11
2 Click or tap Global in the side menu.
3 Specify any of the following settings:

General
enables you to specify the User locale and Theme.
Note: If you change the User locale, then you must sign out and sign in
to SAS Visual Analytics for the change to take effect.
Side Menu
enables you to hide or change the order of the SAS applications that are
displayed in the side menu.
Accessibility
enables you to specify your preferences for assistive technologies.
For more information, refer to the online Help that is available for the modern
home page.
4 Click or tap Done to apply your changes.
For information about the classic home page, see “Specify Global Preferences
Using the Classic Home Page” on page 637.
Personalize SAS Visual Analytics Using

SAS Home
SAS provides accessibility features that you can use to personalize the user
interface to make it easier to use. Accessibility features are part of the global
settings, which are applied to all SAS web applications, including SAS Visual
Analytics. You can specify global settings using the modern home page. For
more information, see “Specify Global Settings Using SAS Home” on page 10.
The following accessibility features are available:
n Themes: You can change the colors, graphics, and fonts that appear in the
application. Several themes are available, including the SAS High Contrast
theme.
You can also change the themes that are used in reports. For more
information, see “About Report Themes” on page 304.
n Configurable focus indicator: The interface provides an indicator of the
current location of the focus. You can configure the focus indicator to make it
easier to see.
n Color inversion: You can invert the colors in the interface to improve
readability.
n Zoom support: You can make your screen content larger and smaller by
using the zoom in (Ctrl+plus sign) and zoom out (Ctrl+minus sign). You can
reset the zoom state (Ctrl+0) keyboard shortcuts.
n Landmarks in the user interface: Landmarks are references to the primary
areas of an application’s interface. They provide a quick and easy way for
keyboard users to navigate to these areas. Press Ctrl+F6 to open the
Landmarks window.
n Keyboard shortcuts: You can use keyboard shortcuts as a quick and easy
way to perform tasks or navigate the user interface. For more information,
see “Keyboard Shortcuts for SAS Visual Analytics” on page 549.
For more information, see Accessibility Features of SAS Visual Analytics 7.4.
For information about the classic home page, see “Specify Global Preferences
Using the Classic Home Page” on page 637.
13
Part 2
Accessing Data
Chapter 3
Overview of Data Flow in SAS Visual Analytics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Chapter 4
Importing Local Data Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Chapter 5
Importing Data from Servers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Chapter 6
Importing Data from Other Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
14
15
3
Overview of Data Flow in SAS
Visual Analytics
Data Flow in SAS Visual Analytics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Self-Service Data Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Managed Data Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
After a SAS LASR Analytic Server Restart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Requirements for Importing Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Data Flow in SAS Visual Analytics

All reporting and exploration of data in SAS Visual Analytics is performed
against data that is in memory on a SAS LASR Analytic Server. In addition to the
in-memory tables, you can use your own data with self-service data access if
you have been granted the capability to import data.
If your site has data that must be prepared before it is ready for analysis, then
the data builder can perform basic data preparation and load data to memory on
a SAS LASR Analytic Server. The following list summarizes the data builder
features that enable the flow of data from source systems into SAS Visual
Analytics:
n Joining tables, such as fact and dimension tables.
n Working with SAS/ACCESS engines to read data from operational systems.
n Scheduling data queries for basic data flow automation.
SAS Visual Analytics Administrator provides features that are most commonly
associated with managed data access. The administrator enables control of
whether tables are loaded to memory and secures access to in-memory tables.
Self-Service Data Access

SAS Visual Analytics offers a variety of ways for non-administrative users to
bring data into the SAS Visual Analytics environment, which enables you to work
with your data quickly. The following list summarizes the different ways:
16 Chapter 3 / Overview of Data Flow in SAS Visual Analytics
Import data from a file

When you are creating data queries, explorations, or reports, you can import
data from a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, a delimited text file (CSV), or a
SAS data set. After you import the data into the SAS LASR Analytic Server, it
is ready to use.
Import SAS data set on a server
You can direct the SAS Application Server to import a SAS data set that is
already on the server. The import process is optimized and you can import
large files when a SAS data set is already on the server.
Import a database table
After providing connection information, you can transfer a table from a
database to a SAS LASR Analytic Server. Afterward, you can use the in-
memory table as is for reports and explorations, or you can prepare it for
analysis using the data builder.
Note: Your site must license and configure the related SAS/ACCESS engine
to use this feature.
Import data from Facebook, Google Analytics, or Twitter
After authenticating with Facebook, Google Analytics, or Twitter and
providing search criteria, you can import data into memory on a SAS LASR
Analytic Server. You can then use the unstructured data with the explorer.
For example, a typical exploration of Twitter data can perform text analysis to
look for patterns and trends in the tweets.
Note: Your access to, and use of, social media data through a social media
provider's public APIs is subject to the social media provider's applicable
license terms, terms of use, and other usage terms and policies.
TIP The self-service import feature keeps track of your most recently used
values for each import type to simplify repeated import actions.
Managed Data Access

Many sites prepare data sources to be used by business analysts. This
information can come from data sources such as data warehouses and
transactional systems. A data administrator enables access by registering the
tables and libraries in SAS metadata. A data administrator might use additional
SAS products to provide advanced data governance, data quality, and data
management support.
SAS/ACCESS engines can be used to access data in operational systems,
transactional systems, or data warehouses. SAS offers a variety of
SAS/ACCESS engines for accessing data from operational systems. These
engines must be licensed and configured at your site to connect to the data.
After a connection is set up, you can use SAS Management Console and SAS
Visual Analytics Administrator for registering the libraries and tables from these
data sources.
Requirements for Importing Data 17
After a SAS LASR Analytic Server Restart

When an administrator restarts a SAS LASR Analytic Server, all the tables on
the server are removed from memory as the server stops. Tables that you import
with the self-service features remain in memory so long as the server is running.
However, administrators cannot interactively reload imported tables for you. If
you want to use a table that you imported after a server restart, then you must
repeat the import action.
TIP Your administrator can configure a server to automatically reload tables

that were imported from local files after a restart.
Requirements for Importing Data

Importing data requires starting a SAS session on the SAS Application Server.
Typically, this requirement is met by each user who has a host account.
For deployments on Microsoft Windows, the host account must have the Log on
as a batch job Windows privilege. For deployments on Linux that use a
distributed SAS LASR Analytic Server, the host account must be configured for
passwordless SSH. For more information about working with the server, see
SAS LASR Analytic Server: Reference Guide.
18 Chapter 3 / Overview of Data Flow in SAS Visual Analytics
19
4
Importing Local Data Files
Import a Local Data File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Limitations and Restrictions for Importing Local Data Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Large Data Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Importing Data from Spreadsheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Table Names, Column Names, and Special Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Usage Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Import a Local Data File

When you import a local data file from your desktop, such as a spreadsheet, a
delimited text file, or a SAS data set, the file is transferred as data to SAS LASR
Analytic Server. This enables you to access data without needing assistance
from an administrator or information technology group.
The following figure shows how a file is accessed from your PC, transferred to
the SAS Workspace Server, and then stored in an output table.
SAS Web SAS LASR

Application Server Analytic Server
Self-Service
Components
SAS Workspace
Server
Job Execution
PROC IMPORT
Service
SAS Data Set
SAS Data Set
Temporary DBMS
Data File
Spreadsheets
and
Delimited Files
Note: When you import a SAS data set, it is not processed with PROC
IMPORT. SAS data sets are transferred to output with a DATA step.
20 Chapter 4 / Importing Local Data Files
Note: Only the data builder can output a SAS data set or a DBMS table. The
explorer and designer can import data to SAS LASR Analytic Server only.
You can import data files that are available from the file systems on your PC.
This includes local file systems such as C:\ on Windows machines and paths
such as /home/$USER on UNIX machines. Network file systems and shared
folders are included, such as UNC paths like \\nas\spreadsheets.
To import data from a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, delimited text file, ZIP file, or
SAS data set:
1 In the Import Data window, click the link for the type of data file that you want
to import, and then select the file.
2 Specify the following input file options:

Note: For a SAS data set, there are no options to specify.
Spreadsheet options
The following options are available when you import a Microsoft Excel
spreadsheet:
Select worksheet
Select All or select the check boxes for the worksheets to import.
Begin import on row
The default is to import data from the first row of the spreadsheet. If
the data begins on a different row, select the row.
Includes column names
Select this check box when the row on which to begin the import has
the column names.
Text file options
The following options are available when you import a delimited text file or
a ZIP file:
Delimiter
Select the delimiter that is used in the file that you want to import. You
can specify a single character to use as a user-defined delimiter.
First row contains column names
Select this check box when the file has the column names on the first
row.
Data records begin on row
The default is to import data records from the second row. If you
deselect First row contains column names, then this value indicates
the first row.
Number of rows to scan
The default is to read up to the first 500 rows in the file to determine
the data type and length for each column. A smaller value causes the
import to complete quickly, but you risk the chance of determining a
value too short for character columns. Larger values reduce the
chance of truncating character columns, but they increase processing
time.
Encoding
Select the encoding of the file. If you are importing UTF-8 or UTF-16
data, then make sure that the SAS Web Application Server is a
Unicode server or that all of the file contents can be successfully
transcoded to the encoding of the SAS Web Application Server.
Limitations and Restrictions for Importing Local Data Files 21
3 (Optional) Click Preview to view the data. Preview displays up to 500 rows
from the file.
TIP Previewing the data can help you determine whether you specified
the correct encoding.
4 (Optional) In the Output Table section, enter the name for the output table
and a description. The description is limited to 256 characters. Review the
library and location settings by clicking Advanced. Make any necessary
changes.
You do not have access to the Advanced section if you are using the
explorer or designer and do not have the Build Data capability. Instead, you
can import the data to a general-purpose area or select Store the table in a
private location to prevent other users from accessing the data.
5 Click OK.
Limitations and Restrictions for Importing

Local Data Files
Large Data Files

When you import data files (spreadsheets, SAS data sets, or delimited text files)
from your desktop, you are limited to files that are 4 GB or less. This constraint
is set by the web browser. Because importing large data files through the web
browser impacts overall performance and because you can experience long wait
times, alternate approaches are recommended for importing large files.
Note: Administrators can specify a limit that is less than 4 GB.
As an alternative to importing data files through your web browser, you can use
autoload. You can autoload data from files that are larger than 4 GB. In general,
FTP and network file systems transfer data files faster than web browsers.
Another alternative for importing a large data file is to compress it and import it
as a ZIP file. You can use this option to import comma-separated values (CSV)
text files only. To use this option, compress the file that you want to import, and
then click Text Files in the Import Data window. Here are some key points about
importing ZIP files:
n Make sure that the ZIP file contains only one file. If the ZIP file contains more
than one file, then only the first file is imported.
n A ZIP file must contain only comma-separated values (CSV) files. Other file
formats are not supported.
n A CSV file must have the file extension .csv. Other file extensions are not
supported.
Importing Data from Spreadsheets

The following list identifies considerations for importing data from spreadsheets:
n You can import Excel workbook (XLSX, XLSM, and XLSB) files and Excel
97-2003 workbook (XLS) files. You cannot import XLST or other Excel file
types.
Here are some key points about importing XLSB files:
o The machine for the SAS Workspace Server must have the following
provider software installed: Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC)
and Microsoft Jet (Joint Engine Technology) or Microsoft Access
Database Engine (formerly know as Microsoft Access Connectivity
Engine or ACE) for 2007 and later.
o The bit version of Microsoft Access Database Engine must be the same
as the bit version of SAS.
o You can import XLSB files only if the SAS Workspace Server is running
on Microsoft Windows.
TIP If your spreadsheet is from an unsupported Excel file type, then try
saving it as an XLSX file before importing it.
n When you import a spreadsheet (from your PC) that has multiple worksheets,
by default, all of the worksheets are imported. A table is created for each
worksheet. You can clear the check boxes for the worksheets that you do not
want to import.
n Importing pivot tables is not supported.
Table Names, Column Names, and Special

Characters
In general, you can import files that use blanks and special characters in the
filenames and column names. The following list identifies how table names are
handled:
n For text files (such as CSV files), the table name is initially set from the
filename.
n When you import a spreadsheet, table names are handled as follows:
o If the spreadsheet contains a single worksheet, then the table name is
initially set from the filename.
o If the spreadsheet contains multiple worksheets, then each table name
(for each worksheet) is initially set as a combination of the filename, an
underscore, and the name of the worksheet.
n Some special characters can be used, including spaces. Unsupported
special characters include / \ * ? " < > | : ‑ and period (.). After the
initial table name is determined, any unsupported special character in the
name is replaced with an underscore.
n Table names are shortened to 32 characters because that is the table name
length that is supported by SAS. The entire name appears as the label.
If you clear the Includes column names check box or the First row contains
column names check box, then the column names are generated for you as
follows:
n Spreadsheets Column names are assigned A, B, C, and so on.
Usage Notes 23
n Text files Column names are assigned VAR1, VAR2, and so on.
The following table identifies how a column name that begins with a number,
such as 2014sales, or that uses numbers only, such as 2014, will appear after
being imported:
Source File Column Name Imported Column Name
2014sales _2014sales for Microsoft Excel files

and text files.
2014 _2014 for XLSX, XLSM, XLSB, and text

files.
For Excel 97-2003 workbook (XLS) files,
a letter such as A, B, C, and so on, is
substituted for the column name,
depending on the column position in the
file.
Usage Notes
Review the following notes if you have trouble importing data:
n Before you click OK to import the data, click Preview. Preview shows an
accurate representation of the column names and data values that will be
available after the import.
n If SAS is configured as a Unicode server at your site, then you have the most
flexibility for importing data. Specifically, SAS as a Unicode server helps with
using column names or filenames (that are used as table names) that have
double-byte characters.
n When you import a delimited text file (CSV file), you must specify the
encoding of the text file. In some cases, the import reports success, even
though the data might be corrupted. It is important to verify the imported
data.
n If you import a SAS data set that uses user-defined formats, then you must
ensure that the custom format catalog is available to the SAS Application
Server. For more information, see “Working with User-Defined Formats” on
page 39.
n If importing large data files at the same time is common for your deployment,
then you should be aware that large data files are written to temporary disk
space on the server. In extreme cases, this can cause temporary disk space
to become full. Systems that run out of disk space can become unresponsive
and difficult to troubleshoot.
n If you import data from text files and plan to append the data, then you must
verify that the column data types and lengths match the table that you want
to append to.
n When you import data, a SAS LASR Analytic Server does not maintain pre-
existing sort orders. You must re-sort the data after you import it.
n Importing indexed SAS data sets is not supported.
25
5
Importing Data from Servers
Import a SAS Data Set on a Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Import a Database Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Database Connection Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Additional Options for Importing Hadoop Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Additional Options for Importing ODBC Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Additional Options for Importing Oracle Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Additional Options for Importing PostgreSQL Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Additional Options for Importing Teradata Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Import a SAS Data Set on a Server

The following figure depicts how your PC can be used to specify a SAS data set
on the SAS Application Server machine (represented as the SAS Workspace
Server), and then load the data set into memory on a SAS LASR Analytic
Server.
SAS Web
Application Server
Self-Service
Components
SAS Workspace
SAS LASR
Server
Analytic Server
Job Execution
DATA Step
Service
SAS Data Set

26 Chapter 5 / Importing Data from Servers
You can direct the SAS Workspace Server to access the file systems on the
server. For example, if you have a large data set, you can use FTP or another
method to copy it to a directory on the server, and then use the server to import
it.
To import a SAS data set that is accessible from your SAS Application Server:
1 Select SAS Data Set from the list of Server data types, navigate to the SAS
data set, and click OK.
Note: Remember that the data files and directories are on the remote
machine, not on your PC.
2 (Optional) In the LASR Table section, enter the name for the table and a
description. The description is limited to 256 characters. Review the library
and location settings by clicking Advanced and make changes if necessary.
3 Click OK.
Import a Database Table

To import database tables, the SAS/ACCESS product for the database must be
licensed and configured for the SAS Workspace Server. You can import data
from the following databases:
n Server databases — SAS Data Set, Aster, DB2, Greenplum, MySQL,
Netezza, ODBC, Oracle, PostgreSQL, Salesforce, SAP HANA, SQL Server,
Teradata, Vertica
n Hadoop databases — BigInsights, Cloudera, Cloudera Impala, Pivotal
HAWQ, Hortonworks, MapR, Pivotal HD
Note: BigInsights, Cloudera, Hortonworks, MapR, and Pivotal HD all use the
SAS/ACCESS Interface to Hadoop, even though they have different menu
selections.
To import a database table:
1 From the Import Data window, select the database name from the list of
server or Hadoop databases. These lists include only the data sources for
which a SAS/ACCESS product is licensed and configured and that your
administrator has granted you the capability to use.
If you want to import SAS Data Set on a server, see “Import a SAS Data Set
on a Server” on page 25 for more information.
2 Specify the connection information. Here are some key points about
specifying connection information:
n The Server field corresponds to the host name for the server. Some
databases connect using a data source name instead of the combination
of server and port.
Import a Database Table 27
n In the DBMS table names field, you can import multiple tables at the
same time. To do this, hold down the Ctrl key while selecting the table
names in the Choose Tables window. During the import, an icon in the
Status column indicates whether the table was successfully imported, if it
failed, or if you chose to cancel. By clicking the link in the Remarks
column, you can view additional information, such as log or error
messages.
For connection details for specific databases, see the “Database Connection
Tips” on page 28 topic.
Most fields are case sensitive. For example, specifying a value of products
in the Database field might not be the same as specifying PRODUCTS.
Case sensitivity depends on the database vendor. Furthermore, some
databases use schemas. Some databases automatically use the user ID as
the schema if a schema is not explicitly specified. Be aware that the User ID
and Schema fields can be case sensitive. Check with your database
administrator if you are unsure.
3 Click Browse to select the table to import.
4 (Optional) Expand Options to indicate additional connection options. Here

are some key points about specifying additional connection options:
n For more information about valid values for the Database options field,
see SAS/ACCESS for Relational Databases: Reference. View the Data
Set Options topic for the type of database that you are working with (for
example, Data Set Options for ODBC).
n You can use the SAS system options field to specify environment
variables such as the following:
set=SAS_HADOOP_JAR_PATH="/path/to/files"
The options keyword is submitted with any options that you specify in
this field.
5 (Optional) Review the library and location settings by clicking Advanced.

Make any necessary changes.
You do not have access to the Advanced section if you are importing data
from the explorer or designer and do not have the Build Data capability.
Instead, you can import the data to a general-purpose area or select Store
the table in a private location to prevent other users from accessing the
data.
6 Click OK.
After you have successfully imported a table, the connection information is

saved, except for the password. This enables you to import additional tables
quickly or to reload the table as needed.
If you want to reload data for an existing table using the same table name, you
must do one of the following:
n Use the same library and output folder that were used when the data for the
table was originally imported.
n Indicate both a different library and a different output folder than when the
data for the table was originally imported.
If the table fails to reload, the log might not contain any error information. In this
case, the log is most likely displaying information about the last successful
action on the table.
Note: If you are importing a single table, then you cannot cancel it. You can
choose to cancel if you are importing multiple tables. However, the table that is
being processed when the cancel was submitted cannot be canceled and will
finish loading.
Database Connection Tips
Additional Options for Importing Hadoop Tables

SAS Visual Analytics offers self-service options for importing data from
BigInsights, Cloudera, Cloudera Impala, Pivotal HAWQ, Hortonworks, MapR,
and Pivotal HD. Each of these databases requires separate setup by your
administrator.
A common connection type for all of these databases is to connect to Hive or
HiveServer2, and then import tables.
If the Hadoop cluster is configured with the SAS Embedded Process, then you
can perform parallel loading to the SAS LASR Analytic Server. In this case,
indicate one of the following in the Import Data window:
n In the SAS system options field, specify the
SAS_HADOOP_CONFIG_PATH environment variable. This is not necessary
if your administrator has already specified the values.
n In the Configuration field, specify the path to a Hadoop configuration file.
Specifying more options might be necessary for your site. For information about
setting up parallel loading from Hadoop, see “Where Do I Locate My Analytics
Cluster” in SAS Visual Analytics: Installation and Configuration Guide
(Distributed SAS LASR).
Additional Options for Importing ODBC Tables

The Specify connection options field provides you with an additional way to
connect to an ODBC database instead of using a data source name. For more
information about possible options, see the LIBNAME Statement Specifics for
ODBC topic in SAS/ACCESS for Relational Databases: Reference.
Additional Options for Importing Oracle Tables

The value for the Path field is related to the net service name in the
tnsnames.ora file. The tnsnames.ora file is generated during the Oracle client
installation on the machine for the SAS Web Application Server. The file is
typically stored in an Oracle installation directory such as /opt/oracle/app/
oracle/product/10.2.0/db_1/network/admin/tnsnames.ora. The net
Database Connection Tips 29
service name for the connection information is in this file. See the following
figure:
Additional Options for Importing PostgreSQL

Tables
The Schema field is not case sensitive when you browse for tables, but it is
case sensitive when the import is performed. As a result, if you specify a
schema in the wrong case, you can successfully browse for a table, and then
select it in the Choose Tables window. However, the import fails. In this case,
contact your database administrator for assistance with the schema name.
Additional Options for Importing Teradata Tables

The Teradata Management Server field is used to determine whether the SAS
LASR Analytic Server is co-located on the same data appliance. If the SAS
LASR Analytic Server and the Teradata database are on the same data
appliance, then make sure that the Teradata Management Server field includes
the host name that the SAS LASR Analytic Server uses.
SAS Visual Analytics and the Teradata database can be configured to transfer
data in parallel when they are not co-located on the same data appliance. For
information about setting up parallel loading, see the Where Do I Locate My
Analytics Cluster topic in SAS Visual Analytics: Installation and Configuration
Guide (Distributed SAS LASR).
31
6
Importing Data from Other Sources
Import Data from Facebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Import Data from Google Analytics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Import Tweets from Twitter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Import Data from Facebook

To import data from Facebook:
1 Click Facebook in the Import Data window.
2 Click OK in the Import Facebook Data window to accept the terms and
conditions.
If you would like to view the terms or remove authorization after completing
this step, click Clear Authorization on the lower left-hand side of the Import
Facebook Data window.
3 Indicate the Facebook fan page that you want to import. Valid values include
the full URL (for example, http://www.facebook.com/SASsoftware) or
the page name (for example, SASsoftware).
4 Select a date range.
5 Enter the maximum number of posts, comments, and replies to return.
6 (Optional) In the LASR Table section, modify the table name and description.
Review the library and location settings by clicking Advanced. Make any
necessary changes.
7 (Optional) Review the Proxy Server section. Make changes if necessary.
8 Click OK.
A Facebook limitation can cause the table to be created with only partial data. If
this occurs, you will receive a warning message. To get a complete data set, try
making one or more of the following adjustments before rerunning the import:
32 Chapter 6 / Importing Data from Other Sources
n Indicate a smaller date range.
n Limit the number of posts, comments, or replies.
n Run the import at a lower traffic time.
Import Data from Google Analytics

To begin importing data from Google Analytics, your administrator must give you
access. Contact your administrator and provide your Google Analytics account
information. Administrators must give access using the Google Analytics
website. The drop-down menu options for the Analytics account, Property,
and View (Profile) fields in the Import Google Analytics window will be based on
the type of access that your administrator assigns to you. To import data from
Google Analytics:
1 Click Google Analytics in the Import Data window.
2 Click Obtain access code in the Import Google Analytics window. The
Google Analytics service opens in a new window.
3 After signing in with your Google user name and password, click Accept to
accept the terms and conditions.
4 Highlight and copy (Ctrl+C) the access code.
5 Navigate back to SAS Visual Analytics. Paste the code (Ctrl+V) in the Paste
access code here field.
6 Click OK. The Import Google Analytics window appears.

If you would like to change users or remove authorization after completing
this step, click Clear Sign In Information on the lower left-hand side of the
Import Google Analytics window.
7 (Optional) Modify the fields and date range based on the data that you would
like to import.
Note: The default value for the maximum number of rows that you can
import is 100,000. For more information, contact your administrator.
8 (Optional) In the LASR Table section, modify the table name and description.
Review the library and location settings by clicking Advanced. Make any
necessary changes.
9 (Optional) Review the Proxy Server section. Make any necessary changes.
10 Click OK.
Note: As an attempt to decrease the processing time of your import, Google

Analytics sometimes returns sampled data. If this occurs, you will receive a
warning message. A column that indicates that the data is sampled will appear
Import Tweets from Twitter 33
in the table. To increase your chance of getting a complete data set, try
rerunning the import with a smaller date range.
Note: If you want to reload data for an existing table using the same table
name, you must do one of the following:
n Use the same library and output folder that were used when the table was
originally imported.
n Indicate both a different library and a different output folder than when the
table was originally imported.
Note: It is recommended that your SAS server be configured to use UTF-8
encoding while importing data from Google Analytics. Otherwise, it could impact
your ability to import data that includes nonstandard ASCII characters.
For more information about dimensions and metrics in Google Analytics, see
https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/1033861?hl=en and https://
developers.google.com/analytics/devguides/reporting/core/dimsmets.
Import Tweets from Twitter

To search for tweets and import them:
1 Click Twitter in the Import Data window.
The first time you import tweets, you are directed to the Twitter website to log
on to your account and authorize SAS Visual Analytics. After you enter your
logon information and click Authorize app, the SAS product page opens.
Close this page and navigate back to SAS Visual Analytics.
After the initial logon, SAS Visual Analytics uses authorization tokens for
accessing Twitter instead of requiring you to log on each time. If you would
like to change users or remove authorization after completing this step, click
Clear Sign In Information on the lower left-hand side of the Import Twitter
Data window.
2 Enter a search term and the maximum number of tweets to return.

The search operators that you can use are described at https://
dev.twitter.com/rest/public/search.
Note: SAS does not support the following:
n searches in languages other than English. Requests in other languages
(such as specifying lang=fr) return no tweets.
n search terms cannot include double-byte characters.
3 (Optional) In the LASR Table section, enter the name for the table and a
description. Review the library and location settings by clicking Advanced.
Make any necessary changes.
4 (Optional) Review the Proxy Server section. Make any necessary changes.
34 Chapter 6 / Importing Data from Other Sources
5 Click OK.
The search results from a Twitter import in SAS Visual Analytics and the search
results from Twitter’s own search interface do not match exactly. Each uses a
different mechanism to download tweets. A Twitter import in SAS Visual
Analytics uses Twitter’s public search API. There are limits on what data and
how much data that SAS can download using Twitter’s public search API. These
limits might not apply to Twitter’s own search interface. For more information,
see https://dev.twitter.com/rest/reference/get/search/tweets.
For information about the data structure of imported tweets, see Appendix 10,
“Schema for Imported Tweets,” on page 621.
Note: Rate limits apply to the Twitter service. Such limits are beyond the control
of SAS Visual Analytics. You are required to follow all applicable terms of use
that Twitter and others might promulgate for Twitter data.
Note: Certain functionality in SAS Visual Analytics enables you to invoke
external third-party resources. Be aware that use of these resources might result
in disclosure and transmission of information that you submit to these resources.
35
Part 3
Preparing Data
Chapter 7
Overview of SAS Visual Data Builder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Chapter 8
Specifying Preferences for SAS Visual Data Builder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Chapter 9
Creating Data Queries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Chapter 10
Working with Tables in Data Queries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Chapter 11
Working with Columns in Data Queries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Chapter 12
Working with Filters in Data Queries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Chapter 13
Working with Joins in Data Queries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Chapter 14
Creating LASR Star Schemas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Chapter 15
Working with SAS LASR Analytic Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
36
Chapter 16
Importing SAS Information Maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Chapter 17
Supporting Text Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Chapter 18
Customizing Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Chapter 19
Scheduling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Chapter 20
Using the Results Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
37
7
Overview of SAS Visual Data Builder
What Is SAS Visual Data Builder? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Your First Look at SAS Visual Data Builder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Importing Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
About Managed Access to DBMS Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Working with User-Defined Formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
What Is SAS Visual Data Builder?

The data builder enables analysts and data administrators to perform basic data
preparation. You can create data queries to perform joins, add calculated
columns, and subset and sort data. Several productivity features accelerate the
creation of columns based on common aggregation functions.
Once you create your data queries, you can reuse them as subqueries for more
sophisticated data queries, export them as jobs for scheduling, or schedule them
directly from the user interface.
The data builder has self-service data import features that enable you to access
data from the following data sources:
n Microsoft Excel spreadsheets
n delimited text files
n SAS data sets
n database tables
n Facebook, Google Analytics, and Twitter
After you import the data, you can prepare it for analysis or join it with existing
data.
The data builder provides a series of features that take advantage of the in-
memory tables in SAS LASR Analytic Server.
You can perform the following operations to add data to memory in the server:
n load an existing table directly into memory
n load the results of a data query into memory (or stage the data and then load
it into memory)
n append rows to an in-memory table
38 Chapter 7 / Overview of SAS Visual Data Builder
After the data is in memory, you can perform the following operations with in-
memory tables:
n join in-memory tables to form a LASR star schema
n append entire in-memory tables to another in-memory table
n save in-memory tables to SASHDAT for persistence and fast reloads
Your First Look at SAS Visual Data Builder

Here are the features of the data builder:
1 The application bar enables you to return to the home page and to access
other parts of SAS Visual Analytics and other SAS applications that integrate
with the home page. You can access your recently created or viewed reports,
explorations, stored processes, data queries, or other objects in your recent
history. Buttons are displayed for each open application.
2 The menu bar contains menus that enable you to perform tasks such as
creating new data queries and LASR star schemas. The right side of the
menu bar has a memory gauge that displays the memory utilization for a
distributed SAS LASR Analytic Server. You can also sign out of SAS Visual
Analytics.
3 The navigation pane displays a tree (the SAS Folders tree) of tables and
data queries.
4 The center of the screen contains the workspace. When you create a new
object, such as a data query, it is represented as a tab on the top of the
workspace.
The bottom of the workspace contains a series of tabs that enable you to
create column expressions, joins, and filter data.
Working with User-Defined Formats 39
5 The right pane enables you to manage the properties of the item that is
selected in the workspace.
6 The toolbar contains icons that enable you to manage, run, and schedule
data queries.
Importing Data
The data builder has self-service data import features. After you select File 
Import Data, you can click the link for the type of data that you want to import.
For more information, see Chapter 4, “Importing Local Data Files,” on page 19,
Chapter 5, “Importing Data from Servers,” on page 25, and Chapter 6, “Importing
Data from Other Sources,” on page 31.
About Managed Access to DBMS Data

The data builder can be used to read source tables from third-party vendor
databases and to write tables to them as well. In order to use this feature, your
site must have a SAS/ACCESS Interface product license for the database that
you want to use. The user ID and password that you use to log on to the data
builder might not be valid for a third-party vendor database. If this is the case,
then you are prompted for credentials to the DBMS when you access a
registered table from a library with a Read operation or a Write operation. As an
alternative to being prompted, you can store a login in metadata that has valid
DBMS credentials. For more information, see "How to Store Passwords for a
Third-Party Server" in SAS Intelligence Platform: Security Administration Guide.
If you are prompted for credentials and supply an invalid user ID or password,
then you are denied access to the data. In this case, you can select File  Clear
Credentials Cache to remove the invalid credentials from your session. The
next time you access the data source, you are prompted again.
Working with User-Defined Formats

A format is a set of instructions that SAS uses to write data values. Formats are
used in the data builder to control the written appearance of data values. User-
defined formats are specialized formats that are not supplied by SAS. These
formats are stored in a custom format catalog.
The preferred method for making user-defined formats available to a SAS
Application Server is to name the custom format catalog formats.sas7bcat, and
to place it in SAS-config-dir/Lev1/SASApp/SASEnvironment/SASFormats.
For more information about using user-defined formats, see SAS Intelligence
Platform: Data Administration Guide.
When a user-defined format is permanently associated with a variable, the data
builder uses the format and shows it in the Format column. However, if you
select the Format menu and choose a different format, you cannot use the
40 Chapter 7 / Overview of SAS Visual Data Builder
Format menu to go back to the original user-defined format. You can click to
undo the change to the format if you have not saved your work yet, or you can
remove and add the column back again.
Even if the custom format catalog is made available to the SAS Application
Server correctly, you cannot associate a user-defined format to a variable with
the data builder. The menu in the Format column does not enable you to specify
a user-defined format.
41
8
Specifying Preferences for SAS
Visual Data Builder
Specifying Global and General Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Specify Your Preferences for the Data Builder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Specifying Global and General Preferences

To specify global SAS preferences, see “Specifying Your Preferences” on page
9. To specify general preferences, see “Specify Settings Using SAS Home” on
page 10.
Specify Your Preferences for the Data

Builder
To specify preferences that are specific to SAS Visual Data Builder, perform the
following steps after you log on to the data builder:
1 Select File  Preferences to open the Preferences dialog box.
2 Select SAS Visual Data Builder  General.

Select a default SAS Application Server to use from Application server. If
you have added SAS Application Server instances to your deployment, then
make sure that the Job Execution Service has been configured for the SAS
Application Server that you select. For more information, see SAS
Intelligence Platform: Middle-Tier Administration Guide.
3 Select SAS Visual Data Builder  Scheduling.

Specify a default scheduling server, batch server, and deployment directory.
For more information, see “Scheduling Preferences” on page 95.
4 Click OK to apply your changes.

42 Chapter 8 / Specifying Preferences for SAS Visual Data Builder
43
9
Creating Data Queries
What Is a Data Query? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
About Creating Data Queries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Save Your Data Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Save a Data Query as a New Data Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Using the Design Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Adding a Data Source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Add a Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Add a Subquery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Support for Special Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Best Practices for Adding Data Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Specifying Properties for a Data Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
What Is a Data Query?

A data query is your primary method for selecting and formatting data that is
used with data exploration and creating reports.
A data query is a metadata object that manages the references to input tables,
output tables, staging tables, joins, and summarizations from a SAS Visual Data
Builder session. You can save data queries and open them later to edit the data
preparation operations that are performed in the data query. You can use saved
data queries as subqueries when you create a new data query.
About Creating Data Queries

You can use the data builder to create data queries to prepare data for analytics.
You can use a data query to subset, sort, join, and add calculated columns to
tables.
As you create your data query, click to validate your data query. Use the
button to preview or run the data query.
The preview option uses a temporary table for the output table. Clicking the
Results tab shows only the first 100 rows. When you run the data query, it uses
the specified output table instead of a temporary table.
44 Chapter 9 / Creating Data Queries
Save Your Data Query

When you click , you clear the undo and redo history.
The default location for saving data queries is initially set to /My Folder. If you
save the data query in a different folder, then the complete length of the path
and name is limited to 128 characters.
Note: If the data query uses a SAS LASR Analytic Server library for the output
table (this is the default), then the server does not need to be running when you
save the data query. However, the server must have been started at least once
in the past. When you save it, the data builder checks the metadata
authorization for the library and table before it performs the save. If the server
has never been started, then there is no security key to use for checking
authorization. For more information, see "Security Keys" in SAS Visual
Analytics: Administration Guide.
Save a Data Query as a New Data Query

Open an existing data query from the SAS Folders tree that closely matches the
data query that you want to create. Click , and then enter a new name and
select a location. Perform any customizations.
In many cases, you want to use the same input tables, joins, and so on, but you
want a different output table. In this case, click Clear on the Outputs tab, and
then specify new output table information. This step ensures that you use a
different output table for the copied data query.
Note: If you change only the name of the output table in the copied data query,
then the name of the original output table in the original data query is also
changed.
For example, an analyst creates a data query that summarizes sales data and
includes several geographic regions. The data query is saved with an output
table that is named Sales. A regional sales manager wants to perform a similar
summarization, but he wants to filter the data for a single geographic region. In
this case, the regional sales manager performs the following steps:
1 Opens the analyst's data query, and clicks to save a copy of the data
query with a new name.
2 Filters the data on the Where or Having tab for the geographic region.
3 Clicks Clear on the Outputs tab, and then specifies new output table
information. This ensures that the original output table, Sales, for the original
data query is not overwritten.
4 Saves and runs the copied data query.

Adding a Data Source 45
See Also
“Output Tables” on page 50
Using the Design Tab

The Design tab is the default view for working with data queries. This tab
provides an easy-to-use interface for creating a data query. You can perform the
following tasks with the Design tab:
n Drag and drop tables or data queries from the SAS Folders tree onto the
workspace.
n Join tables by using your pointer to select the source column, and then drag
the pointer to the corresponding column in the joined table.
n Add columns to the Column Editor tab by clicking the column name from the
table in the workspace or by right-clicking on the table and selecting Add All
Columns.
n Use the Column Editor tab to specify column expressions, aggregations,
and sort. You can set the attributes for a column, such as the type, format,
and label.
n View the Output Columns tab to see the number of output columns and
attributes. When you specify aggregations and pivot by columns, the number
of output columns can increase dramatically.
n Click to check that the data query is valid.
n Check the Messages tab for information about warnings and errors such as
invalid column expressions.
n Check the Log tab to view the SAS log. A SAS log is generated when you
preview, run, or validate a data query.
n Use the Outputs tab in the right pane to specify output table information.
See Also
n Chapter 10, “Working with Tables in Data Queries,” on page 49
n Chapter 11, “Working with Columns in Data Queries,” on page 55
n Chapter 12, “Working with Filters in Data Queries,” on page 63
n Chapter 13, “Working with Joins in Data Queries,” on page 67
Adding a Data Source
Add a Table
To add a table to a data query, use the SAS Folders tree to locate the table ( )
and then drag and drop the table onto the workspace.
TIP You can also click and search for the table by name and location.
Add a Subquery
After you have created a data query and saved it, it can be used as an input
data source to another data query. To add a subquery, use the SAS Folders tree
to locate the data query ( ), and then drag and drop the data query onto the
workspace.
The subquery is represented in the workspace by the columns that are selected
for output in the subquery.
Support for Special Characters

In most cases, you can use table names and column names that contain special
characters, including blank characters. When you use a column in your data
query, the data builder applies the n-literal syntax, such as
'table‑name'n.'column‑name'n, so that SAS can use the column.
Rules for SAS names apply. For more information, see “Names in the SAS
Language” in SAS Language Reference: Concepts.
The data builder does not apply the n-literal syntax to code that you enter
manually on the Where tab or Having tab or in column expressions. For
example, if your table has a column that is named quantity ordered, then
you must add the n-literal syntax (similar to the following example):
AVG(table.'quantity ordered'n)
Best Practices for Adding Data Sources

When you plan to join data sources (tables or subqueries), the order in which
you add the data sources to the workspace matters. The first data source that is
added to the workspace is automatically assigned as the left table for any joins
that you add to the data query.
If you are creating a data query that uses a fact table and dimension tables, then
the simplest approach is to drag and drop the fact table onto the workspace first.
You can perform left, right, or full joins with the dimension tables faster because
you must specify only the join type. However, if you drag and drop a dimension
table first, then you can easily use the button on the Joins tab to switch the
left and right tables in the join.
If you are not using a fact table or dimension tables, then the sequence for
adding tables to the workspace might not be very important. Just remember that
the first table dropped onto the workspace is assigned as the left table, and you
can switch the left table and right table on the Joins tab. The data builder takes
advantage of vendor-specific features in SQL processing whenever possible. If
the source tables are from a third-party vendor database, then the
SAS/ACCESS Interface engine can optimize the performance of the data query
by passing the SQL statements through to the database.
Specifying Properties for a Data Query 47
Specifying Properties for a Data Query

On the Properties tab in the right pane, you can view or specify the following
properties:
Name
displays the name for the data query. The initial value is DataQuery1. You
can specify a different name when you save the data query.
Location
displays the metadata folder location for the data query object. The initial
value is /My Folder. You can specify a different location when you save the
data query.
Description
specifies a description of the data query.
Create an SQL query view
specifies to create a view for either the work table or the output table. For
more information, see “Create SQL Query Views” on page 53.
Unique values
specifies whether the SQL keyword DISTINCT is applied to the SELECT
statement that is used to generate the result set for the data query.
Append data
specifies whether the result set for the data query is appended to the output
table. If a staging table is used, then the staging table is replaced with the
result set before appending to the output table.
On the Outputs tab, you can view or specify the following properties:
Table
specifies the table name for either the staging output or the final output. For
more information, see “Specify an Output Table” on page 51.
Compress data
specifies to compress the output table. For more information, see “Output
and Staging Table Interactions” on page 52.
Location
specifies the metadata folder location to use for registering the staging table
metadata or output table metadata. Click to select a different location.
Library
specifies the library to use for the staging table or output table. Click to
select a different library.
Partition by
specifies the column to use for partitioning the output table. This property
only applies when the output table is in a SAS LASR Analytic Server library
or SASHDAT library. For more information, see “Distributed Server: Partition
Tables” on page 83.
See Also
“Specifying Properties for a Source Table” on page 50
49
10
Working with Tables in Data Queries
Source Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Specifying Properties for a Source Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Output Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
About Output Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Specify an Output Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Staging Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
About Staging Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Specify a Staging Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Output and Staging Table Interactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Create SQL Query Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Source Tables
When you drop a table onto the workspace, the data builder connects to the
SAS Metadata Server to determine the column names and data types for the
table. When you drop a subquery onto the workspace, the data builder makes
the same request, but determines the column names and data types for the
output table of the subquery.
You (or an administrator) must register a table in metadata before using it as a
source table for data preparation. When you import data from a file, a database,
Facebook, Google Analytics, or Twitter, the data builder automatically registers
the data in metadata as a table. Source tables can also be registered using SAS
Visual Analytics Administrator or SAS Management Console.
Data queries reference input tables by their unique metadata IDs. For this
reason, do not delete the metadata registrations for input tables that are used in
your data queries. If you delete the input tables from metadata, their unique
metadata IDs are also deleted from metadata. If you register the same input
tables again, they are assigned new metadata IDs. As a result, SAS Visual Data
Builder cannot locate the tables because of their new metadata IDs. If the input
tables cannot be located, the query is corrupted, and you must re-create it.
See Also
n “Adding a Data Source” on page 45
n SAS Visual Analytics: Administration Guide
50 Chapter 10 / Working with Tables in Data Queries
n SAS Intelligence Platform: Data Administration Guide
Specifying Properties for a Source Table

When you create a data query and select a table in the workspace or when you
select it from the menu on the Inputs tab in the right pane, you can specify the
following:
Alias
displays the SAS table name that is stored in metadata. You can specify a
new value to use as a table alias. The alias name is stored with the data
query, and it does not affect the metadata information for the table.
Name
displays the metadata object name. You can change the metadata object
name in the SAS Folders tree by selecting it, right-clicking, and selecting
Rename.
Location
displays the table's metadata folder.
Library
displays the table's library.
Auto-aggregate
specifies whether to apply aggregations to the columns for this table when
the columns are added to the query.
Aggregations
specifies the aggregations to apply to the columns for this table when the
columns are added to the data query.
See Also
“Use the Auto-Aggregate Functions” on page 59
Output Tables
About Output Tables

When you create a data query, you specify an output table on the Outputs tab in
the right pane. When you save the data query, the output table is registered (or
updated) in the metadata. Registering the table in metadata enables you to use
it as a source table for another data query or another SAS application. When
you run the data query, the physical output table is created, and the table is
updated in metadata.
Subqueries do not require an output table. If you do not need to view the results
of a data query that you intend to use as a subquery, then you can click Clear on
the Outputs tab and still save the subquery. You can then drag and drop the
subquery into a data query.
When you create a data query, the default output table name is OutputTable.
Staging Tables 51
Specify an Output Table

Every data query must have an output table in order to save the results in a
table. How you specify the output table affects whether metadata is updated or
created.
You can specify an output table name, location, and library on the Outputs tab
in the right pane.
The following table shows alternative ways to specify an output table.
Action How To
Change the name of the output table. * Enter the new name in the Table field,
and save the data query. All data queries,
reports, explorations, and so on, still
reference the same table object.
Create a new output table. * Click Clear, and then specify a table
name, location, and library. This action
disassociates the previously used output
table.
Reuse an existing table. Click , and then browse for the table to
use. This action disassociates the
previously used output table.
* If you replace the default table name, OutputTable, with another name before you save the data query, the
data builder registers a new output table and uses it with the data query.
You can enter a name that is up to 32 characters as the output table name. If a
third-party vendor database product is used for the output table, then the
number of characters might be less.
If you select a SAS LASR Analytic Server or SASHDAT library, the Partition by
menu becomes available.
Staging Tables
About Staging Tables

Staging data is a best practice because you can use the data builder to access
and transfer data from operational systems once, rather than frequently interfere
with the operational systems and reduce their performance. Using the data
builder to stage data can provide the advantage of adding calculated columns
when you stage the data.
Like the output table, the staging table is registered in metadata when you save
the data query. The physical table for the staging table is created when you run
the data query.
You cannot specify the name for a staging table. The name of the output table is
used, and an _STG suffix is applied to the name. The suffix is used for the table
name in metadata. The physical name of the staging table does not include the
suffix.
Specify a Staging Table

To use a staging table, perform the following steps on the Outputs tab:
1 Select the Use a staging table check box.
2 Specify a library.
Note: The data builder is initially configured to use the Visual Analytics
Public LASR library and the Visual Analytics Public HDFS pair of libraries. If
you specify different libraries, then make sure that you understand how the
path is related to the server tag for the SAS LASR Analytic Server library. For
more information, see SAS Visual Analytics: Administration Guide.
Output and Staging Table Interactions

The physical table is always replaced with the results of the data query. When
you use a data query to append data and stage the data too, the staging table
holds the data to append. As a result, the output table that the data query
appends to is typically much larger than the staging table.
In the right pane, if you select the Compress data check box on the Outputs
tab, then the tables are compressed as follows:
n If the output table is in the SAS LASR Analytic Server library or SASHDAT
library, then the output table is compressed.
n If the output table is in the SAS LASR Analytic Server library and the staging
table is in the SASHDAT library, then the staging table is compressed. The
staging table will automatically be compressed when it is loaded to memory
on the SAS LASR Analytic Server.
The following table identifies the supported combinations for output tables and
staging tables. In addition, whether you can append data to tables is indicated.
Table 10.1 Output Table and Staging Table Interactions
Output Table Staging Table Append Data
SAS or DBMS * None Supported
SASHDAT None Not supported
Co-located HDFS or NFS- None Supported

mounted MapR
SAS LASR Analytic Server None Supported
SAS or DBMS * SAS or DBMS * Supported
SAS LASR Analytic Server SAS or DBMS * Supported **

Create SQL Query Views 53
Output Table Staging Table Append Data
SAS LASR Analytic Server SASHDAT Not supported

Note: When the staging
table is in SASHDAT, SAS
LASR Analytic Server is
the only choice for the
output table.
SAS LASR Analytic Server Co-located HDFS or NFS- Supported **

mounted MapR
* The SAS or DBMS value represents data stored in SAS data sets or a third-party vendor database,
respectively.
** Appending data is performed by the SAS LASR Analytic Server engine. Appends are not performed by
having the server read data in parallel.
The information about appending data in the previous table applies to data
queries. See “Append In-Memory Tables” on page 79 if you are working with in-
memory tables on SAS LASR Analytic Server exclusively.
See Also
Chapter 15, “Working with SAS LASR Analytic Server,” on page 77
Create SQL Query Views

You can influence whether the work table or output table is a view or a table. To
specify view, select the Create an SQL query view check box on the
Properties tab. The option is enabled by default. In most cases, this option
improves performance by reducing data movement and storage requirements.
When working with tables in a database, if the source tables and output tables
are in the same library, the Create an SQL query view option can enable you to
pass a CREATE VIEW statement directly to the database. When this happens,
the data query runs almost instantaneously because there is no data movement
to create a view.
The following table summarizes the interactions between library types and
views:
Library Type Interactions
Base SAS Base SAS libraries always support views

for output tables or staging tables. Source
tables can be from different libraries
because the connection information is
stored in the view.
Library Type Interactions
DBMS If the source tables and the output tables

or staging tables are in the same library,
then the view is created in the database.
If they are in different libraries, then the
check box is not enabled and the output
table or staging table is created as a
physical table.
SAS LASR Analytic Server or SASHDAT These libraries types do not support
views. Selecting the check box applies to
the work table, rather than the output
table or staging table.
If the source tables and the output tables
are in the same SAS LASR Analytic
Server library, then the check box is not
enabled, and the work table must be a
physical table.
Note: In some cases, the check box is enabled, but using this option can result
in an error when running the data query. For example, if you use a DBMS library
for the output table, you must have permission to create a view. You can clear
the check box to create the output table as a physical table in these cases.
55
11
Working with Columns in Data
Queries
Adding Columns to a Data Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Remove Columns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Specify a Column Expression . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Specify Aggregations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Remove All Aggregations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Use Group By Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Use the Auto-Aggregate Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Use the Pivot By Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Adding Columns to a Data Query

When you add a data source (a table or subquery) to the workspace, the
columns from the data source are not automatically added as output columns.
You must add the columns to the data query that you want to use.
After the columns are added, you can specify column expressions and
aggregations and use the sort and pivot by features.
Note: As an exception, the auto-aggregate feature requires that you set the
default aggregations for the table before they are added to the data query.
When a data source is dropped onto the workspace, the column types are
represented by the following icons:
Table 11.1 Icons for Data Types
Icon Description
This icon represents numeric data.
This icon represents character data.

Note: Date, time, and datetime data use this icon. After the
column is added, the Type and Format columns are updated
with information about the new column.
56 Chapter 11 / Working with Columns in Data Queries
You can add columns to the data query in the following ways:
n Select the table in the workspace, right-click, and select Add All Columns.
n To add one column from a table, select the column name with your pointer.
TIP If you select the column name an additional time, then the column is
added to the data query again. This can be helpful if you want to use a
column for both numeric and character data. When you add a column
more than once, a number is added to the column name. If you change the
column name, then you must make sure that you do not have more than
one column with the same name.
n To create a new column, click the Column Editor tab, and then click next
to the last column that is listed. Enter a column name, expression, and type.
The remaining fields are optional.
Remove Columns
To remove a column from a data query:
1 Click the Column Editor tab.
2 Select the column to remove, right-click, and select Remove Column.
Specify a Column Expression

To specify a column expression:
1 On the Column Editor tab, specify a name for the column.
2 Select table-name.column-name from the Expression column. If you

added a new column manually, then you must make sure that you specified a
table name and a column name.
3 Click to open the expression builder. The table name and column name
are added automatically as the default SQL expression.
The expression is limited to 1024 characters.
4 On the Fields tab, select columns from the source tables that you have
added to the data query.
5 On the Functions tab, select the functions to apply to the source column.
6 Enter arithmetic operators and expressions such as CASE statements

directly in the SQL expression area.
7 Click Apply to save the column expression.

Specify Aggregations 57
Note: If you click after you click Apply, then your last change to the
expression is undone. However, because the expression window is closed, you
might not notice the undo.
Specify Aggregations
To specify an aggregation for a column:
1 On the Column Editor tab, place your pointer in the Aggregations cell for
the column and click. Click the ellipsis button to select the aggregations to
use.
2 In the Choose Aggregations dialog box, select the Aggregate functions

radio button.
3 Select the check boxes for the aggregate functions to use. Click Apply.
Note: After you click Apply, all of the other columns are automatically
specified as GROUP BY columns. You can change a column from GROUP BY
to an aggregate function by repeating this step for the column.
The following display shows how adding aggregations results in additional

output columns. The aggregate function is appended to the column name.
Remove All Aggregations

To remove all the aggregate functions and group by settings:
1 On the Column Editor tab, select all the columns.
2 Right-click, and select Remove Aggregations.
TIP This menu option is available only when all of the columns are
selected and at least one aggregation is defined.
Use Group By Variables

When you add an aggregation to a column, the remaining columns are
automatically used as group by variables. The Aggregations column displays
GROUP BY for these variables.
You can use a column as a group by variable by following the steps in “Specify
Aggregations” and selecting the Group by radio button.
Use the Pivot By Feature 59
Use the Auto-Aggregate Functions

The auto-aggregate feature is a productivity feature that enables you to specify a
set of aggregations to apply as default aggregations to numeric columns for a
specific table. A typical use is to automatically aggregate some of the columns in
a fact table.
To use the auto-aggregate feature:
1 Select a table on the Design tab.
2 On the Inputs tab, select Enable for Auto-aggregate.
3 Click the ellipsis button next to Aggregations to open the Choose

Aggregations window.
4 Select the check boxes for the aggregate functions that you want to apply,
and then click Apply.
Whenever you add a column to the data query, the selected aggregate functions
are automatically applied.
Use the Pivot By Feature

The pivot by feature provides an easy and powerful way to summarize data for
analytics. You can specify a column to use as a categorical variable and the
unique values to use. When the data query is run, the output table is
summarized with the aggregations that you apply.
To use the pivot by feature:
1 On the Column Editor tab, place your pointer in the Pivot By cell for the
column to use as the pivot column. Click the ellipsis button to select the pivot
column and values.
2 In the Pivot Values dialog box, select the pivot by column. You can enter
search criteria in Filter fields to filter the column names.
The following display shows an example of pivoting by three values in the

Product_Category column.
3 After the unique values for the column are loaded, select the check boxes for
the values to use in the summarization. Click Apply.
The following display shows an example of the Column Editor tab when a pivot
by column is used. The minimum and maximum Total_Retail_Price are
calculated for each Customer_ID and are then pivoted by (transposed by) three
values of the Product_Category column.
Figure 11.1 Column Editor Tab with a Pivot By Column
TIP TRP is specified as the label for the Total_Retail_Price column. Look at
the next display to see how the label is used to create labels for the new
columns.
The following display shows how pivoting the Customer_ID column by three
values of the Product_Category column results in additional output columns. A
substring of the pivot by values is used as a prefix to each column name and the
Use the Pivot By Feature 61
aggregate function is used as a suffix. The pivot by column label and aggregate
function are used in the output column label.
Figure 11.2 Output Columns Tab with Pivot By Values

63
12
Working with Filters in Data Queries
About Filtering Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Specify a WHERE Clause . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Specify a HAVING Clause . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Best Practices for Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
About Filtering Data

You can use the Where and Having tabs to filter data in SAS Visual Data
Builder.
The SQL expression on the Where tab is applied to the input data. This SQL
expression is often used to subset data on the columns in the source tables.
The SQL expression on the Having tab can be applied to either the input data or
the calculated columns. This SQL expression is typically used to subset data on
calculated columns in the output table.
The maximum length for a WHERE or HAVING clause is 4096 characters.
Specify a WHERE Clause

To add a WHERE clause to a data query:
1 Click the Where tab.
2 On the Fields tab, expand the table node, and select the column to use for
filtering data.
TIP You can enter a value in the Filter fields field to locate the column.
3 Double-click the column or drag and drop it in the SQL expression area.
4 For character variables, you can click column_name Values to view the
values for the column. In the Filter Values window, select the values that you
want to include in the filter.
Click Apply to add the filter values to the SQL expression area.
64 Chapter 12 / Working with Filters in Data Queries
5 (Optional) You can click the Functions tab and select the functions to use
with filtering.
6 (Optional) You can add a subquery to the filter using a table from a different
library. On the Libraries tab, click to add a library.
After you select a library, expand the library node, and select the table that
you want to use for the subquery.
Note: In the SQL expression, you must enclose the subquery in
parentheses.
7 Edit the WHERE clause in the SQL expression area as follows:
Expression Edit Example
A single character value Add an equal sign between the CARS.Make = 'Acura'
column name and the unique
value.
More than one character value Specify an IN operator and CARS.Make IN (

enclose the unique values in 'Acura', 'Audi')
parentheses.
Numeric comparison Specify a numeric operator and a CARS.Cylinders >= 6

constant, or specify a numeric
PRDSALE.Actual > PRDSALE.Estimate
operator and another column
name.
8 Click to save the filter.
Specify a HAVING Clause

To add a HAVING clause to a data query:
1 Click the Having tab.
2 On the Fields tab, expand the table node, and select the column to use for
filtering data. The Output Columns node includes the calculated columns.
TIP You can enter a value in the Filter fields field to locate the column.
3 Double-click the column or drag and drop it in the SQL expression area.
4 For character variables, you can click column_name Values to view the
values for the column. In the Filter Values window, select the values that you
want to include in the filter.
Click Apply to add the unique values to the SQL expression area.
5 (Optional) You can click the Functions tab and select the functions to use
with filtering.
Best Practices for Filters 65
6 (Optional) You can add a subquery to the filter using a table from a different
library. On the Libraries tab, click to add a library.
After you select a library, expand the library node, and select the table that
you want to use for the subquery.
Note: In the SQL expression, you must enclose the subquery in
parentheses.
7 Edit the HAVING clause in the SQL expression. The syntax is identical to
that shown in step 6 of “Specify a WHERE Clause”.
8 Click to save the filter.
Best Practices for Filters

SAS Visual Data Builder provides the Where and Having tabs for filtering data.
Follow these best practices:
n Filter on the Where tab first because the WHERE clause reduces the rows to
consider for further subsetting.
n When you specify a filter on a column that is an index or primary key, avoid
using a function whenever it is possible. Using a function, such as
CAST(order_id as DOUBLE), risks performing a full-table scan rather than
using the index.
n In some cases, you can improve performance by filtering on the table that
has the smallest number of rows first.
n If you must remove a table that is used on the Where or Having tabs, then
remove the reference to the table from the filters before you remove the
table. Otherwise, if you remove a table that is referenced in a filter, then all of
the filtering conditions are cleared.
n When adding a subquery using the Libraries tab, an additional step is
needed if the column names or table names are written in a language that
uses a double-byte character set. After you finish adding the columns, you
must manually enter an n-literal to the string on the Code tab for each
column name or table name that uses a double-byte character set. For
example:
'table-name'n.'column-name'n
For more information about editing code manually, see Chapter 18,
“Customizing Code,” on page 89.
66 Chapter 12 / Working with Filters in Data Queries
67
13
Working with Joins in Data Queries
About Joins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
How Does the Automatic Join Feature Work? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Feature Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Using Foreign and Primary Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Matching by Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Selecting the Join Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Adding a Join . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Drag and Drop Join Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Use the Joins Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Example: Joins with a Junction Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Remove a Join . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Managing Joins in a Data Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Best Practices for Managing Joins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
About Joins
SAS Visual Data Builder supports joins for tables and subqueries. You can join
tables to each other, including self joins. You can join subqueries to tables and
join subqueries to subqueries. When you use a subquery in a join, the join
condition is made against the output table for the subquery. The data builder
supports joining up to 256 tables.
When you drop a table or subquery onto the workspace, the data builder
attempts to determine a join condition automatically. When the data builder
creates a join automatically using foreign keys or by matching columns, the join
is added as an inner join. The data builder also supports left, right, and full joins.
You must specify the join type manually if you do not want an inner join.
In addition to easily adding joins to a data query, the data builder generates an
SQL statement with all of the joins declared explicitly. For example, you can
specify an inner join in a WHERE clause, such as WHERE
t1.order_id=t2.order_id. However, mixing inner joins in a WHERE clause
and outer join types in a single data query can be complex to read and
understand.
SAS Visual Data Builder always generates an SQL statement with inner joins
declared explicitly. For example, see the following code sample:
68 Chapter 13 / Working with Joins in Data Queries
LEFT JOIN
LIB1.TRANSACTION_TYPE_DIM TRANSACTION_TYPE_DIM
ON CASH_FLOW_FACT.TRANSACTION_TYPE_KEY =
TRANSACTION_TYPE_DIM.TRANSACTION_TYPE_KEY
INNER JOIN
LIB1.TRANSACTION_DIM TRANSACTION_DIM
ON PARTY_DIM.SEGMENT_ID = TRANSACTION_DIM.SEGMENT_ID
AND PARTY_DIM.TRANSACTION_KEY = TRANSACTION_DIM.TRANSACTION_KEY
How Does the Automatic Join Feature

Work?
Feature Overview
SAS Visual Data Builder attempts to join tables and data queries automatically
as you add them to the workspace. When you drag and drop a table or data
query onto the workspace, information about the table or data query is retrieved
from the SAS Metadata Server. For subqueries, the metadata for the subqueries’
output table is retrieved.
Using Foreign and Primary Keys

If primary key or foreign key information is registered in the metadata for the
table that you drag and drop onto the workspace, then the data builder retrieves
the foreign key and primary key information.
The data builder then iterates over each of the tables that are already in the
workspace in the same sequence in which they were added to the workspace.
The data builder retrieves the foreign key and primary key information for the
table, and compares the length, type, and name with the key columns for the
newly added table. If a match is found, then the tables are used in the join, and
the columns are added as a join condition. The data builder continues to search
for matches between the two tables, and it adds join conditions when possible.
After a set of join tables is identified, the data builder does not continue iterating
over the tables that are already in the workspace.
Matching by Name
If there is no foreign key or primary key information for the table that is dragged
and dropped onto the workspace, then the data builder does not use foreign key
or primary key information for the tables already in the workspace.
The data builder retrieves the column information for all of the columns in the
newly added table. The data builder then iterates over each of the tables that are
already in the workspace in the same sequence in which they were added to the
workspace. The data builder compares the length, type, and name for each
column with each column in the newly added table. If a match is found, then the
tables are used in the join, and the columns are added as a join condition. The
data builder does not continue to search for matches between the two tables,
and it does not continue iterating over the tables that are already in the
workspace.
Adding a Join 69
Selecting the Join Type

When the data builder finds the first set of matching columns by comparing keys
or matching names, it sets the join type for the two tables. The data builder
checks the metadata for the columns to determine whether the columns are
nullable. (Many third-party vendor databases support NOT NULL as a constraint
for a column when the table is created in the database with SQL. The constraint
ensures that there are no missing values for the column.) The data builder
performs the following steps to set the join type:
1 If the column for the existing table is not nullable but the column for the newly
added table is nullable, then the tables use a left join.
2 If the column for the existing table is nullable but the column for the newly
added table is not nullable, then the tables use a right join.
3 If both columns for the existing table and newly added table are nullable,
then the tables use a full join.
4 If none of the previous conditions are met, then the tables use an inner join.
You can specify the join type by right-clicking on the join icon ( ) and selecting
the join type from the menu.
Adding a Join
Drag and Drop Join Lines

To add a join by selecting a column name and dragging your pointer to another
column:
1 Place your pointer on one of the columns in a table to use, and then click and
drag your pointer to a column in the other table to use in the join.
2 If you want a join type other than an inner join, then select the join, right-click,
and select the join type.
TIP The first table that is added to the workspace is always set as the left
table. You can switch the right table and left table by using the Joins tab.
Use the Joins Tab

To add a join manually:
1 Click the Joins tab.
2 Click .
3 Use the menus to replace Not Selected with the table names to use in the
join. Click Save.
4 The default join type is an inner join. Use the menu in the Join Type column
to select a different join type.
5 Click in the Join conditions area.
6 Use the menus to replace Not Selected with the column names to use in
the join condition. Click Save.
7 Click to save the join condition with the data query.
Example: Joins with a Junction Table

By default, the data builder considers the first table that you drop in the
workspace as the fact table. As you add tables to the data query, the data
builder attempts to join the tables with the first table, the fact table. This strategy
works well for straightforward fact table and dimension table arrangements.
However, in many cases, you need to join additional tables to a junction table.
Junction tables are also known as bridge tables or link tables.
In the following figure, the Bridge and Accounts_Dim tables are joined to the
Fact table. The Accounts_Dim table has a join on the Account_Key column. The
Bridge table is joined on the compound key (represented as two lines), which
consists of the Transaction_Key and Segment_ID columns.
To retrieve the transaction amount and transaction type from the Entity_Dim
table, it must have a join that uses the Bridge table instead of the first table (fact
table) that was added to the workspace.
To create a join to a junction (or bridge) table:
1 Add the fact table to the data query first.

Managing Joins in a Data Query 71
2 Add the dimension tables, such as the Accounts_Dim table and junction
tables. The data builder attempts to join the tables automatically.
Review the join as follows:
a Check that the correct columns are used.
b Change the join type, such as from inner to left, as needed.
3 Add the tables that use the junction table, such as the Entity_Dim table.
Initially, the data builder attempts to join the tables to the fact table.
Correct the join as follows:
a Select the automatic join to the fact table, right-click, and select Remove
Join Condition.
b Use your pointer to connect the keys from the junction table to the
dimension table.
c Change the join type as needed.
Remove a Join
You can remove a join by using either of the following methods:
n Select the join in the workspace, right-click, and select Remove Join
Condition.
n Click the Joins tab, select the row in the table, and click .
Managing Joins in a Data Query

Once a join is added to a data query, you can change the join by selecting it in
the workspace, right-clicking, and changing the join type or removing the join
condition.
You can also change a join by clicking the Joins tab, and then selecting the row
in the table. You can make the following changes:
n add and remove tables from the join list
n reorder the sequence of joins by moving them up or down
n switch the left table and right table assignments for a join
n add, remove, and change the columns that are used in the join condition
The Joins tab shows the join condition for the entire data query. Make sure that
you select a row in the upper table to set the columns in the Join conditions
area.
The workspace shows a link between the tables that are used in a join. If you
specify a left join or right join, then the icon reflects which table provides the
bulk of the data. If you rearrange the tables in the workspace (switching the left
table and right table), then the icon continues to reflect which table provides
the bulk of the data. In order to change the data relationship, use either of the
following methods:
n Switch the left table and right table by selecting a row from the table, and
clicking .
n Change the join type from left to right or from right to left.
Best Practices for Managing Joins

In most cases, the sequence in which joins are specified on the Joins tab does
not matter. However, it is possible that the query optimizer for the data source
might perform the joins in a sequence that reduces performance. In these rare
cases, you can change the sequence in which joins are specified on the Joins
tab by selecting the join in the list, and clicking or . This join sequence is
still determined by the query optimizer, but you can control how the SQL for the
join is presented to the query optimizer.
73
14
Creating LASR Star Schemas
What is a LASR Star Schema? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Create a LASR Star Schema . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
How Are Tables Used? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Input Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Column Prefixes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Output Table and Conserving Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Performance Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
What is a LASR Star Schema?

A LASR star schema is very similar to a typical star schema in a relational
database. Imagine a single fact table that is surrounded by dimension tables.
Each dimension table is joined to the fact table using a dimension key.
Here are some key facts about LASR star schemas:
n Typically, the dimension key and the corresponding column in the fact table
are the same data type and length. If your tables do not use the same data
type and length, then there are two ways to correct the data:
o Change the data definition in the system with the original data.
o Create a data query that modifies the columns and outputs the table to an
in-memory table.
n Single-level star schemas are supported. Snowflake schemas are not.
n A LASR Star Schema is limited to a single join condition. It does not support
multiple key columns between fact and dimension tables.
Create a LASR Star Schema

To create a LASR star schema:
1 Select LASR  Create a Star Schema.
2 Drag and drop tables or data queries from the SAS Folders tree onto the
workspace. Keep the following suggestions in mind:
74 Chapter 14 / Creating LASR Star Schemas
n Drag and drop the fact table first and then the dimension tables.
n Any input tables that are not already in a SAS LASR Analytic Server
library are loaded to memory when the star schema is run.
n If a dimension table shows the icon, then it usually indicates that the
data builder could not determine the join condition for the dimension
table. Position your pointer over the icon for information about how to
correct the incomplete table status.
n If a dimension table shows the icon, then it usually indicates that the
table is from a different SAS LASR Analytic Server library than the output
table. You must use one SAS LASR Analytic Server library only.
3 (Optional) If you do not want a column from the dimension table in the output
table, then select the column in the table in the workspace, right-click, and
select Remove Column.
Note: All of the columns from the fact table are automatically selected and
required to be included in the output table.
4 (Optional) Click the Joins tab to review the columns that are used to
generate the output table.
5 (Optional) Specify a different column prefix. For more information, see

“Column Prefixes”.
6 Click the Output tab, and specify a name for the output table.
7 Click , and specify a name and location for the LASR star schema.
8 Click to generate the output table.
How Are Tables Used?
Input Tables
The fact table and dimension tables are used in the star schema after you drag
and drop them onto the workspace. By default, the data builder considers the
first table that you drop in the workspace as the fact table. Click from the
toolbar to select a different fact table.
Because the star schema is formed in memory by the server, the first step is to
make sure that the tables are loaded to memory. Be aware that the tables are
transferred each time the star schema runs and this can reduce performance.
Conversely, if the tables are already loaded to memory on the server, the star
schema runs and generates the output faster.
When creating a star schema using tables from the same SASHDAT library, the
star schema will fail to run if one or more of the tables in the star schema is
encrypted, but the SASHDAT library is not encrypted. In this case, you will
receive an error message indicating that a password is needed for the encrypted
tables. This can occur when your administrator turns encryption off for a
previously encrypted library. Any table that was in the library beforehand will
How Are Tables Used? 75
remain encrypted. Your administrator can resolve the issue by turning encryption
back on for the library. Contact your administrator for more information.
Column Prefixes
The first 15 characters of a dimension table’s name and the underscore
character are initially set as a prefix for the column names from the dimension
table. Column names for the output table are a combination of the prefix and the
original column name.
However, you can specify a different value for the prefix after you select the
table name from the menu at the top of the Inputs tab.
Column names from the fact table are not modified with a prefix.
TIP A column name is limited to 32 characters. If you have a long column

name, then reducing the prefix can help you keep more of the original column
name.
Output Table and Conserving Memory

To use memory efficiently, the default output for the schema is a view. The
Create output as a view check box on the Output tab is selected by default to
create a view. If you clear the check box, then the output is a table.
When the output is a view, the rows are created from the original tables when
the view is accessed. This is the main advantage of a view because it does not
create the entire output table and hold it all in memory.
Note: If you choose to output as a view, the memory usage size will display the
value as if the star schema was output as a table.
If you clear the Create output as a view check box to create a table from the
star schema, then the system must have enough available memory to store the
table. If the system runs out of memory while running the star schema, then the
memory that was used for the output table is freed and you receive an error
message.
If you use SAS LASR Analytic Server tables for input to the schema, then the
output table for the star schema must use the same library.
When using tables from an SASHDAT library to create a star schema, the star
schema will fail to save if the SASHDAT library path and the tag of the LASR
output library do not match. In this case, you will receive an error message
stating that the library path does not match the SAS LASR Analytic Server tag.
Try changing the output table to a LASR library whose tag matches the
SASHDAT library path. You can view the tag for the LASR library in SAS
Management Console. For more information, contact your administrator.
Performance Considerations
Creating a LASR star schema as a view can be more convenient than creating a
table, but accessing data through the view can impact performance negatively.
The scale of the impact depends on the size of the dimension tables. However,
the number of passes through the data is even more important. For example,
requesting percentiles or box plots or fitting statistical models requires passing
76 Chapter 14 / Creating LASR Star Schemas
through the data multiple times. These requests are impacted more than a
request for summary statistics.
Keep the following considerations in mind:
n The initial creation of a view is faster than forming a table. However,
accessing the data in a view is slower than accessing the data from a table.
n Creating a table requires more physical memory than creating a view. If your
system has sufficient memory capacity, then creating a table provides the
best performance for accessing the data.
77
15
Working with SAS LASR Analytic
Server
Using SAS LASR Analytic Server Libraries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Default Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Input Libraries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Output Libraries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Load a Table (As Is) to SAS LASR Analytic Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Appending In-Memory Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
How Does Appending In-Memory Tables Work? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Append In-Memory Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
How Are Tables Used? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Delete Table Metadata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Distributed Server: Using SASHDAT Libraries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Default Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Staging Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Output Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Restrictions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Distributed Server: Save an In-Memory Table to SASHDAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Distributed Server: Legacy Co-located Providers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Distributed Server: Partition Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Monitoring Memory Usage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Using SAS LASR Analytic Server Libraries
Default Library
During installation, the SAS Deployment Wizard registers a predefined library for
SAS LASR Analytic Server. This library is available for use in the SAS Folders
tree, and it is located in /Shared Data/SAS Visual Analytics/Public/
Visual Analytics Public LASR.
This library is intentionally configured as a general-purpose library with
extremely limited restrictions for securing data access.
78 Chapter 15 / Working with SAS LASR Analytic Server
Input Libraries
When you select a SAS LASR Analytic Server table as an input table for a data
query, be aware of the following best practices if the table is large. If the table is
not large, then using it for input requires no special considerations.
Here are the considerations for using a large SAS LASR Analytic Server table as
an input table:
n A WHERE clause is processed in memory by the server if no aggregations or
joins are used. Specify a filter on the Where tab so that you use only the
rows that you want.
n Instead of using a data query (which transfers the data from the server to the
SAS Workspace Server and then performs the join), you can create a LASR
star schema. The LASR star schema performs the join in memory with other
in-memory tables.
Output Libraries
A SAS LASR Analytic Server library is initially configured as the default output
library. When you run a data query, click Explore Results to explore the
table immediately.
You can select the Append data check box on the Properties tab to add rows
to an in-memory table. However, this option is not available if you use a
SASHDAT library as a staging library. Instead, you can use the data query to
append rows, and then save the in-memory table as a SASHDAT table.
Load a Table (As Is) to SAS LASR Analytic

Server
The data builder is typically used to perform basic data preparation. However,
there are cases when a table is already prepared for analysis. In these cases,
you can load a table to memory on SAS LASR Analytic Server without any
modification.
To load a table into memory on a SAS LASR Analytic Server:
1 Use the SAS Folders tree to locate the table.
TIP You can also click , and search for the table by name and location.
2 Select the table, right-click, and select Load a Table.
3 The fields in the Source Table section are filled automatically.

Appending In-Memory Tables 79
Specify the following settings in the dialog box:

Table 15.1 Load a Table Dialog Box Properties
Field Description
Name Enter the name to use for the table. This

field is initially set to the same name as
the source table. This name is
registered in metadata with the SAS
LASR Analytic Server library.
Description Enter a description of the data. This

description is displayed by SAS clients
such as SAS Visual Analytics Explorer.
Location This field is initially set to a default

folder. Click Browse, and select a folder
to use for the table metadata.
Library This field is initially set to a default

library. Click Browse, and select the
SAS LASR Analytic Server library to
use with the table.
4 Click OK.
Appending In-Memory Tables
How Does Appending In-Memory Tables Work?

The data builder provides a very convenient way to add incremental data into a
single table. For example, if sales data is loaded into memory on a daily
schedule, you can append the numerous daily tables into a separate table that
contains the cumulative sales data.
For the purpose of comparison, you can create a data query to append to an in-
memory table with a data query. One reason to append entire tables is that you
can also access the tables individually.
Append In-Memory Tables

To append in-memory tables:
1 Select LASR  Append Tables.
2 Select the table that you want to append data to from the Available tables
list, and click to move it to the Base table field.
If the table that you want to use is not listed, click to view a different
source library. If a table is added to the library after you click , then the list
does not automatically refresh to show the new table. Select the same library
again to refresh its contents.
3 Add tables to the Source tables list. These are the tables that have the rows
to append to the base table.
4 (Optional) If you select the Unload source tables after appending them to
the base table check box, then the source tables are dropped from memory
after the append completes.
Select this option only if you do not want to access the source tables
individually.
5 Click , and specify a name and location.
6 Click to append the source tables.
Note: If an administrator reloads the base table, any data that you previously
appended to the table will not be saved. The base table will go back to its
original content and size.
Note: If the append fails and you get an error message that says that the file is
read-only, in some cases it could mean that your administrator has indicated the
fullcopyto= option for the table. You cannot append to a table that includes
this option. Contact your administrator for more information.
How Are Tables Used?
Base and Source Tables

The following list identifies the considerations for source tables:
n The source tables and base table must be in-memory and in the same
library.
n The source tables can be LASR star schema views. However, the base table
cannot be a view.
n If you append tables with character columns of different lengths, then the
length of the column in the base table takes precedence. For example, if you
have a column in the base table that is 15 characters and a column in the
source table is 20 characters, the data from the source table’s column is
truncated to 15 characters.
n If the base table is partitioned, then the source tables must be partitioned on
the same variables.
n If the base table has a column that is not present in a source table, then the
rows in the source table receive a missing value for the column that is not
present in the source table.
n If a source table has columns that are not present in the base table, then the
columns are dropped and are not appended to the base table. The base
table always maintains the same number of columns.
n The order of the columns in a source table does not need to match the order
of the columns in the base table.
n The data builder does not prevent you from appending the same source table
more than once. Review the source table list to ensure you did not
accidentally use a source table more than once.
Distributed Server: Using SASHDAT Libraries 81
Conserving Memory
After you append the source tables, the base table grows to accommodate the
additional rows. This consumes memory on the SAS LASR Analytic Server.
If you do not need to access the source tables after appending them, then you
can select the Unload source tables after appending them to the base table
check box. This option conserves memory, but you must ensure that the source
tables are loaded to memory again (often with newer data) before you can run
the append again.
Delete Table Metadata

You can use the Delete menu option in the data builder to delete the metadata
for a table that has not yet been loaded to SAS LASR Analytic Server.
If you want to delete a table that has been loaded to SAS LASR Analytic Server,
you must first unload the table from SAS LASR Analytic Server, and then delete
the metadata for the table. For more information, contact your administrator, or
see Loading Data  Administer LASR Tables in SAS Visual Analytics:
To delete the metadata for a table:
1 Right-click on the table in the navigation pane.
2 Click Delete on the drop-down menu.
3 Click Yes in the confirmation message that is displayed.
Note: If the Delete option on the drop-down menu is grayed out, it means that
you do not have permission to delete the metadata for the table.
Distributed Server: Using SASHDAT

Libraries
Default Library
When your deployment uses Hadoop as a co-located HDFS or NFS-mounted
MapR, the SAS Deployment Wizard registers a predefined library for it. This
library is available for use in the SAS Folders tree, and it is located in /Shared
Data/SAS Visual Analytics/Public/Visual Analytics Public HDFS.
Staging Library
You can specify a SASHDAT library as a staging library. This is a common use
because the rows for the output table are distributed among the machines in the
cluster. The server can then read the data in parallel when it loads the table to
memory.
You must specify a SAS LASR Analytic Server library for the output library when
you use a SASHDAT library for staging.
Output Library
You can specify a SASHDAT library as an output library. The engine distributes
the rows for the table to the machines in the cluster. Afterward, you can select
the table from the SAS Folders tree, right-click, and select Load a Table. This
menu option loads the table to memory on a SAS LASR Analytic Server.
You can partition SASHDAT tables when they are used in an output library. You
can select a column to use from the Partition by menu. Partitioning the table
ensures that all of the rows with the same formatted value as the selected
column are distributed to one machine in the cluster. The rows are also placed in
the same block. When you load a partitioned table to memory, the partitioning
information is retained, and the result is a partitioned in-memory table.
See Also
“Distributed Server: Partition Tables” on page 83
Restrictions
The following restrictions apply to using SASHDAT libraries with SAS Visual
Data Builder:
n You cannot specify a SASHDAT library as an input library because the
SASHDAT engine is a Write-only engine.
n The Append data check box on the Properties tab is disabled. The
SASHDAT engine does not support appending data.
n If you specify a SASHDAT library as an output library, you cannot view the
results on the Results tab because the SASHDAT engine is a Write-only
engine.
Distributed Server: Save an In-Memory

Table to SASHDAT
Note: This task is applicable if you use a distributed server with co-located
HDFS or NFS-mounted MapR.
To save an in-memory table to SASHDAT:
1 Select LASR  Save a SASHDAT Table.
2 Next to the Name field, click to select the SAS LASR Analytic Server
table.
3 In the SASHDAT Table section, make any necessary changes to the

Location and Library fields.
Note: The data builder is initially configured to use the Visual Analytics
Public LASR library and Visual Analytics Public HDFS library. If you specify
different libraries, then make sure that you understand how the SASHDAT
path is related to the server tag for the SAS LASR Analytic Server library. For
more information, see SAS Visual Analytics: Administration Guide.
Distributed Server: Partition Tables 83
4 (Optional) Specify options in the Properties panel. By default, the data

builder replaces the table if it already exists. You can specify the number of
redundant copies to save.
5 Click , and make any necessary changes.
6 Click to save the table.
Note: The table is saved with the user ID of the user that started the SAS LASR
Analytic Server.
Distributed Server: Legacy Co-located

Providers
One of the most powerful benefits of SAS LASR Analytic Server is the ability to
read data in parallel from a co-located data provider. In this configuration, the
SAS LASR Analytic Server software is installed on the same hardware as the
data provider. The following legacy data providers are supported, and their
default library names and locations are as follows:
Teradata Data Warehouse Appliance
/Shared Data/SAS Visual Analytics/Public/Visual Analytics
Public Teradata
Greenplum Data Computing Appliance
/Shared Data/SAS Visual Analytics/Public/Visual Analytics
Public Greenplum
The data builder excels at accessing data from a variety of data sources,
performing basic data preparation, and then staging the prepared data. After the
data is staged, the server can load the data to memory for exploration, reporting,
and further in-memory data preparation.
Distributed Server: Partition Tables

When you specify a SAS LASR Analytic Server or SASHDAT library as an
output library, you can specify a partition key for the table. You can select a
column to use from the Partition by menu.
Partitioning uses the formatted values of the partition key to group rows that
have the same value for the key. All of the rows that have the same value for the
key are loaded to a single machine in the cluster. For SAS LASR Analytic Server
libraries, this means that the rows that have the same value for the key are in
memory on one machine. For SASHDAT libraries, all of the rows that have the
same value for the key are written to a single file block on one machine. (The
block is replicated to other machines for redundancy.) When the partitioned table
is loaded onto a server, the partitioning remains when it is in memory.
If you select a partition key and also specify sort options for columns on the
Column Editor tab, the sort options are passed to the current engine in an
ORDERBY= option. This enhancement applies to SAS LASR Analytic Server
and SASHDAT libraries and can improve performance once the data is in
memory.
When you specify a partition key, avoid using a variable that has few unique
values. For example, partitioning by a flag column that is Boolean results in all
rows on two machines because only two values are available. At the other end
of the spectrum, partitioning large tables by a nearly unique key results in many
partitions that have few rows.
Determining the optimal partition key can be a challenging task. However, as an
example, if you tend to access data based on a customer ID, then you might
improve performance by partitioning the data by customer.
See Also
SAS LASR Analytic Server: Reference Guide
Monitoring Memory Usage

A memory gauge is visible in the menu bar that shows the amount of physical
memory that is used on the server.
The server rejects requests to add tables or append rows when 80% or more of
the memory is used. (The default value for the server is 75%. SAS Visual
Analytics deployments set the value at 80%.) System administrators can specify
a different value for the server with SAS Management Console.
For non-distributed deployments, the 80% threshold applies to the single
machine. For distributed deployments, the 80% threshold is evaluated for each
machine in the cluster.
If the threshold is crossed, the operation fails, and the Messages tab includes
an error that is similar to the following example:
ERROR: A server-side limit on the consumption of memory resources

has been reached. These limits can be adjusted by the owner or by
the administrator of the LASR Analytic Server.
In some deployments with limited network bandwidth, the data builder cannot
communicate with the SAS LASR Analytic Server monitor, and the memory
gauge fails to appear.
See Also
SAS Visual Analytics: Administration Guide
85
16
Importing SAS Information Maps
About SAS Information Maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Import a SAS Information Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Limitations and Restrictions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
About SAS Information Maps

A SAS Information Map is descriptive information that is used by many SAS
solutions and Business Intelligence products. An information map is applied to
the data sources in your data warehouse to describe the structure and content of
data. An information map does not contain any physical data. Information maps
provide business users with a user-friendly way to understand data so that they
can perform data queries and get results for themselves.
SAS Information Maps are created with either SAS Information Map Studio or
the INFOMAPS procedure. SAS Visual Data Builder cannot create, edit, or save
an information map. However, the data builder can import the business logic
from a relational information map and represent it as an SQL query.
See Also
Base SAS Guide to Information Maps
Import a SAS Information Map

To import a SAS Information Map:
1 Use the SAS Folders tree to locate the map ( ).
2 Select the map, right-click, and select Import Query.

A new data query is created with the same name as the map. The output
table is automatically set with the same name as the map.
The business logic is imported from the map and represented as an SQL query
on the Code tab.
86 Chapter 16 / Importing SAS Information Maps
TIP If you want to join a table, then save the data query, create a new data
query, and add it as a subquery.
See Also
Chapter 18, “Customizing Code,” on page 89
Limitations and Restrictions

SAS Visual Data Builder has the following limitations and restrictions for working
with information maps:
n The data builder can use information maps that are based on relational
tables. Information maps that are based on OLAP cubes cannot be used.
n The information map cannot use more than 50 physical tables. A table that is
used more than once in a self join counts as one physical table.
n The information map cannot use more that 5000 physical columns. A column
that is used in more than one data item counts as one physical column.
n Prompts are not supported. Even if a prompt has a default value, the default
value is not included.
n Data items that are based on business data are not supported. For example,
the equation Dataitem1 = Year + 2 (where Year is a data item) is not
included in the data query.
n Data items that are based on physical columns are not supported. For
example, the equation Dataitem2 = FirstName || LastName (where
FirstName and LastName are columns) is not included in the data query.
n The output table is automatically named with the same name as the map.
The name field is limited to 32 characters.
87
17
Supporting Text Analysis
Features Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Load a Stop List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Add a Unique Numeric Key to a Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Features Overview
SAS Visual Analytics can perform text analysis with the explorer. To enable text
analysis, perform the following data administration tasks with the data builder:
n Load a stop list to filter out commonly used words.
n Add a numeric key to existing tables that have unstructured text.
n Acquire Twitter data to analyze tweet trends. For more information about
Twitter, see Chapter 6, “Importing Data from Other Sources,” on page 31.
Load a Stop List

A stop list is a table of words that you want to ignore in your text analysis. By
eliminating some commonly used words, such as the various forms of the verb
“to be,” you can filter out noise from your analysis. SAS Visual Analytics
supports text analysis in English and German, and includes stop lists for both
languages.
To load a stop list:
1 Select Tools  Load Text Analytics Stop List.
2 Make changes to the location and library if necessary. Each stop list must be
stored in its own metadata folder.
A table named ENGSTOPL or GRMSTOPL is registered in the location and
library that you specified.
3 Click OK.
SAS Visual Analytics supports one stop list for each SAS LASR Analytic Server.
You load the stop list (which is a table) to memory by performing the previous
steps. If more than one library is registered for SAS LASR Analytic Server, then
88 Chapter 17 / Supporting Text Analysis
you can use any one of them. If you load a stop list more than once or use more
than one library, then the server uses the last stop list that was loaded to
memory.
Add a Unique Numeric Key to a Table

In the case where your data already includes unstructured text that you want to
analyze, the data builder can add a unique numeric key as a column in the table.
For example, many data tables include a text column for comments. Using text
analysis, you can look for trends or themes within these comments. The text
analysis in SAS Visual Analytics requires a unique numeric key to reference the
data sources.
To add a unique numeric key to a table:
1 Create a new data query.
2 Add the columns to include in the text analysis by clicking the column name
in the table in the workspace.
3 In the Column Editor, right-click on the first row in the table, and select Add
Generated Key Column.
A column that is named GENERATED_ID is added to the table.
4 Specify an output table, library, and location.
5 Save and run the data query.
When you run the data query, the GENERATED_ID column begins at zero and
increments for each row in the source table. If you select the Append data
check box on the Properties tab, then the data query increments from the
current maximum value.
If the data that you want to use is already in memory on SAS LASR Analytic
Server, then performing the previous steps results in the following sequence of
data movements:
n The data is read from memory on SAS LASR Analytic Server and transferred
to the SAS Application Server.
n The data query runs and adds the generated key column.
n The data is transferred back to SAS LASR Analytic Server in a new table.
You can avoid these data movements by adding the generated key column
before loading the table to memory on SAS LASR Analytic Server.
89
18
Customizing Code
Use the Code Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Preprocess and Postprocess Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Considerations for Manually Editing Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Before You Manually Edit Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Table and Column Metadata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Input and Output Libraries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Validate Custom Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Use the Code Tab

You can click the Code tab to view the SQL statements that are generated by
the data preparation expressions on the Design tab.
You can also use the Code tab to enter custom code.
n The Preprocess and Postprocess views enable you to enter SAS
statements that are run before and after the data query runs.
n The All Code view shows the generated SQL statements. Click to unlock
the view so that you can manually edit all of the SAS statements for the data
query. After you have unlocked the view, the button icon changes to .
After you have unlocked the view, you cannot continue using the Design tab to
edit the data query, and the Preprocess and Postprocess views are disabled.
However, if you have not saved your changes to the code, you can click to be
able to use the Design tab.
Preprocess and Postprocess Code

In some cases, you might want to assign SAS options, load format catalogs, use
LIBNAME statements, or run macros before running a data query. You can
unlock the code to enter the statements, but that prevents you from using the
Design tab. However, the Preprocess view or Postprocess view might enable
you to supplement the data query while using the code generation features of
the Design tab.
90 Chapter 18 / Customizing Code
Any SAS statements that you enter in the Preprocess view or Postprocess
view are included in the All Code view.
Considerations for Manually Editing Code
Before You Manually Edit Code

The code generation features in SAS Visual Data Builder can generate a lot of
SAS statements with a few simple clicks. Depending on your needs, you might
benefit by using the Design tab for adding input tables, performing joins, and
filtering data before you customize the generated code.
Before you unlock the code, you must perform the following steps:
1 On the Outputs tab, specify the information for the output table, including the
table name, location, and library. If you do not specify the table name or the
table name is already in use, then you will not be able to save the data query.
2 (Optional) Specify the following optional settings, if needed:
n On the Properties tab, select Unique values to determine whether the

DISTINCT keyword is included in the generated PROC SQL statement.
After you unlock the code, Unique values cannot be selected to include
the keyword.
n On the Properties tab, select Append data to enable you to use the
generated SAS statements for appending data to the output table.
n On the Outputs tab, select Use a staging table and specify the library
for the staging table.
3 Save the data query by clicking . When you save the data query, the
metadata for the table is registered. If you do not save the query before
unlocking the code, you will receive empty columns when you run the query.
See Also
SAS Language Interfaces to Metadata
Table and Column Metadata

After unlocking the code and saving it, the columns in the output table are
removed from metadata. This is because the data builder uses the columns
selected on the Design tab to create column metadata, and those column
selections are no longer available after you unlock the view on the Code tab.
When you run the unlocked data query, the column metadata is registered as
part of running the code. However, the columns might not be visible in the data
builder immediately because the table metadata (without any columns) is
cached in the application.
If you did not save the query at least one time before unlocking the code, you
will receive empty columns when you run the query. Make sure that you save the
query before you unlock the code.
Considerations for Manually Editing Code 91
Input and Output Libraries

When you unlock the code for manual editing, you must specify the libraries to
use for your tables. You can do this with LIBNAME statements. If you dragged
and dropped the tables onto the workspace before you unlocked the code for
manual editing, then the LIBNAME statements for the tables are automatically
included.
See Also
n SAS Statements: Reference
n SAS/ACCESS for Relational Databases: Reference
Validate Custom Code

If you entered SAS statements in the Preprocess or Postprocess view, then
those statements are not validated when you click .
If you unlock the code in the All Code view, then the button is disabled. You
cannot validate customized code.
92 Chapter 18 / Customizing Code
93
19
Scheduling
About Scheduling Data Queries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
How Does the Scheduling Feature Work? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Edit Data Queries That Are Already Scheduled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Stop Scheduled Data Queries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Caution about Scheduling Data Queries to Run Now . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Scheduling Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
When Are the Scheduling Preferences Used? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Creating Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Why Use Events? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Create a Time Event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Create a File Event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Export Data Queries as Jobs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Additional Scheduling Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
About Scheduling Data Queries
How Does the Scheduling Feature Work?

Note: By default, you cannot edit a schedule that was created by a different
user. To edit a schedule that was created by a different user, your administrator
must grant you Read and Write permissions on the .sas file, located in the /
Lev1/SASApp/SASEnvironment/SASCode/Jobs directory for your operating
system.
When you have a data query open in the workspace, you can click to
schedule the data query. When you schedule a data query, the data builder
performs the following operations:
1 Creates a job that performs the data query operations.
2 Creates a deployed job from the job.
3 Places the job into a new deployed flow.
4 Schedules the flow on a scheduling server.
You can schedule the data query based on specified conditions (for example,
run immediately or run whenever a trigger condition is met).
94 Chapter 19 / Scheduling
The job, deployed job, and deployed flow are metadata objects. The data builder
stores them in the same metadata folder with the data query. The metadata
objects are named based on the following pattern:
vdb_name_timestamp
Up to 42 characters from the data query name are used as the name.
When the specified conditions are met, the data query is run with the user ID
that scheduled it. This is the behavior for the Operating System Services
Scheduler.
Edit Data Queries That Are Already Scheduled

If you edit a data query that is already scheduled, you must click again so
that the SAS statements for the data query are regenerated and saved.
Otherwise, the schedule will not continue to run.
Stop Scheduled Data Queries

To stop a scheduled data query and prevent it from running, you must delete the
trigger that is associated with it. To stop a scheduled data query by deleting the
associated trigger, perform the following steps:
1 Open the data query that you want to edit.
2 In the workspace, click to open the Schedule window.
3 Select the trigger that you want to delete, and then click Delete.
4 If you deleted the last trigger in the list, you must perform one of the following
steps in order to proceed:
n Create a new trigger by clicking New Time Event.
n Run the query immediately by selecting Run now.
5 Click OK.
6 In the workspace, click to save.
7 Click to run.
Note: If you deleted all of the triggers and then selected Run now, the
scheduled data query no longer runs but it will still exist in the SAS Management
Console. To permanently delete the scheduled data query, you must use the
SAS Management Console. For more information, see the Deleting Jobs and
Flows topic in Scheduling in SAS.
Caution about Scheduling Data Queries to Run

Now
When you schedule a data query, one of the options is to run it immediately.
Select Run now in the Schedule window.
Performing the following steps results in an error condition:
1 Use a SAS data set for the output table of the data query.
About Scheduling Data Queries 95
2 Run the data query.

3 Click the Results tab to look at the output.
4 Schedule the data query by selecting Run now.

These steps result in an error condition because SAS unlocks a SAS data set
when it is opened for reading. When step 3 is performed, the output table is
locked, and no other process can overwrite the output table. The following
message is included in the SAS log:
Locked Error Message

ERROR: A lock is not available for OUTPUTTABLE.
ERROR: Lock held by process xxxx.
You can avoid this error condition. If you want to schedule the data query to run
now, then close it, open it again, and schedule it to run now. Alternatively, you
can schedule the data query to run in the future and then close the data query.
Scheduling Preferences
Default Scheduling Server

By default, your deployment includes a server that is named Operating
System Services – hostname.example.com. This server is used as the
default scheduling server.
Use the Server Manager plug-in to SAS Management Console to identify the
scheduling servers that are included in your deployment. You can specify a
different scheduling server in your application preferences. Any data queries that
you schedule after you specify a different scheduling server will use the new
scheduling server.
Note: The Distributed In-process scheduling server is not supported.
Some deployments include the Platform Suite for SAS server. To use this server,
change the scheduling server. The default name is Platform Process
Manager.
In all cases, when you schedule a new data query, the data builder retrieves
your default scheduling server, and uses that value to look up the scheduling
server in SAS metadata. The data builder uses the first server that matches the
value in SAS metadata. Including the host name, such as Operating System
Services – hostname.example.com ensures that the data builder uses the
server that you specify.
Default Batch Server

By default, your deployment includes a server that is named SASApp – SAS
DATA Step Batch Server. This server is used as the default batch server.
You can specify a different batch server in your application preferences.
Consider the following before you change the default batch server:
n The batch server must be registered in metadata as a component of a SAS
Application Server that you can access.
n You must specify the same SAS Application Server as your default
application server in your preferences.
As with the default scheduling server, the data builder retrieves your default
batch server, and uses that value to look up the batch server in SAS metadata
the first time you schedule the data query. The data builder uses the first server
that matches the value in SAS metadata.
If you have multiple server contexts and each context has its own batch servers,
then you should specify in preferences the servers that you want to use.
Default Deployment Directory

A deployment directory is a SAS metadata object that represents the following
items:
n the name of the SAS Application Server with which the deployment directory
is associated. The default value is SASApp.
n a name for the deployment directory. The default value is Batch Jobs.
n the path to the deployment directory. The default value is SAS-config-dir/

Lev1/SASApp/SASEnvironment/SASCode/Jobs.
When you schedule a data query, the SAS statements for the data query are
saved in a file. The file is saved in the path that is associated with the
deployment directory. The file is named based on the same pattern that is
described in “How Does the Scheduling Feature Work?” on page 93.
The data builder looks up the SAS Application Server in the SAS Metadata
Server using your scheduling server preference setting. The initial value is
SASApp. If a matching server name is not found, then the data builder uses the
first application server that is returned. After the server is determined, the data
builder looks up the deployment directory in that server context that matches
your scheduling server preference setting. If a matching deployment directory is
not found, then the data builder uses the first deployment directory that is
returned.
You can specify a different name for the default deployment directory. For more
information about deployment directories and using the Server Manager plug-in
to SAS Management Console, see Scheduling in SAS.
When Are the Scheduling Preferences Used?

Any of the preferences that you change are used the next time you create a data
query and schedule it. If you edit an existing data query that is already
scheduled, then the existing settings for the scheduling server, batch server, and
deployment directory are not updated with the changes. To change the settings
for existing data queries that are already scheduled, use SAS Management
Console to redeploy the deployed job for the data query.
Creating Events 97
Creating Events
Why Use Events?

Events specify conditions that must be met before a step in the flow can take
place. You can use SAS Visual Data Builder to create two types of events.
n Time events are evaluated based on a specified time being reached.
Note: You can specify multiple time events. However, the Operating System
Services Scheduler (the default scheduler) can use only one of the time
events.
n File events are evaluated based on the state of a specified file.
You can create file events if your deployment includes a scheduling server that
supports them, and the flow is deployed to that scheduling server. Time and file
events can be used as triggers (conditions that must be met in order to run a
flow on the scheduling server).
Create a Time Event

You can create a time event and use it as a trigger.
To create a time event:
1 In the Schedule window, select Select one or more triggers for this data
query, and then click New Time Event.
2 In the New Time Event window, specify whether the time event should
happen one time only or more than once. If the time event should happen
one time only, then specify the date and time for the time event.
3 If the time event should happen more than once, then select More than
once and then select a radio button for how often the time event should
repeat (such as hourly, weekly, or yearly).
4 Specify the details of when the time event should repeat. The specific fields
that are available depend on the recurrence interval that you select.
If you select Hourly, then the time is calculated from hour zero on a 24-hour
clock. For example, if you leave Interval hour set to 1, then the data query
runs at hour zero (midnight), and runs each hour. If you set Interval hour to
2, then the data query runs every other hour, and the Offset hour specifies
whether to run on the even hours (when set to 0) or on the odd hours (when
set to 1). In this case, the Offset hour specifies the offset from hour zero
(midnight).
If the recurrence interval requires you to select start times, then use the
Hours and Minutes check boxes to select the times. The Minutes area
contains groupings of 10-minute intervals. Selecting a check box for a minute
grouping selects all of the minutes in that grouping.
TIP The following display is available after selecting More than once and
then Daily on the New Time Event window.
To select individual minutes, expand the grouping.
If you select multiple values for Hours, then all of the selections for Minutes
apply to all of the selected values. For example, if you select 19:00 (07:00
PM) and 22:00 (10:00 PM) for Hours, and 43 for Minutes, then the time
event is scheduled for 19:43 and 22:43.
5 The Duration in minutes field is used to specify the maximum number of

minutes after the specified time has been reached that the dependency is
kept in an open state. This value is used when a job has multiple
dependencies. It specifies a window of time in which the time event remains
open so that other events can also be met.
For example, a query is specified to run only if a file event and a time event
are both met. The time event has a value for Duration in minutes of 10.
When the time specified for the time event is reached, the query runs if the
file event is met at any time up to 10 minutes later.
6 If needed, specify the start date and end date for the time event. The default
is to start at the current date and time and not to have an end date.
Export Data Queries as Jobs 99
Create a File Event

You can create a file event and use it as a trigger. The file event can check for
various file conditions, such as its existence, size, or age.
Note: Not all scheduling servers support file events. Platform Suite for SAS
servers do support file events. The New File Event button that is used to create
a file event is available only when the scheduling server supports file events.
To create a file event:
1 In the Schedule window, select Select one or more triggers for this data
query, and then click New File Event.
2 In the New File Event window, specify or select the file to use for the file
event.
3 Select the condition to evaluate the file to make the file event true. For
example, if you selected not exist for the condition, the file event would be
true only if the selected file was not in the specified location.
4 If needed, specify the details (such as size or age) about the condition.
Export Data Queries as Jobs

For deployments that include SAS Data Integration Studio and prefer to deploy
jobs, create flows, and schedule flows manually, you can export a data query as
a job, and then perform the deployment steps.
This feature enables you to work with a data query interactively while you create
it, and then you can export the data query as a job for automating the
operations. After the job is exported, you can deploy the job for scheduling with
SAS Data Integration Studio. For more information about deploying jobs, see
Scheduling in SAS.
After a job is stored in metadata, you can open the job with SAS Data Integration
Studio and edit it. This might be necessary if you need to add or remove
columns or change the column expression in a calculated column.
If the deployment does not include SAS Data Integration Studio, then you can
modify the data query and export it as a job again. However, you cannot
overwrite job objects in metadata with the data builder. If you need to delete
objects from metadata (such as jobs, libraries, or tables), use SAS Management
Console.
To export a data query as a job:
1 Use the SAS Folders tree to locate the data query.
2 Select the data query, right-click, and select Export as a job.
3 In the Export as a Job window, enter a name and specify a location. Click
Export.
Additional Scheduling Resources

SAS Visual Data Builder provides an easy-to-use method for taking a data query
and making it available for scheduling as a flow. In addition, the Schedule
Manager plug-in to SAS Management Console provides additional resources for
managing deployed flows, job dependencies, and scheduling servers.
For users that are familiar with the Schedule Manager plug-in, be aware that the
data builder does not support scheduling a data query without a trigger. In the
Schedule Manager plug-in, this option is specified as the Manually to the
scheduling server condition. If this is your preferred method for scheduling, you
can use the Schedule Manager plug-in to modify the flow for the scheduled data
query. If you use the data builder to schedule the data query afterward, the
setting is lost and you must repeat your steps with the Schedule Manager plug-
in.
See Also
Scheduling in SAS
101
20
Using the Results Tab
About the Results Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Data Pages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Navigate within the Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Find . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Filter and Sort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Export Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Column Headings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
About the Results Tab

After you have created your data query and clicked , it runs, and you are
prompted to determine whether you want to view the results.
If you click Yes, then the data builder retrieves the data and shows you the
results on the Results tab.
Note: For large data sets, retrieving and displaying the data can take a long
time.
Data Pages
When you view data, a SAS server retrieves the data from the data set. Instead
of returning all of the data, the data viewer requests a page of data. You can set
the page size to between 20 and 2000 rows.
A slider is provided at the bottom of the Results tab so that you can navigate
through the pages and browse the entire data set.
102 Chapter 20 / Using the Results Tab
Navigate within the Data

Navigate to a row in the table by entering the row number in the Go to row field.
The Go to first row and Go to last row buttons provide navigation to the first
and last rows of the table.
Find
Search for text or numbers in the data set by clicking , typing in the Find field,
and pressing Enter. The find feature searches through the rows in the data set
for the value, and it highlights the first row with the value. You can navigate
through the results by clicking Find next and Find previous.
Click to set options. The following list identifies the options:

n Options tab
o Exactly matches the specified string
o Contains the specified string (default setting)
o Starts with the specified string
o Case sensitive
o Trim leading and trailing spaces (default setting)
n Columns tab
Enable and clear check boxes to specify the columns to search.
Filter and Sort

Sort the data by clicking , and then choosing the columns and sort order. The
Generated SQL statement field shows the sort criteria.
Filter the data by clicking , and setting the following options:

n The Sample tab is used to limit the number of rows to return or to select
distinct values.
n The Row Filter table is used to subset data with a WHERE clause. You can
filter on the values in multiple columns, set ranges for numeric values, and
use IN and NOT IN criteria for character values. If the number of distinct
values is less than 50, then you can select check boxes for the values. If
there are more than 50 distinct values, then you must enter the values to use
for filtering.
n The Column Filter tab is used to select the columns to display.
Column Headings 103
Export Data
You can save the data that you view as a comma-separated values file. After
you click , you can choose to export the rows on the current data page, all of
the rows, or a range of rows. The export feature has a limit of exporting 200,000
rows.
If you choose to export all of the data or a range of rows, then you must click
Retrieve Data before you can click Export as CSV.
Column Headings
Use the Headings menu to control the appearance of the column headings. You
can view the column name from the data set, the column label from the data set,
or a combination of the two. If a column does not have a label in the data set,
then the column name is used.
104 Chapter 20 / Using the Results Tab
105
Part 4
Exploring Data
Chapter 21
Overview of SAS Visual Analytics Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Chapter 22
Specifying Preferences for SAS Visual Analytics Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Chapter 23
Managing Explorations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Chapter 24
Managing Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Chapter 25
Working with Visualizations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Chapter 26
Working with Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Chapter 27
Exporting Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Chapter 28
Managing Hierarchies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Chapter 29
Performing Data Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
106
Chapter 30
Sharing Comments in the Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
107
21
Explorer
What Is SAS Visual Analytics Explorer? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
The Welcome Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Overview of the Welcome Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Create a New Exploration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Open an Existing Exploration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Your First Look at the Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Manage Tabs in the Right Pane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
What Is SAS Visual Analytics Explorer?

SAS Visual Analytics Explorer (the explorer) is a component of SAS Visual
Analytics that enables you to explore your data sources. You can explore your
data by using interactive visualizations such as charts, histograms, and tables.
You can also apply data analysis such as forecasting, correlation, and fit lines.
Your work in the explorer is saved as a metadata object called an exploration.
An exploration (sometimes called a visual exploration) contains all of the
visualizations, data settings, and filters from your explorer session.
You can use the explorer to explore in-memory tables from the SAS LASR
Analytic Server. You can either open a table directly or you can open a saved
exploration.
If SAS Visual Statistics is licensed at your site, then you can perform statistical
modeling tasks in the explorer. For more information, see Chapter 32, “Getting
Started with SAS Visual Statistics,” on page 237.
You can export your exploration results as reports, which can be refined in SAS
Visual Analytics Designer (the designer) or viewed directly. Reports can be
viewed on a mobile device or in the SAS Visual Analytics Viewer (the viewer).
You can save your explorations as PDF documents, share your saved
explorations via e-mail, and export your visualizations as image files. You can
export the data from your visualizations to a data file that you can use in other
tools.
Note: Stored processes are not supported in the explorer.
108 Chapter 21 / Overview of SAS Visual Analytics Explorer
The Welcome Window
Overview of the Welcome Window

If you enter the explorer without a reference to a specific exploration, then the
Welcome window appears.
The Welcome window enables you to perform the following tasks:
n “Create a New Exploration” on page 108
n “Open an Existing Exploration” on page 108
Create a New Exploration

To create a new exploration, click Select a Data Source. The Open Data
Source window appears.
To open a data source that is already loaded, select the data source from the
Data Sources pane and then click Open. In the Search field, you can enter a
short string to find all of the data sources whose names, descriptions, or
locations begin with that string.
Note: You can also perform a search that matches a string anywhere in the
data source name, description, or location. Select the Search field, and then
press Ctrl + Down to switch the search to Search (contains).
To load a new data source, click one of the links in the Import Data pane. This
task is available only if you have the Import and Load Data capability.
For information about importing data, see Chapter 4, “Importing Local Data
Files,” on page 19, Chapter 5, “Importing Data from Servers,” on page 25, and
Chapter 6, “Importing Data from Other Sources,” on page 31.
Open an Existing Exploration

To open an existing exploration, you can either select from your recent
explorations, or select any exploration by clicking Browse to locate the
exploration.
Your First Look at the Explorer 109
Your First Look at the Explorer

Here are the main parts of the explorer user interface:
Figure 21.1 The Explorer User Interface
2 The menu bar offers common tasks, such as creating a new exploration.
3 The toolbar enables you to manage your explorations and visualizations.
4 The Data pane enables you to manage the data that is used in your
visualizations.
5 The data properties table enables you to set data item properties.
6 The workspace displays one or more visualizations.
110 Chapter 21 / Overview of SAS Visual Analytics Explorer
7 The right pane’s tabs enable you to set properties and data roles, create
filters and ranks, set global parameter values, and use comments.
8 The dock contains any minimized visualizations.
Manage Tabs in the Right Pane

In the right pane, the following tabs can be displayed:
n Roles
n Filters
n Ranks
n Properties
n Comments
n Parameters
To hide a tab, click beside the tab label.

To show a tab, select View  tab-name from the main menu.
To display the full label name for each tab, select the drop-down list, and then
deselect Show icons only.
You can reorder the tabs in the right pane by dragging and dropping them.
111
22
Specifying Preferences for SAS
Visual Analytics Explorer
Specify Global Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Specify Your Preferences for the Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Specify Global Preferences

See “Specifying Your Preferences” on page 9 for details about global
preferences for SAS Visual Analytics.
Specify Your Preferences for the Explorer

Here are the steps to specify preferences that are specific to SAS Visual
Analytics Explorer (the explorer):
1 Select File  Preferences to open the Preferences window.
2 Select SAS Visual Analytics Explorer  Geographic Mapping.
3 Select the default Map provider mode for geographic maps. The map
provider creates the background map for geo maps and for network
diagrams that display a map.
Note: You can change the map provider for an individual visualization by
editing the Map service value on the Properties tab.
4 If your Map provider mode is Esri, then you must select the specific Esri
map service that you want to use.
5 Select SAS Visual Analytics Explorer  Visualizations.
6 Select a Graph skin to change the visual effects that are applied to your
graphs. For example, many of the Graph skin settings apply lighting effects
to the features of your graph to create a 3-D appearance.
7 Select Visualization data threshold to specify the amount of data values

that your visualizations can process. The precise amount of data that is
supported varies depending on the visualization type. See Appendix 7, “Data
Limits,” on page 609.
112 Chapter 22 / Specifying Preferences for SAS Visual Analytics Explorer
Note: A high value for Visualization data threshold might degrade your
application performance or lead to time-out errors.
8 Select Update automatically to specify whether new visualizations apply

your changes automatically.
9 To return to the default settings, select Reset to Defaults.
10 Click OK to apply your changes. Your preferences persist between sessions.

113
23
Managing Explorations
What Is an Exploration? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Create a New Exploration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Save Your Exploration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Delete Explorations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
What Is an Exploration?
An exploration (sometimes called a visual exploration) is a metadata object that
contains all of the visualizations and data settings from a SAS Visual Analytics
Explorer (the explorer) session. You can use explorations to save your session
for later and to share it with others.
Create a New Exploration

To create a new exploration, select File  New Exploration from the menu bar.
The Open Data Source window appears. Select your data source, and then click
Open.
Save Your Exploration

To save your current exploration, select File  Save As, and then select a
location and a name.
Delete Explorations
To delete an exploration, use the SAS Visual Analytics home page. See
“Manage Content on the Classic Home Page” on page 628.
114 Chapter 23 / Managing Explorations
115
24
Managing Data
Managing Data Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Overview of Managing Data Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Manage Data Properties for Data Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Select a Numeric Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Select a Date or Time Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Show and Hide Data Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Sort Data Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Group Data Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Assigning Colors for Category Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Add Additional Data Sources to Your Exploration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Replace a Data Source in Your Exploration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Remove a Data Source from Your Exploration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Refresh Your Data Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Creating Custom Categories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
About Custom Categories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Create a Custom Category for a Measure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Create a Custom Category for a Category or a Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Working with Global Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
About Global Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Create a Global Parameter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Set the Value for a Global Parameter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Edit a Global Parameter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Delete a Global Parameter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Creating Calculated Data Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
About Calculated Data Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Create a Calculated Data Item . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Creating Aggregated Measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
About Aggregated Measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Create an Aggregated Measure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Support for Aggregated Measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Creating Derived Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
About Derived Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Derived Item Types for Categories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Derived Item Types for Measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Create a Derived Item for a Measure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Create a Derived Item for a Category . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
116 Chapter 24 / Managing Data
Support for Derived Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130

Explore Distinct Values in a Visualization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Editing a Calculated, Aggregated, or Derived Data Item . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Open the Editor Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Specify the Item Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Edit a Parameter Value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Add an Operator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Replace an Operator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Add a Global Parameter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Delete Part of an Expression . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Subset an Expression . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Edit an Expression as Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Display the Current Expression as Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Manage the Scratch Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Preview an Expression (Calculated Data Items Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Delete a Calculated, Aggregated, or Derived Data Item . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Duplicate a Data Item . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Defining a Geography Data Item . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
About Geography Data Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Define a Geography Data Item By Using a Predefined Geographic Role . . . . . 134
Define a Geography Data Item By Using a Custom Geographic Role . . . . . . . . 135
Define Data Items for Text Analytics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Managing Data Properties
Overview of Managing Data Properties

At any time after you have loaded a data source for your exploration, you can
modify the properties of the data items. The changes that you make are saved
as part of the exploration, but do not affect the original data source.
You can manage the properties for individual data items by using the Data pane
or manage the properties for all of your data items by using the Data Properties
window.
Manage Data Properties for Data Items

You can manage data properties by using the Data Properties window or by
using the properties table in the Data pane.
To access the Data Properties window, select Data  Data Properties from the
menu bar.
For each data item, you can specify the following properties:
Name
specifies the name of the data item.
Classification
specifies whether the data item is a category, a measure, a document
collection, or a geography.
Managing Data Properties 117
Note: Changing the classification from a category to a measure or vice

versa does not change the data type of the data. You can change the data
type by using the Format and Parse operators in a calculated data item.
Model Type
specifies the type of data model for a measure or for a category with
datetime data. Select whether the data model is continuous or discrete.
The model type that you specify determines the type of data filters that you
can create for the data item.
Note: If you change the model type for a data item that is used in a filter,
then the filter is removed.
Format
specifies the data format for the data item.
See “Select a Numeric Format” on page 117 and “Select a Date or Time
Format” on page 117 for information about specifying formats.
Aggregation (for measures only)
specifies the method that is used to aggregate values for the measure. For a
list of the aggregations that you can choose, see “Aggregations for
Measures” on page 581.
Select a Numeric Format

Here are the steps to select a numeric format:
1 In the Data Properties window or in the property table in the Data pane, click
the format for the data item. A window appears.
2 Select the basic format type from the Format list.
3 Specify the Width parameter for the format. The width of the format specifies
the maximum number of characters that a value can contain, including
decimal points.
A preview of your format appears in the Sample field.
4 Specify the number of Decimals for the format. The Decimals value
specifies the number of digits that appear to the right of the decimal place.
A preview of your format appears in the Sample field.
5 Click OK to apply your format.

Note: You can restore the default format by clicking Reset to Default.
Select a Date or Time Format

Here are the steps to select a date or time format:
1 In the Data Properties window or in the property table in the Data pane, click
the format for the data item. A window appears.
2 Select the basic format type from the Format list.
3 If necessary, select a more specific format from the Sample list. The format
names also represent sample values for the format.
4 Click OK to apply your format.
Note: You can restore the default format by clicking Reset to Default.
Note: Time and datetime values in the explorer ignore daylight-saving time.
Show and Hide Data Items

If your exploration contains a large number of data items, you might want to hide
the items that you are not interested in.
Note: Hiding data items on the Data pane does not hide them in the entire
exploration or in the exploration results when you export them as a report. This
feature is not a way to implement column-level security.
Here are the steps to select which data items that are shown in the Data pane:
1 Select Data  Show or Hide Items from the menu bar. The Show or Hide
Items window appears.
2 Click Select All to select or deselect all of the data items, or click the check
box beside each data item to select whether that data item is shown.
Sort Data Items

To sort your data items in the Data pane, click and then select Sort Items.
Select Ascending by Name or Descending by Name.
Note: The explorer uses the locale of the SAS LASR Analytic Server to sort
data items. For example, if you want to sort data items in the Swedish language,
then the table needs to be loaded into a LASR Analytic Server that is initialized
for the Swedish locale (sv_SE). Contact your system administrator for additional
assistance.
Group Data Items

To group your data items in the Data pane, click , and then select Group
Items. Select one of the following grouping types:
By First Letter
groups by the first letter of the data item name.
By Data Type
groups by data type (date, numeric, or character).
By Model Type
groups by model type (continuous or discrete).
By Classification
groups by data classification (category, geography, hierarchy, measure, or
aggregated measure).
By Format
groups by data format (for example, $CHAR, Numeric, Percent, or
MMMYYY).
Managing Data Properties 119
By Aggregation
groups measures by the default aggregation.
Note: The default grouping is By Classification.
Assigning Colors for Category Values
About Colors
By default, the explorer assigns colors dynamically to category values for
grouped visualizations. You can assign specific colors to your category values to
ensure that the category values are always represented by a specific color.
Because the same assigned colors are used in every visualization, you can
easily compare values between visualizations.
Assign Colors for a Category

Here are the steps to set the colors for a category:
1 Right-click on a category from the Data pane, and then select Colors. A
color selection window appears.
2 For each category value to which you want to assign a color, select the value
from the Choose drop-down list, and then click the color box to select a
color. Click Apply to save your selection.
3 (Optional) To automatically assign persistent colors for all of the unassigned

category values, click Assign remaining. Colors are assigned to all of the
remaining category values. These colors are used consistently in all of your
visualizations.
Reset Colors for a Category

Here are the steps to reset the colors for a category:
1 Right-click on a category from the Data pane, and then select Colors. A
color selection window appears.
2 Click Reset all to clear all of the color assignments for the category.
Assign a Color for a Specific Category Value

Here are the steps to assign the color for a specific category value:
1 Within a grouped visualization, right-click on a data value, and then select

Change Color.
2 Click the color box to select the color.
3 Click OK to apply the new color. This color value is used consistently for the
selected category value in all of your visualizations.
Add Additional Data Sources to Your

Exploration
At any time, you can add additional data sources to your exploration. To add a
data source to your exploration, select Data  Add Data Source. In the Open
Data Source window, select or import the data source that you want to use, and
then click Open.
For information about importing data, see Chapter 4, “Importing Local Data
Files,” on page 19, Chapter 5, “Importing Data from Servers,” on page 25, and
Chapter 6, “Importing Data from Other Sources,” on page 31.
The new data source is selected automatically in the Data pane. You can use
the drop-down list in the Data pane to select which data source you want to use.
Note: Each visualization in your exploration is associated with a specific data
source. By default, a new visualization uses the data source that is selected in
the Data pane when the visualization is created. For an empty visualization with
no ranks or filters, you can add data items from any data source to change the
data source.
Replace a Data Source in Your Exploration

At any time, you can replace a data source in your exploration with a different
data source. All of the visualizations, filters, and settings that used the previous
data source are applied to the new data source.
Here are the steps to replace a data source in your exploration:
1 In the Data pane, select the data source that you want to replace from the
drop-down list.
2 Click , and then select Change Data Source.
3 In the Change Data Source window, select or import the data source that you
want to use.
Note: If any data items in the previous data source do not exist in the new
data source, then a message appears. Any data items that do not exist in the
new data source are removed from your exploration. Any filters, ranks, or
calculated items that are based on the removed data items are also
removed.
4 Click Change to add the new data source.

Creating Custom Categories 121
Remove a Data Source from Your

Exploration
Here are the steps to remove a data source from your exploration:
1 On the Data pane, select the data source that you want to delete from the
drop-down list.
2 Click , and then select Delete Data Source.
Note: You cannot delete the last remaining data source from an exploration.
3 Confirm that you want to delete the selected data source.
Note: Any visualizations, filters, ranks, or calculated items that are based on
the deleted data source are removed from your exploration.
Refresh Your Data Sources

At any time, you can refresh your data sources to include the latest changes.
To refresh your data sources, select Data  Refresh All Data Sources.
Your visualizations are automatically updated with the refreshed data.
Creating Custom Categories
About Custom Categories

A custom category is a category data item that enables you to assign labels for
groups of values in an existing category or measure.
For example, if your data source contains a category with country names, you
might create a custom category to group the country names by continent. For a
measure, you might label three value ranges as Low, Optimal, and High.
Create a Custom Category for a Measure

Here are the steps to create a custom category for a measure:
1 Select Data  New Custom Category.
2 Select the measure that you want to use for the custom category.
3 Specify the Name for the custom category.
4 Select whether the custom category uses Intervals or Distinct Values.
5 Specify the label groups for the custom category:

a As needed, click New label to add a new label group to the custom
category.
b For each label group, click the label group heading (for example, Label1)
to specify the label text.
Note: The label text must use characters that are compatible with the
locale of the data source. If the data source uses Unicode, then your
labels can contain characters from any locale.
c For each label group, specify the values that are associated with the
label:
n For intervals, select and specify the minimum and maximum
values for the interval.
n For distinct values, drag and drop values from the Values list onto the
label group.
6 Select one of the following options:
Group remaining values as

assigns a label to all values that are not included in your label groups.
The default label text is “Other.”
Show as missing
assigns all values that are not included in your label groups as missing
values.
7 Click OK. The new custom category is displayed in the Data pane.
Create a Custom Category for a Category or a

Date
Here are the steps to create a custom category for a category or a date:
1 Select Data  New Custom Category.
2 Select the category or date that you want to use for the custom category.
3 Specify the Name for the custom category.
4 Specify the label groups for the custom category:
a As needed, click New label to add a new label group to the custom
category.
b For each label group, click the label group heading (for example, Label1)
to specify the label text.
Note: The label text must use characters that are compatible with the
locale of the data source. If the data source uses Unicode, then your
labels can contain characters from any locale.
c For each label group, specify the values that are associated with the
label.
Drag and drop values from the Values list onto the label group.
5 Specify the Options for remaining values.

Working with Global Parameters 123
Select one of the following options:

Group remaining values as
assigns a label to all values that are not included in your label groups.
The default label text is “Other.”
Show as missing
assigns all values that are not included in your label groups as missing
values.
Show as is
retains the existing category value for all values that are not included in
your label groups.
6 Click OK. The new custom category is displayed in the Data pane.
Working with Global Parameters
About Global Parameters

Global parameters enable you to specify a variable whose value can be
changed globally at any time. You can use global parameters in filters,
calculated items, and aggregated measures.
If your selected visualization contains a data item or filter that uses a global
parameter, then the parameter appears on the Parameters tab. The same value
for the parameter is used globally in your exploration for all filters, calculated
items, and aggregations that include the parameter.
Note: Global parameters are shown on the Parameters tab only if a data item
or filter that uses the global parameter is used in the selected visualization.
Create a Global Parameter

You can create a global parameter during the process of editing a filter,
calculated item, or aggregated measure.
To create a global parameter, follow these steps:
1 In the expression editor, right-click the Parameter heading in the Data Items
list, and then select Create Parameter.
2 Specify the Name of the parameter.
3 Specify the Type for the parameter. You can select either Numeric or
Character.
4 For character parameters, specify the Current value for the parameter.
For numeric parameters, specify the following:
Minimum value
specifies the minimum possible value for the parameter.
Maximum value
specifies the maximum possible value for the parameter.
Current value
specifies the current value for the parameter.
Format
specifies the data format for the parameter.
5 Click OK to save the parameter.
6 Finish editing your item. If you close the expression editor window without
saving, then your new parameter is not saved.
Set the Value for a Global Parameter

If your selected visualization contains a global parameter, then the parameter
appears on the Parameters tab.
For a numeric parameter, either drag the slider to adjust the value or click the
value below the slider to edit the value.
For a character parameter, enter the value in the text field.
Edit a Global Parameter

To edit the settings for a parameter, follow these steps:
1 On the Parameters tab, select the drop-down list for the parameter, and
then select Edit.
2 For character parameters, specify the Current value for the parameter.
For numeric parameters, specify the following:
Minimum value
specifies the minimum possible value for the parameter.
Maximum value
specifies the maximum possible value for the parameter.
Current value
specifies the current value for the parameter.
Format
specifies the data format for the parameter.
Delete a Global Parameter

To delete a global parameter, follow these steps:
1 Edit a filter, calculated item, or aggregated measure.
2 In the Data Items list, right-click the parameter that you want to delete, and
then select Delete Parameter.
Note: You can delete a global parameter only if it is not used by any filters,
calculated items, or aggregated measures.
3 Finish editing your item, and then click OK.

Creating Calculated Data Items 125
Note: If you close the expression editor window without saving, then the
parameter is not deleted.
Creating Calculated Data Items
About Calculated Data Items

The explorer enables you to calculate new data items from your existing data
items by using an expression.
Note: All calculations are performed on unaggregated data. The calculation
expression is evaluated for each row in the data source before aggregations are
performed. To perform calculations on aggregated data, see “Creating
Aggregated Measures” on page 126.
In addition to performing mathematical calculations on numeric values, you can
use calculated data items to create character values and date and time values.
For example, if your data contains separate categories for month, day, and year,
then you can calculate a date value from each category.
Create a Calculated Data Item

Here are the steps to create a calculated data item:
1 Select Data  New Calculated Item. The New Calculated Item window
appears.
2 Enter a Name for the calculated data item.
3 Select the data type for the calculated data item from the Result type drop-
down list.
Note: The data type is updated automatically based on the outermost
operator of your expression.
4 Build the expression for your calculated data item by dragging and dropping
data items, global parameters, and operators onto the expression in the right
pane. For each field in the expression, you can insert a data item, a global
parameter, an operator, or a specific value.
Note: You can double-click a data item in the Data Items pane to add it to
the first available parameter in the expression.
Note: Aggregated data items and derived data items are not supported for
calculation expressions.
When you drag and drop data items, global parameters, and operators onto
the expression, the precise location of the cursor determines where and how
the new element is added to the expression. As you drag the new element
over the expression, a preview appears, which displays how the expression
would change if you drop the element at the current location.
For example, if your current expression is ( Profit / Revenue ), and you
drag the x - y (subtract) operator over the open parenthesis symbol, then
the expression changes to ( [number] – ( Profit / Revenue )). If
you drag the operator over the division symbol, then the expression changes
to ( Profit – Revenue ).
There are a large number of operator types available to perform
mathematical functions, process datetime values, and evaluate logical
processing such as IF clauses. See Appendix 5, “Operators for Data
Expressions,” on page 583.
Note: You can also edit your expression as text. See “Editing a Data
Expression in Text Mode” on page 577.
5 When you are finished creating your expression, select the Default
aggregation for the calculated data item, and then click Select to choose the
data format.
6 Click Preview to see a preview of the calculated data item as a table. The
table displays the values of the calculated item and any data items that are
part of the calculation expression.
7 Click OK to create the new calculated data item. The new data item appears
in the Data Items pane.
Creating Aggregated Measures
About Aggregated Measures

Aggregated measures enable you to calculate new data items by using
aggregated values. For example, you might want to calculate a company’s
profits by subtracting expenses from revenues.
Note: To calculate data items by using unaggregated values, see “Creating
Calculated Data Items” on page 125.
Aggregations are evaluated as part of the calculation expression. For each data
item in your expression, you can select the aggregation type and the context for
the aggregation.
Create an Aggregated Measure

Here are the steps to create an aggregated measure:
1 Select Data  New Aggregated Measure. The New Aggregated Measure

window appears.
2 Enter a Name for the aggregated measure.
3 Build the expression for your aggregated measure by dragging and dropping
data items, global parameters, and operators onto the expression in the right
pane. For each field in the expression, you can insert a data item, a global
parameter, an operator, or a specific value.
Note: You can create a new calculated item to use in the aggregated
measure expression. Click New Calculated Item to create the new calculate
item.
Creating Aggregated Measures 127
When you drag and drop items, global parameters, and operators onto the
expression, the precise location of the cursor determines where and how the
new element is added to the expression. As you drag the new element over
the expression, a preview appears, which displays how the expression would
change if you drop the element at the current location.
mathematical functions and evaluate logical processing such as IF clauses.
See Appendix 5, “Operators for Data Expressions,” on page 583.
Note: You can also edit your expression as text. See “Editing a Data
Expression in Text Mode” on page 577.
4 For each data item in your expression, select an aggregation type. By

default, Sum is used for measures and Distinct is used for categories. To
select a new aggregation type, drag and drop an aggregated operator from
the Operators list onto the aggregation type in the expression. See Appendix
5, “Operators for Data Expressions,” on page 583 for a list of the aggregated
operators that are available.
5 For each aggregated operator in your expression, select the aggregation

context. A drop-down list beside each aggregation enables you to select one
of the following context values:
ByGroup
calculates the aggregation for each subset of the data item that is used in
a visualization. For example, in a bar chart, an aggregated measure with
the ByGroup context calculates a separate aggregated value for each
bar in the chart.
ForAll
calculates the aggregation for the entire data item (after filtering). For
example, in a bar chart, an aggregated measure with the ForAll context
uses the same aggregated value (calculated for the entire data item) for
each bar in the chart.
By using the ForAll and ByGroup contexts together, you can create
measures that compare the local value to the global value. For example, you
might calculate the difference from mean by using an expression like the
following:
Avg ByGroup(X) - Avg ForAll(X)
6 When you are finished creating your expression, click Select to choose the
data format.
7 Click OK to create the new aggregated measure. The new data item appears
in the Data Items pane.
Support for Aggregated Measures

Aggregated measures can be used in the following visualization types:
n Automatic Chart
n Crosstab
n Bar Chart
n Bubble Plot (grouped bubble plots only)

n Line Chart
n Treemap
n Geo Map
Creating Derived Items
About Derived Items

For the categories and measures in your exploration, you can create derived
data items. Derived data items are aggregated measures that perform
calculations for your data.
Derived Item Types for Categories

For categories, you can create the following types of derived items:
Distinct Count
displays the number of distinct values for the category that it is based on.
Note: If your category contains missing values, then distinct count is
increased by one.
Count
displays the number of nonmissing values for the category that it is based on.
NMiss
displays the number of missing values for the category that it is based on.
Derived Item Types for Measures

For measures, you can create the following types of derived items:
Difference from Previous Parallel Period
Displays the difference between the value for the current time period and the
value for the previous parallel time period within a larger time interval. For
example, you might derive the difference between sales for the current
month and sales for the same month of the previous year.
Note: This derived item is not available if your data source does not contain
a date data item that includes the year.
Difference from Previous Period
Displays the difference between the value for the current time period and the
value for the previous time period. For example, you might derive the
difference between sales for the current month and sales for the previous
month.
Percent Difference from Previous Parallel Period
Displays the percentage difference between the value for the current time
period and the value for the previous parallel time period within a larger time
interval. For example, you might derive the percentage difference between
Creating Derived Items 129
sales for the current month and sales for the same month of the previous
year.
Percent Difference from Previous Period
period and the value for the previous time period. For example, you might
derive the percentage difference between sales for the current month and
sales for the previous month.
Percent of Subtotals
For crosstabs only, displays the percentage of the subtotal value for the
measure on which it is based.
You can select whether to calculate the percentage of the subtotal value for
the rows in the crosstab or for the columns in the crosstab.
For example, you might calculate the percentage of the row subtotal value for
a measure that contains revenue values. The derived item displays the
percentage of the subtotal of revenues for each row in the crosstab.
Note: Percent of Subtotals can be created only from within a crosstab
visualization.
Percent of Total
Displays the percentage of the total value for the measure on which it is
based. For example, you might derive the percentage of the total value for a
measure that contains revenue values. If you create a bar chart by using the
derived item and a category that contains products, then the bar chart shows
the percentage of total revenue for each product.
Note: The percentage of the total value is relative to the subset of data that
is selected by your filters and ranks.
Period to Date
Displays the aggregated value for the current time period and all of the
previous time periods within a larger time interval. For example, you might
derive the year-to-date total for each month.
Year over Year Growth
Displays the percentage difference between the current time period and an
equivalent time period from the previous year. For example, you might derive
the difference in sales between the current month and the same month of the
previous year.
Year to Date
previous time periods within the year. For example, you might derive the
year-to-date total for each month.
The year-to-date calculation subsets the data for each year using today’s
date (where today is evaluated each time you view the exploration). To use
all data for every period, use a Period to Date item or edit the expression for
the derived item.
Year to Date Growth
Displays the percentage difference between the year-to-date value for the
current time period and the year-to-date value for the same time period of the
previous year. For example, you might derive the difference in year-to-date
sales between the current month and the same month of the previous year.
date (where today is evaluated each time you view the exploration). To use
all data for every period, use a Period to Date item or edit the expression for
the derived item.
Note: The derived item types that aggregate values over time use periodic
operators. For information about using periodic operators, see “Periodic
Operators” on page 591.
Create a Derived Item for a Measure

You can create a derived item for a measure by using the Data pane or by
selecting a measure in a visualization.
To create a derived item from the Data pane, right-click the data item that the
derived item is based on, and then select Create  item-type. If you select a
type that uses a date, select the date data item that is used for date calculations.
To create a derived item in a visualization, right-click a measure heading in the
visualization, and then select Create and Add  item-type. If you select a type
that uses a date, select the date data item that is used for date calculations. The
derived item is added to the visualization automatically.
For a list of item types, see “Derived Item Types for Measures” on page 128.
The new derived item appears in the Data pane.
Create a Derived Item for a Category

To create a derived item for a category from the Data pane, right-click the
category, and then select Create  item-type.
The new derived item appears in the Data pane.
Support for Derived Items

Derived items can be used in the following visualization types:
n Automatic Chart
n Crosstab
n Bar Chart
n Line Chart
Editing a Calculated, Aggregated, or Derived Data Item 131
n Bubble Plot (grouped bubble plots only)
n Network Diagram
n Geo Map
n Treemap
Explore Distinct Values in a Visualization

For a bar chart, line chart, treemap, or geo map that contains a distinct count
derived item, you can explore the distinct values that are associated with a data
point in the visualization. To explore the distinct values, right-click on a data point
in the visualization, and then select Explore Distinct Values. When you explore
the distinct values, a new bar chart is created. The new bar chart displays the
values and the frequency of each value.
For example, you might use a distinct count derived item to create a bar chart
that displays the number of cities where each product line is produced.
Then, you might want to explore the distinct values for City where Promotional
items are produced. By right-clicking on the bar for Promotional, and then
selecting Explore Distinct Values, you get a new bar chart that contains the
cities where promotional items are produced and the frequency of data for each
city.
Editing a Calculated, Aggregated, or

Derived Data Item
Open the Editor Window

To edit a duplicate data item, an aggregated measure, a calculated data item, or
a derived data item, right–click the item in the Data pane, and then select Edit.
Note: You cannot edit a Percent of Total or Percent of Subtotals derived item.
Specify the Item Name

To specify the name for the item, enter a name in the Name field.
Edit a Parameter Value

To edit a parameter value for an operator, select the parameter, and enter a new
value. Or, right-click the parameter field, and select Replace with to select a
data item or a global parameter.
To specify a missing value, enter a period (.) character.
Add an Operator
To add an operator to the expression:
1 From the Operators list, select the operator that you want to add. For a list of
the operators that are available, see Appendix 5, “Operators for Data
2 Drag and drop the operator onto the expression.
3 For any required parameters, select the parameter, and enter a value. Or,
right-click the parameter field, and select Replace with to select a data item
or a global parameter.
Replace an Operator
To replace an operator, drag and drop a new operator onto the existing operator
in the expression. You can also right-click an operator in your expression, and
select Replace Operator with  operator.
Add a Global Parameter

To add an existing global parameter to your expression, drag and drop the
parameter from the Data Items list onto your expression.
To create a new global parameter, in the expression editor, right-click the
Parameter heading in the Data Items list, and then select Create Parameter.
For more information about creating global parameters, see “Working with
Global Parameters” on page 123.
Delete Part of an Expression

To delete a part of an expression, highlight the part of the expression that you
want to delete, right-click, and then select Delete or Clear.
Subset an Expression
To subset an expression and delete the remainder:
1 Highlight the part of the expression that you want to keep.
2 Right-click, and select Keep Operand. The parts of the expression that were
not selected are removed.
Edit an Expression as Text

On the Text tab of the expression editor, you can edit an expression as text
code. See “Editing a Data Expression in Text Mode” on page 577.
Note: You can use the Text tab to copy and paste expressions between
explorations and reports.
Duplicate a Data Item 133
Display the Current Expression as Text

To display the current expression as text on the Display Text tab, click the
drop-down list, and then select Show display text.
Manage the Scratch Area

The scratch area of the expression editor enables you to store elements of an
expression, and then add them back into the expression as needed.
You can see the contents of the scratch area on the Scratch tab.
To move items to the scratch area, right-click part of the expression, and select
Move to Scratch Area. You can also drag and drop items from your expression
onto the Scratch tab.
To move an item from the scratch area to your expression, drag and drop the
item from the Scratch tab onto your expression.
To delete an item in the scratch area, click next to the item.
Preview an Expression (Calculated Data Items

Only)
For calculated data items, you can preview the results of your expression by
clicking Preview Results.
You can preview the results of a subset of your expression by right-clicking a
part of your expression, and then selecting Preview Subexpression Results.
Previewing the results of subsets of your expression is useful for troubleshooting
if a complex expression does not return the expected result.
Delete a Calculated, Aggregated, or

Derived Data Item
To delete a duplicate data item, an aggregated measure, a calculated data item,
or a derived data item, right-click on the data item in the Data pane, and then
select Delete.
Note: If the deleted data item is used by a visualization, then a confirmation
message appears. The deleted item is removed from the visualization.
Note: You cannot delete a data item that is included in a hierarchy. You must
remove the data item from any hierarchies before you can delete it.
Duplicate a Data Item

Duplicate data items enable you to use multiple copies of a measure that have
different data formats or default aggregations. For example, you might want to
use the Minimum and Maximum aggregations for a data item in the same
visualization.
Here are the steps to duplicate a data item:
1 Right-click on a measure in the Data pane, and then select Duplicate Data
Item. The New Duplicate Item window appears.
Note: You can also invoke the New Duplicate Item window by dragging and
dropping the same data item onto a visualization more than once.
2 Enter a Name, a Format, and a Default aggregation for the duplicate data
item.
3 Click OK to create the duplicate data item.
Defining a Geography Data Item
About Geography Data Items

A geography data item is a category whose values are mapped to geographical
locations or regions. Geography data items can be used with geo maps and
network diagrams to visualize your data on a geographic map.
For example, if your data source contains a CountryName column that identifies
countries, then you might create a geography data item for CountryName by
using the predefined geographic role, Country or Region Names. See “Define
a Geography Data Item By Using a Predefined Geographic Role” on page 134.
You might create a customized geography data item to identify geographic
information that is specific to your organization (for example, sales regions,
warehouse locations, oil platforms, and so on). For each unique combination of
category values, latitude values, and longitude values, a point is plotted on the
geographic map. See “Define a Geography Data Item By Using a Custom
Geographic Role” on page 135.
Note: For predefined geographic roles, the values of your geography data items
must match the lookup values that are used by SAS Visual Analytics. To view
the lookup values, see http://support.sas.com/va72geo.
Define a Geography Data Item By Using a

Predefined Geographic Role
Here are the steps to define a geography data item by using a predefined
geographic role:
1 In the Data pane, locate a category that contains geographic information.
2 Right-click the category, select Geography, and then select the role type.
The role type can be any of the following:
Country or Region Names
specifies countries or regions by name.
Defining a Geography Data Item 135
Country or Region ISO 2-Letter Codes

specifies countries or regions by using two-letter country codes from the
ISO 3166-1 standard.
Country or Region ISO Numeric Codes
specifies countries or regions by using three-digit numeric country codes
from the ISO 3166-1 standard.
Country or Region SAS Map ID Values
specifies countries or regions by using the two-letter codes that are used
with the MAPSGFK library that is included with SAS/GRAPH.
Note: The two-letter SAS Map ID country values are identical to the ISO
3166–1 two-letter country codes.
Subdivision (State, Province) Names
specifies country subdivisions (for example, states and provinces) by
using the subdivision names.
Subdivision (State, Province) SAS Map ID Values
specifies country subdivisions (for example, states and provinces) by
using the two-letter codes that are used with the MAPSGFK library that is
included with SAS/GRAPH.
US State Names
specifies states and territories in the United States by using the state and
territory names.
US State Abbreviations
specifies states and territories in the United States by using two-letter
postal codes.
US ZIP Codes
specifies five-digit ZIP codes for the United States.
Define a Geography Data Item By Using a Custom

Geographic Role
Here are the steps to define a geography data item by using a custom
geographic role:
1 In the Data pane, locate a category that contains geographic information.
2 Right-click the category, and then select Geography  Custom. The

Custom Geography window appears.
3 Specify the following:
Latitude
specifies a measure from your current data source that contains the
latitude (Y) coordinate values for the geographic role that you want to
define.
Longitude
specifies a measure from your current data source that contains the
longitude (X) coordinate values for the geographic role that you want to
define.
Coordinate Space
specifies the coordinate space (coordinate system) that is used to project
the longitude and latitude coordinate values.
Define Data Items for Text Analytics

To enable text analytics for the word cloud visualization:
1 Specify a data item as the unique row identifier for the exploration. You can
choose a category, a measure, or a calculated item. The unique row identifier
must have a unique value for each row of the data source.
TIP To determine whether the values of a category are unique, assign the
category to a bar chart with no measures. If the frequency of any value is
greater than one, then the category values are not unique. To determine
whether the values of a measure are unique, open the Measure Details
window, and then compare the Total Rows and Distinct Count statistics.
If the statistics are identical, then the measure values are unique.
Right-click the data item in the Data pane, and then select Set as Unique
Row Identifier.
Note: A nonunique row identifier can produce unreliable results.
2 Assign one or more categories to the Document Collection data role. Right-
click a category, and then select Document Collection.
Note: A document collection can be used in your visualizations the same
way a category is used.
137
25
Working with Visualizations
Overview of Visualizations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
About Visualizations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Visualization Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Working with Visualizations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Create a New Visualization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Manage Visualizations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Arrange the Visualizations in the Workspace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Use the Manage Visualizations Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Display Detailed Data for a Visualization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Change the Data Source for a Visualization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Control Visualization Data Updates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Manage Visualization Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Managing Visualization Data Roles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Add a Data Item . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Replace a Data Item . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Remove a Data Item . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Switch Data Roles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Work with Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Ranking Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Overview of Ranking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Create a New Rank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Delete a Rank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Managing Visualization Axes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Lock an Axis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Adjust an Axis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Transfer Axis Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Working with Visualization Data Ranges and Color Gradients . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Support for Customized Data Ranges and Color Gradients . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Specify a Custom Color Gradient . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Specify a Custom Data Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Share a Color Gradient and Data Range between Visualizations . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Remove Customized or Shared Color Data Ranges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Working with Data Brushing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Overview of Data Brushing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Enable Data Brushing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
138 Chapter 25 / Working with Visualizations
Select Values in a Visualization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156

Working with Automatic Charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Working with Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
About Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Data Roles for a Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Specify Properties for a Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Managing Columns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Working with Crosstabs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
About Crosstabs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Data Roles for a Crosstab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Specify Properties for a Crosstab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Managing Rows and Columns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Create a Hierarchy from a Crosstab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Working with Bar Charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
About Bar Charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Data Roles for a Bar Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Specify Properties for a Bar Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Sort Data Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Working with Line Charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
About Line Charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Data Roles for a Line Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Specify Properties for a Line Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Sort Data Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Forecasting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Working with Scatter Plots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
About Scatter Plots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Data Roles for a Scatter Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Specify Properties for a Scatter Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Applying Data Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Working with Bubble Plots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
About Bubble Plots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Data Roles for a Bubble Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Specify Properties for a Bubble Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Using Animated Bubble Plots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Working with Network Diagrams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
About Network Diagrams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Data Roles for a Network Diagrams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Specify Properties for a Network Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Arrange Nodes in a Network Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Use the Spotlight Tool to View Multiple Data Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Select Nodes in a Network Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Control the View of a Network Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Create a Hierarchy from a Network Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Working with Sankey Diagrams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
About Sankey Diagrams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Data Roles for a Sankey Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Specify Properties for a Sankey Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Managing the Path Selection for a Sankey Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Explore the Transaction Identifier Values for a Path Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Contents 139
Use the Spotlight Tool to View Multiple Data Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180

Display the Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Zoom a Sankey Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Pan (Scroll) a Sankey Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Working with Histograms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
About Histograms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Data Roles for a Histogram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Specify Properties for a Histogram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Working with Box Plots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
About Box Plots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Data Roles for a Box Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Specify Properties for a Box Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Working with Heat Maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
About Heat Maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Data Roles for a Heat Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Specify Properties for a Heat Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Applying Data Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Working with Geo Maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
About Geo Maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Data Roles for a Geo Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Specify Properties for a Geo Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Zoom a Geo Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Pan (Scroll) a Geo Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Working with Treemaps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
About Treemaps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Data Roles for a Treemap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Specify Properties for a Treemap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Create a Hierarchy from a Treemap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Working with Correlation Matrices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
About Correlation Matrices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Data Roles for a Correlation Matrix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Specify Properties for a Correlation Matrix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Sort Correlation Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Explore the Data for a Cell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Working with Decision Trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
About Decision Trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Data Roles for a Decision Tree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Specify Properties for a Decision Tree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Explore a Node as a New Visualization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Derive a Leaf ID Data Item from a Decision Tree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Display the Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Zoom a Decision Tree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Pan (Scroll) a Decision Tree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Working with Word Clouds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
About Word Clouds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Data Roles for a Word Cloud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Specify Properties for a Word Cloud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Explore Text Analytics Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Explore Selected Documents as a New Visualization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Overview of Visualizations
About Visualizations
SAS Visual Analytics Explorer (the explorer) displays data by using
visualizations. A visualization is an interactive visual representation of your data.
Visualization Types
You can assign any of the following types to your visualizations:
Automatic Automatically selects the chart type

Chart based on the data that is assigned to
the visualization. When you are first
exploring a new data set, automatic
charts give you a quick view of the data.
For more information, see “Working with
Automatic Charts” on page 157.
Table Displays the data as a table. Tables

enable you to examine the raw data for
each observation in the data source.
You can rearrange the data columns
and apply sorting.
Tables” on page 158.
Overview of Visualizations 141
Crosstab Displays the data as a crosstab.

Crosstabs enable you to examine the
data for intersections of hierarchy
nodes or category values. You can
rearrange the rows and columns and
apply sorting. Unlike tables, crosstabs
display aggregated data.
Crosstabs” on page 159.
Bar Chart Displays the data as a bar chart. Bar

charts are useful for comparing data
that is aggregated by the distinct values
of a category.
A bar chart consists of vertical bars or
horizontal bars. You can apply grouping
and create lattices.
Bar Charts” on page 160.
Line Chart Displays the data as a line chart. A line

chart is useful for data trends over time.
Line charts support forecasting for
predicting future values.
You can apply grouping and create
lattices.
Line Charts” on page 162.
Scatter Plot Displays the data as a scatter plot.

Scatter plots are useful to examine the
relationship between numeric data
items.
In a scatter plot, you can apply
statistical analysis with correlation and
regression. Scatter plots support
grouping.
When you apply more than two
measures to a scatter plot, a scatter
plot matrix compares each pair of
measures.
Scatter Plots” on page 165.
Bubble Plot Displays the data as a bubble plot. A

bubble plot displays the relationships
among at least three measures. Two
measures are represented by the plot
axes, and the third measure is
represented by the size of the plot
markers.
You can apply grouping and create
lattices. By assigning a datetime data
item to the plot, you can animate the
bubbles to display changes in the data
over time.
Bubble Plots” on page 167.
Network Displays a series of linked nodes. A

Diagram network diagram displays the
relationships between the values of
categories or hierarchy levels.
You can indicate the values of
measures through the sizes and colors
of the nodes and the node links.
Network Diagrams” on page 170.
Sankey Displays a series of linked nodes,

Diagram where the width of each link indicates
the frequency of the link or the value of
a measure. A Sankey diagram enables
you to perform path analytics. Path
analytics displays flows of data from
one event (value) to another, as a
series of paths.
Sankey Diagrams” on page 174.
Histogram Displays the data as a histogram. A

histogram displays the distribution of
values for a single measure.
You can select the bar orientation, and
you can select whether the values are
displayed as a percentage or as a
count.
Histograms” on page 181.
Box Plot Displays the data as a box plot. A box

plot displays the distribution of values
for a single measure using a box and
whiskers. The size and location of the
box indicate the range of values that
are between the 25th and 75th
percentile. Additional statistical
information is represented by other
visual features.
You can create lattices, and you can
select whether the average (mean)
value and outliers are displayed for
each box.
Box Plots” on page 182.
Heat Map Displays the data as a heat map. A heat

map displays the distribution of values
for two data items using a table with
colored cells. If you do not assign a
measure to the Color data role, then a
cell’s color represents the frequency of
each intersection of values. If you
assign a measure to the Color data
role, then a cell’s color represents the
measure value of each intersection of
values.
Heat Maps” on page 184.
Geo Map Displays the data as a geo map. A geo

map displays your data as an overlay
on a geographic map. You can display
your data either as bubbles, as a
scatter plot, or as colored regions.
Geo Maps” on page 186.
Treemap Displays the data as a treemap. A

treemap displays your data as a set of
rectangles (called tiles). Each tile
represents a category value or a
hierarchy node. The size of each tile
represents either the frequency of the
category or the value of a measure. The
color of each tile can indicate the value
of an additional measure.
Treemaps” on page 188.
Correlation Displays the data as a correlation

Matrix matrix. A correlation matrix displays the
degree of correlation between
measures as a series of colored
rectangles. The color of each rectangle
indicates the strength of the correlation.
Correlation Matrices” on page 190.
Decision Tree Displays the data as a decision tree. A

decision tree displays a series of nodes
as a tree, where the top node is the
response data item, and each branch of
the tree represents a split in the values
of a predictor data item.
The splits enable you to see which
values of the predictor data item
correspond to different distributions of
values in the response data item.
Decision Trees” on page 191.
Word Cloud Displays a set of words from a

character data item. Depending on the
type of word cloud and your data roles,
the size of each word in the cloud can
indicate the relevance of the word to a
topic, the frequency of the word in a
category, or the value of a measure.
You can use text analytics in a word
cloud to identify topics and terms that
appear together in your data and to
analyze the sentiment of the documents
in a topic.
Word Clouds” on page 196.
If SAS Visual Statistics is licensed at your site, then the following modeling
visualizations are available:
n Linear Regression
n Logistic Regression
n Generalized Linear Model
n Cluster
For more information, see Chapter 33, “Modeling Information,” on page 249.
Working with Visualizations
Create a New Visualization

To create a new visualization, click on the toolbar, or select Visualization 
New from the menu bar.
Manage Visualizations
Delete a Visualization
To delete a visualization, click the button on the visualization, or select
Visualization  Delete from the menu bar to delete the selected visualization.
You can delete all of your visualizations by selecting View  Delete All
Visualizations.
Duplicate a Visualization
To duplicate a visualization, select Visualization  Duplicate from the main
menu, or select the drop-down list from the visualization toolbar, and then
select Duplicate.
Working with Visualizations 147
The new visualization is named “Copy of visualization-name”. You can enter a

new name on the Properties tab.
Show and Minimize Visualizations

To minimize a visualization, click in the visualization that you want to
minimize. The visualization appears in the dock pane at the bottom of the
workspace.
To restore a visualization, click the name of the visualization in the dock pane.
You can select which visualizations are visible by using the Manage
Visualizations window.
To minimize all visualizations, select View  Minimize All Visualizations from
the menu bar.
To show all visualizations, select View  Show All Visualizations from the
menu bar.
Maximize a Visualization
To maximize a visualization to fill the entire workspace, click in the
visualization that you want to maximize. To return the visualization to its normal
size, click .
Arrange the Visualizations in the Workspace
Move the Position of a Visualization

To move a visualization, drag and drop the title bar of the visualization on the
location where you want to place the visualization.
When you drag and drop a visualization onto another visualization, the
placement of the visualization is determined by the edge that is closest to the
drop point.
When your workspace contains visualizations in multiple rows, if you drag and
drop a visualization onto the bottom edge or top edge of a visualization, then the
target visualization and the moved visualization split the space that was
previously occupied by the target visualization.
Resize a Visualization
To resize a visualization in your workspace, drag the resizing tab at the
bottom edge or the right edge of the visualization that you want to resize.
Use the Manage Visualizations Window

The Manage Visualizations window enables you to manage all of your
visualizations together. Each visualization is represented by a thumbnail image
or by an icon of the visualization type if the visualization has not been displayed
in the current session.
To open the Manage Visualizations window, select View  Manage
Visualizations from the main menu bar.
The Manage Visualizations window enables you to perform the following tasks:
Task Action
Add visualizations to the selection list. Select a visualization from the Available
(Restore visualizations.) list, and then click , or click to add
all of the available visualizations.
Remove visualizations from the selection Select a visualization from the Selected
list.
list, and then click , or click to
(Minimize visualizations.) remove all of the visualizations.
Change the order of the selected In the Selected list, drag and drop the
visualizations. visualizations in the order that you want,
or select a visualization and click the up
and down arrows to move it.
Search the available visualizations. In the Search field, enter a string to

search for. A visualization matches the
search if the string appears anywhere in
the visualization name.
Only the matching visualizations appear
in the Available list.
Filter the available visualizations.

Click , and then select your filter
parameters. You can filter either on the
visualization type or on the data items that
are used in each visualization.
Rename a visualization. Right-click on any visualization, and then

select Rename. Enter a new name, and
then click OK.
Delete a visualization. Right-click on any visualization, and then

select Delete.
Display Detailed Data for a Visualization

For all visualization types besides tables and crosstabs, you can display the
detailed data for the visualization in the details table. To display the details table
for a visualization, click the drop-down list from the visualization toolbar, and
then select Show Details.
Change the Data Source for a Visualization

Each visualization in your exploration is associated with a specific data source.
Managing Visualization Data Roles 149
For an empty visualization with no data items, ranks, or visualization filters, you
can add a data item from any data source. The new data source is assigned to
the visualization automatically.
To change the data source for a visualization that is not empty, follow these
steps:
1 If the data source that you want to use is not part of the exploration, then add
the new data source. See “Add Additional Data Sources to Your Exploration”
on page 120.
2 Select the visualization for which you want to change the data source.
3 Remove any ranks from the Ranks tab and any visualization filters from the
Filters tab.
4 On the Roles tab, remove all data items from the data roles.
5 From the Data source drop-down list, select the data source for the
visualization.
Control Visualization Data Updates

By default, the explorer applies changes to your visualizations automatically
when you change data roles, filters, or ranks.
To disable automatic updates, deselect the Auto-update check box at the
bottom of the right pane. When you are ready to apply your updates, click
Update at the bottom of the right pane.
Note: You can change the default behavior for new visualizations by
deselecting Update automatically in the Preferences window.
Manage Visualization Comments

You can use the Comments tab to view and create comments for the current
visualization. See “Sharing Comments in the Explorer” on page 231.
Managing Visualization Data Roles
Add a Data Item

For a visualization to display data, you must assign data items to it. You can
assign data items to a visualization by performing any of the following actions:
n Drag and drop the data item onto the center of the visualization. The data
item is assigned to a role automatically. If the visualization already has data
items assigned to the required roles, then you can choose how to assign the
new data item.
n Drag and drop the data item onto a Measure or Category button in the
visualization to assign the data item to a specific data role.
n From the visualization toolbar, select the drop-down list, and then select
Add Category or Add Measure.
n Use the Roles tab in the right pane. Either drag and drop a data item onto a
role, or expand the drop-down list beside the role and then select a data
item.
Each visualization requires a minimum number of each type of data item. The
following table lists the requirements for each visualization:
Table 25.1 Required Data Items for Visualizations
Visualization Type Requirements
Automatic Chart one data item of any type
Table one data item of any type (except

aggregated measure)
Crosstab one data item of any type
Bar Chart one category or hierarchy
Line Chart one category or hierarchy
Scatter Plot one measure
Bubble Plot three measures
Network Diagram one category or hierarchy
Sankey Diagram one category, one data item of any type

(except aggregated measure), and one
datetime or measure
Histogram one measure
Box Plot one measure
Heat Map two data items of any type (except

aggregated measure)
Geo Map one geography
Treemap one category or hierarchy
Correlation matrix two measures
Decision tree two data items of any type (except

aggregated measure)
Word Cloud one category or document collection

Ranking Data 151
Replace a Data Item

You can replace a data item by using any of the following methods:
n Drag and drop the new data item from the Data pane onto the data item in
the visualization that you want to replace.
n Right-click on the data item that you want to replace in either the visualization
or on the Roles tab, and then select Replace item-name  new-item-
name.
Remove a Data Item

You can remove a data item by using any of the following methods:
n Drag and drop the data item from the visualization onto the Data pane.
n Select the drop-down list from the visualization toolbar, and then select
Remove  item-name .
n Right-click on the data item that you want to delete in either the visualization
or on the Roles tab, and then select Remove item-name.
Switch Data Roles

To switch the data items that are assigned to two roles, drag and drop one data
item onto another data item either by using the buttons in the visualization or by
using the fields on the Roles tab.
For example, you can switch the axes of a scatter plot by dragging the measure
on the X axis to the measure on the Y axis.
Work with Filters

You can use the Filters tab to subset the data in your visualizations. See
Chapter 26, “Working with Filters,” on page 201.
Ranking Data
Overview of Ranking
You can use the Ranks tab to create ranks to subset the data in your
visualizations. A rank selects either the top (greatest) or the bottom (least)
aggregated value for a category.
A rank selects values for a category based on either the frequency of the
category values or the aggregated value of a measure.
For example, you might create a rank of the top 10 countries by frequency to
select the 10 countries that are most represented in your data source. As
another example, you might create a rank of the top 10 countries by population
to select the 10 countries with the greatest population.
Note: If the category for the rank is part of a hierarchy that is used in the current
visualization, then the rank is applied only when the hierarchy is drilled to the
level of the rank category.
Create a New Rank

To create a rank:
1 From the Data pane, select the data item that you want to use as the base of
the rank. You can select any category or geography data item, regardless of
whether it is assigned to the current visualization.
2 Either right-click on the data item, and select Add as Rank on Visualization,
or drag and drop the data item onto the Ranks tab.
3 Set the parameters for the rank:
a Select the type of rank from the drop-down list. Top specifies that the
rank selects the greatest value. Bottom specifies that the rank selects the
least value.
b Specify the number of values for the rank. For example, if you specify 5,
and you select Top as the rank type, then the rank selects the five
greatest values.
c From the By drop-down list, select the measure that is used to create the
rank. You can either select any measure, or select Frequency to use the
frequency of the rank category.
Note: If you select a measure that is used in the current visualization,
then the rank uses the same aggregation for the measure that is used by
the current visualization.
Note: Only the Sum, Average, Count, Minimum, and Maximum
aggregation types can be used in a rank.
d (Optional) Select Ties to include ties in the rank.

If you select Ties, then the rank selects as many values as necessary to
include all of the ties. If you do not select Ties, then the rank selects only
the number of values that are specified by the rank parameters.
For example, if your rank selects the top three values, but there are five
values tied for the greatest value, then the number of values that are
selected by the rank depends on the Ties option. If you select Ties, then
the rank includes all five of the tied values. If you do not select Ties, then
the rank includes only three of the tied values.
Note: If the ranking does not select all of the tied values, or if the number
of tied values exceeds the maximum that is set by your administrator,
then a message appears.
Note: By default, your rank changes are applied automatically to the current
visualization. To apply multiple changes together, deselect Auto-Update, and
then click Update when you are ready to apply your rank changes.
Working with Visualization Data Ranges and Color Gradients 153
Delete a Rank
To delete a rank, click on the rank on the Ranks tab.
Managing Visualization Axes
Lock an Axis
By default, the axes of your visualizations adjust automatically to your data. If
you change the data that is displayed by applying filters or ranks or by drilling
down, then the data ranges and scaling of your axes will change to fit the data.
For comparison purposes, you might want to lock the axes and retain the same
data ranges and scaling. To lock an axis, click the icon beside the axis
heading.
To re-enable automatic adjustments for an axis, click the icon beside the axis
heading.
Adjust an Axis
For a locked axis, you can adjust the visible data range. You can adjust the
range by dragging the scroll bar that appears over the axis tick marks or by right-
clicking a measure heading, and then selecting Set Visible Axis Range.
Transfer Axis Settings

For a locked axis, you can transfer the axis settings to a compatible
visualization. A compatible visualization must have a measure (or frequency)
assigned to an axis.
To transfer an axis, right-click the measure heading, and then select Transfer
Axis Settings. From the Select Compatible Visualizations window, select the
visualization to which you want to transfer the axis settings.
Working with Visualization Data Ranges

and Color Gradients
Support for Customized Data Ranges and Color

Gradients
The following visualization types enable you to customize the data range and
color gradient:
n Heat map
n Geo map (with the Color role assigned)

n Bubble plot (with continuous data assigned to the Color role)
n Network diagram (with the Node Color or Link Color role assigned)
n Word cloud (with the Color role assigned)
n Treemap (with the Color role assigned)
Specify a Custom Color Gradient

To specify a custom color gradient:
1 Right-click on the color gradient in the legend, and then select Edit Color
Gradient.
2 From the Edit Color Gradient window, select a color gradient from the Color
gradient drop-down list.
3 Click OK to apply the new color gradient.
Specify a Custom Data Range

To specify a custom data range:
1 Right-click on the color gradient in the legend, and then select Configure
Color Gradient.
2 From the Select Color Gradient window, deselect Automatically adjust

color range to data.
3 In the Lower field, specify the lower bound for the data range.
4 If the selected color gradient uses three colors, specify the inflection point of
the gradient in the Inflection field, or select Use midpoint to use the
midpoint between the lower and upper values as the inflection point. The
inflection point is the point for the middle color in a three-color gradient.
5 In the Upper field, specify the upper bound for the data range.
6 Click OK to apply the new color gradient.
Share a Color Gradient and Data Range between

Visualizations
To share data ranges and color gradients between visualizations, all of the
visualizations must support customized data ranges. See “Support for
Customized Data Ranges and Color Gradients” on page 153.
To share a data range and color gradient between visualizations:
1 If the data range has not been customized, then right-click on the legend for
the color gradient and data range that you want to share, and then select
Lock Data Range.
2 Right-click on the legend for the color gradient and data range that you want
to share, and then select Transfer Configuration. The Select compatible
visualizations window appears.
Working with Data Brushing 155
3 Select the visualizations that you want to share the color gradient and data
range with. The visualizations are sorted based on their similarity to the
source visualization. Visualizations that use the same data items and
visualizations that are the same type are shown at the top of the list.
4 When you are finished, click OK to apply the color gradient and data range to
all of the selected visualizations.
Remove Customized or Shared Color Data Ranges

To remove a customized or shared data range from a visualization, right-click on
the legend, and select Remove Custom Data Range.
Working with Data Brushing
Overview of Data Brushing

Data brushing is a feature of some visualizations that enables you to select data
values in one visualization and highlight the corresponding data values in all of
your other visualizations.
For example, you might have a bar chart and a scatter plot in your exploration. If
you enable data brushing, and you select a bar in the bar chart, then the
markers in the scatter plot that correspond to the selected value in the bar are
highlighted.
Figure 25.1 Data Brushing Example
The following visualization types support data brushing:

n Bar chart
n Line chart
n Scatter plot
n Bubble plot (if the Group role is assigned)
n Network diagram
n Histogram
n Heat map (if categories are assigned to both axes)
n Geo map
n Treemap
n Word cloud
For histograms and for bar charts of frequency that are not grouped or latticed,
data brushing can indicate the portion of a bar that corresponds to the brushed
data. The bar is highlighted and then partially shaded to indicate the
corresponding portion. The value for the shaded portion of the bar is included in
the data tip for the bar.
In Figure 25.2 , a selection in a bubble plot highlights a portion of the
corresponding bar in a bar chart.
Figure 25.2 Data Brushing with Partial Shading
For bar charts that have a measure assigned or that are grouped or latticed, the
entire bar is highlighted.
Enable Data Brushing

To enable data brushing, select View  Data Brushing.
Select Values in a Visualization

You can select values in your visualization by using any of the following
methods:
Working with Automatic Charts 157
n Click the data values. This is most useful for bar charts, histograms, and
treemaps. To select multiple data values, hold down the Ctrl key while
clicking each data value.
n Click and drag to select data values in a rectangular region. This is most
useful for scatter plots and heat maps.
n Select data values in the details table for the visualization. Press Shift+click
to select multiple adjacent values, or press Ctrl+click to select or deselect
individual values.
Working with Automatic Charts

Automatic charts display different types of charts automatically based on the
data items that are assigned to the chart.
The type of chart can be any of the following:
Table 25.2 Automatic Chart Types
Data Items Chart Type
One measure Histogram
One category Bar chart
One aggregated measure Crosstab
One datetime category and any number Line chart

of other categories or measures
One geography and up to two measures Geo map
One geography and three or more Bar chart

measures
One document collection Word cloud
Two measures Scatter plot or heat map
Three or more measures Scatter plot matrix or correlation matrix
One or more categories and any number Bar chart

of measures and geographies
Note: The Roles tab for an automatic chart always contains Categories and
Measures. To set advanced data roles such as grouping and lattices, click the
Use chart-type link on the Roles tab to change the visualization from an
automatic chart to the chart type that is currently shown. For example, if your
automatic chart shows a bar chart, then click Use Bar Chart to change the type
to a bar chart and enable advanced data role settings.
Working with Tables
About Tables
A table displays data as text. The data value for each measure or category that
is assigned to the table is displayed as a column. The data values in the table
are not aggregated.
Note: For very large data sources, the table visualization displays only the first
two billion (2,147,483,647) rows.
Data Roles for a Table

The basic data role for a table is a column. A column can be any type of data
item. You can add any number of columns to a table.
Specify Properties for a Table

On the Properties tab, you can specify the following option:
Name
specifies the name of the visualization.
Managing Columns
Sort Columns
By default, the table is sorted by the values of the first column. To change the
sorting, click on the heading for the column that you want to sort by. An arrow
appears in the column heading to indicate the sorting. If the arrow points
upward, then the sort is ascending. If the arrow points downward, then the sort is
descending.
Rearrange Columns
To rearrange your columns, drag and drop the column headings.
Resize Columns
To resize a column, click, and then drag and drop the left or right edge of a
column heading.
Working with Crosstabs 159
Working with Crosstabs
About Crosstabs
A crosstab displays the intersections of category values and measure values as
text. If the crosstab contains measures, then each cell of the crosstab contains
the aggregated measure values for a specific intersection of category values. If
the crosstab does not contain measures, then each cell of the crosstab contains
the frequency of an intersection of category values.
Data Roles for a Crosstab

The basic data roles for a crosstab are columns, rows, and measures. You can
assign either a single hierarchy or any number of categories to each column and
row role. If you assign measures to the crosstab, then the measure values are
displayed in the cells of the crosstab. If you do not assign measures, then the
frequency of each intersection of values is displayed in the cells of the crosstab.
Specify Properties for a Crosstab

On the Properties tab, you can specify the following options:
Name
Show missing labels as blanks
displays missing values as empty cells in the crosstab. By default, missing
values are represented by a period (.) character.
Indented
selects the indented layout for the crosstab.
Show column subtotals
adds subtotals to each column for each node on the row axis after the first.
Note: For the indented layout, subtotals are always enabled.
Show column totals
adds totals to each column.
Note: Total values are aggregated based on the aggregations for each
measure.
Show row subtotals
adds subtotals to each row for each node on the column axis after the first.
Note: For the indented layout, subtotals are always enabled.
Show row totals
adds totals to each row.
Note: Total values are aggregated based on the aggregations for each
measure.
Totals Placement
specifies the location of totals and subtotals. Select Before to place the totals
and subtotals before the axis headings. Select After to place the totals and
subtotals after the axis headings.
Note: For the indented layout, totals are always placed before the axis
headings.
Managing Rows and Columns
Sort a Row or Column

By default, the crosstab is sorted alphabetically by the values of the first
category that you assign to the Rows role. To change the sorting, right-click on
the heading for the row or column that you want to sort by, and then select Sort
and select the sorting method.
If you apply sorting to a measure, then the sorting for the rows is applied as a
secondary sort. The outer row values are sorted by their subtotals for the
measure. To remove measure sorting, select a sort for any category.
Rearrange Rows and Columns

To rearrange your rows and columns, drag and drop the row headings and
column headings.
Resize Columns
To resize a column, click, and then drag and drop the left or right edge of the
column heading.
Create a Hierarchy from a Crosstab

Crosstabs enable you to create hierarchies from the categories on a crosstab
axis. To create a hierarchy, right-click on a category heading, and then select
Create Hierarchy. The categories are replaced with a new hierarchy.
The name of the new hierarchy is generated from the name of the outermost
category, with the suffix “Hierarchy.”
Working with Bar Charts
About Bar Charts

A bar chart displays data by using bars. The height of each bar represents the
value.
Data Roles for a Bar Chart

The basic data roles for a bar chart are categories and measures. You can
assign one category only, and the category values are plotted on the category
axis. You can assign many measures, and the measure values are plotted on
Working with Bar Charts 161
the response axis. If a bar chart contains no measures, then the frequency of the
category values is plotted on the response axis.
In addition to the basic data roles, you can assign these roles:
Group
groups the data based on the values of the category data item that you
assign. Depending on the value that you selected for the Grouping style
property, the group values are shown as either individual bars or as
segments of each bar.
Note: Grouping is not available if you assign multiple measures to the
visualization.
Lattice columns
creates a lattice of charts with a column for each value of the category data
item that you assign.
Lattice rows
creates a lattice of charts with a row for each value of the category data item
that you assign.
Specify Properties for a Bar Chart

Name
Title
specifies the title that appears above the graph.
Note: The Title option is disabled if you select Generate graph title.
Generate graph title
specifies that the graph title is generated automatically based on the data
items in the visualization.
Show grid lines
displays grid lines for each tick on the response axis.
Bar direction
specifies whether the bars are vertical or horizontal.
Frequency
specifies whether the frequency is displayed as a count (Count) or as a
percentage (Percent).
Note: The frequency values are based on the data that is shown in the
visualization (after filters and other data selections have been applied).
Note: This option has no effect if a measure is assigned to the visualization.
Grouping style
specifies how grouped data is displayed. If you select Stack, then the values
of the grouping variable are displayed as segments of each bar. If you select
Cluster, then each value of the grouping variable is displayed as a separate
bar.
Note: This option is disabled if no data item is assigned to the Group role.
Measure layout
specifies whether the measures share a single response axis (Shared axis)
or have separate response axes for each measure (Separate axes).
Note: The Measure layout option is disabled if your visualization contains
exactly one measure.
Overview
specifies whether the chart overview is enabled.
Show data labels
shows the data values as text in the visualization.
Note: You can always view a data value as a data tip when you position the
cursor over a data value.
Rotate axis labels
displays the category labels at an angle.
Note: The Rotate axis labels option has no effect when you select a
horizontal bar orientation.
Reference Lines
adds reference lines to the visualization. To create a reference line, click ,
and then specify the parameters for the line in the New Reference Line
window.
The name of each reference line appears below the Reference Lines option.
You can edit or delete your reference lines by using the icons next to each
name.
Sort Data Values

By default, a bar chart is sorted in descending order by the value of the first
measure. To change the sorting, right-click on the data item that you want to sort
on, and then select Sort  sort-method. For a grouped bar chart, the data is
sorted by the category values in alphabetical order.
Note: If the visualization contains a rank, then, by default, the data is sorted
based on the values of the rank.
Working with Line Charts
About Line Charts

A line chart displays data by using a line that connects the data values. If you
assign multiple measures to a line chart, then you can create separate Y axes
for each measure.
Data Roles for a Line Chart

The basic data roles for a line chart are categories and measures. You can
assign one category only, and the category values are plotted on the category
axis. You can assign many measures, and the measure values are plotted on
Working with Line Charts 163
the response axis. If the line chart contains no measures, then the frequency of
the category values is plotted on the response axis.
Group
assign. A separate line is created for each data value.
Note: Grouping is not available if you assign multiple measures to the
visualization.
Lattice columns
Lattice rows
that you assign.
Forecasting
enables forecasting for the line chart. Forecasting estimates future values for
your data based on statistical trends.
Note: Forecasting is available only if a date or datetime data item is
assigned to the visualization.
Underlying factors
if forecasting is enabled, adds additional measures to the forecast as
underlying factors. The forecasting model evaluates the additional measures
to determine whether they contribute to the accuracy of the forecast. If the
additional measures do not increase the accuracy of the forecast, then they
are not used. If the additional measures do increase the accuracy of the
forecast, then the forecast line is adjusted, and the confidence bands are
narrowed.
The measures that you add as underlying factors can also be used in a
scenario analysis.
Note: Underlying factors are available only if your line chart contains a
single measure in the Measures role.
Specify Properties for a Line Chart

Name
Title
Show grid lines
Frequency
Note: This option has no effect if a measure is assigned to the visualization.
Measure layout
Overview
Show markers
shows markers for the data points in the visualization.
Show data labels
shows the data values as text in the visualization.
Note: You can always view a data value as a data tip when you position the
cursor over a data value.
Thin data labels
removes data labels as necessary to avoid overlap. The thinning algorithm
retains the labels for local high points and low points on the line chart.
Rotate axis labels
Reference Lines
window.
name.
Duration (if forecasting is enabled)
specifies the number of data intervals to forecast.
Note: This option is available only if forecasting is enabled for the
visualization.
Confidence (if forecasting is enabled)
specifies the degree of confidence for the confidence band. The default value
is 95%.
Sort Data Values

By default, for category data, a line chart is sorted in descending order by the
value of the first measure. To change the sorting, right-click on the data item that
you want to sort on, and then select Sort and select a sorting method.
Note: If the visualization contains a rank, then, by default, the data is sorted
based on the values of the rank.
Working with Scatter Plots 165
Note: Sorting is not available if a datetime data item is assigned to the

Category role.
Forecasting
About Forecasting
Forecasting uses the statistical trends in your data source to predict future data
values. Forecasting is available only if a date or datetime data item is assigned
to the visualization.
In addition to the predicted future data values, the forecast displays a confidence
band. For more information, see “Forecasting” on page 227.
Enable Forecasting
To add forecasting to a line chart, select Forecasting on the Roles tab.
Note: The line chart must contain a date or datetime data item to apply
forecasting.
On the Properties tab for the line chart, you can adjust the number of data
values to predict by using the Duration option. You can specify the degree of
confidence for the confidence band by using the Confidence option.
On the Roles tab, you can add additional measures to the forecast as
Underlying factors. The forecasting model evaluates the additional measures
to determine whether they contribute to the accuracy of the forecast. If the
additional measures do not increase the accuracy of the forecast, then they are
not used. If the additional measures do increase the accuracy of the forecast,
then the forecast line is adjusted, and the confidence bands are narrowed.
Note: Underlying factors are available only if your line chart contains a single
measure in the Measures role.
The measures that you use as underlying factors can also be used in scenario
analysis and goal seeking. For more information, see “Working with Scenario
Analysis and Goal Seeking” on page 228.
Working with Scatter Plots
About Scatter Plots

A scatter plot displays the values of measures by using markers. When you
apply more than two measures, the visualization displays a scatter plot matrix. A
scatter plot matrix is a series of scatter plots that display every possible pairing
of the measures that are applied to the visualization.
If you create a scatter plot that has a very large number of data values, then the
scatter plot is rendered either as a heat map (for two measures) or as a
correlation matrix for three or more measures.
Data Roles for a Scatter Plot

The basic data role for a scatter plot is a measure. You can assign any number
of measures. If you assign a single measure to a scatter plot, then the values
are plotted along a line.
In addition to measures, you can assign a Group variable. The Group variable
groups the data based on the values of the category data item that you assign. A
separate set of scatter points is created for each value of the group variable.
You can add data items to the Data tips role. The values for the data items in
the Data tips role are displayed in the data tips for the scatter plot.
Specify Properties for a Scatter Plot

Name
Title
Show grid lines
displays grid lines for each tick on the plot axes.
Marker size
specifies the size of each marker in pixels.
Fit Line
adds a fit line to the scatter plot. For information about the fit types that are
available, see “Fit Lines” on page 226.
Note: Fit lines are not available if a grouping variable is assigned to the
scatter plot.
Reference Lines
window.
name.
Applying Data Analysis
About Data Analysis

For scatter plots, you can apply the following data analyses:
Working with Bubble Plots 167
Correlation
identifies the degree of statistical correlation between the variables in the
visualization. For more information, see “Correlation” on page 225.
Fit Line
plots a model of the relationship between the variables in the visualization.
There are many types of fit lines, including linear fit, quadratic fit, cubic fit,
and penalized B-spline. For more information, see “Fit Lines” on page 226.
Correlation is applied to your visualization automatically when you add a linear fit
line. It is not available with other fit types.
Enable Data Analysis

To add a fit line to your visualization, select the drop-down list from the
visualization toolbar, and then select Fit Line and select the fit type. For details
about the fit types that are available, see “Fit Lines” on page 226.
Working with Bubble Plots
About Bubble Plots

A bubble plot displays the values of at least three measures by using differently
sized plot markers (bubbles) in a scatter plot. The values of two measures are
represented by the position on the plot axes, and the value of the third measure
is represented by the marker size.
You can create animated bubble plots to display changing data over time.
Data Roles for a Bubble Plot

The basic data roles for a bubble plot are:
X axis
specifies the measure that is assigned to the X axis.
Y axis
specifies the measure that is assigned to the Y axis.
Bubble size
specifies the measure that determines the marker size.
Group
assign. A separate set of points is created for each value.
Note: You cannot assign both the Group role and the Color role at the
same time.
Color
specifies a data item that determines the color of the bubbles. If you specify a
category, then each value of the category is represented by a different
bubble color. If you specify a measure, then the measure value is
represented by the bubble color.
Note: You cannot assign both the Group role and the Color role at the
same time.
Animation
specifies a datetime data item that is used to animate the bubble plot.
Note: The Animation role is enabled only if you assign a data item to the
Group role.
Lattice columns
Lattice rows
that you assign.
Specify Properties for a Bubble Plot

Name
Title
Show grid lines
Size scale
specifies the type of scaling that is used to draw the bubbles. Select one of
the following values:
Linear
specifies that the bubble sizes are scaled relative to the minimum and
maximum values (or frequencies) in your data. A negative value is
displayed as a smaller bubble than a positive value.
For the Linear scaling type, the difference in bubble sizes might not be
proportional to the difference in values.
Magnitude
specifies that the bubble sizes are scaled relative to zero and the greatest
absolute value in your data. A negative value is displayed as a hexagon.
For the Magnitude scaling type, the difference in bubble sizes is
proportional to the difference in absolute values.
Frequency
Working with Bubble Plots 169
Note: This option has no effect if a measure is assigned to the Bubble size
role.
Color gradient
selects the gradient colors for the visualization.
You can click to select the values that are used to assign the colors. See
“Specify a Custom Data Range” on page 154.
Reference Lines
window.
name.
Using Animated Bubble Plots
About Animated Bubble Plots

An animated bubble plot displays the changes in your data values over time.
Each frame of the animation represents a value of the datetime data item that is
assigned to the Animation data role.
For example, if you assign a category with the YEAR format to the Animation
data role, then each frame of the animation displays a bubble plot of your data
for a specific year.
Create an Animated Bubble Plot

To create an animated bubble plot:
1 Select an existing bubble plot, or create a new bubble plot.
2 Assign a data item to the Group data role.
3 Assign a data item with a datetime format to the Animation data role.
Display an Animated Bubble Plot

For an animated bubble plot, a set of animation controls appears at the bottom
of the visualization.
Table 25.3 Animation Control Tasks
Task Action
Start the animation. Click .
Go to the previous animation frame. Click .
Go to the next animation frame. Click .
Jump to a specific animation frame. Use the slider.

Task Action
Specify whether to repeat the animation. Select or deselect Loop.
Select the animation speed. Use the Speed slider.
Track the movement of a specific bubble. Click the bubble that you want to track.
Note: If you select a bubble to track, the selected bubble is highlighted in the
current animation frame.
Working with Network Diagrams
About Network Diagrams

A network diagram displays the relationships between category values as a
series of linked nodes.
You can create two types of network diagrams:
Hierarchical
creates a hierarchical structure by using a hierarchy or a set of categories.
Ungrouped
creates a structure by using a source data item and a target data item. A
node is created for each value of the source data item, and a link is created
from each node to the node that corresponds to the value of the target data
item.
For example, if your source data item specifies the name of every employee
in an organization, and your target data item specifies the manager of each
employee, then the network diagram has a node for each employee that is
linked to the node for the employee’s manager.
Data Roles for a Network Diagrams
Basic Data Roles for a Hierarchical Network Diagram

The basic data role for a hierarchical network diagram is Levels. Specify a
hierarchy or any number of categories. The data items in the Levels role specify
the nodes of the network diagram. If you add categories to the Levels role, then
the order of the categories determines their hierarchical relationship. You can
drag and drop the categories to arrange them.
TIP If your diagram displays multiple duplicate nodes, then an ungrouped

diagram might be a better fit for your data.
Working with Network Diagrams 171
Basic Data Roles for an Ungrouped Network Diagram

The basic data roles for an ungrouped network diagram are Source and Target.
The Source specifies a category that contains all of the node values for the plot.
The Target specifies a category that creates the links between nodes.
The Target category must contain a subset of the values of the Source
category.
To represent terminal (target-only) values in an ungrouped network diagram, you
can add rows to your data where the terminal value is the value for the source
data item and the target data item is missing.
For example, in the following table, the final row represents a terminal value:
Employee Manager Salary
EMP1 MGR1 40000
EMP2 MGR1 55000
EMP3 MGR1 50000
MGR1 75000
Additional Data Roles for a Network Diagram

In addition to the basic data roles, you can specify the following additional data
roles for a network diagram:
Node size
specifies a measure that determines the size of the nodes in the diagram.
Node color
specifies a data item that determines the color of the nodes in the diagram.
Link width
specifies a measure that determines the width of the links in the diagram.
Link color
specifies a data item that determines the color of the links in the diagram.
Data tips
specifies data items whose values are included in the data tips for the
diagram. Measure values are aggregated by sum.
Specify Properties for a Network Diagram

Name
Title

Show map
displays the network as an overlay on a geographic map.
Note: This option is available only if geographies are assigned to all of the
data roles that create nodes. For hierarchical diagrams, all of the Levels
must be geographies. For ungrouped diagrams, the Source and Target must
be geographies.
Show labels
shows the node values as text inside each node.
Show direction
shows the links in the diagram as arrows.
Map service
if your diagram contains a map, specifies the source for the background map.
Node color
selects the color gradient for the nodes in the diagram. You can click to
select the values that are used to assign the colors. See “Specify a Custom
Data Range” on page 154.
Note: This option is available only if you assign a measure to the Node
Color data role.
Link color
selects the color gradient for the links in the diagram. You can click to
select the values that are used to assign the colors. See “Specify a Custom
Data Range” on page 154.
Note: This option is available only if you assign a measure to the Link Color
data role.
Additional levels
for hierarchical diagrams only, specifies the number of levels that are
displayed beneath the current level.
Node spacing
specifies the amount of space between nodes in the diagram.
Node size
adjusts the size of all of the nodes in the diagram.
Source node
displays the current node selection. To remove the node selection, select .
Predecessors
selects the number of levels of predecessors (parents) of the source node to
select. 0 specifies the source node. Note that you can specify a range by
making multiple selections. For example, select both 0 and 1 to specify that
the source node and the first level of predecessors are selected.
Successors
selects the number of levels of successors (children) of the source node to
select. 0 specifies the source node. Note that you can specify a range by
making multiple selections. For example, select both 0 and 1 to specify that
the source node and the first level of successors are selected.
Working with Network Diagrams 173
Arrange Nodes in a Network Diagram
Move Nodes
You can move any node in the diagram by clicking the node and dragging it. You
can move multiple nodes in the diagram by selecting the nodes that you want to
move and dragging them.
Note: The positions of the nodes in your diagram are saved with your
exploration.
Refresh the Node Layout

You can refresh your node layout by clicking . The network diagram creates a
new node layout based on your current node layout. This is especially useful
after you have moved nodes manually. Refreshing the node layout adjusts the
spacing and orientation of your nodes.
Use the Spotlight Tool to View Multiple Data Tips

The spotlight tool enables you to view data tips for all of the nodes that are
within a circular area around the cursor.
Click to enable or disable the spotlight tool.
Select Nodes in a Network Diagram

You can select nodes in the diagram by using any of the following methods:
n Click and drag the cursor to create a rectangular selection.
n Hold down the Ctrl key and click the nodes that you want to select.
n Select a series of linked nodes by setting a node as the source node.
Right-click a node, and then select Set as Source for Selection.

On the Properties tab, specify the range of levels of Predecessors
(parents) and Successors (children) of the source node to select. 0 specifies
that the source node is selected.
For example, if you specify a range of 0–1 for Predecessors and a range of
0–2 for Successors, then the source node, one level of predecessors, and
two levels of successors are selected.
Control the View of a Network Diagram

You can control the view of a network diagram by using the following controls:
Zoom Zoom in and out at the location of the

cursor by scrolling the mouse wheel.
Pan (scroll) Pan (scroll) the diagram by holding down

the Shift key and dragging the diagram.
Reposition the view When you have zoomed in on a diagram

and scroll bars are displayed, reposition
your zoomed view by holding the Shift
and Alt keys and dragging the diagram.
Rotate Rotate the diagram by holding down the

Ctrl key and dragging the diagram.
Create a Hierarchy from a Network Diagram

If your network diagram contains categories in the Levels role, then you can
create a new hierarchy by using the categories.
On the Roles tab, click on the drop-down list for the Levels role, and then select
Create Hierarchy. A new hierarchy is created with the name of the first category
in the hierarchy.
Working with Sankey Diagrams
About Sankey Diagrams

A Sankey diagram enables you to perform path analytics. Path analytics
displays flows of data from one event (value) to another as a series of paths.
The following display shows the parts of a Sankey diagram.
Figure 25.3 Parts of a Sankey Diagram
1 Nodes contain the events in each path. The node displays the width of each
link that enters and exits the node. The same event can appear at multiple
nodes in the diagram.
2 Links between nodes make up the paths in the diagram. The width of each
link can represent either the frequency of the path or the value of a weight
measure.
Working with Sankey Diagrams 175
3 Drop-off links are links that end at the current node. Drop-off links are
displayed only if some links continue onward from the current node.
Figure 25.4 A Path in a Sankey Diagram
A path in a Sankey diagram represents a distinct sequence of events. Each path

in the diagram consists of one or more transactions. A transaction is a sequence
of events that are associated with a specific transaction identifier value.
For example, if your data contains the activity of visitors to a website, then your
transaction identifier might be the unique session identifier for each visitor. The
events in your data might be the individual pages on the website that the visitor
accessed. In this example, each transaction is the sequence of pages that were
accessed by a specific visitor, and each path is a sequence of pages that
contains all of the transactions that follow that sequence.
Data Roles for a Sankey Diagram

Here are the basic data roles for a Sankey diagram:
Event
specifies a category whose values identify the events that are represented as
nodes in the diagram.
Sequence Order
specifies a datetime data item or a measure whose values identify the order
of the events for each transaction.
Transaction Identifier
specifies a data item whose values identify the transactions in the diagram.
Note: The paths in a Sankey diagram exclude any missing values in the data
items that are assigned to the Event, Transaction Identifier, or Sequence
Order role.
In addition to the basic data roles, you can specify the following role:
Weight
specifies a measure for the weight of each event in a transaction. The weight
values for each transaction, for each event in a path are aggregated to
determine the path weight.
Note: If the measure that is assigned to the Weight role has an aggregation
other than SUM or COUNT, then the node width labels in the diagram might
be misleading. It is recommended that you disable the Show nodes option if
your Weight measure has an aggregation other than SUM or COUNT.
Specify Properties for a Sankey Diagram

On the Properties tab, you can specify the following:
Name
Title
Note: Title is disabled if you select Generate graph title.
Show labels
displays the event name for each node.
Show nodes
displays link width values at each node.
Show outline
displays a box around each node.
Vertical layout
displays the diagram vertically.
Link color
specifies the method that is used to group and color the paths or links in the
diagram.
Select one of the following:
Path
displays each path as a separate group with a distinct color.
Event
groups links together by event. Links that originate from the same event
have the same color. For links between the same two events, the links
are combined even if their transactions are part of different paths.
Drop off
groups links together based on whether they are drop-off links. A drop-off
link represents a link that ends at the current node while other links
continue onward from the current node. For links between the same two
events, the links are combined even if their transactions are part of
different paths.
Link width
specifies whether the width of a link in a path represents the path frequency
(Frequency) or the aggregated value of the weight measure (Weight).
Note: If you do not assign the Weight data role, then Frequency is always
used for the link width.
Note: If the aggregated value of the weight measure for any path is
negative, zero, or missing, then Frequency is used for the link width.
Minimum path length

specifies the minimum length for a path that is displayed. The path length
that you specify indicates the number of nodes in the path.
For example, if the Minimum path length is 3 and the Maximum path
length is 5, then the diagram displays only paths that have lengths of 3, 4, or
5 nodes.
Maximum path length
specifies the maximum length for a path that is displayed. The path length
that you specify indicates the number of nodes in the path.
For example, if the Minimum path length is 3 and the Maximum path
length is 5, then the diagram displays only paths that have lengths of 3, 4, or
5 nodes.
Note: A hyphen character ( - ) specifies that there is no maximum path
length.
Minimum frequency
specifies the minimum path frequency for a path that is displayed. For
example, if you specify a minimum path frequency of 5, then the diagram
displays only paths that have a frequency of 5 or greater.
Maximum frequency
specifies the maximum path frequency for a path that is displayed. For
example, if you specify a maximum path frequency of 10, then the diagram
displays only paths that have a frequency of 10 or fewer.
Note: A hyphen character ( - ) specifies that there is no maximum frequency.
Path ranking
specifies a ranking method for the paths in the diagram. If you specified a
measure for the Weight role, then ranking is based on the aggregated value
of the weight measure for each path. If there is no measure for the Weight
role, then ranking is based on the frequency of each path.
From the drop-down list, select Top to select the paths with the highest
values. Select Bottom to select the paths with the lowest values. In the text
field, enter the number of paths to select.
By default, path ranking selects the top 200 paths.
Note: If your ranking method reduces the number of paths that are
displayed, then a message appears at the bottom of the diagram.
Compress
combines repeated, consecutive events in each path into a single event. If
you specified a measure for the Weight role, then the weight value for a
compressed event is the average of the weight values for the repeated,
consecutive events that were combined.
Note: For all of the options under Path Analytics, click to apply your
changes.
Managing the Path Selection for a Sankey

Diagram
About Path Selections

You can subset the paths in a Sankey diagram by creating a path selection. A
path selection uses a set of conditions to select or exclude paths based on the
nodes or events in each path.
Create a New Condition By Using the Add New Condition

Window
To create a new condition by using the Add New Condition window, follow these
steps:
1 In the visualization toolbar, click the

drop-down list, and then select Add
New Condition. The Add New Condition window appears.
2 From the Condition drop-down list, select the condition type.
3 From the Events drop-down list, select the events for the condition.
4 From the Type drop-down list, select one of the following:

Include Only
specifies that the path selection includes only paths that contain one or
more of the selected events.
Exclude
specifies that the path selection excludes all paths that contain one or
more of the selected events.
5 Click OK to apply the new condition to your path selection.
TIP You can create a condition for the path selection when only the Event
role is assigned to the visualization. For large data sources, you might want to
create your path selection before assigning all of the data roles to avoid long
loading times.
Create a New Condition from Selected Nodes

To add a new condition from selected nodes in the diagram, follow these steps:
1 Select one or more nodes in the diagram.
Note: To select multiple nodes, press the Ctrl key.
2 Click the drop-down list, and then select either Include Only or Exclude,
and then select the condition type. The condition type can be any of the
following:
Paths Containing All the Selected Nodes
includes or excludes paths that contain all of the selected nodes. This
condition type is based on specific nodes in the diagram, rather than the
event values.
Paths Containing Any of the Selected Nodes

includes or excludes paths that contain any of the selected nodes. This
condition type is based on specific nodes in the diagram, rather than the
event values.
Paths Containing the Selected Events on Any Node
includes or excludes paths that contain any of the selected events, on any
node. This condition type is based on the event values of the selected
nodes.
Paths Starting With the Selected Events
includes or excludes paths that start with any of the selected events.
Paths Ending With the Selected Events
includes or excludes paths that end with any of the selected events.
The new condition appears on the Path Selection tab of the details table.
Edit a Condition for a Path Selection

To edit a condition for a path selection, follow these steps:
1 Open the details table for your visualization by clicking the drop-down list
from the visualization toolbar, and then selecting Show Details.
2 In the details table, select the Path Selection tab.
3 In the Type column, select the condition type:
Include Only
includes only the paths that satisfy the condition.
Exclude
excludes the paths that satisfy the condition.
Remove Conditions from a Path Selection

To remove a condition from a path selection, perform the following steps:
1 Open the details table for your visualization by clicking the drop-down list
from the visualization toolbar, and then selecting Show Details.
2 In the details table, select the Path Selection tab.
3 To remove specific conditions, select the conditions that you want to remove,
right-click one selected condition, and select Remove Selected Conditions.
To remove all of the conditions, right-click any condition, and select Remove
All Conditions.
Explore the Transaction Identifier Values for a

Path Selection
You can explore the transaction identifier values for your path selection by
creating a new visualization. To create a new visualization from your path
selection, perform either of the following steps:
n On the Path Selection tab of the details table, right-click a condition, and
then select Create Visualization from All Conditions. All of the conditions
in your path selection are used to filter the data in your new visualization.
n In the Sankey diagram, select one or more nodes, click the drop-down
list, select Create New Visualization, and select a condition for your path
selection. For more information, see “Create a New Condition from Selected
Nodes” on page 178.
The new condition and any existing conditions are all used to filter the data in
your new visualization.
The new visualization appears as a bar chart of the data item assigned to the
Transaction Identifier role. A visualization filter selects all of the transaction
identifier values that correspond to your path selection. If your Sankey diagram
includes a weight measure, then the weight measure also appears in the bar
chart.
Note: You can perform any standard visualization tasks with the new
visualization. For example, you can add data items and change the visualization
type.
Use the Spotlight Tool to View Multiple Data Tips

The spotlight tool enables you to view data tips for all of the nodes that are
within a circular area around the cursor.
Click to enable or disable the spotlight tool.
Display the Overview

For large diagrams, the overview enables you to select the portions of the
diagram that are visible.
To display the overview, click the drop-down list from the visualization toolbar,
and then select Show Overview.
Zoom a Sankey Diagram

You can zoom a Sankey diagram by using either of the following controls:
n in the overview, select the part of the diagram that you want to zoom
n scroll the mouse wheel over the visualization to zoom in or zoom out at the
location of the cursor
Pan (Scroll) a Sankey Diagram

You can pan (scroll) the diagram by using any of the following controls:
n In the overview, drag the selection box.
n Hold down the Shift key and drag the diagram.
n When you have zoomed in on a diagram and scroll bars are displayed,
reposition your zoomed view by holding down the Shift and Alt keys and
dragging the diagram.
Working with Histograms 181
Working with Histograms
About Histograms
A histogram displays the distribution of values for a single measure. A series of
bars represents the number of observations in the measure that match a specific
value or value range. The bar height can represent either the exact number of
observations or the percentage of all observations for each value range.
Note: If you use the default number of bins, then the minimum and maximum
values on the histogram axis might not match the actual extent of your data
values. If you specify the number of histogram bins, then the histogram axis
matches your data values exactly.
Data Roles for a Histogram

The basic data role for a histogram is a measure. You can assign only one
measure to a histogram.
Specify Properties for a Histogram

Name
Title
Show grid lines
Bar direction
specifies whether the bars are vertical or horizontal.
Frequency
Use default bin count
specifies whether to use the default number of bins (value ranges) for the
histogram. The default number of bins is determined by the number of data
values in your histogram.
Bin count
specifies the number of bins (value ranges) for the histogram.
Reference Lines
window.
name.
Working with Box Plots
About Box Plots

A box plot displays the distribution of data values by using a rectangular box and
lines called “whiskers.”
Figure 25.5 Parts of a Box Plot
Figure 25.5 on page 182 shows a diagram of a box plot. The bottom and top
edges of the box indicate the interquartile range (IQR). That is, the range of
values that are between the first and third quartiles (the 25th and 75th
percentiles). The marker inside the box indicates the mean value. The line inside
the box indicates the median value.
You can enable outliers, which are data points whose distances from the
interquartile range are greater than 1.5 times the size of the interquartile range.
The whiskers (lines protruding from the box) indicate the range of values that are
outside of the interquartile range. If you do not enable outliers, then the whiskers
extend to the maximum and minimum values in the plot. If you enable outliers,
then the whiskers indicate the range of values that are outside of the
interquartile range, but are close enough not to be considered outliers.
If there are a large number of outliers, then the range of outlier values is
represented by a bar. The data tip for the bar displays additional information
about the outliers. To explore the outliers, double-click on the outlier bar to view
the values as a new histogram visualization.
Working with Box Plots 183
Data Roles for a Box Plot

The basic data roles for a box plot are categories and measures. You can assign
one category only, and the category values are plotted on the category axis. You
can assign many measures, and the measure values are plotted on the
response axis. At least one measure is required.
Lattice columns
Lattice rows
that you assign.
Specify Properties for a Box Plot

Name
Title
Show grid lines
Box direction
specifies whether the boxes are vertical or horizontal.
Overview
Measure layout
Outliers
specifies how outliers are displayed. An outlier is a data point whose distance
from the interquartile range is greater than 1.5 times the size of the
interquartile range.
Ignore Outliers
excludes outliers from the plot. If you select this option, then outlier values
are not represented in the plot.
Hide Outliers
includes the outliers within the whiskers. If you select this option, then
outlier values are not represented differently from the other values in the
plot.
Show Outliers
displays outliers separately from the whiskers. If there are a small number
of outliers, then each outlier is displayed as a point. If there are a large
number of outliers, then the range of outlier values is displayed as a bar.
Show averages
displays the mean value as a marker inside the box.
Rotate axis labels
Note: The Rotate axis labels option has no effect if the box plot contains no
categories.
Reference Lines
window.
name.
Working with Heat Maps
About Heat Maps

A heat map displays the distribution of values for two data items by using a table
with colored cells. If you do not assign a measure to the Color data role, then a
cell’s color represents the frequency of each intersection of values. If you assign
a measure to the Color data role, then a cell’s color represents the aggregated
measure value for each intersection of values.
Data Roles for a Heat Map

The basic data roles for a heat map are:
X axis
specifies the data item that is assigned to the X axis.
Y axis
specifies the data item that is assigned to the Y axis.
Color
specifies a measure that determines the cell color. If you do not assign the
Color role, then the cell color indicates frequency.
Specify Properties for a Heat Map

Working with Heat Maps 185
Name
Title
Bin count
specifies the number of value ranges that are represented as cells. Bin
count affects only measures.
Show borders
specifies that the borders between cells are visible.
Rotate axis labels
Note: The Rotate axis labels option affects only the values on the X axis.
Note: The Rotate axis labels option has no effect if the heat map contains
no categories.
Color gradient
Fit line
adds a fit line to the heat map. For information about the fit types that are
available, see “Fit Lines” on page 226.
Note: Fit lines are not available if a category is assigned to the heat map.
Applying Data Analysis
About Data Analysis

For heat maps, you can apply the following data analyses:
Correlation
identifies the degree of statistical correlation between the variables in the
visualization. For more information, see “Correlation” on page 225.
Fit Line
plots a model of the relationship between the variables in the visualization.
There are many types of fit lines, including linear fit, quadratic fit, cubic fit,
and penalized B-spline. For more information, see “Fit Lines” on page 226.
Correlation is applied to your visualization automatically when you add a linear fit
line. It is not available with other fit types.
Enable Data Analysis

To add a fit line to your visualization, select the drop-down list from the
visualization toolbar, and then select Fit Line  fit-type. For information about
the fit types that are available, see “Fit Lines” on page 226.
Note: Fit lines are not available if your heat map contains categories or
hierarchies.
Working with Geo Maps
About Geo Maps

A geo map overlays your data on a geographic map. You can display your data
either as bubbles, as a scatter plot, or as colored regions on the geo map.
To display a geo map, you must define one or more of the categories as
geography data items. For more information, see “Defining a Geography Data
Item” on page 134.
Data Roles for a Geo Map

The basic data roles for a bubble plot are:
Map style
specifies the type of data overlay for the map. Select one of the following
values:
Coordinates
displays your data as a simple scatter plot on the map. Each point is
located at the center of a geographic region or at the coordinates of a
location.
Bubbles
displays your data as a series of bubbles. Each bubble is located at the
center of a geographic region or at the coordinates of a location.
Regions
displays your data as colored regions on the map.
Note: The Regions map style is not available for custom geographic
roles or for ZIP codes.
Geography
specifies the geography data item that identifies geographic regions for your
map.
Geography data items are identified by the icon.

Bubble size
for the Bubbles map style, specifies the measure that determines the bubble
size.
Color
for the Regions map style, specifies the measure that determines the
regions’ colors.
Working with Geo Maps 187
for the Bubbles map style, specifies a measure that determines the bubble
color.
Specify Properties for a Geo Map

Name
Title
Map service
specifies the source for the background map.
Size scale
specifies the type of scaling that is used to draw the bubbles. Select one of
the following values:
Linear
specifies that the bubble sizes are scaled relative to the minimum and
maximum values (or frequencies) in your data. A negative value is
displayed as a smaller bubble than a positive value.
For the Linear scaling type, the difference in bubble sizes might not be
proportional to the difference in values.
Magnitude
specifies that the bubble sizes are scaled relative to zero and the greatest
absolute value in your data. A negative value is displayed as a circle with
a waving edge.
For the Magnitude scaling type, the difference in bubble sizes is
proportional to the difference in absolute values.
Note: This option is available only for the Bubbles map style.
Frequency
specifies whether the frequency values are displayed as the number of
values (Count) or as the percentage of values (Percent).
Show map navigation control
specifies whether the map zoom and pan controls are visible.
Color gradient
Transparency
specifies the amount of transparency for the data overlay.
Zoom a Geo Map

You can zoom the map by using any of the following controls:
n click the zoom bar to select your zoom level
n press the + and – buttons on the zoom bar
n scroll the mouse wheel to zoom in or zoom out at the location of the cursor
Pan (Scroll) a Geo Map

You can pan (scroll) the map by using any of the following controls:
n click and drag the map
n click the arrows on the pan control
Working with Treemaps
About Treemaps
A treemap displays a hierarchy or a category as a set of rectangular tiles. Each
tile represents a category value or a hierarchy node. The size of each tile
represents either the frequency count or the value of a measure. If you assign a
measure to the Color role, then the color of each tile represents the value of that
measure.
Data Roles for a Treemap

The basic data roles for a treemap are:
Tile
specifies categories or a hierarchy that are used to create the tiles in the
treemap. If you specify categories for the Tile role, the order of the
categories determines the level of each category. Drag and drop the
categories to place them in the order that you want.
Size
specifies a measure that determines the size of each tile. If you do not
specify the Size role, then the tile size is determined by the frequency count.
Note: If any of the aggregated values for the Size role results in a negative
size value or a value of zero, then an error appears.
Color
specifies a measure that determines the color of the tiles.
Specify Properties for a Treemap

Working with Treemaps 189
Name
Title
Show data labels
shows a text label for each tile in the treemap.
Frequency
specifies whether the frequency values are displayed as the number of
values (Count) or as the percentage of values (Percent).
Arrangement
specifies the layout of the tiles in the treemap. Select one of the following
values:
Standard
arranges the tiles into squares, with the largest tiles generally at the
bottom left.
Flow
arranges the tiles from largest to smallest, with the largest tile at the top
left.
Toggle
arranges the tiles into a single row or column, with the largest tile on the
left or at the top.
The orientation of the tiles alternates between hierarchy levels. The top
level is arranged as a row, the second level is a column, and so on.
Additional levels
specifies the number of levels that are displayed beneath the current level.
Color gradient
Create a Hierarchy from a Treemap

If your treemap contains categories in the Tile role, then you can create a new
hierarchy by using the categories.
On the Roles tab, click on the drop-down list for the Tile role, and then select
Create Hierarchy. A new hierarchy is created with the name of the first category
in the hierarchy.
Working with Correlation Matrices
About Correlation Matrices

A correlation matrix displays the degree of correlation between multiple
intersections of measures as a matrix of rectangular cells. Each cell in the matrix
represents the intersection of two measures, and the color of the cell indicates
the degree of correlation between those two measures.
A correlation matrix can either compare within a single set of measures or it can
compare between two sets of measures.
The correlation values are calculated by using Pearson’s product-moment
correlation coefficient. Correlation values are identified as weak, moderate, or
strong as follows:
Weak
the absolute value is 0.3 or lower
Moderate
the absolute value is greater than 0.3 and less than or equal to 0.6
Strong
the absolute value is greater than 0.6
Data Roles for a Correlation Matrix

The basic data role for a correlation matrix is a measure. You must assign at
least two measures.
Note: The maximum number of measures is 60.
The Show Correlations option specifies whether the correlation matrix uses a
single set of measures (Within one set of measures) or two sets of measures
(Between two sets of measures.)
If you select Between two sets of measures, then assign measures to the X
axis and Y axis roles.
Specify Properties for a Correlation Matrix

Name
Title
Show borders
specifies that the borders between cells are visible.
Working with Decision Trees 191
Rotate axis labels

displays the axis labels at an angle.
Color gradient
Sort Correlation Values

For a correlation matrix between two sets of measures, you can sort by the
correlation values for a measure.
To apply sorting, right-click the Measures button on the axis that you want to
sort, and then select Sort. You can select any of the measures on the selected
axis, and you can select whether to sort the correlation values in ascending or
descending order.
Explore the Data for a Cell

For any cell (crossing) in the correlation matrix, you can explore the measures
for that cell as a heat map.
To explore the measures, right-click the cell that you want to explore, and then
select Explore measure by measure.
A new heat map visualization displays the two measures from your selected cell.
Working with Decision Trees
About Decision Trees

Note: If SAS Visual Statistics is licensed at your site, then the decision tree
contains advanced features. See Chapter 37, “Decision Trees,” on page 281.
A decision tree uses the values of one or more predictor data items to predict
the values of a response data item. A decision tree displays a series of nodes as
a tree, where the top node is the response data item, and each branch of the
tree represents a split in the values of a predictor data item. Decision trees are
also known as classification and regression trees.
Figure 25.6 Example Decision Tree
Each branch of the tree displays the name of the predictor for the branch at the
top of the split. The thickness of the branch indicates the number of values that
are associated with each node. The predictor values for each node are
displayed above the node.
Each node in the tree displays the data for the node either as a histogram (if the
response contains continuous data) or as a bar chart (if the response contains
discrete data). The histogram or bar chart in each node displays the values of
the response data item that are selected by the splits in the tree. The number at
the top right of the node indicates the greatest value or frequency for the bar
chart or histogram. At the bottom of each node, the total number of data values
(count) for the node is displayed.
Below the decision tree, an icicle plot of the nodes is displayed. The color of the
node in the icicle plot indicates the predicted level for that node. When you
select a node in either the decision tree or the icicle plot, the corresponding node
is selected in the other location.
Decision trees in SAS Visual Analytics use a modified version of the C4.5
algorithm.
The details table for a decision tree contains two additional data columns, Node
ID and Parent ID. Node ID specifies a unique value for each node in the tree.
Parent ID specifies the ID of the parent node.
Data Roles for a Decision Tree

The basic data roles for a decision tree are:
Response
specifies the response for the decision tree. You can specify any category or
measure. The decision tree attempts to predict the values of the response
data item. The bar chart or histogram inside each node of the tree displays
the frequency of values for the response data item.
Predictors
specifies predictors for the decision tree. You can specify one or more
categories or measures as predictors. The values of predictor data items are
displayed above the nodes in the tree. The order of the data items in the
Predictors list does not affect the tree.
Note: If a predictor does not contribute to the predictive accuracy of the tree
or the contribution has been pruned, then the predictor is not included in the
final tree that is displayed.
Specify Properties for a Decision Tree

Name
Include missing
specifies whether missing values are included in the tree.
Frequency
specifies whether the frequency value for each node is displayed as a count
(Count) or as a percentage (Percent).
Growth strategy
specifies the parameters that are used to create the decision tree. Select one
of the following values:
Basic
specifies a simple tree with a maximum of two branches per split and a
maximum of six levels. For details, see Table 25.4 on page 194.
Advanced
specifies a complex tree with a maximum of four branches per split and a
maximum of six levels. For details, see Table 25.4 on page 194.
Custom
enables you to select the values for each of the parameters.
If you select Custom as the value for Growth strategy, then the following
additional options appear:
Maximum branches
specifies the maximum number of branches for each node split.
Maximum levels
specifies the maximum number of levels in the tree.
Leaf size
specifies the minimum number of values (count) for each node.
Response bins
specifies the number of bins that are used for the response data item.
Note: This option has no effect if the response data item contains discrete
data.
Predictor bins
specifies the number of bins that are used for predictor data items.
Note: This option has no effect if the predictor data items contain discrete
data.
Rapid growth
enables you to use the information gain ratio and k-means fast search
methods for decision tree growth. When disabled, the information gain and
greedy search methods are used, which generally produce a larger tree and
require more time to create.
Pruning
specifies the level of pruning that is applied to the tree. Pruning removes
leaves and branches that contribute the least to the predictive accuracy of
the tree. A more Lenient pruning value specifies that fewer leaves and
branches are removed from the tree. A more Aggressive pruning value
specifies that more leaves and branches are removed from the tree.
Reuse predictors
specifies that predictors can be used more than once in the tree.
The following parameter values are used for the Basic and Advanced growth
strategies:
Table 25.4 Parameter Values for the Basic and Advanced Growth Strategies
Property Basic Value Advanced Value
Maximum branches 2 4
Maximum levels 6 6
Leaf size 1 1
Response bins 10 10
Predictor bins 2 10
Reuse predictors No Yes

Explore a Node as a New Visualization

For each node in the tree, you can explore the data values as a new histogram
or bar chart visualization. To create a new visualization for a node, right-click on
the node, and then select Create Visualization from Node. A new visualization
appears.
Note: If you create a visualization from a node that displays a histogram, then
the new histogram might have visual differences from the histogram that is
displayed in the decision tree. For example, the bins and the extent of data on
the X axis might be different. However, the two histograms use exactly the same
data.
Derive a Leaf ID Data Item from a Decision Tree

You can derive a leaf ID data item to represent the results of a decision tree. The
leaf ID data item creates values that correspond to the node IDs in the details
table for the decision tree.
You can use the leaf ID data item in a filter to select the values for a decision
tree node in other types of visualizations.
To calculate a leaf ID data item from a decision tree:
1 Select the drop-down list from the visualization toolbar, and then select
Derive a Leaf ID Variable.
2 In the New Calculated Item window, enter a Name for the new calculated
item.
3 Click OK to create the new data item.
Display the Overview

For large decision trees, the overview enables you to select the portions of the
tree that are visible.
To display the overview, right-click an empty part of the decision tree, and then
select Show Overview.
Note: Each leaf node in the overview displays a single bar for the greatest value
in that node. To display a bar for each node in the overview, right-click an empty
part of the decision tree, and then select Show Branch Coloring.
Zoom a Decision Tree

You can zoom a decision tree by using either of the following controls:
n in the overview, select the part of the decision tree that you want to view
n scroll the mouse wheel over the visualization to zoom in or out at the location
of the cursor
Note: If you zoom out on the decision tree, then each leaf node displays a
single bar for the greatest value in that node. To display a bar for each node in
the tree, right-click an empty part of the decision tree, and then select Show
Branch Coloring.
When you have zoomed in on a decision tree and scroll bars are displayed, you
can reposition the decision tree by holding down the Shift and Alt keys and
dragging it.
Pan (Scroll) a Decision Tree

You can pan (scroll) the decision tree by using any of the following controls:
n in the overview, drag the selection box
n hold down the Shift key and drag the decision tree
Working with Word Clouds
About Word Clouds

A word cloud displays a set of words from a character data item. Depending on
the type of word cloud and your data roles, the size of each word in the cloud
can indicate the importance (topic term weight) of the word, the frequency of the
word, or the value of a measure.
You can create two types of word cloud:
Word clouds that use text analytics
Word clouds that use text analytics analyze each value in a document
collection data item as a text document that can contain multiple words.
Words that often appear together in the document collection are identified as
topics. For the selected topic, the word cloud displays the terms with the
greatest topic term weight values. The topic term weight indicates the
importance of the term within the topic.
A word cloud that uses text analytics can also display whether the
documents in a topic express positive, negative, or neutral sentiment.
The details table for a text analytics word cloud contains additional
information about the terms, topics, and documents in the word cloud. For
more information, see “Explore Text Analytics Results” on page 200.
To enable text analytics, you must set a unique row identifier and define one
or more categories as document collections. See “Define Data Items for Text
Analytics” on page 136.
Note: Text analytics can be applied only to English or German text.
Note: Depending on the number of rows in your data source and the length
of the values in your document collection, a word cloud with text analytics
might require a significant amount of time to display.
Note: Text analytics in SAS Visual Analytics uses a different algorithm from
SAS Text Miner. Your results might be different from the results that SAS Text
Miner produces.
Word clouds that use category values
Word clouds that use category values analyze each value in a category data
item as a single text string. The word cloud can display either the string
Working with Word Clouds 197
values that have the highest frequency or the string values that have the
greatest value for a measure. The color of each word can indicate the value
of a measure.
Note: If you view the word cloud as an automatic chart, then any changes to the
Roles tab might cause the visualization to reset. It is recommended that you
view it as a word cloud.
Data Roles for a Word Cloud
About Data Roles for a Word Cloud

The data roles for a word cloud are dependent on the type of word cloud that
you select.
The Show Word Cloud option selects whether the word cloud is generated by
using text analytics or by using category values.
Data Roles for a Word Cloud That Uses Text Analytics

For a word cloud that uses text analytics, the basic role is a Document
collection. A document collection is a category data item that contains the
words that you will analyze.
Note: To enable text analytics, you must set a unique row identifier and define
one or more categories as document collections. See “Define Data Items for
Text Analytics” on page 136.
In addition to the basic role, you can specify the following role:
Document details
specifies data items that are displayed as columns in the Documents tab of
the details table.
Data Roles for a Word Cloud That Uses Category Values

For a word cloud that uses category values, the basic role is Words. Specify a
category whose values are used in the word cloud.
In addition to the basic role, you can specify these roles:
Size
specifies a measure that determines the size of each word. If you do not
specify a measure, then the word size indicates the frequency of each word.
Color
specifies a measure that determines the color of each word.
Specify Properties for a Word Cloud

Name
Title

Frequency (for category values only)
Note: This option has no effect if a measure is assigned to the Size role.
Word display limit
specifies the maximum number of words that are displayed in the word cloud.
Font scale
specifies the amount of difference in font sizes between the largest and
smallest words in the cloud. The number value specifies the ratio in points of
the largest font size to the smallest font size.
For word clouds that use category values, you can specify the following addition
option:
Color gradient
For word clouds that use text analytics, you can specify the following additional
basic options:
Analyze document sentiment
enables sentiment analysis for the word cloud.
Sentiment analysis determines whether a document has a positive
sentiment, negative sentiment, or neutral sentiment based on the content of
the document.
When sentiment analysis is enabled, the number of positive, neutral, and
negative documents in the topic is displayed at the top of the word cloud. In
addition, sentiment values are displayed on the Topics and Documents tabs
of the details table.
Identify term roles
identifies terms by their parts of speech. In addition, this option identifies
groups of nouns as single terms and identifies text entities such as names,
addresses, telephone numbers, and so on.
Note: This option is equivalent to the advanced options Include parts of
speech, Extract noun groups, and Use entity extraction.
Maximum topics
specifies the maximum number of topics to create. Specify a number from 4
to 20.
For word clouds that use text analytics, you can specify the following additional
advanced options:
Analyze document sentiment
enables sentiment analysis for the word cloud.
Working with Word Clouds 199
Sentiment analysis determines whether a document has a positive

sentiment, negative sentiment, or neutral sentiment based on the content of
the document.
When sentiment analysis is enabled, the number of positive, neutral, and
negative documents in the topic is displayed at the top of the word cloud. In
addition, sentiment values are displayed on the Topics and Documents tabs
of the details table.
Maximum topics
specifies the maximum number of topics to create. Specify a number from 4
to 20.
Resolution
specifies the resolution that is used to identify topics. A Low resolution
identifies fewer topics. A High resolution identifies more topics.
Cell weight
specifies whether to weight the frequency of each term for every document
that it appears in. Selecting Logarithmic de-emphasizes terms that appear
many times in relatively few documents.
Term weight
specifies a weighting algorithm for the terms in the document collection. The
Entropy weighting algorithm emphasizes terms that have a low frequency
across the document collection.
Document threshold
specifies the minimum number of documents that a term must appear in.
Specify a number from 1 to 20. If a term does not appear in the minimum
number of documents, then it is not included in the word cloud.
Topic label length
specifies the number of terms that are included in a topic name. Specify a
number from 2 to 8. This property does not affect the number of terms that
are used to select topics; only the topic names are changed.
Include parts of speech
specifies that terms are classified by parts of speech (for example, a noun, a
verb, or an adjective.) The part of speech for each term is displayed in the
data tip for the term.
Extract noun groups
specifies whether to identify groups of nouns as terms.
Use entity extraction
specifies whether to identify text entities such as names, addresses,
telephone numbers, and so on. If this option is disabled, then text entities are
not treated differently from other text.
Stem words
specifies whether all forms of a given word are identified as a single term.
For example, if you select Stem words, then the words “sell,” “sells,”
“selling,” and “sold” are identified as a single term “sell.”
Use stop list (if available)
specifies whether to use a stop list to exclude common words such as “the,”
“with,” and “is” when identifying terms. If no stop list is available, then a
message appears at the bottom of the word cloud.
Stop list
specifies the stop list that is used, if the Use stop list option is enabled.
Explore Text Analytics Results

For a word cloud visualization that uses text analytics, a large amount of
additional information is available in the details table. To display the details table,
click the drop-down list from the visualization toolbar, and then select Show
Details.
The details table for a text analytics word cloud contains the following tabs:
Results
displays all of the terms in the current topic. For each term, the Topic Term
Weight value indicates the importance of the term in the current topic.
If the Identify term roles property or the Include parts of speech property
is enabled, then the Role value identifies the grammatical role of each term.
Note: You can sort any column by clicking the column heading.
Topics
displays all of the topics in the document collection. If sentiment analysis is
enabled, then the number of positive, neutral, and negative documents for
each topic is displayed.
Note: You can sort any column by clicking the column heading.
Documents
displays each of the documents that contains the selected term. For each
document, the Relevance value indicates how relevant the document is to
the current topic.
To view the full text for a document, right-click the document, and then select
View Full Document.
If sentiment analysis is enabled, then the Sentiment value identifies how
positive or negative the document is. You can filter the documents to exclude
documents with positive, negative, or neutral sentiment.
Note: You can sort any numeric column by clicking the column heading.
Analysis
provides definitions of the key concepts for text analytics.
Explore Selected Documents as a New

Visualization
You can explore a set of selected documents as a new table visualization. To
create a new visualization from your selected documents, follow these steps:
1 Select the topic and the term that you want to explore.
2 On the Documents tab in the details table, select the documents that you
want to explore in a new visualization. To select all of the documents, right-
click any document, and then select Select All.
3 Right-click any document, and then select Create Visualization from

Selected Documents.
A new table visualization appears with your selected document values.

201
26
Working with Filters
About Filters in SAS Visual Analytics Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Managing Your Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Set the Scope of a Filter (Global or Local) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Collapse or Expand a Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Arrange Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Delete a Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Resize the Global Filters and Local Filters Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Copy a Local Filter to Another Visualization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Copy All Local Filters from the Current Visualization to Another Visualization 203
Copy a Local Filter to New Visualization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Link a Global Filter to Another Data Source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Working with Basic Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
About Basic Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Create a Basic Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Create a Basic Filter from a Data Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Edit a Filter By Using Visual Filter Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Edit a Basic Filter By Using the Edit Filter Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Reset a Basic Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Working with Advanced Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
About Advanced Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Create an Advanced Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Edit an Advanced Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Working with Data Source Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
About Data Source Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Create a Data Source Filter from a Global Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Create a New Data Source Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Edit a Data Source Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Delete a Data Source Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Editing a Filter Expression . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Specify the Filter Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Edit a Parameter Value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Add a Condition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Add an Operator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Replace an Operator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Add a Global Parameter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Delete Part of an Expression . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Subset an Expression . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Edit an Expression as Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
202 Chapter 26 / Working with Filters
Display the Current Expression as Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213

Manage the Scratch Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
About Filters in SAS Visual Analytics

Explorer
In SAS Visual Analytics Explorer (the explorer), you can create filters to subset
your data.
Three types of filters are available:
Basic filters
subset the data for your visualizations by using a single data item. Basic
filters can be modified by using visual filter controls or by using the Edit Filter
window.
For more information, see “Working with Basic Filters” on page 204.
Advanced filters
subset the data for your visualizations by using any number of data items.
Visual filter controls are not available for advanced filters.
For more information, see “Working with Advanced Filters” on page 209.
Data source filters
subset a data source for the entire exploration. Data source filters are applied
before all other data processing, so statistics like cardinality values and the
percentage of total rows that is displayed in the right pane are based on the
filtered data. Data source filters can use any number of data items to select
data.
For information about data source filters, see “Working with Data Source
Filters” on page 210.
All of your filters are saved when you save your exploration.
Managing Your Filters
Set the Scope of a Filter (Global or Local)

A filter can be either local (applies only to the current visualization) or global
(applies to all of the visualizations in the exploration that use the selected data
source).
To set the scope of a filter, click the drop-down list for the filter on the Filters
tab, and then select Filter on data-source to make it a global filter or Filter on
Visualization to make it a local filter.
Note: If you change a global filter’s scope to local, then a local filter is created
for all of the visualizations in the exploration that use the selected data source.
Note: If local filters exist in your other visualizations for the same data item,
then changing a local filter to a global filter replaces those local filters. A
confirmation window enables you to continue or cancel.
Managing Your Filters 203
Collapse or Expand a Filter

To collapse (minimize) or expand (restore) a filter, click the filter name on the
Filters tab.
To collapse all of the filters in an area, click the drop-down list in the global
filters area or in the local filters area on the Filters tab, and then select Collapse
All Filters.
To expand all of the filters in an area, click the drop-down list in the global
filters area or in the local filters area on the Filters tab, and then select Expand
All Filters.
Arrange Filters
To arrange the filters in an area of the Filters tab, click the drop-down list in
the global filters area or in the local filters area and then select Arrange Filters.
In the Arrange Filters window, you can change the order of your filters.
Delete a Filter
To delete a filter, click beside the filter on the Filters tab, or click the drop-
down list for the specific filter, and then select Delete Filter.
You can delete all of the filters in an area by clicking the drop-down list in the
global filters area or in the local filters area on the Filters tab, and then selecting
Delete All Filters.
Note: If you delete a global filter, then the filter is removed from all of the
visualizations that use the selected data source.
Resize the Global Filters and Local Filters Areas

To resize the global filters and local filters areas of the Filters tab, drag the
resizing tab between the two areas.
Copy a Local Filter to Another Visualization

For a local filter, you can copy your filter to any visualization that uses the same
data source.
To copy your filter, click the drop-down list for the filter on the Filters tab, and
then select Copy Filter to  visualization-name.
Copy All Local Filters from the Current

Visualization to Another Visualization
For local filters, you can copy all of your filters to any visualization that uses the
same data source.
To copy your filters, click the drop-down list for the local filters (Visualization)
area of the Filters tab, and then select Copy All Filters to  visualization-
name.
Copy a Local Filter to New Visualization

For a local filter, you can copy your filter to new blank visualization.
To copy your filter, click the drop-down list for the filter on the Filters tab, and
then select Copy Filter to  New Visualization to copy your filter to a new
blank visualization.
Link a Global Filter to Another Data Source

You can create a single filter that affects multiple data sources by linking a global
filter from one data source to another.
To create a linked global filter, follow these steps:
1 Create a global, basic filter or select an existing global, basic filter. See
“Create a Basic Filter” on page 205.
Note: You cannot link an advanced filter to another data source.
2 Click the drop-down list for the filter on the Filters tab, and then select
Link Filter to  data-source. The Link Filters window appears.
Note: If the target data source has a different locale from your current data
source, then a message appears. A linked filter between data sources that
use different encodings might cause query errors.
3 Specify the New filter name, and select the Target data item.
The values for the original data item and the target data item are displayed.
For discrete data items, an asterisk marks any values that are identical
between the two data items.
4 Click OK to create the linked filter. The linked filter appears in the global
filters area of each visualization that uses any of the linked data sources.
Note: You can link a linked filter to additional data sources to filter all of the
linked data sources at once.
Working with Basic Filters
About Basic Filters

For all visualization types, you can subset your data by using the Filters tab.
You can base your filters on any data item, regardless of whether the data item
is assigned to the current visualization.
Your filters can be either local filters that apply only to the current visualization or
global filters that apply to all of the visualizations for the selected data source. In
the Filters tab, the local filters area is labeled Visualization and the global filters
area is labeled with the name of the selected data source for the current
Working with Basic Filters 205
visualization.For more information, see “Set the Scope of a Filter (Global or

Local)” on page 202.
The total percentage of values that are selected by your filters is displayed at the
bottom of the Filters tab. The tooltip for the percentage displays the exact
number of data rows. The percentage is calculated after data source filters are
applied.
Create a Basic Filter

To create a basic filter:
1 From the Data pane, select the data item that you want to use as the base of
the filter. You can select any data item, regardless of whether it is assigned to
the current visualization.
2 For a local filter, either right-click on the data item, and select Add as Filter
on Visualization, or drag and drop the data item onto the local filters area of
the Filters tab.
For a global filter, either right-click on the data item, and select Add as Filter
on data-source, or drag and drop the data item onto the global filters area of
the Filters tab.
Note: If a local filter exists for a data item in any of your visualizations, then
you cannot create a new global filter for that data item. Remove the local
filter, or change its scope to global. Similarly, if a global filter exists for a data
item, then you cannot create a local filter for that data item.
3 Set the parameters for your filter. You can use either visual filter controls or
the Edit Filter window .
Note: By default, your filter changes are applied automatically to the active
visualization. To apply multiple changes together, deselect Auto-Update, and
then click Update when you are ready to apply your filter changes.
Create a Basic Filter from a Data Selection

When you select data values in a visualization, you can use the selected values
to create a basic filter.
To create a new filter from a data selection:
1 Select one or more data values in a visualization.
2 Right-click on the visualization, and then select one of the following:
Include Only Selection

creates a filter that includes the selected values only.
Exclude Selection
creates a filter that excludes the selected values.
The new filter appears on the Filters tab.
Edit a Filter By Using Visual Filter Controls
About Visual Filter Controls

Visual filter controls are accessible directly from the Filters tab. The visual filter
controls are different, depending on the model type of the filter data item.
Filtering Discrete Data

Figure 26.1 A Visual Filter for a Discrete Data Item
Note: If your data contains a large number of discrete values, then the top
1,000 most frequent values are displayed.
For data items that use the discrete data model, the filter displays all of the
distinct values for the data item. To the right of each value, a bar indicates the
frequency.
Use the check boxes next to each value to select the values for the filter. You
can search for a value in the displayed list by clicking . Enter a text string in
the field. The search locates values from the displayed list that begin with your
text string.
Select All to select or deselect all of the values. If the filter displays the top 1,000
most frequent values, then select Include unlisted values to select the unlisted
values.
To invert your selection, click the drop-down list, and then select Invert
Selection.
You can sort the values by frequency or alphabetically by value. Click the
drop-down list, and then select Sort by Frequency or Sort by Values.
To display the selected values at the top of the list, click the drop-down list,
and then select Show Selected at Top.
If your data item contains more than 1,000 discrete values, then you can exclude
the unlisted values by deselecting Include unlisted values.
If your data item contains missing values, then you can exclude missing values
by deselecting Include missing values.
Working with Basic Filters 207
By default, your filter changes are applied automatically to the active

visualization. To apply multiple changes together, deselect Auto-Update at the
bottom of the Filters tab, and then click Update when you are ready to apply
your filter changes.
Filtering Continuous Data

Figure 26.2 A Visual Filter for a Continuous Data Item
For measures that use the continuous data model, the filter shows the range of
data values as a histogram. Sliders at each side of the histogram enable you to
select the data that is selected by the filter.
The visual filter can select data by using different filter conditions. By default, the
Between (Inclusive) condition is used. To change the condition for your filter,
click the drop-down list, select Condition Type, and then select the
condition. Select one of the following conditions:
Between (Exclusive)
specifies that a matching value must be in the range between the lower
bound and the upper bound. Matching values do not include the bounding
values.
Between (Inclusive)
specifies that a matching value must be in the range between the lower
bound and the upper bound. Matching values can include the bounding
values.
Equal To
specifies that a matching value must be equal to the value specified by the
filter.
Greater Than
specifies that a matching value must be greater than the value specified by
the filter.
Greater Than or Equal To
specifies that a matching value must be greater than or equal to the value
specified by the filter.
Less Than
specifies that a matching value must be less than the value specified by the
filter.
Less Than or Equal To
specifies that a matching value must be less than or equal to the value
specified by the filter.
Not Between (Exclusive)
specifies that a matching value must be outside the range between the lower
bound and the upper bound. Matching values do not include the bounding
values.
Not Between (Inclusive)

specifies that a matching value must be outside the range between the lower
bound and the upper bound. Matching values can include the bounding
values.
Not Equal To
specifies that a matching value must not be equal to the value specified by
the filter.
You can specify the values for the filter by using sliders or by entering the values
explicitly:
n For numeric data, click on a value below the histogram, and then enter a new
value in the text field.
n For a continuous datetime data item, click , and then select a date or time.
If your data item contains missing values, then you can exclude the missing
values by deselecting Include missing values.
To invert your selection, click the drop-down list, and then select Invert
Selection.
By default, your filter changes are applied automatically to the active
visualization. To apply multiple changes together, deselect Auto-Update at the
bottom of the Filters tab, and then click Update when you are ready to apply
your filter changes.
Edit a Basic Filter By Using the Edit Filter Window

To edit a basic filter by using the Edit Filter window:
1 Select the Filters tab.
2 Click the drop-down list for the filter that you want to edit, and then select
Edit Filter. The Edit Filter window appears.
3 Edit the expression for the filter. For more information, see “Editing a Filter
Expression” on page 211.
Reset a Basic Filter

To restore a basic filter to its initial state, click the drop-down list for the filter,
and then select Reset Filter.
You can reset all of your filters by clicking the drop-down list in the global
filters area or the local filters area of the Filters tab, and then selecting Reset
All Filters.
Working with Advanced Filters 209
Working with Advanced Filters
About Advanced Filters

For all visualization types, you can create advanced filters to subset your data by
using the Filters tab.
Advanced filters enable you to create filters that use more than one data item.
Your advanced filters can be either local filters that apply only to the current
visualization, or global filters that apply to all of the visualizations that use the
selected data source.
The total percentage of values that are selected by your filters is displayed at the
bottom of the Filters tab. The tooltip for the percentage displays the exact
number of data rows. The percentage is calculated after data source filters are
applied.
Create an Advanced Filter

To create an advanced filter:
1 Click the drop-down list in the global filters area or in the local filters area
of the Filters tab, and then select New Advanced Filter. The Edit Filter
window appears.
2 Specify a Filter name. The filter name identifies the advanced filter on the
Filters tab.
3 Build the expression for your filter by dragging and dropping data items,
global parameters, conditions, and operators onto the expression.
For information about the conditions and operators that are available, see
Appendix 6, “Conditions for Filters,” on page 607 and Appendix 5, “Operators
for Data Expressions,” on page 583 .
You can also build your expression as text by using the Text tab. See
“Editing a Data Expression in Text Mode” on page 577.
4 Click OK to apply the filter.
Edit an Advanced Filter

To edit an advanced filter:
1 Select the Filters tab.
2 Click the drop-down list for the filter that you want to edit, and then select
Edit Filter. The Edit Filter window appears.
Working with Data Source Filters
About Data Source Filters

A data source filter enables you to subset a data source for an entire
exploration. A data source filter differs from a global advanced filter in the
following ways:
n A data source filter updates the cardinality values that appear in the Data
pane.
n A data source filter updates the total number of rows that is used in the
filtered rows percentage at the bottom of the right pane.
n A data source filter is not shown on the Filters tab.
n An exploration can contain only one data source filter for each data source.
Create a Data Source Filter from a Global Filter

To convert an existing global filter to a data source filter:
1 On the Filters tab, select the global filter that you want to convert.
2 Click the drop-down list, and select Convert to Data Source Filter. The
global filter disappears from the Filters tab.
Note: If your exploration already contains a data source filter for the selected
data source, then the global filter is appended to the filter expression using the
AND operator.
You can convert all of your global filters together into a single data source filter
by clicking the drop-down list in the global filters area of the Filters tab, and
then selecting Convert All to Data Source Filter. The expressions from the
global filters are joined with AND operators.
To view the data source filter settings, select Data  Data Source Details from
the main menu. The data source filter settings are displayed in the Data source
filter field.
Create a New Data Source Filter

To create a data source filter:
1 In the Data pane, select the data source that you want to filter.
2 Click and then select New Data Source Filter.
Note: If the current exploration contains an existing data source filter, then
select Edit Data Source Filter to add conditions to the existing data source
filter.
The Edit Filter window appears.
Editing a Filter Expression 211
3 Build the expression for your filter by dragging and dropping data items,
global parameters, conditions, and operators onto the expression.
For information about the conditions and operators that are available, see
Appendix 6, “Conditions for Filters,” on page 607 and Appendix 5, “Operators
for Data Expressions,” on page 583 .
You can also build your expression as text by using the Text tab. See
“Editing a Data Expression in Text Mode” on page 577.
Edit a Data Source Filter

To edit a data source filter:
1 In the Data pane, select the data source that you want to filter.
2 Click and then select Edit Data Source Filter.
The Edit Filter window appears.
Delete a Data Source Filter

To delete a data source filter:
1 In the Data pane, select the data source for which you want to remove the
filter.
2 Click and then select Delete Data Source Filter.
Editing a Filter Expression
Specify the Filter Name

To specify a name for the filter, enter a name in the Filter name field. The filter
name identifies the advanced filter on the Filters tab.
Note: You cannot specify the name for a basic filter or a data source filter.
Edit a Parameter Value

To edit a parameter value for a condition or operator, select the parameter, and
enter a new value. Or, right-click the parameter field, and select Replace with to
select a data item or a global parameter.
Add a Condition
To add a new condition:
1 From the Data items list, select the data item on which the condition is
based.
2 From the Conditions list, select a condition. For a list of the conditions that
are available, see Appendix 6, “Conditions for Filters,” on page 607.
3 Drag and drop the condition onto the expression.
4 For any required parameters, select the parameter, and enter a value, or
right-click the parameter field, and select Replace with to select a data item.
Add an Operator
To add an operator to the expression:
1 From the Operators list, select the operator that you want to add. For a list of
the operators that are available, see Appendix 5, “Operators for Data
2 Drag and drop the operator onto the expression.
3 For any required parameters, select the parameter, and enter a value. Or,
right-click the parameter field, and select Replace with to select a data item.
Replace an Operator
To replace an operator, drag and drop a new operator onto the existing operator
in the expression. You can also right-click an operator in your expression, select
Replace Operator with, and then select a new operator.
Add a Global Parameter

To add an existing global parameter to your expression, drag and drop the
parameter from the Data Items list onto your expression.
To create a new global parameter, in the expression editor, right-click the
Parameter heading in the Data Items list, and then select Create
Parameter.For more information about creating global parameters, see
“Working with Global Parameters” on page 123.
Delete Part of an Expression

To delete a part of an expression, highlight the part of the expression that you
want to delete, right-click, and select Delete or Clear.
Subset an Expression
To subset an expression and delete the remainder:
Editing a Filter Expression 213
1 Highlight the part of the expression that you want to keep.
2 Right-click, and select Keep Operand. The parts of the expression that were
not selected are removed.
Edit an Expression as Text

On the Text tab of the expression editor, you can edit an expression as text
code. See “Editing a Data Expression in Text Mode” on page 577.
Display the Current Expression as Text

To display the current expression as text on the Display Text tab, click the
drop-down list, and then select Show display text.
Manage the Scratch Area

The scratch area of the expression editor enables you to store elements of an
expression, and then add them back into the expression as needed.
You can see the contents of the scratch area on the Scratch tab.
To move items to the scratch area, right-click part of the expression, and select
Move to Scratch Area. You can also drag and drop items from your expression
onto the Scratch tab.
To move an item from the scratch area to your expression, drag and drop the
item from the Scratch tab onto your expression.
To delete an item in the scratch area, click next to the item.

215
27
Exporting Content
Export an Exploration as a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Export an Exploration as a PDF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Save a Visualization as an Image File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Export Data from a Visualization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
E-mail an Exploration as a Link . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Export an Exploration as a Report

You can export your exploration as a report, which can be refined in the designer
interface or viewed directly on a mobile device or in SAS Visual Analytics Viewer
(the viewer).
To export your current exploration as a report:
1 Select File  Export  Exploration as Report.
Note: If you have only one visualization in your exploration, the Save As
window is displayed at this point. Select the location where you want to save
the report, and then click Save to export it as a report.
2 In the Export as Report window, select the visualizations that you want to
include in the report.
Note: The following types of visualizations are not available to include in the
report:
n visualizations that do not contain any data
n decision trees
n network diagrams
n Sankey diagrams
n word clouds
n treemaps that display additional levels
n line charts with forecasting analysis are not available if the visualization
has not been displayed during the current session
n geo maps that use calculated geography data items
216 Chapter 27 / Exporting Content
Note: If your scatter plot or heat map contains correlation data, the
correlations are not included in the report.
The Export to Report window enables you to perform the following tasks:
Task Action
Add visualizations to the selection list. Select a visualization from the

Available list, and then click , or click
(Restore visualizations.)
to add all of the available
visualizations.
Remove visualizations from the Select a visualization from the Selected

selection list. list, and then click , or click to

Filter the available visualizations. Click , and then select your filter
visualization type or on the data items
that are used in each visualization.
When you have finished selecting your visualizations, click OK.
3 Select the location where you want to save the report, and then click Save.
TIP Report names are limited to 60 characters.
4 Click OK to return to the explorer, or select Open the report now, and click
OK to view the report in the designer.
Export an Exploration as a PDF

To export your current exploration as a PDF:
1 Select File  Export  Exploration as PDF.
2 In the Export as PDF wizard, enter a Title and a Description for the PDF
document. Then, select the following options:
Export an Exploration as a PDF 217
Page numbers
specifies that the PDF document contains page numbers.
Summary data
specifies whether the PDF document contains summary data tables for
each visualization.
Filter descriptions
specifies whether each visualization includes a description of its active
filters.
Click Next.
3 Select the visualizations that you want to include in the PDF document.
Note: The following types of visualizations are not available to include in the
PDF document:
n visualizations that do not contain any data
n crosstabs
n tables that contain more than 1,000 rows
The Export as PDF window enables you to perform the following tasks:
Task Action
Add visualizations to the selection list. Select a visualization from the

Available list, and then click , or click
(Restore visualizations.)
to add all of the available
visualizations.
Remove visualizations from the Select a visualization from the Selected

selection list. list, and then click , or click to

Filter the available visualizations. Click , and then select your filter
visualization type or on the data items
that are used in each visualization.
Click Next.
4 Click Finish to open a download window for your browser.

5 Select the location where you want to save the PDF document.
Note: If the legend for a visualization is too large, then it is not included in the
PDF document.
Save a Visualization as an Image File

To save your current visualization as an image file:
1 Select the visualization that you want to save as an image.
2 If your visualization contains hierarchies, drill down to the hierarchy levels

that you want to show in the image.
Export Image.
4 If necessary, scroll and zoom the visualization to show the data items that
you want to include in the image. If your visualization contains filters,
legends, or hierarchy breadcrumbs, select whether to include these
elements.
5 Click Save to open a download window for your browser.
6 Select the location where you want to save the image.
Export Data from a Visualization

You can export the data from a visualization in comma-separated values (.csv)
format. You can open .csv files in other software such as SAS Enterprise Miner,
SAS Enterprise Guide, or Microsoft Excel.
Note: The explorer uses the global setting for User locale to export data.
To export data for a visualization:
1 Select the visualization for which you want to export data.
Note: For crosstab visualizations, a data summary is exported instead of a

full data table.
2 If your visualization contains hierarchies, drill down to the hierarchy levels

that you want to export.
Export Data to open a download window for your browser.
Note: For a crosstab visualization, select Export Data Summary instead of
Export Data.
4 Specify a filename and select the location where you want to save the file.
Note: To export data from a table visualization, your browser must allow
pop-ups.
E-mail an Exploration as a Link 219
E-mail an Exploration as a Link

To e-mail your exploration as a link:
1 Select File  E-mail. The E-mail window appears.
2 Enter information in the E-mail window.
3 Click OK to send the e-mail.
Here are some key points:

n The From address is used for notifications if the e-mail cannot be delivered.
n The Message field is optional. By default, it includes a link to the current
exploration. If you specify text in the Message field, then your text appears
before the link in the e-mail.
221
28
Managing Hierarchies
What Is a Hierarchy? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Create a New Hierarchy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Derive a Hierarchy from a Date, Time, or Datetime Data Item . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Create a Hierarchy from a Visualization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Edit a Hierarchy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Delete a Hierarchy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
What Is a Hierarchy?
A hierarchy is an arrangement of category columns that is based on parent-child
relationships. The levels of a hierarchy are arranged with more general
information at the top and more specific information at the bottom.
For example, you might create a hierarchy of date-time columns with Year as the
top level, Month as the next level, and Day as the bottom level.
Creating hierarchies enables you to add drill-down functionality to your
visualizations. For example, if you use a date-time hierarchy, you can drill down
to the data for a specific year. Then, you can drill down to the data for a specific
month.
When you drill down a hierarchy, a set of breadcrumb links at the top of your
visualization enables you to drill back up the hierarchy.
Create a New Hierarchy

To create a new hierarchy:
1 Select Data  New Hierarchy. The New Hierarchy window appears.
2 In the Name field, enter a name for the hierarchy.
3 Select the categories that you want to include in the hierarchy, and then click
to add them to the hierarchy.
Note: You can also drag and drop categories.

222 Chapter 28 / Managing Hierarchies
To change the order of the categories in your hierarchy, select the category
that you want to move. Then, click to move the category up, or click to
move the category down.
To remove a category from the hierarchy, select the category that you want to
remove. Then, click .
4 Click OK to finish creating the hierarchy.
Note: You can create a hierarchy from within a crosstab visualization. See
“Create a Hierarchy from a Crosstab” on page 160.
Derive a Hierarchy from a Date, Time, or

Datetime Data Item
For date, time, and datetime data items, you can derive a hierarchy
automatically. To derive a hierarchy, right-click on a date, time, or datetime data
item in the Data pane, and then select one of the following values:
Create Date Hierarchy
creates a hierarchy with levels for year, quarter, month, and day. Depending
on the format of the data item, some of the levels might not be created.
Create Date and Time Hierarchy
creates a hierarchy with levels for year, quarter, month, day, hour, minute,
and second. Depending on the format of the data item, some of the levels
might not be created.
Create Time Hierarchy
creates a hierarchy with levels for hour, minute, and second. Depending on
the format of the data item, some of the levels might not be created.
New calculated items are created for each level in the hierarchy. By default, the
new calculated items are hidden in the Data pane. If you delete a derived
hierarchy, then a window appears. The window enables you to delete the
calculated items that are associated with the hierarchy.
Create a Hierarchy from a Visualization

You can create a hierarchy from a treemap, crosstab, or network diagram
visualization. See the following topics:
n “Create a Hierarchy from a Treemap” on page 189
n “Create a Hierarchy from a Crosstab” on page 160
n “Create a Hierarchy from a Network Diagram” on page 174

Delete a Hierarchy 223
Edit a Hierarchy
To edit an existing hierarchy:
1 From the Data pane, right-click on the hierarchy that you want to edit, and
then select Edit. The Edit Hierarchy window appears.
2 In the Name field, enter a name for the hierarchy.
3 To add a category to the hierarchy, select the category, and then click .
Note: You can also drag and drop categories.

To change the order of the categories in your hierarchy, select the category
that you want to move. Then, click to move the category up, or click to
move the category down.
To remove a category from the hierarchy, select the category that you want to
remove. Then, click .
4 Click OK to save the changes to your hierarchy.
Delete a Hierarchy
To delete a hierarchy:
From the Data pane, right-click on the hierarchy that you want to delete, and
then select Delete. Click Yes to confirm that you want to delete the hierarchy.
224 Chapter 28 / Managing Hierarchies
225
29
Performing Data Analysis
Overview of Data Analysis in SAS Visual Analytics Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Types of Data Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Correlation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Fit Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Forecasting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Add a Fit Line to an Existing Visualization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Add Forecasting to an Existing Visualization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Working with Scenario Analysis and Goal Seeking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
About Scenario Analysis and Goal Seeking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Apply Scenario Analysis and Goal Seeking to a Forecast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Remove Scenario Analysis and Goal Seeking from Your Forecast . . . . . . . . . . 229
Overview of Data Analysis in SAS Visual

Analytics Explorer
Types of Data Analysis

SAS Visual Analytics enables you to perform three basic types of data analysis:
Correlation
identifies the degree of statistical relationship between measures.
Fit Line
plots a model of the relationship between measures. There are many types
of fit lines, including linear fit, quadratic fit, cubic fit, and penalized B-spline.
Forecasting
estimates future values for your data based on statistical trends.
Correlation
Correlation identifies the degree of statistical relationship between measures.
The strength of a correlation is described as a number between -1 and 1. A
value that is close to -1 implies a strong negative correlation, a value that is
close to 0 implies little or no correlation, and a value that is close to 1 implies a
strong positive correlation.
226 Chapter 29 / Performing Data Analysis
To apply correlation to a visualization, add a linear fit line, or select the

correlation matrix visualization type.
For a heat map or a simple scatter plot, the correlation is identified by a text
label in the visualization legend. Select to view additional details about the
correlation, including the exact correlation value.
For a scatter plot matrix, the correlation for each plot is identified by a colored
border around the plot. The visualization legend displays a key for the color
values. Select to view additional details about the correlation, including the
exact correlation values for each plot.
Note: For nonlinear fit types, a scatter plot matrix displays additional plots to
show each intersection of variables in two orientations. For example, if a scatter
plot matrix plots the variables A, B, and C, then plots are created for both A * B
and B * A when a nonlinear fit line is applied.
For a correlation matrix, the correlation for each cell is identified by the color of
the cell background. The visualization legend displays a key for the color values.
The data tip for each cell displays the correlation value.
Fit Lines
A fit line plots a model of the relationship between measures. You can apply fit
lines to scatter plots and heat maps.
You can apply the following types of fit line to your visualization:
Best Fit
selects the most appropriate model (linear, quadratic, or cubic) for your data.
The Best Fit method uses backward variable selection to select the highest-
order model that is significant. To see the final model that was used, select
from the visualization legend.
Linear
creates a linear fit line from a linear regression algorithm. A linear fit line
produces the straight line that best represents the relationship between two
measures. For more information about the linear fit line, select from the
visualization legend.
For a linear fit, correlation is automatically added to the visualization.
Correlation is not available with other fit types.
Quadratic
creates a quadratic fit line. A quadratic fit produces a line with a single curve.
A quadratic fit line often produces a line with the shape of a parabola. For
more information about the quadratic fit line, select from the visualization
legend.
Cubic
creates a cubic fit line. A cubic fit line produces a line with two curves. A
cubic fit line often produces a line with an “S” shape. For more information
about the cubic fit line, select from the visualization legend.
PSpline
creates a penalized B-spline. A penalized B-spline is a smoothing spline that
fits the data closely. A penalized B-spline can display a complex line with
many changes in its curvature. For more information about the penalized B-
spline, select from the visualization legend.
Add Forecasting to an Existing Visualization 227
Forecasting
Forecasting estimates future values for your data based on statistical trends.
Forecasting is available only for line charts that contain date or datetime data
items.
A forecast adds a line with predicted values to your visualization and a colored
band that represents the confidence interval. For example, a 95% confidence
interval is the data range where the forecasting model is 95% confident what the
future values will be.
The explorer automatically tests multiple forecasting models against your data,
and then selects the best model. To see which forecasting model was used,
select from the visualization legend.
The forecast model can be any one of the following:
n Damped-trend exponential smoothing
n Linear exponential smoothing
n Seasonal exponential smoothing
n Simple exponential smoothing
n Winters method (additive)
n Winters method (multiplicative)
Note: Forecasting accounts for cyclical patterns by using standard intervals of

time (for example, 60 minutes in an hour, 24 hours in a day, and so on). If your
data uses nonstandard intervals (for example, 48 30-minute cycles per day),
then cyclical patterns are not considered in the forecast.
Add a Fit Line to an Existing Visualization

To add a fit line to a scatter plot or heat map, select the drop-down list from
the visualization toolbar, and then select Fit Line  fit-type. For information
about the fit types that are available, see “Fit Lines” on page 226.
Add Forecasting to an Existing

Visualization
To enable forecasting for a line chart, select Forecasting on the Roles tab.
Note: To apply forecasting, the line chart must contain a date or datetime item.
On the Properties tab for the line chart visualization, you can adjust the number
of data points to predict by using the Duration option. You can also specify the
degree of confidence for the confidence band by using the Confidence option.
On the Roles tab, you can add measures to the forecast as Underlying factors.
The forecasting model evaluates the additional measures to determine whether
they contribute to the accuracy of the forecast. If the additional measures do not
increase the accuracy of the forecast, then they are not used. If the additional
measures do increase the accuracy of the forecast, then the forecast line is
adjusted, and the confidence bands are narrowed.
Note: Underlying factors are available only if your line chart contains a single
measure in the Measures role.
If your forecast includes underlying factors, then you can apply scenario analysis
and goal seeking to the forecast. For more information, see “Working with
Scenario Analysis and Goal Seeking” on page 228.
Working with Scenario Analysis and Goal

Seeking
About Scenario Analysis and Goal Seeking

Scenario analysis enables you to forecast hypothetical scenarios by specifying
the future values for one or more underlying factors that contribute to the
forecast.
For example, if you forecast the profit of a company, and material cost is an
underlying factor, then you might use scenario analysis to determine how the
forecasted profit would change if the material cost increased by 10%.
In addition to scenario analysis, you can perform goal seeking. Goal seeking
enables you to specify a target value for your forecast measure, and then
determine the values of your underlying factors that would be required to
achieve the target value.
For example, if you forecast the profit of a company, and material cost is an
underlying factor, then you might use goal seeking to determine what value for
material cost would be required to achieve a 10% increase in profit.
Scenario analysis and goal seeking can be used together in the same forecast.
Apply Scenario Analysis and Goal Seeking to a

Forecast
To apply scenario analysis and goal seeking:
1 On the Roles tab, select Scenario Analysis. The Scenario Analysis window
appears.
Note: The Scenario Analysis option is available only if one or more
underlying factors contribute to the forecast.
2 For the forecast measure and for each of the measures that are assigned to
the forecast as underlying factors, a line displays the values of the measure,
and a series of points enables you to set the future values for the measure.
Note: You can also display the forecast values as a table. Click to display
the table mode.
To perform scenario analysis, set the future values for the underlying factors.
To perform goal seeking, set the target future values for the forecast
measure.
Working with Scenario Analysis and Goal Seeking 229
You can set the values by using any of the following methods:
n drag each data point upward or downward on the line chart. To select the
accuracy of the points, click the measure heading on the plot axis, and
select Snap Interval.
n enter the value for each data point. Right-click on a data point, and select
Set Point Value.
n set all of the values for the measure. Click the measure heading on the
plot axis, and select Set Series Values. The Change Future Values
window enables you to set all of the values to a specific value or to adjust
the future values relative to the forecasted values of the measure.
Note: The Progressively by option increments future values by the
amount that you specify. For example, if you specify 100, then the first
future value is increased by 100, the second future value is increased by
200, the third future value is increased by 300, and so on.
Note: If you change future values for either scenario analysis or goal
seeking, you must apply your changes before you can change future values
for a different analysis type.
To reset any data point to its original value, right-click on the data point, and
then select Reset Point.
To reset all of the data points for a measure, click the measure heading on
the plot axis, and then select Reset Entire Series.
3 If you perform goal seeking and there are multiple underlying factors, then
choose which of the underlying factors are optimized to achieve the target
value.
4 (Optional) If you perform goal seeking, you can set bounds for each
underlying factor to limit the minimum and maximum values that are possible.
To set the minimum value for an underlying factor, click the measure
heading, and then select Bounds  Add Lower Bound.
To set the maximum value for an underlying factor, click the measure
heading and then select Bounds  Add Upper Bound.
5 When you are finished setting the future values for the scenario, click Apply
to apply the scenario to the forecast.
The forecast is updated to show the results of the scenario. The original
forecast is displayed as an additional line that is labeled (Baseline).
Remove Scenario Analysis and Goal Seeking from

Your Forecast
To remove the scenario analysis and goal seeking from a forecast, follow these
steps:
1 On the Roles tab, select Scenario Analysis. The Scenario Analysis window
appears.
2 For each measure, click the measure heading, and then select Reset Entire
Series.
3 Click Apply to apply your changes.

231
30
Sharing Comments in the Explorer
Sharing Comments in the Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
About Comments in the Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
View Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Create a Comment under an Existing Topic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Create a Comment under a New Topic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Edit a Comment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Delete a Comment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Sharing Comments in the Explorer
About Comments in the Explorer

Comments enable you to share feedback with other users. You can create
comments for visualizations and for explorations. Exploration comments can be
viewed both in the explorer and on the SAS Visual Analytics home page.
View Comments
To display the comments for the current exploration, select File  Exploration
Comments from the main menu.
To display comments for a visualization, select the visualization and then select
the Comments tab from the right pane.
Comments are grouped by topic. If there are many comments in a topic, then
only the most recent comments are displayed. Click Show All Comments to
view all of the comments for a topic.
To search the comments, enter a search term in the Search within comments
field.
Create a Comment under an Existing Topic

To create a comment under an existing topic:
1 Enter your comment text in the Respond to topic field that is beneath the
topic that you want to comment on.
2 (Optional) Click to attach a file to the comment.

232 Chapter 30 / Sharing Comments in the Explorer
3 When you are finished with the comment, click Post. Your comment is saved
and shared immediately.
Create a Comment under a New Topic

To create a comment under a new topic:
1 Enter the name of the topic in the Enter a topic name field.
2 Enter your comment text in the Enter a comment field.
3 (Optional) Click to attach a file to the comment.
4 When you are finished with the comment, click Post. Your comment is saved
and shared immediately.
Edit a Comment
To edit a comment, select the comment that you want to edit, and then click
Edit.
Note: To edit other users’ comments, you must belong to the
Comments:Administrator role.
Delete a Comment
To delete a comment, select the comment that you want to delete, and then click
Delete.
Note: To delete comments, you must belong to the Comments:Administrator
role.
233
Part 5
Building Models
Chapter 31
Overview of SAS Visual Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Chapter 32
Getting Started with SAS Visual Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Chapter 33
Modeling Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Chapter 34
Linear Regression Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Chapter 35
Logistic Regression Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Chapter 36
Generalized Linear Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Chapter 37
Decision Trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Chapter 38
Clustering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Chapter 39
Model Comparison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
234
235
31
Overview of SAS Visual Statistics
What Is SAS Visual Statistics? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Benefits of Using SAS Visual Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Specify Global Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Specify Your Preferences for SAS Visual Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
What Is SAS Visual Statistics?

SAS Visual Statistics is an add-on to SAS Visual Analytics that enables you to
develop and test models using the in-memory capabilities of SAS LASR Analytic
Server. SAS Visual Analytics Explorer (the explorer) enables you to explore,
investigate, and visualize data sources to uncover relevant patterns. SAS Visual
Statistics extends these capabilities by creating, testing, and comparing models
based on the patterns discovered in the explorer. SAS Visual Statistics can
export the score code, before or after performing model comparison, for use with
other SAS products and to put the model into production.
Benefits of Using SAS Visual Statistics

SAS Visual Statistics enables you to rapidly create powerful statistical models in
an easy-to-use, web-based interface. After you have created two or more
competing models for your data, SAS Visual Statistics provides a model
comparison tool. The model comparison tool enables you to evaluate the relative
performance of two or more models against each other and to choose a
champion model. A wide variety of model selection criteria is available.
Regardless of whether you choose to perform a model comparison, you are able
to export model score code for any model that you create. With exported model
score code, you can easily apply your model to new data.
Specify Global Preferences

See “Specifying Your Preferences” on page 9 for details about global
preferences for SAS Visual Analytics.
236 Chapter 31 / Overview of SAS Visual Statistics
Specify Your Preferences for SAS Visual

Statistics
Here are the steps to specify preferences that are specific to SAS Visual
Statistics:
2 Select SAS Visual Analytics Explorer  Models.
3 Specify a value for the p-value precision property. This value determines
the minimum number of decimal places used when displaying p-values.
4 To return to the default settings, select Reset to Defaults.
5 Click OK to apply your changes. Your preferences persist between sessions.

237
32
Getting Started with SAS Visual
Statistics
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Create the Exploration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Create a Decision Tree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Create a Linear Regression . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Create a Generalized Linear Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Perform a Model Comparison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Overview
This is a brief overview of using SAS Visual Statistics to derive a new variable,
create two different models, and compare those models. This example uses the
Framingham Heart Study data set, located in SASHELP.HEART, to compare the
performance of a Linear Regression model and a Generalized Linear Model.
The goal is to predict a person’s age of death based on a collection of health
factors. These factors include gender, weight, height, whether the person is a
smoker, blood pressure, and more. The focus of this example is how to use SAS
Visual Statistics, not how to build the best model.
This example assumes that you have access to the SASHELP.HEART data set.
It is beyond the scope of this example to provide instructions about how to
access individual data sets at your location. Your system administrator should be
able to provide you access to this data set.
Create the Exploration

This example assumes that you have already signed in to SAS Visual Analytics
and you are on the home page.
Here are the steps to create the exploration:
1 From the home page, click Data Explorer. This opens the explorer and
enables you to open a recent exploration or to create a new exploration.
238 Chapter 32 / Getting Started with SAS Visual Statistics
2 Click Select a Data Source, located under Start a new exploration, to

create a new project. A window appears that enables you to select the data
source for this exploration.
3 Select the data source that corresponds to SASHELP.HEART. Click Open.
4 By default, the exploration is named Exploration 1, which is displayed in the

upper left corner of the explorer. Before continuing with the example, rename
the exploration by saving it.
5 Click File  Save from the main menu. This opens the Save As window. In
the SAS Folders pane, navigate to a location where you have Write
permission. In the Name field, enter Heart Study, and click Save.
Typically, you can save your work in My Folder.
By default, an automatic visualization is immediately available for usage.

However, in this exploration, a decision tree is created in order to derive a leaf ID
variable. The leaf ID variable is then used in the Linear Regression model and
Generalized Linear Model.
Create a Decision Tree

Here are the steps to create a decision tree:
1 From the toolbar, click to create a decision tree.
2 From the Data pane, drag and drop the Age at Death variable into the
Response field in the right pane.
3 In the Data pane, select Diastolic, Weight, Height, Cholesterol, Age CHD
Diagnosed, Sex, and Cause of Death. Drag and drop these items into the
model pane. The decision tree automatically updates.
Create a Decision Tree 239
4 Click in the upper right of the model pane.

In the details table, select the Node Rules tab. Notice that the only predictors
used were Age CHD Diagnosed and Cause of Death. You can adjust the
decision tree properties to include more predictors in the model.
5 Click the Properties tab in the right pane. The most obvious property to
change is Reuse predictors. When you deselect this property, each
predictor variable is used in at most one split. However, assume that reusing
predictors creates the best split in each node for this example. This might not
always be the case for your data.
6 Set the value of Maximum levels to 10. The decision tree now has a
maximum depth of 10 levels, instead of the default 6. On the Node Rules tab
of the details table, every predictor is used at least once.
7 Set the value of Maximum branches to 4. This allows each non-leaf node to
split into at most four new nodes.
8 To view the Tree Overview window, click in the upper right corner of the
exploration workspace. In the Tree Overview window, click to fit the entire
decision tree into the Tree Overview window.
Although each node is difficult to see, your decision tree should resemble the
following:
9 In the Tree Overview window, right-click, and select Derive a Leaf ID

Variable. The default name for this variable is Leaf ID (1).
In the New Calculated Item window, click OK. The Leaf ID (1) variable
appears in the Data pane.
10 Save the project.
Create a Linear Regression

Here are the steps to create a linear regression:
1 From the toolbar, click next to . Select Linear Regression from the
drop-down list.
2 Minimize the Decision Tree visualization and Tree Overview window.

Create a Linear Regression 241
3 In this example, the variable of interest is Age at Death, which should be the
first variable listed in the Measure section of the Data pane.
Because you want this variable to be the response variable, click, drag, and
drop Age at Death from the Data pane onto the model pane. Notice that Age
at Death now appears in the Response field on the Roles tab.
4 Choose the effect variables or interaction terms that you want to include in
the analysis. One option is to make every available variable an effect variable
and let SAS Visual Statistics perform variable selection. However, this is not
always feasible from a computational resources perspective. This example
creates an interaction term to use as an effect variable and includes a few
other variables as effect variables.
5 Because you suspect that systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood
pressure interact with each other, create an interaction term for these
variables.
Follow these steps to create an interaction term:
a In the Data pane, click , and select New Interaction Effect.
b In the New Interaction Effect window, move Diastolic and Systolic from
the Available columns area into the Effect elements area.
c Click Create.
The interaction term Diastolic*Systolic appears in the Interaction Effects

group of the Data pane.
6 Click, drag, and drop Diastolic*Systolic onto the model pane. A model is
created based on that single effect because the Auto-update model option
is selected in the right pane.
TIP Each time a change is made to the model, the Linear Regression
automatically updates. If you anticipate making many changes or if you are
experiencing server performance issues, deselect the Auto-update model
option. When auto-updates are disabled, you must click Update in the right
pane to update the model.
7 Add more effects to the model. Hold down the Ctrl key, and select Blood
Pressure Status, Cause of Death, Leaf ID 1, Sex, Smoking Status,
Cholesterol, Height, Smoking, and Weight. Drag and drop these variables
onto the model pane. The Linear Regression updates to include these
effects.
Create a Generalized Linear Model 243
8 In the right pane, select the Properties tab. In this model, Informative
missingness and Use variable selection are not selected. Disabling
Informative missingness means that observations with missing values are
not included in the analysis. Disabling Use variable selection means that all
variables are used in the model, regardless of how significant they are to the
model. For this model, keep the default properties settings.
The Fit Summary window indicates that Cause of Death, Leaf ID (1), and
Height are the three most important effects in this model.
The Assessment window indicates that the observed average and predicted
average are approximately equal for most bins.
9 Save the project.
Create a Generalized Linear Model

Here are the steps to create a generalized linear model:
1 From the toolbar, click next to . Select Generalized Linear Model from
the drop-down list.
2 Minimize the Linear Regression visualization.
3 From the Data pane, drag and drop the Age at Death variable into the
Response field in the right pane.
4 In the Data pane, hold down the Ctrl key, and select Blood Pressure
Status, Cause of Death, Leaf ID (1), Sex, Smoking Status, Cholesterol,
Height, Smoking, Weight, and Diastolic*Systolic. Drag and drop these
variables onto the model pane.
5 Click the Properties tab in the right pane. The Distribution property enables
you to specify the distribution of the response variable and to build a model
based on that distribution. The default distribution is Normal.
To determine whether the normal distribution applies to the response
variable, click in the Data pane, and select Measure Details. In the
Measure Details window, select Age at Death.
Create a Generalized Linear Model 245
6 Notice that Age at Death is not normally distributed and is slightly skewed
left. Click Close.
7 Although the distribution is not exactly Poisson, use the Poisson distribution
for this example. For the Distribution property, select Poisson. Next, select
Identity for Link function.
Note: You are encouraged to repeat this example with different distributions
and link functions and compare their performance and to familiarize yourself
with SAS Visual Statistics.
8 Save the project.
Perform a Model Comparison

Here are the steps to perform a model comparison:
1 From the toolbar, click to create a new model comparison. The Model
Comparison window appears.
Perform a Model Comparison 247
The Response variable is already set to Age at Death, and Level and
Group By are unavailable. With these settings, the available models are
Visualization 2 (the Linear Regression) and Visualization 3 (the
Generalized Linear Model).
2 Click to select both models for comparison. Click OK.

3 By default, the fit statistic average squared error, ASE, is used to compare
the models. The other available fit statistics are SSE and Observed
Average. Because smaller values are preferred, the Linear Regression is
chosen as the champion when ASE or SSE is the criterion. The models are
very similar.
When the fit statistic is Observed Average, the Percentile slider is
available. This slider specifies the percentile where the observed average
and predicted average are compared. In some percentiles, the Generalized
Linear Model might be chosen over the Linear Regression.
If you view the Assessment plot, both the Observed Average and Predicted
Average plots show that the models are relatively similar.
4 Now that you have a champion model, you can export the model score code
for that model to score new data.
Here are the steps to export the model score code:
a Open Visualization 2, the Linear Regression.
b Click , and select Export Score Code.
c In the Export Score Code window, click Export.
d In the Save As window, navigate to where you want to save the code, and
click Save.
249
33
Modeling Information
Available Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Overview of Variables and Interaction Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Interaction Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Variable Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Missing Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Group By Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Filter Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Score Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Derive Predicted Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Available Models
The following models are available in SAS Visual Statistics:
n Linear Regression on page 257 attempts to predict the value of an interval
response as a linear function of one or more effect variables.
n Logistic Regression on page 265 attempts to predict the probability that a
binary or ordinal response will acquire the event of interest as a function of
one or more effects.
n Generalized Linear Model on page 273 is an extension of a traditional linear
model that allows the population mean to depend on a linear predictor
through a nonlinear link function.
n Decision Tree on page 281 creates a hierarchical segmentation of the input
data based on a series of rules applied to each observation.
n Cluster on page 289 segments the input data into groups that share similar
features.
250 Chapter 33 / Modeling Information
Overview of Variables and Interaction

Terms
Variables
Category Variables
Category variables are numeric or nonnumeric variables with discrete levels.
The levels of a category variable are considered unordered by SAS Visual
Statistics. Examples of category variables include drink size (small, medium, or
large), number of cylinders in an engine (2, 4, 6, or 8), or whether a customer
has made a purchase (yes or no).
You can create a category variable from a response variable by right-clicking the
variable, and selecting Category. In this case, each distinct value of the
measure variable is turned into a level for the category variable.
Category variables can be used as response variables for classification models,
classification effect variables, decision tree predictors, filter variables, and group
by variables.
Note: To ensure proper performance and valid modeling results, the maximum
number of distinct levels allowed for a category variable is limited based on the
model type and variable role.
Measure Variables
Measure variables are continuous numeric variables that can assume an infinite
number of possible values between two numbers. Even though some numeric
variables are not continuous, such as count variables, these variables can be
treated as continuous values for the purpose of modeling. Examples of measure
variables include the temperature of a drink, engine displacement amount, or a
customer’s total purchase amount.
Summary statistics and a histogram for each measure variable are obtained by
right-clicking the variable in the Data pane, and selecting Properties. Use the
Name drop-down menu to specify the variable that you want to view.
Measure variables can be used as response variables for continuous models,
continuous effect variables, decision tree predictors, offset variables, frequency
variables, weight variables, and filter variables.
Interaction Terms
Two variables, A and B, interact if the effect of one variable on the model
changes as the other variable changes. That is, the effects of variables A and B
are not additive in the model.
SAS Visual Statistics enables you to create interactions between two or more
input variables, including squared interactions. A squared interaction is the
interaction of a variable with itself. You cannot create squared interactions for
category variables.
Group By Variables 251
For an example where interaction terms might be useful, consider a situation

where you are modeling the fuel mileage (MPG) for several cars. Two of your
input variables are engine displacement in liters and engine size (number of
cylinders). You expect that as either value increases, fuel mileage will suffer.
However, if you suspect that the effects on fuel mileage that are attributable to
engine displacement are not constant across engine size, then you should
consider creating the interaction term between those variables.
SAS Visual Statistics is not limited to creating just two-way interactions. You can
create n-way interactions that include an arbitrary number of variables, but not
more than the number of available input variables.
The number of distinct levels for an interaction term is the product of the number
of levels for each variable in the term. Measure variables are treated as if they
contain one level. The number of levels in an interaction term counts against the
maximum number of distinct levels allowed in regression models.
Variable Selection
Variable selection is the process of reducing the number of input variables to
include just the most significant variables. The Linear Regression and Logistic
Regression models provide a property to automatically perform variable
selection. When you use this property, SAS Visual Statistics performs backward
selection on the input variables to determine the most significant variables.
Modeling with just the most significant variables is intended to avoid creating a
model that overfits the data. Automated variable selection can actually take
longer to run than not performing variable selection.
Missing Values
By default, SAS Visual Statistics handles missing values by dropping all
observations that contain a missing value in any assigned role variable.
However, the Linear Regression, Logistic Regression, and Generalized Linear
Model models provide the Informative missingness property. In some cases,
the fact that an observation contains a missing value provides relevant modeling
information. Selecting this property explicitly models missing values of variables
as a separate variable. For measure variables, missing values are imputed with
the observed mean, and an indicator variable is created to denote missingness.
For category variables, missing values are considered a distinct level.
Group By Variables
A group by variable enables you to fit a model for each data segment defined by
one or more category variables. Each unique combination of levels across all of
the group by variables is a specific data segment. For example, if you have one
group by variable with three levels, then there are three data segments. But, if
you have two group by variables, one with three levels and the other with four
levels, then there are at most 12 data segments. A data segment is not created
when there are no observations in a combination of classification levels.
SAS Visual Statistics enforces a maximum number of BY groups, except when

you use the Advanced Group By feature. By default, the maximum number of
BY groups allowed is 1024. Empty data segments count against the maximum
number of BY groups allowed in a model.
When you specify two or more group by variables, the results are grouped in the
order in which the variables appear in the Group By field.
In the Fit Summary window, when you select a specific data segment, the
Residual Plot and Influence Plot windows are updated to include only the
observations in the specified data segment.
The Advanced Group By window provides more control over variable grouping.
To access the Advanced Group By window, click Advanced next to Group By in
the right pane.
The Group By field enables you to select the variable that is used for grouping.
Select the Use advanced features option to display aggregation statistics for a
specified measure variable. Specify the measure variable in the Measure field.
The Aggregation field specifies whether the Average or Sum is computed. Use
the Count field to specify whether you want the Top or Bottom n values. The
field below Count enables you to specify the value of n.
Score Code 253
Filter Variables
Filter variables are used to subset the modeling data. You can filter on any
variable included in the data, not just on variables used in the model. Filter
variables are applied only to the current model.
When you filter on a category variable, you are presented with a list of the levels
for that variable. Select only values that you want to include in the model. In the
following image, all levels are available.
When you filter on a measure variable, a slider lets you specify a range of
values. Use the triangles to specify the lower and upper limits of the filter
variable.
Score Code
Model scoring refers to the process of generating predicted values for a data set
that might contain the response variable of interest. Score code is exported as a
SAS DATA step that can be executed on new data sets in any SAS environment.
All variables used by the model in any capacity are included in the score code.
This includes interaction terms, group by variables, frequency variables, and
weight variables. Score code is not available for interactive decision trees.
To generate model score code, click , and select Export Score Code. In the
Export Model Score Code window, click Export. In the Save As window,
navigate to where you want to save the code, and click Save.
Score code is saved as a .sas file and can be viewed in any word processing
program.
Note: It is possible for your exported score code to have lines of code that
exceed the maximum line length of 32768. There are two solutions for this issue.
The first solution requires that you edit the exported text file to include a line
break on each of the long lines and to insert / lrecl=1000000 in the %include
statement. The second solution requires that you open the exported text file in a
SAS Program Editor and insert a line break on each of the long lines. In the SAS
Program Editor there is a limit of 6000 characters per line.
Derive Predicted Values

For all three regression visualizations, SAS Visual Statistics creates two
variables that contain prediction information for each observation in the data set.
After these variables are created, they can be used in any other visualization,
including the other predictive models.
To create the two new variables, complete the following steps:
1 Create a valid linear regression, logistic regression, or generalized linear

model visualization.
2 Click in the upper right corner of the visualization and select Derive
Predicted Values.
3 In the New Prediction Variables window, enter a name for the Predicted
Values and either the Residual Values or the Probability Values. Residual
Values are available for linear regressions and generalized linear models.
Probability Values are available for logistic regressions.
4 Click OK. The predicted values for the logistic regression appear in the
Category variables section. All other variables, including the predicted
values for the other models, appear in the Prediction variables section.
Depending on the chosen visualization, the information contained in each

variable is slightly different.
Predicted Values
For linear regressions and generalized linear models, this is a numeric value
that is the value generated by the regression model. Or, this is the value that
would have been generated by the regression model if the observation was
scored by the model.
For logistic regressions, this is the decision generated by the logistic
regression based on the calculated probability and Prediction cutoff
property. All observations are classified into either the event level of interest,
not the event level of interest, or missing.
Residual Values
The computed residual for each observation. Available for the linear
regression and generalized linear model visualizations.
Probability Values
The computed probability for each observation. Observations with probability
values that are greater than or equal to the Prediction cutoff property are
predicted to be in the event level of interest. Observations with probability
values that are less than the Prediction cutoff property are considered to be
not in the event level or interest. That is, there is no prediction made
Derive Predicted Values 255
regarding each individual measurement level, only between the

measurement level of interest and everything else.
257
34
Linear Regression Model
Overview of the Linear Regression Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Linear Regression Model Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Working with the Fit Summary Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
About the Fit Summary Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Including a Group By Variable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Working with the Residual Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
About Residual Plots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Use the Residual Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Working with the Assessment Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
About the Assessment Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Use the Assessment Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Influence Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Fit Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Details Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Overview of the Linear Regression Model

A linear regression attempts to predict the value of a measure response variable
as a linear function of one or more effects. The linear regression model uses the
least squares method to determine the model. The least squares method
creates a line of best fit by minimizing the residual sum of squares for every
observation in the input data set. The residual sum of squares is the vertical
distance between an observation and the line of best fit. The least squares
method requires no assumptions about the distribution of the input data.
The linear regression model requires a measure response variable and at least
one effect variable or interaction term.
Linear Regression Model Properties

The following properties are available for the linear regression model:
Name
enables you to specify the name for this model.
258 Chapter 34 / Linear Regression Model
Informative missingness
specifies whether the informative missingness algorithm is used. For more
information, see Missing Values on page 251.
Use variable selection
specifies whether variable selection is performed. For more information, see
Variable Selection on page 251.
Significance level
specifies the significance level that is required in order for variables to be
considered for the model. This property is available only when Use variable
selection is selected.
Assessment
n Use default number of bins specifies whether you want to use the
default number of bins or to set your own value. By default, measure
variables are grouped into 20 bins.
n Number specifies the number of bins to use when the Use default
number of bins property is not selected. You must specify an integer
value between 5 and 100.
n Tolerance specifies the tolerance value that is used to determine the
convergence of the iterative algorithm that estimates the percentiles.
Specify a smaller value to increase the algorithmic precision.
Show diagnostic plots
specifies whether the Residual Plot, Assessment, and Influence Plot appear
in the model pane.
Working with the Fit Summary Window
About the Fit Summary Window

The Fit Summary plots the relative importance of each variable as measured by
its p-value. The p-value is plotted on a log scale and the alpha value (plotted as -
log(alpha)), is shown as a vertical line. To adjust the alpha value, click, drag, and
drop the vertical line. A histogram of the p-values is displayed at the bottom of
the window.
Working with the Residual Plot 259
Including a Group By Variable

When your analysis includes a group by variable, the Fit Summary displays a
Goodness of Fit plot and Variable Importance plot.
The Variable Importance plot enables you to select a single variable to inspect
within each level of the group by variable. Use the drop-down menu to select
which variable you want to inspect. Each dot in the Variable Importance plot
represents a model effect. The bars are drawn for the effect selected in the drop-
down menu.
The Goodness of Fit plot, which is not available when there is no group by
variable, displays how well the model predicts the response variable within each
level of the group by variable. Use this plot to determine whether your model has
a significantly different fit within different levels.
Notice that when you select a group by variable, the Residual Plot,
Assessment, and Influence Plot are updated. These plots enable you to
further inspect the variable within each level of the group by variable.
Use to specify how the plots are sorted.
Working with the Residual Plot
About Residual Plots

A residual plot shows the relationship between the predicted value of an
observation and the residual of an observation. The residual of an observation is
the difference between the predicted response value and the actual response
value. When using large data sets, the residual plot is displayed as a heat map
instead of as an actual plot. In a heat map, the actual observations are binned,
and the color of each point indicates the relative number of observations in that
bin.
Residual plots have several uses when examining your model. First, obvious
patterns in the residual plot indicate that the model might not fit the data.
Second, residual plots can detect nonconstant variance in the input data when
you plot the residuals against the predicted value. Nonconstant variance is
evident when the relative spread of the residual values changes as the predicted
values change. Third, in combination with other methods, the residual plot can
help identify outliers in your data.
To change the residual that is plotted, click on the vertical axis.

By default, a scatter plot or heat map is displayed. However, a histogram of the
residuals is also available. To display a histogram of the residuals, right-click in
the Residual Plot, and select Use Histogram. In the histogram, you can
change the residual that is plotted by clicking on the horizontal axis.
From the histogram, it is easy to determine whether the distribution of the
residuals is approximately normal or skewed. A non-normal residual histogram
can indicate that the model does not fit the data.
Use the Residual Plot

The Residual Plot provides several features to investigate your data. These
features are available in both the scatter plot and histogram, and the process to
activate these features is the same in either plot. The available features enable
you to plot the residuals by a category variable, show only the selected
observations, exclude the selected observations, and remove all exclusions.
There are two ways to select observations in the Residual Plot. If you hold the
mouse pointer over an individual point, you can click on that point to select it. Or,
when you click and drag the mouse in the Residual Plot, a selection rectangle
appears. When you release the mouse, all points inside the rectangle are
selected.
To plot the residuals by a category variable, right-click in the Residual Plot,
select Plot By, and then select a category variable. A box plot of the residuals
appears. The residuals are grouped by the selected category variable.
To show the selected observations, select some data points, right-click in the
Residual Plot, and select Show Selected. A table of the selected observations
appears.
To exclude the selected observations, select some data points, right-click in the
Residual Plot, and select Exclude Selected. The selected observations are no
longer used to build the model.
To remove all exclusions, right-click in the Residual Plot, and select Remove
Exclusions. All observations are now used to build the model.
Fit Statistics 261
Working with the Assessment Window
About the Assessment Window

For a linear regression, the Assessment plots the average predicted and
average observed response values against the binned data. Use this plot to
determine how well the model fits the data.
Use the Assessment Window

The Assessment plot bins the data based on the values specified in the
Assessment properties. At each bin, you can hold the mouse pointer over one
or both of the lines to display a tooltip.
Influence Plot
The Influence Plot displays several measurements that are computed for each
observation. A histogram of the displayed measurements is also displayed.
When the input data contains a large number of observations, the observations
are binned. Use these measurements to help identify outliers and other data
points that greatly affect the predicted regression model.
To change the computed measurement that is plotted, click on the horizontal

axis.
Fit Statistics
The linear regression model computes several assessment measures to help
you evaluate how well the model fits the data. These assessment measures are
available at the top of the model pane. Click the currently displayed assessment
measure to see all of the available assessment measures.
Adjusted R-square
The Adjusted R-squared value attempts to account for the addition of more
effect variables. Values can range from 0 to 1. Values closer to 1 are
preferred.
AIC
Akaike’s Information Criterion. Smaller values indicate better models, and
AIC values can become negative. AIC is based on the Kullback-Leibler
information measure of discrepancy between the true distribution of the
response variable and the distribution specified by the model.
AICC
Corrected Akaike’s Information Criterion. This version of AIC adjusts the
value to account for sample size. The result is that extra effects penalize
AICC more than AIC. As the sample size increases, AICC and AIC converge.
Average Squared Error

The average squared error (ASE) is the sum of squared errors (SSE) divided
by the number of observations. Smaller values are preferred.
F Value for Model
The value of the F test in a one-way ANOVA after the variances are
normalized by the degrees of freedom. Larger values are better, but can
indicate overfitting.
Mean Square Error
The mean squared error (MSE) is the SSE divided by the degrees of
freedom for error. The degrees of freedom for error is the number of cases
minus the number of weights in the model. This process yields an unbiased
estimate of the population noise variance under the usual assumptions.
Smaller values are preferred.
Observations
The number of observations used in the model.
Pr > F
The p-value associated with the corresponding F statistic. Smaller values are
preferred.
R-Square
The R-squared value is an indicator of how well the model fits the data. R-
squared values can range from 0 to 1. Values closer to 1 are preferred.
Root MSE
Square root of the MSE.
SBC
The Schwarz’s Bayesian Criterion (SBC), also known as the Bayesian
Information Criterion (BIC), is an increasing function of the model’s residual
sum of squares and the number of effects. Unexplained variations in the
response variable and the number of effects increase the value of the SBC.
As a result, a lower SBC implies either fewer explanatory variables, better fit,
or both. SBC penalizes free parameters more strongly than AIC.
Details Table
When you click at the upper right of the model pane, the details table is
displayed at the bottom of the model pane. The details table contains the
following information:
Overall ANOVA
The analysis of variance results for the model, error, and corrected total.
Dimensions
An overview of the effect variables used in the model. This tab identifies how
many measures and classification effects were chosen for the model, the
rank of the cross-product matrix, how many observations were read, and how
many observations were used in the model.
Fit Statistics
Lists all of the fit statistics described in the previous section.
Model ANOVA
The analysis of variance results for the model.
Details Table 263
Type III Test

Provides details for the Type III test. A Type III test examines the significance
of each partial effect with all other effects in the model. For more information,
see the chapter “The Four Types of Estimable Functions” in the SAS/STAT
User’s Guide.
Parameter Estimates
Gives the estimated values for the model parameters.
265
35
Logistic Regression Model
Overview of the Logistic Regression Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Logistic Regression Model Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Influence Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
About the Influence Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Use the Influence Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Fit Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Details Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Overview of the Logistic Regression Model

A logistic regression attempts to predict the value of a binary response variable.
A logistic regression analysis models the natural logarithm of the odds ratio as a
linear combination of the explanatory variables. This approach enables the
logistic regression model to approximate the probability that an individual
observation belongs to the level of interest.
The logistic regression model requires a category response variable and at least
one effect variable or interaction term. When your category response variable
contains more than two levels, SAS Visual Statistics prompts you to select the
level of interest. That is, SAS Visual Statistics treats all observations in the level
of interest as an event and all other observations as nonevents.
266 Chapter 35 / Logistic Regression Model
Logistic Regression Model Properties

The following properties are available for the logistic regression model:
Name
Use variable selection
specifies whether variable selection is performed. For more information, see
Variable Selection on page 251.
Significance level
specifies the significance level that is required in order for variables to be
considered for the model. This property is available only when Use variable
selection is selected.
Link function
specifies the link function that is used in the logistic regression. Link functions
link the response mean to the linear predictor.
The following link functions are available:
n Logit (default) specifies the inverse of the cumulative logistic distribution
function.
M
g M = log 1−M
n Probit specifies the inverse of the cumulative standard normal distribution

function.
1
gM = ΦM
Convergence
n Override function convergence enables you to manually specify the
function convergence value.
n Value specifies the function convergence value when Override function
convergence is selected. When you specify a larger value, the model will
converge sooner. This reduces the amount of time spent training the
model, but it can create a suboptimal model.
n Override gradient convergence enables you to manually specify the
gradient convergence value.
n Value specifies the gradient convergence value when Override gradient
n Maximum iterations specifies the maximum number of iterations
performed during model training. If you specify a relatively small value,
you reduce the amount of time spent training the model, but it can create
a suboptimal model.
Working with the Fit Summary Window 267
Note: When you specify a gradient convergence or function convergence

criterion, it is possible for the model to converge based on an internal
convergence criterion before your specified criterion is reached. The reason
for convergence is on the Convergence tab of the details table.
Assessment
n Prediction cutoff specifies the value at which a computed probability is
considered an event.
specifies whether the Residual Plot, Assessment, and Influence Plot
windows appear in the model pane.

The Fit Summary window plots the relative importance of each variable as
measured by its p-value. The p-value is plotted on a log scale and the alpha
value (plotted as -log(alpha)), is shown as a vertical line. To adjust the alpha
value, click, drag, and drop the vertical line. A histogram of the p-values is
displayed at the bottom of the window.

When your analysis includes a group by variable, the Fit Summary window
displays a Goodness of Fit plot and Variable Importance plot.
within each level of the group by variable. Use the drop-down menu to select the
variable that you want to inspect. Each dot in the Variable Importance plot
represents a model effect. The bars are for the model effect chosen in the drop-
down menu.
Notice that when you select a group by variable level, the Residual Plot,
Assessment, and Influence Plot windows are updated. This enables you to
further investigate each level of the group by variable.
Use to specify how the plot is sorted.


bin.
you plot the residuals against the predicted values. Nonconstant variance is

By default, a scatter plot or heat map is displayed. However, a histogram is also
available. To display a histogram of the residuals, right-click in the Residual
Plot, and select Use Histogram. In the histogram, you can change the residual
that is plotted by clicking on the horizontal axis.

features are available in both the scatter plot and histogram. The process to
activate these features is the same in either plot. The available features are plot
the residuals by a category variable, show only the selected observations,
exclude selected observations, and remove all exclusions.
mouse over an individual point, you can click on that point to select it.
Alternatively, when you click and drag the mouse in the Residual Plot, a
selection rectangle appears. When you release the mouse, all points inside the
rectangle are selected.
To show selected observations, select some data points, right-click in the
appears.
Working with the Assessment Window 269
To exclude selected observations, select some data points, right-click in the

To remove all exclusions, right-click anywhere in the Residual Plot, and select
Remove Exclusions. All observations are now used to build the model.

For a logistic regression, the Assessment window plots lift, ROC, and
misclassification rates. Use the Assessment window to determine how well the
model fits the data.
Lift is the ratio of the percent of captured responses within each percentile bin to
the average percent of responses for the model. Similarly, cumulative lift is
calculated by using all of the data up to and including the current percentile bin.
A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) chart displays the ability of a model to
avoid false positive and false negative classifications. A false positive
classification means that an observation has been identified as an event when it
is actually a nonevent (also referred to as a Type I error). A false negative
classification means that an observation has been identified as a nonevent when
it is actually an event (also referred to as a Type II error).
The misclassification plot displays how many observations were correctly and
incorrectly classified for each value of the response variable. When the response
variable is not binary, the logistic regression model considers all levels that are
not events as equal. A significant number of misclassifications could indicate
that your model does not fit the data.
Lift
The default lift chart displays the cumulative lift of the model. To view the
noncumulative lift, click on the vertical axis, and select Lift.
For comparison, the lift chart plots a best model based on complete knowledge
of the input data.
ROC
The specificity of a model is the true negative rate. To derive the false positive
rate, subtract the specificity from 1. The false positive rate, labeled 1 –
Specificity, is the X axis of the ROC chart. The sensitivity of a model is the true
positive rate. This is the Y axis of the ROC chart. Therefore, the ROC chart plots
how the true positive rate changes as the false positive rate changes.
A good ROC chart has a very steep initial slope and levels off quickly. That is,
for each misclassification of an observation, significantly more observations are
correctly classified. For a perfect model, one with no false positives and no false
negatives, the ROC chart would start at (0,0), continue vertically to (0,1), and
then horizontally to (1,1). In this instance, the model would correctly classify
every observation before a single misclassification could occur.
The ROC chart includes two lines to help you interpret the ROC chart. The first
line is a baseline model that has a slope of 1. This line mimics a model that
correctly classifies observations at the same rate it incorrectly classifies them.
An ideal ROC chart maximizes the distance between the baseline model and the
ROC chart. A model that classifies more observations incorrectly than correctly
would fall below the baseline model. The second line is a vertical line at the false
positive rate where the difference between the Kolmogorov-Smirnov values for
the ROC chart and baseline models is maximized.
Influence Plot
About the Influence Plot

The Influence Plot displays several measurements that are computed for each
observation. When the input data contains a large number of observations, the
observations are binned. By default, the Likelihood Displacement value is
plotted on the X axis. Use these values to help identify outliers and other points
that greatly affect the predicted regression model.
Use the Influence Plot

By default, a horizontal bar chart of a selected measurement and a histogram of
its values are displayed. To view just the histogram, right-click in the Influence
Plot, and select Use Histogram.
In either view, you can change the measurement that is plotted by clicking on
the horizontal axis.
Fit Statistics
The logistic regression model computes several assessment measures to help
you evaluate how well the model fits the data. These assessment measures are
available at the top of the model pane. Click the currently displayed assessment
measure to see all of the available assessment measures.
-2 Log Likelihood
The likelihood function estimates the probability of an observed sample given
all possible parameter values. The log likelihood is simply the logarithm of
the likelihood function. The likelihood function value is -2 times the log
likelihood. Smaller values are preferred.
AIC
Akaike’s Information Criterion. Smaller values indicate better models, and
AIC values can become negative. AIC is based on the Kullback-Leibler
information measure of discrepancy between the true distribution of the
response variable and the distribution specified by the model.
Details Table 271
AICC
value to account for sample size. The result is that extra effects penalize
AICC more than AIC. As the sample size increases, AICC and AIC converge.
BIC
The Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC), also known as Schwarz’s Bayesian
Criterion (SBC), is an increasing function of the model's residual sum of
squares and the number of effects. Unexplained variations in the response
variable and the number of effects increase the value of the BIC. As a result,
a lower BIC implies either fewer explanatory variables, better fit, or both. BIC
penalizes free parameters more strongly than AIC.
R-Square
The R-squared value is an indicator of how well the model fits the data. R-
squared values can range from 0 to 1. Values closer to 1 are preferred.
Max-rescaled R-Square
The observed R-squared value divided by the maximum attainable R-
squared value. This value is useful when there are multiple independent
category variables. Values can range from 0 to 1. Values closer to 1 are
preferred.
Details Table
When you click at the top of the model pane, the details panel is displayed at
the bottom of the model pane. The details table contains the following
information:
Dimensions
Iteration History
The function and gradient convergence results. This tab shows at which
iteration the function and gradient converged.
Convergence
Provides the reason for convergence.
Fit Statistics
Type III Test
see the chapter “The Four Types of Estimable Functions,” in the SAS/STAT
User’s Guide.
Parameter Estimates
Response Profile
Displays the event and nonevent counts.
273
36
Generalized Linear Model
Overview of the Generalized Linear Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Generalized Linear Model Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Fit Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Details Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Overview of the Generalized Linear Model

A generalized linear model is an extension of a traditional linear model that
allows the population mean to depend on a linear predictor through a nonlinear
link function. A generalized linear model requires that you specify a distribution
and a link function. The distribution should match the distribution of the response
variable. The link function is used to relate the response variable to the effect
variables.
The generalized linear model requires a measure response variable and at least
one effect variable or interaction term. The distribution imposes range
requirements on the measure response variable. These requirements are
provided in the following table:
Distribution Range Requirements
Beta Values must be between 0 and 1,

exclusive
Binary Two distinct values
Exponential Nonnegative real values

274 Chapter 36 / Generalized Linear Model
Distribution Range Requirements
Gamma Nonnegative real values
Geometric Positive integers
Inverse Gaussian Positive real values
Negative Binomial Nonnegative integers
Normal Real values
Poisson Nonnegative integers
Generalized Linear Model Properties

The following properties are available for the Generalized Linear Model:
Name
Distribution
specifies the distribution used to model the response variable.
Link function
specifies the link function used to relate the linear model to the distribution of
the response variable. Available link functions are different for each
distribution and are shown in the following table:
Distribution Available Link Functions
Beta Logit, Probit, Log-log, C-log-log
Binary Logit, Probit, Log-log, C-log-log
Exponential Log, Identity
Gamma Log, Identity, Recip
Geometric Log, Identity
Inverse Gaussian Power(-2), Log, Identity
Negative Binomial Log, Identity
Normal Log, Identity
Poisson Log, Identity

Working with the Fit Summary Window 275
Convergence
n Override function convergence enables you to manually specify the
function convergence value.
n Value specifies the function convergence value when Override function
n Override gradient convergence enables you to manually specify the
gradient convergence value.
n Value specifies the gradient convergence value when Override gradient
n Maximum iterations specifies the maximum number of iterations
performed during model training. If you specify a relatively small value,
you reduce the amount of time spent training the model, but it can create
a suboptimal model.
Note: When you specify a gradient convergence or function convergence
criterion, it is possible for the model to converge based on an internal
convergence criterion before your specified criterion is reached. The reason
for convergence is on the Convergence tab of the details table.
Assessment
specifies whether the Residual Plot and Assessment windows appear in the
model pane.

The Fit Summary window plots the relative importance of each variable as
measured by its p-value. The p-value is plotted on a log scale and the alpha
value (plotted as -log(alpha)), is shown as a vertical line. To adjust the alpha
value, click, drag, and drop the vertical line. A histogram of the p-values is
displayed at the bottom of the window.

When your analysis includes a group by variable, the Fit Summary window
displays a Goodness of Fit plot and Variable Importance plot.
within each level of the group by variable. Use the drop-down menu to select the
variable that you want to inspect. Each dot in the Variable Importance plot
represents a model effect. The bars are for the model effect chosen in the drop-
down menu.
Notice that when you select a group by variable level, the Residual Plot,
Assessment, and Influence Plot windows are updated. This enables you to
further investigate each level of the group by variable.
Use to specify how the plot is sorted.

bin.
you plot the residuals against the predicted values. Nonconstant variance is

By default, a scatter plot or heat map is displayed. However, a histogram is also
available. To display a histogram of the residuals, right-click in the Residual
Plot, and select Use Histogram. In the histogram, you can change the residual
that is plotted by clicking on the horizontal axis.
Fit Statistics 277

features are available in both the scatter plot and histogram. The process to
activate these features is the same in either plot. The available features are plot
the residuals by a category variable, show only the selected observations,
exclude selected observations, and remove all exclusions.
mouse over an individual point, you can click on that point to select it.
Alternatively, when you click and drag the mouse in the Residual Plot, a
selection rectangle appears. When you release the mouse, all points inside the
rectangle are selected.
To show selected observations, select some data points, right-click in the
appears.
To exclude selected observations, select some data points, right-click in the
To remove all exclusions, right-click anywhere in the Residual Plot, and select
Remove Exclusions. All observations are now used to build in the model.

For a Generalized Linear Model, the Assessment window plots the average
predicted and average observed response values against the binned data. Use
this plot to reveal any strong biases in your model. Large differences in the
average predicted and average observed values can indicate a bias.

The Assessment window bins the data based on the values specified in the
Assessment properties. At each bin, you can hold the mouse over one or both
of the lines to display a tooltip.
Fit Statistics
The Generalized Linear Model computes several assessment measures to help
you evaluate how well your model fits the data. These assessment measures
are available at the top of the model pane. Click the currently displayed
assessment measure to see all available assessment measures. The available

assessment measures are the following:
-2 Log Likelihood
The likelihood function estimates the probability of an observed sample given
all possible parameter values. The log likelihood is simply the logarithm of
the likelihood function. This value is -2 times the log likelihood. Smaller
values are preferred.
AIC
Akaike’s Information Criterion. Smaller values indicate better models. AIC
values should be compared only when two models have an approximately
equal number of observations. AIC values can become negative. AIC is
based on the Kullback-Leibler information measure of discrepancy between
the true distribution of the response variable and the distribution specified by
the model.
AICC
value to account for a relatively small sample size. The result is that extra
effects penalize AICC more than AIC. As the sample size increases, AICC
and AIC converge.
BIC
The Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC), also known as Schwarz’s Bayesian
Criterion (SBC), is an increasing function of the model’s residual sum of
squares and the number of effects. Unexplained variations in the response
variable and the number of effects increase the value of the BIC. As a result,
a lower BIC implies either fewer explanatory variables, better fit, or both. BIC
penalizes free parameters more strongly than AIC.
Details Table
information:
Dimensions
Iteration History
The function and gradient iteration results. This tab shows the value of the
objective (likelihood) function, its change in value, and its maximum gradient.
Convergence
Provides the reason for convergence.
Fit Statistics
Type III Test
Details Table 279
see the chapter “The Four Types of Estimable Functions,” in the SAS/STAT
User’s Guide.
Parameter Estimates
281
37
Decision Trees
Overview of the Decision Tree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Decision Tree Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Information Gain and Gain Ratio Calculations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Pruning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Working with the Tree Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Working with the Leaf Statistics Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Details Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Overview of the Decision Tree

A decision tree creates a hierarchical segmentation of the input data based on a
series of rules applied to each observation. Each rule assigns an observation to
a segment based on the value of one predictor. Rules are applied sequentially,
which results in a hierarchy of segments within segments. The hierarchy is
called a tree, and each segment is called a node. The original segment contains
the entire data set and is called the root node. A node and all of its successors
form a branch. The final nodes are called leaves. For each leaf, a decision is
made about the response variable and applied to all observations in that leaf.
The exact decision depends on the response variable.
The decision tree requires a measure response variable or category response
variable and at least one predictor. A predictor can be a category or measure
variable, but not an interaction term.
The decision tree enables you to manually train and prune nodes by entering
interactive mode. In interactive mode, you are unable to modify the response
variable, growth properties are locked, and you cannot export model score code.
Certain modifications to predictors are allowed, such as converting a measure to
a category. When you are in interactive mode and modify a predictor, the
decision tree remains in interactive mode, but attempts to rebuild the splits and
prunes using the same rules.
To enter interactive mode, you can either start making changes to the decision
tree in the Tree window or you can click Use Interactive Mode on the Roles tab
282 Chapter 37 / Decision Trees
in the right pane. To leave interactive mode, click Use Non-Interactive Mode on
the Roles tab.
Note: When you leave interactive mode, you lose all of your changes.
Decision Tree Properties

The following properties are available for the decision tree:
Name
Maximum branches
specifies the maximum number of branches allowed when splitting a node.
Maximum levels
specifies the maximum depth of the decision tree.
Leaf size
specifies the minimum number of observations allowed in a leaf node.
Response bins
specifies the number of bins used to categorize a measure response
variable.
Predictor bins
specifies the number of bins used to categorize a predictor that is a measure
variable.
Pruning
specifies the aggressiveness of the tree pruning algorithm. A more
aggressive algorithm creates a smaller decision tree. Larger values are more
aggressive.
Rapid growth
enables you to use the information gain ratio and k-means fast search
methods for decision tree growth. When disabled, the information gain and
greedy search methods are used, which generally produce a larger tree and
require more time to create.
Include missing
enables you to include observations with missing values. For category
variables, a missing value is assigned to its own level. For measure
variables, a missing value is assigned to the smallest available machine
value (negative infinity).
Reuse predictors
allows more than one split in the same branch based on a predictor.
Frequency
specifies whether nodes report how many observations they contain or what
percentage of the observations they contain.
Assessment
Information Gain and Gain Ratio Calculations 283
n Prediction cutoff specifies the value at which a computed probability is
considered an event.
specifies whether the Leaf Statistics and Assessment windows appear in the
model pane.
Show tree overview
displays the tree overview. The tree overview enables quick navigation of
large decision trees. When you zoom in to view a specific area of the
decision tree, the tree overview shows the entire decision tree and highlights
the area that you are viewing. You can click and drag the highlighted area to
change the display of the decision tree. Click in the upper left corner of
the tree overview to view the entire decision tree. Click in the upper left
corner of the tree overview to minimize the tree overview.
Information Gain and Gain Ratio

Calculations
When the Rapid growth property is enabled, node splits are determined in part
by information gain ratio instead of information gain. The information gain and
information gain ratio calculations and their benefits and drawbacks are
explained in this section. In these explanations, an attribute is considered any
specific measurement level of a classification variable or bin of a measure
variable.
The information gain method chooses a split based on which attribute provides
the greatest information gain. The gain is measured in bits. Although this method
provides good results, it favors splitting on variables that have a large number of
attributes. The information gain ratio method incorporates the value of a split to
determine what proportion of the information gain is actually valuable for that
split. The split with the greatest information gain ratio is chosen.
The information gain calculation starts by determining the information of the
training data. The information in a response value, r, is calculated in the
following expression:
f req r, T
−log2 T
T represents the training data and |T| is the number of observations. To

determine the expected information of the training data, sum this expression for
every possible response value:
n
f req ri, T f req ri, T
IT = − ∑ T
× log2
T
i=1
Here, n is the total number of response values. This value is also referred to as
the entropy of the training data.
Next, consider a split S on a variable X with m possible attributes. The expected
information provided by that split is calculated by the following equation:
m
Tj
IS T = ∑ T
× I Tj
j=1
In this equation, Tj represents the observations that contain the jth attribute.
The information gain of split S is calculated by the following equation:
G S = I T − IS T
Information gain ratio attempts to correct the information gain calculation by

introducing a split information value. The split information is calculated by the
following equation:
m
Tj Tj
SI S = − ∑ × log2
j=1
T T
As its name suggests, the information gain ratio is the ratio of the information
gain to the split information:
GS
GR S = SI S
Pruning
The Pruning property of the decision tree visualization determines how
aggressively your decision tree is pruned. The growth algorithm creates a
decision tree based on the properties that you specify. The pruning algorithm
considers each node to be a root node of its own subtree, starting from the
bottom. If the misclassification rate of the subtree is significantly better than the
misclassification rate of the root node, then the subtree is kept. If the
misclassification rate of the subtree is similar to the misclassification rate of the
root node, then the subtree is pruned. In general, smaller decision trees are
preferred.
If the Pruning property slider is closer to Lenient, then the difference in the
misclassification rates must be relatively small. If the Pruning property is closer
to Aggressive, then the difference in the misclassification rates must be
relatively large. That is, a lenient pruning algorithm allows the decision tree to
grow much deeper than an aggressive pruning algorithm.
Variables that are not used in any split can still affect the decision tree, typically
due to one of two reasons. It is possible for a variable to be used in a split, but
the subtree that contained that split might have been pruned. Alternatively, the
variable might include missing values, but the Include missing property is
disabled.
Note: If a predictor does not contribute to the predictive accuracy of the
decision tree or the contribution is too small, then it is not included in the final,
displayed decision tree.
Working with the Tree Window 285
Working with the Tree Window

The Tree window contains the decision tree, tree overview, and icicle plot.
TIP To navigate the decision tree, you can use the mouse and keyboard.
Hold down the Shift key and click anywhere in the Tree window to move the
decision tree within the window. Use your mouse’s scroll wheel to zoom in and
out of the decision tree. Scroll up to zoom in, and scroll down to zoom out.
The zoom is centered on the position of your cursor.
The color of the node in the icicle plot indicates the predicted level for that node.
When you select a node in either the decision tree or the icicle plot, the
corresponding node is selected in the other location. When you select a leaf
node, that node is selected in the Leaf Statistics window. A legend is available at
the bottom of the model pane.
When the response variable is a measure variable, a gradient is used to denote
the predicted bin. Darker colors represent larger values.
Right-click outside of a node in the Tree window to open a pop-up menu. The
first item in this menu is Derive a Leaf ID Variable. When you click this item,
SAS Visual Statistics creates a category variable that contains the leaf ID for
each observation. You can use this variable as an effect in other models.
Right-click inside a node to open a different pop-up menu. The available menu
options depend on whether you clicked a leaf node.
For leaf nodes, you can select from the following menu options:
Split
opens the Split Decision Tree window. Use this window to select the variable
that is used to split the node. Click OK to split the node based on the
selected variable. Click Cancel to not split the node. Variables are sorted in
descending order by their log worth.
Some variables are not available for a split if the value of the split is too small
or the split would violate the Leaf size property.
Split Best
splits the node based on the variable with the best information gain ratio
when Rapid growth is enabled. In addition, splits the node based on the
variable with the best information gain when Rapid growth is disabled.
Train
opens the Train Decision Tree window. Use this window to train more than
one level beyond the leaf node. First, select every variable that you want to
be available for training. Only those variables selected in the Train Decision
Tree window are available for training. Specify the maximum depth of training
in the Maximum depth of subtree property. Click OK to train the decision
tree.
For other nodes, select Prune to remove all nodes that follow the selected node.
This turns the selected node into a leaf node. After pruning a node, you can
select Restore to undo the prune.
Working with the Leaf Statistics Window

The Leaf Statistics window plots the percentage of each observation in each leaf
node. The most common level in a node is the predicted value assigned to that
node. Leaf nodes that contain approximately equal amounts of more than one
level might benefit from additional training.
When you select a column in the Leaf Statistics window, the corresponding leaf
is selected in the Tree window.

For a decision tree, the Assessment window plots lift, ROC, and
misclassification rates. Use the Assessment window to determine how well the
model fits the data.
Lift is the ratio of the percent of captured responses within each percentile bin to
the average percent of responses for the model. Similarly, cumulative lift is
calculated by using all of the data up to and including the current percentile bin.
A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) chart displays the ability of a model to
avoid false positive and false negative classifications. A false positive
classification means that an observation has been identified as an event when it
is actually a nonevent (also referred to as a Type I error). A false negative
classification means that an observation has been identified as a nonevent when
it is actually an event (also referred to as a Type II error).
incorrectly classified for each value of the response variable. When the response
variable is not binary, the logistic regression model considers all levels that are
not events as equal. A significant number of misclassifications could indicate
that your model does not fit the data.
Lift
The default lift chart displays the cumulative lift of the model. To view the
noncumulative lift, click on the vertical axis, and select Lift.
For comparison, the lift chart plots a best model based on complete knowledge
of the input data.
ROC
The specificity of a model is the true negative rate. To derive the false positive
rate, subtract the specificity from 1. The false positive rate, labeled 1 –
Specificity, is the X axis of the ROC chart. The sensitivity of a model is the true
Details Table 287
positive rate. This is the Y axis of the ROC chart. Therefore, the ROC chart plots
how the true positive rate changes as the false positive rate changes.
A good ROC chart has a very steep initial slope and levels off quickly. That is,
for each misclassification of an observation, significantly more observations are
correctly classified. For a perfect model, one with no false positives and no false
negatives, the ROC chart would start at (0,0), continue vertically to (0,1), and
then horizontally to (1,1). In this instance, the model would correctly classify
every observation before a single misclassification could occur.
The ROC chart includes two lines to help you interpret the ROC chart. The first
line is a baseline model that has a slope of 1. This line mimics a model that
correctly classifies observations at the same rate it incorrectly classifies them.
An ideal ROC chart maximizes the distance between the baseline model and the
ROC chart. A model that classifies more observations incorrectly than correctly
would fall below the baseline model. The second line is a vertical line at the false
positive rate where the difference between the Kolmogorov-Smirnov values for
the ROC chart and baseline models is maximized.
Misclassification
incorrectly classified. A significant number of misclassifications might indicate
that the model does not fit the data.
When the ratio of events to non-events in your data is relatively large, the
misclassification plot might show a large number of true positives and false
positives. In this case, your model predicts most observations as events and is
correct more often than not.
Assessment
When the number of Response bins is set to more than 10, the Assessment
window plots the predicted average and observed average values. Use this plot
to determine how well the model fits the data.
The Assessment window bins the data based on the values specified in the
Assessment properties. At each bin, you can hold the mouse over one or both
of the lines to display a tooltip.
Details Table
information:
Node Statistics
provides summary statistics for each node in the decision tree. Available
statistics include Depth, Parent ID, N Children, Type, Observations, %
Observations, N Missing, Gain, Predicted Value, Split, and the number
and percentage of observations in each bin.
Node Rules
provides the sorting rule used for each node in the decision tree. Every
available variable is listed as a column in the table. If a rule was applied for a
variable in a node or any of its parent nodes, then it is listed in the table.
Otherwise, the entry is blank.
289
38
Clustering
Overview of the Cluster Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Cluster Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Working with the Cluster Matrix Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
About the Cluster Matrix Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Use the Cluster Matrix Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Working with the Parallel Coordinates Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
About the Parallel Coordinates Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Use the Parallel Coordinates Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Details Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Overview of the Cluster Tool

Clustering is a method of data segmentation that puts observations into groups
that are suggested by the data. The observations in each cluster tend to be
similar in some measurable way, and observations in different clusters tend to
be dissimilar. Observations are assigned to exactly one cluster. From the
clustering analysis, you can generate a cluster ID variable to use in other
explorations.
The cluster tool requires at least two measure variables as input. You cannot
specify an interaction term or category variable.
Cluster Properties
The following properties are available for the cluster tool:
Name
Cluster Matrix
n Number of clusters specifies the number of clusters that are generated.
n Seed specifies the seed value of the random number generator that is
used during initial cluster assignments.
n Initial assignment specifies the method that is used to create the initial
cluster assignments. The available methods are:
290 Chapter 38 / Clustering
o Forgy specifies that k data points are selected at random to use as

the centroids of the k clusters.
o Random assigns observations to a cluster at random.
n Visible roles determines how many effects are shown in the Cluster
Matrix. Valid values are integers between 2 and 6, inclusive.
When you specify a value n, the first n effects listed in the Variables table
on the Roles tab are displayed. To change the effect pairs that are plotted
in the Cluster Matrix, you can remove an effect from the analysis, and
then immediately add it back in. The clustering results remain unchanged
because you are using the same input data. However, the Variables table
adds new effects to the bottom of the list.
n Variable standardization transforms the effect variables so that they
have a mean of zero and a standard deviation of 1. This property is
enabled by default and affects the results displayed in the details table.
The Cluster Matrix window and the Parallel Coordinates window display
the original variables.
Parallel Coordinates
n Number of bins specifies the number of bins used when generating the
parallel coordinate polyline plots.
n Maximum polylines specifies the maximum number of polylines
generated by the parallel coordinate algorithm.
n Visible roles determines how many effects are shown in the Parallel
Coordinates plot. Valid values are integers between 2 and 10, inclusive.
Show ellipses
enables you to display the cluster projection ellipses in the Cluster Matrix.
Show centroids
enables you to display the centroids in the Cluster Matrix.
Working with the Cluster Matrix Window
About the Cluster Matrix Window

The Cluster Matrix displays a two-dimensional projection of each cluster onto a
specified number of effect pairs. These projections are useful for spotting cluster
similarities and differences within the plotted effect pairs.
Each cluster is assigned a unique color. Although each cluster is unique in n-
space, the two-dimensional projections will overlap. It is important to note that
every observation can belong to exactly one cluster. However, because the
Cluster Matrix displays a projection in just two dimensions, multiple clusters can
overlap an observation.
When a heat map is not used, individual observations are color-coded to
indicate cluster membership.
Working with the Parallel Coordinates Plot 291
Use the Cluster Matrix Window

To view a larger plot for an effect pair, right-click inside that plot, and click
Explore. In the Explore window, it is easier to view and select observations.
To view a box plot for a variable that segments the observations by cluster, right-
click inside a plot that contains the variable of interest, and select Plot
variable_name by Cluster ID. Each variable in the selected plot has a menu
item. The box plot is used to determine how similar the clusters are for the
selected variable.
To derive a cluster ID variable that can be used in other explorations, right-click
inside a plot and select Derive a Cluster ID Variable. When you select this item,
SAS Visual Statistics creates a category variable that contains the cluster ID for
each observation. Cluster ID -1 is reserved for observations with missing values.
Working with the Parallel Coordinates Plot
About the Parallel Coordinates Plot

The Parallel Coordinates plot shows patterns in the data and clusters. In this
plot, the cluster ID is on the far left, and each variable is a column with its binned
range of values displayed vertically. Color-coded polylines are drawn from each
cluster and show which range of values the cluster contains for every variable.
Use the Parallel Coordinates Plot

You can use the Parallel Coordinates plot to make several inferences. Adjust the
plot to explore the data based on cluster membership, a specified range for one
or more variables, or both.
To view just the polylines for a single cluster, select that cluster ID on the far left.
Notice that the polylines for all other clusters are grayed out. This enables you to
focus on a single cluster. To view multiple clusters, hold the Control key and
select the clusters that you want to view.
To view the Parallel Coordinates plot by a variable, click the button that
corresponds to that variable. This action changes the color gradient of the
polylines so that larger values are darker than smaller values. To undo the
variable selection, click anywhere to the left of Cluster ID.
To restrict the number of bins displayed for a variable, click the top or bottom of
a variable’s range and drag the selection rectangle to the desired range. To
move the selection rectangle, click inside the rectangle, and drag the rectangle
upward or downward. You can repeat this process for other variables. To undo
the selection for a variable, click the name of that variable at the top of the
Parallel Coordinates plot.
Combining these two features, you can restrict the display to specific clusters
and variable ranges that interest you.
292 Chapter 38 / Clustering
Details Table
When you click at the top of the model pane, the details table is displayed at
information:
n Cluster Summary provides summary statistics for each cluster. Available
statistics include Observations, RMS of STD, Within-Cluster SS, Min
centroid-to-observation, Max centroid-to-observation, Nearest Cluster,
and Centroid Distance.
293
39
Model Comparison
Overview of Model Comparison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Model Comparison Usage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Model Comparison Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Model Comparison Results Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Fit Statistic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Details Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Overview of Model Comparison

The model comparison tool enables you to compare the performance of
competing models using various benchmarking criteria. The comparison criteria
available depends on the models and response variable used in your analysis. A
model comparison requires that at least one model is trained before you can
perform a comparison.
Before performing a model comparison, ensure that all models are initialized and
updated. If the Auto-update model property is disabled for a model, you must
manually update it before you can compare it to another model. A model is not
considered initialized until it has been trained.
When you change a model after a comparison has been created, changes are
not carried over to the model comparison.
294 Chapter 39 / Model Comparison
Model Comparison Usage

When you click in the toolbar, the Model Comparison window appears.
The Model Comparison window enables you to specify the response variable of
interest, the level of interest, a group by variable, and the models for
comparison. You must specify a response variable and at least two models.
Note: You are able to compare two or more models only when the response
variable, level of interest, and group by variable are identical.
Model Comparison Properties

The following properties are available for model comparison:
Name
enables you to specify the name for this comparison.
Model Comparison Results Windows 295
Fit statistic
specifies the comparison criterion that is plotted in the Fit Statistic window
and used to determine the champion model. The fit statistics available
depend on the models being compared.
For the error sum of squares (SSE) fit statistic, the linear regression model
and logistic regression model use the weighted SSE. The generalized linear
model uses the unweighted SSE.
Prediction Cutoff
specifies the cutoff probability that determines whether an observation is a
modeled event.
Percentile
when available, specifies the percentile at which the specified fit statistic is
plotted.
Model Comparison Results Windows
Assessment
The assessment plots available depend on the models being compared. For
classification models, the plots displayed are Lift, ROC, and Misclassification.
For numerical models, the plots displayed are observed response value and
predicted response value.
Fit Statistic
The Fit Statistic plot displays the criterion specified in the Fit statistic property.
In the following image, the observed average value is plotted for a linear
296 Chapter 39 / Model Comparison
regression and a GLM model. The champion model is indicated in the plot. It is
displayed different from the other models.
Details Table
information:
Statistics
Provides summary statistics for each model in the comparison. The value in
the Selected column, either Yes or No, indicates which model the model
comparison tool prefers based on the criterion specified in the Fit statistic
property. However, the statistics listed in the details table can differ from
those listed in the Fit statistic property.
Variable Importance
Indicates which variables had the greatest impact on each of the models in
the comparison.
297
Part 6
Designing Reports
Chapter 40
Overview of SAS Visual Analytics Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Chapter 41
Creating and Working with Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Chapter 42
Using Report Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Chapter 43
Working with Data in SAS Visual Analytics Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355
Chapter 44
Working with Display Rules for Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 401
Chapter 45
Working with Report Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 419
Chapter 46
Working with Report Interactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 433
Chapter 47
Working with Report Links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 449
Chapter 48
Ranking Values in Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 459
298
Chapter 49
Working with Parameters in Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 463
Chapter 50
Maintaining Multi-Section Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 471
Chapter 51
Sharing Reports with Other Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 475
299
40
Designer
About the SAS Visual Analytics Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Your First Look at the Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Understanding the Tabs in the Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Tabs in the Left Pane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Tabs in the Right Pane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
About the Canvas in the Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
About Report Themes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Specifying Your Preferences for the Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Specify Global Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Specify General Preferences for the Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Specify Preferences for the Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
About the SAS Visual Analytics Designer

The SAS Visual Analytics Designer (the designer) enables users to easily create
reports or dashboards that can be saved and viewed on either a mobile device
or in the viewer. The designer is part of the SAS Visual Analytics product that
enables a user with either the Visual Analytics: Analysis role or the Visual
Analytics: Administration role to view, interact with, and create reports. Simply
open an existing report and interact with the information based on your current
needs. Report designers can easily point and click to query central sources of
data. You can drag and drop tables, graphs, and gauges to create a well-
designed report. You can also add text, images, stored processes, and controls
to reports. All of this is accomplished by using the designer, which runs in a web
browser. You do not need to understand a programming language to create
reports.
Report designers can easily create reports and dashboards based on data
sources that have been provided by a system administrator. They can update
reports that were created from visual explorations. Report designers can create
reports by importing report objects or visuals from other reports. They can also
define interactions (either filtering or brushing) for report objects, and then
include SAS analytical results in a single report.
300 Chapter 40 / Overview of SAS Visual Analytics Designer
Your First Look at the Designer

When you are designing reports in SAS Visual Analytics, you see the designer.
In general, data-related tasks are initiated from the leftmost pane, and
presentation-related tasks are initiated from the rightmost pane.
Here are the features of the designer:
Figure 40.1 The Designer
2 The menu bar provides menu items that apply to the entire report or to the
currently displayed report section. Actions include creating a new report,
adding a new section, inserting new report objects, adding interactions, and
Understanding the Tabs in the Designer 301
launching the viewer without returning to the home page. You can also sign
out of SAS Visual Analytics.
3 The toolbar contains icons that enable you to manage and print your reports.
You can click to hide the left and right panes. Or, you can click to
display the left and right panes.
4 The tabs in the left pane enable you to work with new report objects, data,
imported report objects, and shared rules.
5 The canvas is the workspace for building a report. The appearance of the
canvas is affected by the report theme.
6 The tabs in the right pane enable you to work with details about the report
and report objects.
Understanding the Tabs in the Designer
Tabs in the Left Pane

The Objects, Data, Imports, and Shared Rules tabs are in the left pane. The
Objects, Data, and Imports tabs are displayed by default. You can choose to
display icons instead of names on the tabs. To display the icons on the tabs,
click after the last tab name, and select Show icons only. From this menu,
you can also choose which tabs are displayed.
The following table lists the available tabs:
Tab Description
Objects This tab provides a list of the tables, graphs, gauges, controls,
containers, other objects, and custom objects that can be used
in a report or dashboard.
Note: You can use the Show or Hide Objects window to specify
which report objects are displayed on the Objects tab. For more
information, see “Show or Hide Report Objects in the Objects
Tab” on page 321.
Tab Description
Data This tab enables you to select a data source (or data sources)
and the data items for your report. You can add, refresh, import,
or remove a data source using the icons above the list of data
items. Using the menu, you can change the data source, define
a hierarchy, define a calculated item, define an aggregated
measure, show or hide data items, and filter on a data item. You
can check the details for the measures in the data set. You can
use this tab to add parameters to a filter, a calculated item, a
display rule, or a rank.
The data item table on the Data tab provides information about a
selected item, including the name, classification, format,
aggregation, sort options, and parameters. These data item
properties can be modified, which impacts all of the report
objects that use the data item.
When a report has multiple data sources, the Data tab provides
information about the data source and data items for the
selected report object. When you select a report object that has
a different data source, the Data tab updates automatically to
provide information about the selected data source.
Imports This tab provides a list of reports and report objects that have
been created in the designer or exported from the explorer. This
enables you to create reports from multiple data sources and
create full-featured reports. You can choose objects or sections
in these reports to include in either a new report or an existing
report.
Shared Rules This tab enables you to create a new display rule for a gauge,
which is used by other gauges to designate intervals and colors
for ranges. You can edit or delete an existing shared display
rule. These display rules are shared across multiple gauges and
can be created at any time.
Tabs in the Right Pane

The Properties, Styles, Display Rules, and Roles tabs are displayed by
default. You can choose to display icons instead of tab names on the tabs. To
display the icons on the tabs, click after the last tab name, and select Show
icons only. From this menu, you can also choose which tabs are displayed.
About the Canvas in the Designer 303
The following table lists the available tabs:
Tab Description
Properties This tab lists the properties for the currently selected report,
section, info window, or report object.
n When a report is selected, the report’s title and description
are listed.
n When a section is selected, the section’s name and layout
are listed, as well as any section prompts. When an info
window is selected, the name and layout, any section
prompts, and the size of the window are listed. For more
information, see “Overview of Report Sections and Info
Windows” on page 471.
n When a report object is selected, the object’s name, title, and
description are listed. Information that is specific to the report
object type, such as the axes and legend, is listed.
n If a report object is not selected on the canvas, then the
properties are for the section, info window, or report.
Styles This tab enables you to specify the data styling, frame styling,
text styling, and data colors for a selected report object. You can
specify the report theme for the report.
Display Rules This tab enables you to populate intervals, add intervals, or add
color-mapped values to an object that is currently selected on
the canvas. You can edit or delete an existing display rule for the
selected table, graph, gauge, or control.
Roles This tab enables you to add or update data role assignments in
a selected report object that has a data source.
Alerts This tab enables you to add, update, or delete alerts for report
objects.
Comments This tab enables you to add comments to the report after you
save it.
Filters This tab enables you to add a filter (or filters) to the selected
report object.
Interactions This tab enables you to create interactions and links.
Ranks This tab enables you to add rankings to report objects. For
example, you might want to see the top 10 products that sold
last year.
About the Canvas in the Designer

The canvas is the workspace for building a report.
You can change the report view by clicking the icons at the top of the canvas.
You can access the report views by clicking beside the icon. For more
information about report views, see “Choose a Report View” on page 309.
Above the canvas, there is an Auto-update check box. You can clear this check
box so that you can design your report without waiting for a query to finish.
When you are finished designing your report, select the Auto-update check box
to run and refresh all of the queries.
There is an area at the top of the canvas on which you can drag and drop filter
controls and then categories to create report-level prompts. If you do not want to
see this area, clear the Show report prompts check box. For more information,
see “Use a Control to Create a Report Prompt” on page 334.
A report can have multiple sections or info windows, which can be accessed by
using the tabs at the top of the canvas.
There is an area below the section tabs on which you can drag and drop filter
controls and then categories to create section prompts. For more information,
see “Use a Control to Create a Section Prompt” on page 335.
About Report Themes

Report themes are available in the designer. You can select a report theme for
each report using the Styles tab. Alternatively, you can set a preference for a
default report theme. For more information, see “Specifying Your Preferences for
the Designer” on page 305.
The designer provides the following report themes: SAS Snow, SAS Light, SAS
Dark, or SAS High Contrast. Starting in the 7.2 release, SAS Snow is the
default report theme for all new reports. If you want existing reports to use the
SAS Snow report theme, you can change the report theme using the Styles tab.
Your site might also have custom report themes. Custom report themes are
automatically created when a coordinating custom application theme is created
in SAS Theme Designer for Flex. For more information, see “About Application
Themes in SAS Visual Analytics” on page 9.
You can use the Styles tab in the designer to override the default report
background color, prompt background color, font, and font color for the report
theme. You can use the Reset Theme button on the Styles tab to reset the
default report style when you have overridden the background color, font, or font
color.
The Customize Theme button is displayed on the Styles tab for users who
have the Customize Themes capability (through a direct or indirect role
membership). For more information about application themes, see SAS Theme
Designer for Flex: User’s Guide.
Specifying Your Preferences for the Designer 305
Specifying Your Preferences for the

Designer
Specify Global Settings

If you receive distributed reports, it is recommended that you specify the User
locale setting. The report distribution feature does not have access to the
browser locale, so it depends on the locale specified for the User locale in the
modern home page settings. For more information, see “Specify Global Settings
Using SAS Home” on page 10.
TIP If you change the User locale setting or preference, then you must sign
out and sign in to SAS Visual Analytics for the change to take effect.
For information about global preferences for the classic home page, see
“Specifying Your Preferences for the Classic SAS Visual Analytics Home Page”
on page 637.
Specify General Preferences for the Designer

To specify general preferences for how alert notifications are sent from both the
designer and the viewer:
2 Click General in the left pane.
3 Specify your Alert Notifications preference. The options are Send e-mail
messages, Send SMS text messages, or Use the system default for alert
notifications.
Note: If your preference for alert notifications is set to e-mail when you add
an alert, you will always receive notifications for that alert via e-mail. If you
decide later that your preference for alert notifications is a text message, then
after you change your preference to Send SMS text messages, you will
have to delete your existing alerts and create new ones.
The Use the system default for alert notifications option specifies that you
want to use the system default that is set by your system administrator in the
SAS Preferences Manager. For more information, see the SAS Preferences
Manager topic in SAS Intelligence Platform: Middle-Tier Administration
Guide. When you select either Send e-mail messages or Send SMS text
messages, you override the system default.
TIP If you select the Send SMS text messages preference, and do not
receive alerts via text message, contact your system administrator. Your
mobile number must be set up correctly as an SMS type in SAS
Management Console.
To specify general preferences for SAS Visual Analytics, see “Specify Settings
Specify Preferences for the Designer

To specify preferences that are specific to the designer:
2 Click SAS Visual Analytics Designer in the left pane.
3 Specify your Report preferences.
n Specify your default view for new or existing reports. Select Full screen,
Tablet, or Wide-screen tablet.
n Select your preferred report theme. The designer provides the following
report themes: Application theme, SAS Snow, SAS Light, SAS Dark,
or SAS High Contrast. Your site might also have custom report themes.
TIP Application theme specifies that reports match the selected

application theme. Application theme is available only as a
preference. It is not available as a report theme selection on the Styles
tab. For more information, see “About Application Themes in SAS
Visual Analytics” on page 9.
4 Specify your Geo Map preferences.
n Select your default Map provider mode. Your choices are

OpenStreetMap and Esri.
n If you select Esri as the map provider, you can specify the Esri map
service in the Esri Map Service Selector window. Your choices in the Esri
Map Service Selector window depend on the Esri server.
Note: The Esri option is available only if your system administrator has
set the va.SASGeomapEsriURL configuration property in SAS
Management Console.
5 Specify your Data Tab preference. If you are trying to optimize performance,
then select the Bypass cardinality checks check box.
Note: If you select the Bypass cardinality checks check box, then the
distinct counts of data items are not displayed on the Data tab.

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41
Creating and Working with Reports
About Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Create a New Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Choose a Report View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Choose a Report Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
View Report Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Change a Report’s Name or Title . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Import a Report or Report Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Repurpose an Existing Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Open a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Refresh a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Delete a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
About Reports
You can drag and drop tables, graphs, gauges, and controls to create a well-
designed report in SAS Visual Analytics Designer (the designer). You can add
text, images, and other controls to reports. A report can be divided into one or
more sections. (Sections are like pages.) Each section can have a different
layout and contain different report objects.
When you design a report, keep in mind that it might look slightly different on a
mobile device or in the viewer. For example, the layout of the tiles in the treemap
is dependent on the size of the display area. This means that the same treemap
might appear slightly different in the designer than it does in the viewer or on a
mobile device.
Reports that are imported from SAS Visual Analytics Explorer (the explorer)
might look slightly different in the designer.
The designer provides a report view that enables you to change the size of the
canvas that you use for laying out reports. For more information, see “Choose a
Report View” on page 309.
Two report layouts are available in the designer: Precision and Tiled. For more
information, see “Choose a Report Layout” on page 309.
308 Chapter 41 / Creating and Working with Reports
Create a New Report

There is no single process for creating a new report in the designer. For
example, some users select their data source (or data sources) before they add
the report objects while other users add report objects to the canvas and then
select their data source (or data sources). Some users choose to update the
properties and styles for their reports while other users choose not to. The
following list of steps is one way that you can create a new report in the
designer.
To create a new report:
1 Select one or more data sources with the associated data items.
2 (Optional) Select the layout (Precision or Tiled) for the first section of the
report using the Properties tab for Section 1.
3 Add report objects by dragging and dropping them onto the canvas or by
double-clicking the report object on the Objects tab. You can tab over a
report object and press Enter to add the report object to the canvas.
4 Add data items to report objects by dragging and dropping one or more data
items onto the report object or by right-clicking on the report object and using
the pop-up menu.
5 (Optional) Modify the report.

n Update the properties for the report and the report objects.
n Update the styles for the report objects.
n Modify data role assignments.
n Create or modify advanced data items (for example, hierarchies or

geographic data items).
n Create or modify display rules and add alerts for report objects.
n Add filters to the report.
n Add interactions between the report objects in a section.
n Add a rank to a report object.
n Import report objects from the explorer.

n Add a new section to the report.
n Add comments to the report.
Note: If you add a graph to your report, and there is not enough space for
both the graph and the legend to display, then the legend will be dropped.
6 (Optional) View the report in SAS Visual Analytics Viewer (the viewer) by
selecting File  View Report. Once you have viewed the report, you can
return to the designer by selecting File  Edit Report.
7 Save the report. The default location for the first save is My Folder. After
that, the default save location is the last accessed folder.
Choose a Report Layout 309
TIP Report names are limited to 60 characters.
8 (Optional) View or change the report properties using the File menu.
9 (Optional) E-mail the report.
10 (Optional) Print the report.
You can create a new report based on an existing report or on existing report
objects. For more information, see “Repurpose an Existing Report” on page 314.
Choose a Report View

There are three report views available in the designer: Full Screen, Tablet, or
Wide-screen Tablet. The default report view is Full Screen. You can access the
report views from the View menu or by clicking beside the icon. You can
choose , , or .
The report layout is not automatically adjusted for optimal viewing on a device.
However, the report does not necessarily display poorly. Before making the
report available to users, see how the report is displayed in each view.
Note: Reports can appear to be distorted when they are viewed using different
screen resolutions. It is recommended that you design a report using the
smallest resolution that you think a user would use to view the report.
Choose a Report Layout

The following report layouts are available in the designer:
Precision
enables you to place, align, and size report objects. The precision layout
allows report objects to overlap, and it lets users control the depth order of
these overlapping objects by sending objects backward or bringing them
forward. (For example, you might want your company logo to display behind
a bar chart and a pie chart in your report.)
This layout option is keyboard accessible.
Note: Stored processes are not allowed in the precision layout.
Tiled
enables you to place report objects directly next to other report objects. The
report objects cannot overlap. All report objects in the section are sized to fit
in one screen. If you adjust the size of an object, then the other objects
automatically resize to ensure that all objects continue to fill the entire
screen.
Note: You can switch from the tiled layout to the precision layout after you have
added report objects to your report. However, this action can change the size
and the position of the report objects. It can also change whether a report object
is allowed in the layout. For example, stored processes are not allowed in the
precision layout.
To choose your report layout:
1 Select a section tab.
2 In the right pane, click the Properties tab.
3 For Layout, select either Precision or Tiled. The Tiled layout is the default.
4 (Optional) If you select Precision, then you can specify Fit to screen. The
Fit to screen option prevents objects from being sized too wide or too tall,
which can cause the report viewing area for the section to scroll.
Note: The Fit to screen option is only for designing reports. Your Fit to
screen selection is not saved with the report, so it does not affect the web
viewer or mobile devices.
View Report Properties

You can use the Report Properties window to get an overview of the report. With
the exception of the Name field, the information in the Report Properties window
is different from the information that appears on the Properties tab in the right
pane of the designer. The Report Properties window provides information such
as who created the report and when it was last modified.
All of the information in the Report Properties window is generated after a report
is saved. You can add or change only the Description and Keywords for the
report in the Report Properties window.
TIP Starting in the 7.2 release, text in the Location field in the Report
Properties window is now selectable, which makes it easier for you to share
the location of your report with other users.
View Report Properties 311
To view a report’s properties:
1 Select File  Report Properties. The Report Properties window is

displayed.
2 (Optional) Update the Description or Keywords for the report.
TIP There is a limit of 200 characters in the Description field.
TIP There is a limit of 60 characters for each keyword in the Keywords

field.
Here is an example of the Report Properties window:
By comparison, the Properties tab in the right pane of the designer can be used
to update the properties for individual report objects or report sections. The
available properties depend on the selected report object. To move to the
properties of different report objects or report sections, click after the report
name, and then select another report object or report section from the list.
This example shows a report title and description and lists two sections.
For information about updating report object properties, see “About Report
Objects” on page 318.
Change a Report’s Name or Title

A report’s name and title are the same in the designer. The title is displayed on
the Properties tab and the name is displayed in the Report Properties window.
To change a report’s name and title:
1 Select File  Save As. The Save As window is displayed.
2 Enter a new Name, and click Save. The new report name is displayed as the
title on the Properties tab and as the name in the Report Properties window.
Import a Report or Report Objects 313
Import a Report or Report Objects

You can import an entire existing report, any section from an existing report, or
any report object from an existing report. You can immediately save the imported
report with a new name, or you can customize it, and then save it.
Note: Reports that you export from an exploration in the explorer might look
slightly different in the designer.
To import a report into the designer:
1 Click Imports in the left pane. If the Imports tab is not visible, select View 
Imports.
2 Select a report name from Select a report to import, or click Import

another report to display the Open window, where you can select a report.
The report is displayed on the Imports tab.
Note: Report objects that cannot be imported from the explorer are not
displayed on the Imports tab.
3 In the tree view on the Imports tab, a list of the report name, the sections,
and the report objects is displayed. Drag the report, a single report object,
multiple report objects, or an entire section and drop it onto the canvas.
4 Select File  Save As, or click , which displays the Save As window.
Enter a Name. Report names cannot use these characters: / \
5 Modify the report objects, properties, styles, roles, filters, display rules, ranks,
and interactions as needed.
6 Select File  Save, or click .

Repurpose an Existing Report

If there is an existing saved report that closely matches the report that you want
to create, then you can open the existing report that contains the report objects
that you want to reuse. (For example, you might want to reuse calculated data
items or hierarchies from an existing report in your current report.)
To base a new report on report objects in one or more existing reports:
1 Open the existing report by doing one of the following:

n On the home page, double-click on the report that you want to open.
n In the designer, do one of the following:

o Select File  Recent, and then select the report name.
o Click beside the recent content drop-down list at the top of the
window, and then select a report name.
o Click on the menu bar to navigate to a report, and then select it.
o Select File  Open to display the Open window and select a report.
2 Select File  Save As, or click , which displays the Save As window.
Enter a Name. Report names cannot use these characters: / \
3 Modify the report as needed.
n For existing objects, modify the properties, styles, roles, filters, display
rules, ranks, and interactions.
n To import objects from other reports, click Imports in the left pane. If the
Imports tab is not visible, select View  Imports. From the Imports tab,
drag a single report object, multiple report objects, or an entire section
and drop it onto the canvas.
4 Select File  Save, or click .
Open a Report
Reports in the designer are saved when you use either the Save window or the
Save As window. A saved report contains at least one section. Typically, a
section uses data items from a data source to perform queries. The section
displays the results with one or more report objects (for example, a table, a
graph, a gauge, a control, and so on). For more information about sections, see
“Overview of Report Sections and Info Windows” on page 471.
A section is not required to contain any report objects. For example, you might
have a report that you use only as a template to create other reports if you want
all reports to have a similar appearance. A template-like report might contain
data sources, calculated items, global data filters, and shared display rules, but it
might not contain report objects.
Delete a Report 315
To open a report:
1 Select File  Open or click . The Open window is displayed.
2 (Optional) Search for a report by clicking . The Search window is

displayed. Enter your search criteria, and then click Search. When the
results are displayed, select the report name. Click OK to open the report.
TIP Searching does not include report content.
TIP If you search for a single word, then the search assumes a wildcard
character before and after the word. For example, if you perform a search
with low in the Name field, then the search results include report names
such as Low Activity, Regions with Lowered Sales, and Monthly Travel
Allowance.
TIP The search is not case sensitive. For example, if you search for profit,
then the search results include report names such as Sports Equipment
Profits and Company profits last year.
3 Select a report name, and then click Open. The report is displayed in the
canvas.
Alternatively, you can open a report using the object inspector on the SAS Visual
Analytics home page. For more information, see “Discover Details Using the
Object Inspector on the Classic Home Page” on page 633.
Refresh a Report
You can reopen the current report and save any unsaved changes by selecting
File  Refresh Report. When you are prompted to save changes, choose Save
or Don’t Save. Unsaved changes can include changes to the underlying data
sources or changes that another user might have saved to the report.
This is especially useful if you have closed the current report without saving your
changes.
Note: You are not prompted to save the report if there are no unsaved changes.
Delete a Report
To delete a report:
1 Select File  Open. The Open window is displayed.
2 Select the report that you want to delete, and then click .
You can also delete a report from the home page. Click , and then click
Manage (next to My Content or Other Content). For more information, see
“Manage Content on the Classic Home Page” on page 628.
317
42
Using Report Objects
About Report Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Insert a Report Object into a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
Show or Hide Report Objects in the Objects Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Using Tables to Display Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
About List Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
About Crosstabs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Specify Table Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Specify Table Styles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
Add Sparklines to a List Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
Use the Combine Excluded Rows (or Cells) into “All Other” Properties . . . . 327
Using Graphs to Display Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
About Graphs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Specify Graph Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Specify Graph Styles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Using Controls to Display Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
About Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Specify Control Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Specify Control Styles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Use a Control to Create a Report Prompt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
Reorder Report Prompts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
Use a Control to Create a Section Prompt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
Reorder Section Prompts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
Using Container Object Types in Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
About Container Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
Specify Container Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Specify Container Styles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Using Other Object Types in Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Use a Text Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Use an Image . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
Use a Stored Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
Use a Geo Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
Use a Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
Use a Word Cloud Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346
Using Custom Graphs to Display Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
About Custom Graphs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
Specify Custom Graph Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
318 Chapter 42 / Using Report Objects
Specify Custom Graph Styles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348

Assign Colors to Overlays in Custom Graph Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349
Duplicate a Report Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350
Working with Alerts for Report Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351
Overview of Alerts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351
Add an Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351
Edit an Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352
Delete an Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353
About Report Objects

After selecting your data source and data items, add one or more report objects
to display the results. The SAS Visual Analytics Designer (the designer)
provides report objects for all of your reports. (You can also select data after you
add report objects to the canvas.) Report objects in the designer are grouped
into types on the Objects tab in the left pane and in the Insert menu: Tables,
Graphs, Gauges, Controls, Containers, Other, and Custom. Custom is
displayed only if one or more custom graphs are saved in your My Folder
location or if custom graphs are selected in the Show or Hide Objects window.
For more information, see “Show or Hide Report Objects in the Objects Tab” on
page 321.
For a definition and a picture of each report object, see Appendix 2, “Gallery of
Report Objects,” on page 553.
The following table lists the available table objects:
Icon Table Type
List Table
Crosstab
The following table lists the default graph objects:
Icon Graph Type
Bar Chart
Targeted Bar Chart
Waterfall Chart
Line Chart
Pie Chart
About Report Objects 319
Icon Graph Type
Scatter Plot
Time Series Plot
Bubble Plot
Treemap
Dual Axis Bar Chart
Dual Axis Line Chart
Dual Axis Bar-Line Chart
Dual Axis Time Series Plot
Note: You can display the additional graph objects using the Show or Hide
Objects window. For more information, see “Show or Hide Report Objects in the
Objects Tab” on page 321. The additional graph objects are displayed in the
gallery in the graph builder.
The following table lists the available controls:
Icon Control Type
Drop-down List
List
Button Bar
Text Input
Slider
The following table lists the available containers:
Icon Container Type
Vertical Container
Horizontal Container
Stack Container
Icon Container Type
Prompt Container
The following table lists the other report objects:
Icon Other Type
Text
Image
Stored Process
Geo Bubble Map
Geo Coordinate Map
Geo Region Map
Gauge
Word Cloud
Report objects of the Custom type are created using the graph builder. They are
identified by the icon. For more information, see “Using Custom Graphs to
Display Results” on page 348.
In the designer, you have access to report objects from SAS Visual Analytics
Explorer (the explorer). You can open a histogram, heat map, box plot, or
correlation matrix in a report that has been exported from the explorer. However,
you cannot create new histograms, heat maps, box plots, or correlation matrices
in the designer.
Insert a Report Object into a Report

To insert a report object into a report, choose one of the following methods:
n Drag the report object from the Objects tab in the left pane and drop it onto
the canvas.
n Double-click the report object on the Objects tab in the left pane. The report
object is automatically placed in the canvas. If you want the report object to
appear in a different location, then drag and drop it in a new location.
n Select the report object on the Objects tab in the left pane, and press Enter.
The report object is automatically placed in the canvas. If you want the report
Show or Hide Report Objects in the Objects Tab 321
object to appear in a different location, then drag and drop it in a new

location.
TIP Use the Show or Hide Objects window to specify which report objects
are displayed on the Objects tab. For more information, see “Show or
Hide Report Objects in the Objects Tab” on page 321.
n Use the Insert menu to select the report object that you want to insert. The
report object is automatically placed in the canvas. If you want the report
object to appear in a different location, then drag and drop it in a new
location.
Additional steps are required for some report objects.
n If you insert a container, then you can drag and drop other report objects
onto the container.
n Inserting images requires additional steps. For more information, see “Insert
an Image into a Report” on page 340.
n Inserting stored processes requires additional steps. For more information,
see “Use a Stored Process” on page 341.
TIP Use the Clear Selection or Select All option on the report object’s pop-
up menu to clear the selected data or to select data in the report object.
Show or Hide Report Objects in the

Objects Tab
You can customize which report objects you want to see on the Objects tab.
Once you hide a report object, it remains hidden until you choose to show it
again.
TIP To quickly hide a report object on the Objects tab, right-click the object,
and select Hide Object.
Note: Custom graphs appear under the Custom heading on the Objects tab if
they are saved to your My Folder location or if custom graphs are selected in
the Show or Hide Objects window.
To show or hide report objects:
1 On the Objects tab, click , and then select Show or Hide Objects. The
Show or Hide Objects window is displayed. Report objects that are available
in the designer by default are selected. The list of report objects includes
additional graph objects, which are not selected by default. Graph objects are
also displayed in the graph builder gallery.
2 Select the report objects that you want to show on the Objects tab. If there
are report objects that you do not want to see on the Objects tab, then clear
one or more check boxes for one or more report objects.
3 (Optional) To find a custom graph object that is not listed, click Select
Custom. The Choose an Item window is displayed. Select the custom graph
object, and click OK to return to the Show or Hide Objects window.
4 Click OK. The Objects tab is updated.
Using Tables to Display Results

For a definition and a picture of each table type, see “Tables” on page 554.
About List Tables

By default, a list table contains aggregated data with one row for each distinct
combination of category values. However, if the Show detail data check box
has been selected, then all of the data is not aggregated.
TIP To rearrange the columns in a list table, drag and drop the column
headings.
You can add sparklines to a column (if the data source contains a date data
item) when aggregated data is displayed in the list table. For more information,
see “Add Sparklines to a List Table” on page 325.
Starting in the 6.4 release, list tables are sorted in ascending order by the first
data item that you add. Only new list tables have a default sort selection. The
sorting of data items in list tables in existing reports does not change. To sort the
list table by a column, click on the column heading. An arrow appears in the
column heading to indicate the sorting.
Here are some key points about list tables:
n If you sort a list table, then the list table displays only the first 5,000 sorted
rows. For more information, see “Sort Data in a List Table” on page 395.
n You cannot select the totals in a list table.
n List tables that show detail data cannot be the source of an interaction or a
link.
About Crosstabs
You can show subtotals and totals by selecting the appropriate check box (or
check boxes) on the Properties tab for the crosstab. You can show a
percentage of total or percentage of subtotal in a crosstab. For more information
about percentage of total or percentage of subtotal, see “Create Derived Items
for Measures” on page 369.
You cannot add a sparkline to a crosstab.
You should consider placing lower cardinality (fewer distinct values) categories
on the columns and higher cardinality (more distinct values) categories on the
rows. Crosstabs can help you improve readability especially when there are
several category data items to include in your table.
Using Tables to Display Results 323
By default, frequency is displayed only when there are no measures in the

crosstab. If you add a category data item first, then the Frequency column is
automatically added. When you add a measure data item, the Frequency
column is automatically replaced by the measure that you added. If you add a
measure data item first, then the Frequency column is added only if you
manually add it.
Here are some key points about crosstabs:
n You can create a brush interaction for totals and subtotals in a crosstab.
n A crosstab does not show data if the query is too large.
Specify Table Properties

To specify the properties for list tables and crosstabs:
1 If it is not already selected, select the table in the canvas that you want to
update.
3 Update the general properties for the table. You can update the Name, Title,
Format (for the title's font style), and Description.
4 Update the object-specific properties for the table. The available properties
depend on the selected table type.
Here are some details about the properties for list tables:
n By default, the Enable selection in the viewers property is selected for
list tables. This means that users who use the web viewer or a mobile
device can select the list table, and click to see the list table name and
any incoming filter information.
n You can use the Data Options properties to enable sorting, show detail
data, combine excluded rows into “all other,” and to show totals. These
properties are available when you use summarized data. They apply to
both ranks and post-aggregate filters.
Note: By default, a list table contains aggregated data with one row for
each distinct combination of category values. However, if the Show detail
data check box has been selected, then all of the data is not aggregated.
List tables that show detail data cannot be the source of an interaction or
a link.
For list tables, you can select the Combine excluded rows into “All
Other” property, under the Data Options heading, to summarize all
excluded rows. For more information, see “Use the Combine Excluded
Rows (or Cells) into “All Other” Properties” on page 327.
TIP Select the Show labels for totals property to turn off or turn on
the aggregation labels for totals.
Here are some details about the properties for crosstabs:

crosstabs. This means that users who use the web viewer or a mobile
device can select the crosstab, and click to see the crosstab name
and any incoming filter information.
n You can specify that you want to display missing labels as blanks instead
of the string (missing) being displayed.
n You can specify that you want an indented layout and totals and subtotals
for columns, rows, or both.
n You can specify the placement of totals and subtotals.
Specify Table Styles

To specify styles for tables:
update.
2 In the right pane, click the Styles tab.
3 Update the styles for the table. The available styles depend on the selected
table type. For example, you can specify Border and Fill, Cells, Column
Headings, and Totals for list tables and crosstabs.
Here are some details about the styles for list tables:
n Select Wrap text to wrap text in the cells of a list table.
n Select Enable alternating background color to specify that the color of

every other row appears darker in the list table. Use the Alternating
background color to specify the color of every other row in the list table.
Use the Selection color style to specify the color of the selected row in
the list table.
Using Tables to Display Results 325
Your custom colors are saved between SAS Visual Analytics sessions. Your
custom colors are displayed in the color palette. Here is an example:
Figure 42.1 A Color Palette in the Designer
Add Sparklines to a List Table

A sparkline is a small line graph without axes or labels that presents a single
trend over time. A sparkline is about the size of one or two words, so it fits in a
single cell and repeats for each row in a column. A sparkline does not have axes
or labels. They are frequently used to present stock trends or production rates
over time. A sparkline is intended to be both succinct and noteworthy.
In the designer, you can add sparklines to a column in a list table. The data
source for the list table must include a date, datetime, or time data item before
you can add a sparkline.
A sparkline in the designer can have up to 40 bins. (A bin is a way to group
continuous values into a smaller number of intervals.) When the sparkline data is
binned, it is grouped by a boundary. A boundary is a minute, hour, day, month,
quarter, or year. For example, if there are two years’ worth of data, then the data
will be grouped by month, and the sparkline will have 24 bins (or one for each
month). If there is one month (30 days) of data, the sparkline will have 30 bins. If
you have two months of data, the sparkline will have two bins because the data
is binned by a month boundary. Having a lot of data for the list table does not
guarantee that the sparkline provides more detail because the designer
prioritizes bin boundaries over maximum number of bins.
The data tip values on the sparkline show the high and low values of the
sparkline and the last value in the sparkline. The data tip values are affected by
the boundary at which the data is binned and by the aggregation of the data
item. For example, suppose that the aggregation is Sum. If the data is binned by
day, then the minimum and maximum values for a given day are displayed in the
data tip. However, if the data changes and it is binned by month, then the
minimum and maximum values for the sum of all days in the month are
displayed in the data tip.
Note: The designer does not let users control the binning of the sparkline.
The data for each sparkline is displayed as a miniature time series plot. Here is
an example of a report that contains a simple list table with a sparkline and a
time series plot, which is filtered to represent the data shown in the sparkline:
In the example, both the time series plot and the sparkline are using Profit for
the measure. The time series plot has more detail than the sparkline because in
the time series plot, the data is grouped at a more granular level. The sparkline
shows the same overall line as the time series plot, but has less detail.
The sparkline does not display the trend at the most granular date, datetime, or
time level. Instead, the sparkline summarizes the trend depending on the unit of
time that is used in the list table. For example, the sparkline might be
summarized for the month, quarter, or year, depending on the data. The report
designer cannot change the level of summary in the sparkline.
To add a sparkline:
1 If it is not already selected, select the list table in the canvas that you want to
update.
2 Right-click the list table, and then select Add Sparkline. The Add Sparkline
window is displayed.
3 Enter a Column label.
4 For Time Axis, select a date, datetime, or time data item in the current data
source.
Use the Combine Excluded Rows (or Cells) into “All Other” Properties 327
5 Select a Measure (line).
6 (Optional) Select the Set baseline check box. Enter a Value, and select a
Fill type. Your choices are Gradient or Solid.
The Set baseline option draws a horizontal line through the graph at the
point on the Y axis where the baseline value resides. Everything above or
below the baseline is filled in with either a solid or gradient color.
7 Click OK. The sparkline is added to the last column in the list table. You can
move the sparkline to another location in the table.
To edit a sparkline, right-click in the sparkline column in the list table, and then
select Edit Sparkline. The Edit Sparkline window is displayed. Update the
information, and then click OK to save your changes.
To delete a sparkline, right-click in the sparkline column in the list table, and then
select Remove Sparkline.
Use the Combine Excluded Rows (or Cells)

into “All Other” Properties
You can use the Combine excluded rows into “All Other” property for list
tables or the Combine excluded cells into “All Other” property for some
graphs. These properties combine content across categories (for example, the
content that is formed by combining the report object’s visible categories). These
properties are frequently used with filters and ranks.
The effect of these properties can be influenced by certain types of interactions.
For example, if you have a list table with a Sales measure data item, the list
table might have the Combine excluded rows into “All Other” property
selected and be targeted by a slider showing a range of Sales figures. The
category combinations that are dropped based on the range selected in the
slider control are grouped into a category named "All Other."
Here are some key points about the Combine excluded rows into “All Other”
and the Combine excluded cells into “All Other” properties:
n The Combine excluded rows into “All Other” property is not available for
crosstabs.
n The Combine excluded cells into “All Other” property is not available for
time series plots, bubble plots, scatter plots, step plots, needle plots, geo
maps, or word clouds.
n The Combine excluded cells into “All Other” property is not available for
custom graphs if they depend on multiple data definitions. The property might
be available for some custom graphs. For example, suppose that you have a
custom graph with a bar chart and a line chart side by side, and the category
and measure data role assignments for each chart are shared between the
charts. Since one query produces the results for both charts, the Combine
excluded cells into “All Other” property is available.
There is a similar, but distinct per-category “All Other” option that is provided for
ranking in the designer. For more information about the All Other concept for
ranking, see “Add a New Rank” on page 459.
The following list table shows how the content of combining visible categories is
factored into “All Other”. The list table has two categories and a measure. The
Combine excluded rows into “All Other” property is selected on the
Properties tab. The list table is filtered by aggregate quantity values using the
adjacent slider control.
Here are some key points about the Combine excluded rows into “All Other”
property and the Combine excluded cells into “All Other” property:
n The property cannot be set when the report object is displaying detail data.
n The property cannot be set when the report object includes a rank with the
per-category All Other option selected.
n The property cannot be set for pie charts when the Create “Other” slice for
minimal values property is selected.
n The property cannot be set when a hierarchy is assigned to the report object.
n The property cannot be set for line charts that are imported from the explorer.
Using Graphs to Display Results 329
Using Graphs to Display Results
About Graphs
For a definition and a picture of each graph type, see “Graphs, Charts, and
Plots” on page 555.
Some graphs are available by default in the designer. (These graphs are listed
under the Graphs heading on the Objects tab.) There are additional graph
objects, which are displayed in the graph builder gallery. For more information
about the gallery, see “About the Graph Template Gallery” on page 496. You can
also display the additional graph objects using the Show or Hide Objects
window in the designer. For more information, see “Show or Hide Report Objects
in the Objects Tab” on page 321.
You can also create custom graphs. For more information, see “Using Custom
Graphs to Display Results” on page 348.
Specify Graph Properties

To specify the properties for graphs:
1 If it is not already selected, select the graph in the canvas that you want to
update.
3 Update the general properties for the graph. You can update the Name, Title,
4 Update the specific properties for the graph. The available properties depend
on the selected graph type.
Here are details about the properties for graphs:
graphs. This means that users who use the web viewer or a mobile
device can select the graph, and click to see the graph name and any
incoming filter information.
n For select graphs only, you can use the Combine excluded cells into
“All Other” property under Data Options. This property applies to both
ranks and post-aggregate filters. For more information, see “Use the
Combine Excluded Rows (or Cells) into “All Other” Properties” on page
327.
n To add a new horizontal or vertical reference line to all graph types except
the pie chart and the treemap, select Create new reference line. You
can specify a Label, an Axis, a Value, and the Style of the new line.
Note: Properties for the axes or reference lines are not displayed for a
custom graph that has merged or common axes.
n To rotate a graph’s X-axis category labels by 45 degrees, select the
Rotate value label property. This property is available for the bar chart,
targeted bar chart, waterfall chart, line chart, dual axis bar chart, dual axis
line chart, the dual axis bar-line chart, and custom graphs with a single X
axis that has discrete values.
Note: You cannot use the Rotate value label property if you assign a
data item to a lattice row or lattice column data role.
n For bar charts that are assigned multiple measure data items (in the
Measures role) or if you group a data item, you can create a 100%
stacked bar chart using the Grouping style and Grouping scale
properties. Select Cluster or Stack for the Grouping style. Select
Normalize groups to 100% for the Grouping scale.
Note: The Grouping scale property is not available for the dual axis bar
chart, the dual axis bar-line chart, or any custom graph with at least one
bar chart and a second Y axis.
Note: Negative values are ignored in the 100% stacked bar chart.
Note: If you select Normalize groups to 100% for a bar chart, then the
Set baseline property is not available.
Note: The Callout and Outside options for the Data label location are
not supported for grouped pie charts. Selecting either of these options
has no effect on the pie chart.
n Use the Set baseline property to place a baseline on the response axis
using a value that you specify in the text field. When this property is not
selected, the graph defaults to placing the baseline at 0. The Set
baseline property is available for bar charts, targeted bar charts, waterfall
charts, line charts, dual axis bar charts, dual axis line charts, dual axis
bar-line charts, needle plots, and butterfly charts.
Note: The Set baseline property is not available for bar charts if you
select Normalize groups to 100% for the Grouping scale property.
n To fill a line chart or a time series plot with color, select a Grouping style.
The style choices are Overlay Unfilled, Overlay Filled, and Stack
Filled. The default grouping style is Overlay Unfilled.
n To change the percentage for the “other” slice in a pie chart, change the
amount listed in the Minimum percentage for “Other” field. The default
is 4%.
n To display the measure label at the top of a pie chart, select the Show
label check box.
n To change the transparency of the markers in a scatter plot, needle plot,
step plot, or dot plot; or for the bubbles in a bubble plot or a bubble
change plot; or for the bars in a schedule chart, move the slider for
Transparency to any value between 0% and 100%. The default value for
transparency is 0%.
n For the treemap, the Layout property determines how the tiles are
arranged. The Show level indicator check box determines whether the
label of the data item that is in the Tile role is displayed above the
treemap.
n Use the Binning interval for a time series plot or a dual axis time series
plot when you have an uneven grouping of time data. The options are:
Automatic
Determines the best bin size for your data. This option is the default.
Using Graphs to Display Results 331
Fixed count
Enables you to specify an interval between 10 and 500 in the Fixed
bin count field.
Use format
Uses the format of the date data item as the interval.
n To remove the arrowheads for the vector plot or the stock high-low plot,
clear the Show arrowheads property. To change the transparency of the
vector plot or the stock high-low plot, move the slider for Transparency to
any value between 0% and 100%. The default value for transparency is
0%.
Specify Graph Styles

To specify styles for graphs:
update.
3 Update the styles for the graph. The available styles depend on the selected
graph type. For example, you can specify Border and Fill, Data Styling,
Frame Styling, Text Styling, and Data Colors for all graphs.
Here are some details about the styles for graphs:
n By default, the background of a graph is set to white. Use the Wall
background option (under Frame Styling) to specify a different color.
n Move the slider beside the color palette to set the transparency for the
Wall background, the Legend background, or the Header background
for graphs, except for treemaps. The default value for transparency is 0%.
n A three-color Gradient data color style is available for bubble plots,
treemaps, some bar charts, some waterfall charts, and word clouds.
n To modify the colors that are used in a graph, use the styles that are
available under Data Colors.
To change a color, click its tile to open the color palette. Using the palette,
select a new color. The new color is automatically applied to the graph,
and the tile changes to the new color.
custom colors are displayed in the color palette. For an example of the color
palette, see Figure 42.1 on page 325.
Using Controls to Display Results

For a definition and a picture of each control type, see “Controls” on page 570.
About Controls
A control is a report object that filters or narrows the scope of the data that you
are currently viewing. A control enables you to group your data by a selected
category, and then select which group you want to view. When you drag and
drop a data item onto a control, the control creates a group based on that data
item. For example, you might have a data item called Cars that contains all of
the models that a manufacturer produces. When you drag and drop the Cars
data item onto a drop-down list, the control groups the car models, and then you
can select a car model to use as a filter. Controls can be used in a report with
interactions.
Report prompts are controls that are placed in the special area at the top of the
canvas. A report prompt automatically filters all of the other report objects as
long as the report object uses the same data source as the report prompt
control. For more information, see “Use a Control to Create a Report Prompt” on
page 334.
Section prompts are the controls that are placed in the special row area below
the section tabs at the top of the canvas. A section prompt automatically filters
all of the other report objects in the same section, as long as the report object
uses the same data source as the section prompt control. For more information,
see “Use a Control to Create a Section Prompt” on page 335.
You can place any control in the main area of the canvas below the section
prompt row. You must define explicit interactions (using either the Interactions
tab or the Interactions view) between these controls (as the source report
objects) and one or more target report objects. For more information about
interactions, see “Overview of Report Interactions” on page 433.
The text input control, button bar control, drop-down list control, and slider
control (single-point only) support parameters. For more information, see
Chapter 49, “Working with Parameters in Reports,” on page 463.
Here are some key points about filtering using controls:
n Filters use the AND operator.
n Filters are applied as separate steps.
n The filter results are impacted by the type of data used in the control.
Specify Control Properties

To specify the properties for a control:
1 If it is not already selected, select the control in the canvas that you want to
update.

Using Controls to Display Results 333
3 Update the general properties for the control. You can update the Name,
Title, Format (for the title's font style), and Description.
4 Update the specific properties for the control. The available properties
depend on the selected control.
Here are some details about the properties for controls:
n By default, the Enable selection in the viewers property is not selected
for controls. This means that users who use the web viewer or a mobile
device cannot select the control, and click to see the control name and
any incoming filter information. However, users can still modify values for
the control.
n For drop-down lists, lists, and button bars, select the Required property if
you want to require users to make a selection in the control. If you select
the Required property for a list, at least one check box must always be
selected.
n By default, the Allow multiple selection property is selected for lists. If
you clear the Allow multiple selection check box, radio button are
displayed instead of check boxes and the Required property is applied
automatically.
n For button bars and sliders, the Horizontal property is selected by
default.
n For sliders, select the Interact on the data in view property if you want
to have the control interactively filter the post-aggregated data.
n For sliders, the Set value to dynamic minimum and Set value to
dynamic maximum properties automatically adjust the slider to the
minimum or maximum values in the current data query. These properties
are available for only dates and measures.
n For sliders, select the Set fixed range property so that you can specify
the Minimum and Maximum properties for the slider end points.
Note: You cannot have a filter or rank when the Set fixed range property
is selected for a slider.
Specify Control Styles

To specify styles for controls:
1 If it is not already selected, select the control in the canvas that you want to
update.
3 Update the styles for the control. The available styles depend on the selected
control type. For example, for a drop-down list, you can specify Border and
Fill, Drop-down Styling, and Text Styling.
Use a Control to Create a Report Prompt

If you use a control to create a report prompt, then the user can select a value to
filter the data in the report. For some control types, when the Required property
is not selected, the user might need to press Ctrl+click to clear the value in the
filter.
You can use a report prompt to cascade filters to section prompts.
Starting in the 7.4 release, you can create cascading (or dependent) report
prompts. Cascading report prompts enable you to create filter (but not brush)
interactions between objects in the report prompt bar. For example, suppose you
have a report that has filters from Region to State and State to City. When you
change the value for Region, City should also be filtered. For more information,
see “About Report Filters” on page 419.
To use a control to create a report prompt:
1 Drag the control icon from the Objects tab in the left pane and drop it onto
the area above the tabs on the canvas. (Look for the hint text that says,
“Drop controls here to create a report prompt.”) The control appears above
the tabs on the canvas.
Note: You can also use a prompt container to create a report prompt.
2 Drag and drop a category, measure, or parameter onto the control. For
example, if you drag and drop a drop-down list control, then you can assign a
category like Facility City or Facility State. Then, the drop-down list is
populated with the cities or states that are used in that category.
You can also use the Roles tab in the right pane to specify the Category and
Frequency roles for the report prompt.
3 (Optional) Update the general properties for the report prompt. You can
update the Name and Description.
4 (Optional) Update the specific properties for the report prompt. The available
properties depend on the selected control.
Here are some details about the properties for controls:
n By default, the Enable selection in the viewers property is not selected
for controls. This means that users who use the web viewer or a mobile
device cannot select the control, and click to see the control name and
any incoming filter information. However, users can still modify values for
the control.
n For drop-down lists and button bars, select the Required property if you
want to require a user to make a selection in the control. If you select the
Required property for a drop-down list, at least one check box must
always be selected.
n For sliders, for Value, the Range property is selected by default. Select
the Interact on the data in view property to have the control filter only
the aggregated data that is currently displayed in the report. If you clear
this property, then the detail data is filtered.
Note: If the Interact on the data in view property is not selected, then a
slider does not filter crosstabs or time series plots.
Using Controls to Display Results 335
n For button bars and sliders, the Horizontal property is selected by

default.
If the report prompt uses one data source and the report objects on the canvas
use another data source, you can change the data source mappings by right-
clicking the control, and then selecting Edit Data Source Mapping. For more
information, see “Map Data Sources” on page 444.
Reorder Report Prompts

You can reorder the display of report prompts.
To change the order in which report prompts are displayed:
2 Select the report name in the drop-down list.
3 In the Report Prompts area, select a report prompt. Click or to

reorder the report prompts.
Use a Control to Create a Section Prompt

If you use a control to create a section prompt, then the user can select a value
to filter other report objects in the same section, as long as the report object
uses the same data source as the section prompt control.
Here are some key points about section prompts:
n The drop-down list, button bar, and text input controls are the only controls
that can be used as section prompts.
n If you use a control to create a section prompt, then the user can select a
value to filter the data. For some control types, when the Required property
is not selected, the user might need to press Ctrl+click to clear the value in
the filter.
n Section prompts can be affected by report prompts.
n Section prompts are not allowed in info windows.
Starting in the 7.4 release, you can create cascading (or dependent) section
prompts. Cascading section prompts enable you to create filter interactions
between objects in the section prompt bar. Cascading section prompts do not
allow data brushing.
To use a control to create a section prompt:
1 Drag the control icon from the Objects tab in the left pane and drop it onto
the area above the report objects and below the tabs on the canvas. (Look
for the hint text that says, “Drop controls here to create a section prompt.”)
The control appears below the tabs on the canvas.
Note: You can also use a prompt container to create a section prompt.
2 Drag and drop a category, a measure, or a parameter onto the control. For
example, if you drag and drop a drop-down list control, then you can assign a
category like Facility City or Facility State. Then the drop-down list is
populated with the cities or states that are used in that category.
You can also use the Roles tab in the right pane, and then specify the
Category and Frequency roles.
TIP If you move a section prompt from one section to another section in a
report, you must edit the data source mapping for an interaction to work.
Right-click the control, and select Edit Data Source Mapping. For more
If the section prompt uses one data source and the report objects on the canvas
use another data source, you can change the data source mappings by right-
clicking the control, and then selecting Edit Data Source Mapping.
Reorder Section Prompts

You can reorder the display of section prompts.
To change the order in which section prompts are displayed:
2 Select the section name in the drop-down list.
3 In the Section Prompts area, select a section prompt. Click or to

reorder the section prompts.
Using Container Object Types in Reports
About Container Objects

You can use containers to group other report objects. There are these types of
containers:
n Vertical and horizontal containers.
n Stack containers. The report objects are displayed as if they are in a slide
deck. Only one report object is displayed at a time. The stack container has a
control bar instead of a scroll bar that lets you move between report objects.
You cannot nest stack containers. However, you can place them side by side.
When you use precision layout, you can resize the stack container.
n Prompt containers. These containers group prompt controls. Prompt
containers are affected by report prompts, but not by other section prompts.
They are not affected by interactions. Report objects inside prompt
containers are filtered by the same rules as other objects.
Prompt containers can be added to the report prompt area and section
prompt area on the canvas. This enables you to add control types (for
example, list controls) that are not otherwise allowed in those prompt areas.
TIP If a prompt container is open and there are unsaved changes, then
the button bar changes. An Apply button is displayed so that you can
apply changes.
Note: Stored processes cannot be added to any type of container.

Using Container Object Types in Reports 337
Specify Container Properties

To specify the properties for a container:
1 If it is not already selected, select the container in the canvas that you want
to update.
3 Update the general properties for the container. You can update the Name,
4 Update the object-specific properties for the container. Here are some details
about the properties for containers:
containers. This means that users who use the web viewer or a mobile
device can select the container, and click to see the container name
and any incoming filter information.
n Update the order in which the report objects appear inside the container.
n For stack containers, the Navigation control location property changes

the location of the control bar, and the Navigation button type property
changes the appearance of the control bar. You can reorder the display of
the report objects in the stack container using the Objects list.
n For prompt containers, you can select the Layout and Button text. The
Automatically apply values property is selected by default. If you clear
the Automatically apply values check box, then you cannot work with
any interactions to or from the prompt container until you apply or cancel
changes.
Specify Container Styles

To specify styles for containers:
1 If it is not already selected, select the container in the canvas that you want
to update.
3 Update the styles for the container. The available styles depend on the
selected container type. Border and Fill is available for all containers.
Prompt containers also have Drop-down Styling and Text Styling options.
The Button bar color style option for the prompt container enables you to
change the background around the Close button.
Here is an example of a prompt container that has the Background color

and Button bar color styles set.
Using Other Object Types in Reports
Use a Text Object
About Text Objects

Text objects can display both static text and dynamic text. You can use text
objects to convey messages (such as confidentiality statements), to annotate
other objects, and to display key values.
Dynamic text supports display rules. The displayed values are affected by
interactions, filters, and ranks. For more information, see “Display Dynamic Text
in a Text Object” on page 339.
Text objects can contain links in static text. See “Create a Link from a Text
Object” on page 454.
Specify Text Object Properties

To specify the properties for a text object:
1 If it is not already selected, select the text object in the canvas that you want
to update.
3 Update the general properties for the text. You can update the Name, Title,
Using Other Object Types in Reports 339
4 (Optional) Update the object-specific properties for the text object. By default,
the Enable selection in the viewers property is not selected for text objects.
This means that users who view the report in the web viewer or on a mobile
device cannot select the text in a report.
Specify Text Object Styles

You can use the floating toolbar to change the font, font size, text color, and text
background color. You can specify whether the text is bold, italic, or underlined,
and whether it is left-aligned, centered, or right-aligned. You can also use the
floating toolbar to create a link from a text object. For more information, see
“Create a Link from a Text Object” on page 454.
TIP You can use the pop-up menu to cut, copy, and delete text. However, you
have to use the keyboard shortcut (Ctrl+V) to paste text.
Note: You cannot change text styles using the Styles tab.
Display Dynamic Text in a Text Object

Text objects support several types of dynamic text:
n Measure values
n Parameter values
n A timestamp for the most recent update of the current data source
n A description of the current interactive filters (from prompts and from

interactions with other objects)
To add a measure or a parameter to the text object, either use the Roles tab or
drag the data item from the Data tab and drop it onto the text object. The
parameter can be of any type, but parameters with multiple values (for example,
character list parameters) are limited to 25 characters.
Note: To display the frequency value in a text object, you must drag Frequency
or Frequency Percent from the Data tab and drop it onto the text object.
To add the timestamp for the most recent update of the current data source, click
in the floating toolbar, and then select Table Modified Time.
To add a filter description, click in the floating toolbar, and then select
Interactive Filters.
Note: If you replace or remove the data source that is associated with the text
object, then all dynamic text is removed.
Use an Image
About Images
You can use images to include your corporate logo or other graphics in your
reports. You can insert images from a repository or from your local machine. If
you select an image from your local machine, it is saved to the repository. You
can also add tooltip text to an image.
Insert an Image into a Report

To insert an image into a report:
1 Choose one of the following:

n Drag the from the Objects tab in the left pane and drop it onto the
canvas. The Image Selection window is displayed.
n Select Insert  Other  Image. The Image Selection window is
displayed. The image object is automatically placed in the canvas. If you
want the image to appear in a different location, then drag and drop it in a
new location.
2 Select the image from one of the following locations:
Load from repository

Select this option to choose an image that is stored on the same server
as the reports.
Load from local machine
Select this option to choose an image from your local machine. Click
Browse to choose a file on your local machine. Specify a repository in the
Save the local image to the repository field. If you click Browse, the
Save As window is displayed. Select a folder and then click OK to return
to the Image Selection window.
A preview of the image is displayed.
3 (Optional) Specify the Scale type:
None
The actual size of the image is maintained. The image might or might not
fill the entire area of the image's visual container. If the image is larger
than the visual container, then scroll bars are displayed.
Stretch
The height and width of image are set to the height and width of the
image’s visual container. The image’s original aspect ratio is not
maintained.
Fit All
The image is modified to fit best into the image's visual container. The
image’s original aspect ratio is maintained.
Fit Width
The width of the image is set to the width of the image's visual container.
The height maintains the image's original aspect ratio. Scroll bars are
displayed if the set height of the image is greater than the height of the
visual container.
Fit Height
The height of the image is set to the height of the image's visual
container. The width maintains the image's original aspect ratio. Scroll
bars are displayed if the set width of the image is greater than the width of
the visual container.
Tile
The image is tiled in the visual container. The image’s original size is
maintained. There are no scroll bars.
4 (Optional) Specify the Tooltip text.

5 Click OK.
Specify Image Properties

To specify the properties for an image:
1 If it is not already selected, select the image in the canvas that you want to
update.
3 Update the general properties for the image. You can update the Name,
Title, and Description.
4 Update the properties specific for the image. Your choices are Location,
Scale type, and Tooltip text.
By default, the Enable selection in the viewers property is not selected for
images. This means that users who use the web viewer or a mobile device
cannot select the image, and click to see the image name.
Specify Image Styles

No styles are available for images.
Use a Stored Process
About Stored Processes

A stored process is a SAS program that is stored on a server and that can be
executed as requested by client applications such as SAS Visual Analytics. The
embedded SAS code can contain instructions for displaying report elements that
include queries, prompted filters, titles, images, and statistical analyses.
You can add one or more stored processes to a report. You can edit the prompts
for a stored process using the Properties tab in the designer. When you set the
value for a prompt in the designer, that prompt value becomes the default value
for the viewer.
Any prompts in a stored process must follow the guidelines for entering prompt
values. This is important if the stored process contains date values. See
“Entering Prompt Values in the SAS Stored Process Web Application” in the
SAS Stored Processes: Developer’s Guide.
You can also add a stored process report, which contains the predefined output
from a stored process.
There are prerequisites for printing stored process output. For more information,
see “Printing Reports” on page 477.
There are limitations to where stored processes can be used in the designer:
n A stored process cannot be used in the precision layout.
n A stored process cannot be the source or target of an interaction in a report.
n A stored process cannot be added to a container.
Note: Users who view stored processes using the SAS Visual Analytics Apps
(previously called SAS Mobile BI) cannot be prompted. Instead, the stored
process runs using the prompt values that were added when the report was
created.
Note: The stored process output in a report is rendered as HTML regardless of
the requested output type.
For information about creating a stored process and registering it in metadata,
see SAS Stored Processes: Developer’s Guide.
Specify Stored Process Properties

To specify the properties for a stored process:
1 If it is not already selected, select the stored process in the canvas that you
want to update.
3 Update the general properties for the stored process. You can update the
Name, Title, Format (for the title's font style), and Description.
4 Update the properties specific to the stored process. Your choices are Show
metadata view and Show SAS log in the output. If the stored process
contains prompts, the Edit Prompts button is displayed.
By default, the Enable selection in the viewers property is selected for

stored processes. This means that users who use the web viewer or a mobile
device can select the stored process, and click to see the stored process
name.
Click Edit Prompts to open a new window where you can edit the
parameters for the stored process. Click OK to save your changes.
Selecting the Show metadata view check box can make it easier to work
with the stored process while you are designing a report. In the metadata
view, you can see information about when the stored process was created
and last modified. You can also see the name of the stored process file.
Here is an example of the metadata view for a stored process:
Selecting the Show SAS log in the output option means that both the log
output and the stored process output are displayed in the report. This can
assist you in debugging problems.
Specify Stored Process Styles

No styles are available for stored processes.
Use a Geo Map
About Geo Maps

Many types of data have a spatial aspect, including demographics, marketing
surveys, and customer addresses. For example, if a user needs to evaluate
population data for U.S. Census tracts, a report designer could display the
information in a table. However, it would be easier and more effective for the
person using the report to see the information in the context of the geography of
the tracts. When evaluating information that has a spatial component, users
might find it easier to recognize relationships and trends in the data if they see
the information in a spatial context.
A geo map overlays your data on a geographic map. You can add a geo map
only if the report uses data items from a data source that is enabled for
geographic mapping.
You can create a filter or brush interaction between a geo map and another
report object in your report or dashboard. When you click on a specific region or
city in the geo map, the other report object filters or highlights to show the same
location.
The following geo maps are available in the designer:
Geo Bubble Map
A bubble plot that is overlaid on a geographic map. For a complete definition
and picture of a geo bubble map, see “Other Report Objects” on page 571.
A geo bubble map requires a geography variable with the role type of
geography.
Geo Coordinate Map

A simple scatter plot that is overlaid on a geographic map. For a complete
definition and picture of a geo coordinate map, see “Geo Coordinate Maps”
on page 571.
A geo coordinate map requires a geography variable with the role type of
geography.
Geo Region Map
A two-dimensional map that uses color combinations to represent different
regions on the map. For a complete definition and picture of a geo region
map, see “Geo Region Maps” on page 572.
A geo region map requires a geography variable with the role type of
geography. However, it does not support custom geography data items or
ZIP code data.
Here are some key points about geo maps:
n Calculated data items and grouped category data items can be changed into
geographic data items and used in geo maps.
n Certain geo maps that are exported from the explorer (for example, geo
maps that use custom roles or data sets that have centroids) cannot be fully
modified in the designer.
n When a Color data role and a display rule are applied to a geo bubble map
or geo region map, the Color data role takes precedence over the display
rule. The geo coordinate map does not have a Color data role. For more
information about data roles, see “Working with Data Role Assignments” on
page 386.
Specify Geo Map Properties

To specify the properties for a geo bubble map, geo coordinate map, or geo
region map:
1 If it is not already selected, select the geo bubble map, geo coordinate map,
or geo region map in the canvas that you want to update.
3 Update the general properties for the geo bubble map, geo coordinate map,
or geo region map. You can update the Name, Title, Format (for the title's
font style), and Description.
4 Update the properties that are specific to the geo bubble map, geo
coordinate map, or geo region map. You can update Show map navigation
control, Transparency, and Show legend.
Here are some details about the properties for geo maps:
n Use the Map Service property to change the map provider for a geo
bubble map, geo coordinate map, or geo region map after you have
placed it on the canvas. This property changes the map type from
OpenStreetMap to any available Esri service if an Esri service is
available.
n For a geo bubble map, you select the Transparency for the bubble plot.
For a geo coordinate map, you select the Transparency for the scatter
plot. For a geo region map, you select the Transparency for the regions.
n There are Legend properties for geo coordinate maps. However, geo
coordinate maps cannot have a legend. Any changes that you make to
the Legend properties will be discarded.
Specify Styles for Geo Maps

To specify styles for a geo bubble map, geo coordinate map, or geo region map:
1 If it is not already selected, select the geo bubble map, geo coordinate map,
or geo region map in the canvas that you want to update.
3 Update the styles for the geo bubble map, geo coordinate map, or geo region
map. You can specify Border and Fill, Data Styling, Frame Styling, Text
Styling, and Data Colors for the geo bubble map, geo coordinate map, or
geo region map.
Note: Performance for geo maps is negatively impacted when you change
the Data skin style. The recommendation is to leave it as None.
Use a Gauge
About Gauges
A gauge is a dashboard indicator (also known as a KPI) that displays the status
or measure of a variable or variables in relation to a target, goal, or interval.
Gauges are designed to achieve this goal in a way that is familiar to users. Many
real-life objects use gauges, such as cars and machines. Gauges can be used
to display a quantity, range, variable, or status. They often appear in business
intelligence dashboards.
Qualitative ranges are required for all gauges in the designer. You can populate
the range intervals manually, or you can have them generated for you based on
the range of the actual data.
Gauges in the designer support high cardinality.
For a definition and a picture of each gauge type, see “Gauges” on page 573.
Specify Gauge Properties

Starting in the 7.1 release, there is one gauge object on the Objects tab. When
the gauge is on the canvas, you can use Type on the Properties tab to specify
which type of gauge (bullet, dial, slider, speedometer, or thermometer) you want
displayed in a report.
To specify properties for a gauge:
1 If it is not already selected, select the gauge in the canvas.
3 Update the general properties for the gauge. You can update the Name,
4 Update the specific properties for the gauge. The available properties
depend on the selected gauge type.
Here are some details about the properties for gauges:
gauges. This means that users who use the web viewer or a mobile
device can select the gauge and click to see the gauge name and any
incoming filter information.
n (Optional) Clear Show value label, Show range labels, or both
properties.
n Select a Type for the gauge. You can choose Bullet, Dial, Slider,
Speedometer, or Thermometer.
n For the bullet, slider, and thermometer gauges, you can specify the
Direction for displaying the gauge. The default for the bullet and slider
gauges is Horizontal. The default for the thermometer gauge is Vertical.
Specify Gauge Styles

To specify styles for gauges:
1 If it is not already selected, select the gauge in the canvas that you want to
update.
3 Update the styles for the gauge. The available styles depend on the selected
gauge type. For example, you can specify Border and Fill, Data Styling,
Frame Styling, Text Styling, and Data Colors for gauges.
Note: The Header value enables you to set only the text color.
Use a Word Cloud Object
About Word Cloud Objects

A word cloud displays a set of words from a character data item. Depending on
the type of word cloud and your data roles, the size of each word in the cloud
can indicate the relevance of the word to a topic, the frequency of the word in a
category, or the value of a measure.
Every word cloud has a descending sort based on its size.
TIP There is a limit of 100 rows for a word cloud. To reduce the amount of
data, add a rank for the word cloud, and use a number less than 100. For
more information, see “Add a New Rank” on page 459.
Word clouds support display rules and interactions.

Specify Word Cloud Properties

To specify the properties for a word cloud:
1 If it is not already selected, select the word cloud in the canvas that you want
to update.
3 Update the general properties for the word cloud. You can change the Name,
Title, Format (for the title’s font style), and Description.
4 Update the object-specific properties for the word cloud. Here are some
details about the properties for word clouds:
word clouds. This means that users who use the web viewer or a mobile
device can select the word cloud, and click to see the word cloud
name and any incoming filter information.
n Use the Arrangement property to specify how the words are displayed in
the word cloud. Cloud is the default. Use Rows to display the words in
rows as if you were reading text in a book.
n Use the Font scale to control the difference in the size of the smallest
and largest words. If you select 1, there is a one-to-one ratio, so the
smallest and largest words are displayed as the same size.
n By default, the word cloud has a limit of 100 terms. After the results of a
query come back, only the top 100 terms, based on a descending sort of
the size measure, will be displayed. Use the Word display limit property
to display fewer terms. The slider can be set to a number between five
and 100.
Specify Word Cloud Styles

To specify styles for word clouds:
1 If it is not already selected, select the word cloud in the canvas that you want
to update.
3 Update the styles for the word cloud. For example, you can specify Border
and Fill, Frame Styling, Text Styling, and Data Colors.
TIP A three-color Gradient data color style is available for word clouds
that have at least two measures.
Using Custom Graphs to Display Results
About Custom Graphs

The graph builder enables you to create custom graph objects. To access the
graph builder, on the Objects tab, click . The Create Custom Graph window is
displayed. For more information, see Chapter 52, “Creating and Using Custom
Graph Objects,” on page 495.
When a custom graph is saved in the My Folder location, it is displayed under
the Custom heading on the Objects tab. Then, you can insert the custom graph
into a report and add data to it. For information about adding a custom graph to
the Objects tab, see “Show or Hide Report Objects in the Objects Tab” on page
321.
Note: If a data role is not available for a report object in the designer, then the
data role is not available in the graph builder. For example, a bar chart in the
designer does not have a Color data role. Therefore, a bar chart in the graph
builder does not have a Color data role either.
For a definition and a picture of each custom graph type, see “Graphs, Charts,
and Plots” on page 555.
Specify Custom Graph Properties

To specify the properties for custom graphs:
1 If it is not already selected, select the custom graph in the canvas that you
want to update.
3 Update the general properties for the graph. You can update the Name, Title,
Format (for the title’s font style), and Description.
4 Update the specific properties for the graph. The available properties depend
on the selected custom graph type.
By default, the Enable selection in the viewers property is selected for
custom graphs. This means that users who use the web viewer or a mobile
device can select the custom graph and click to see the custom graph
name and any incoming filter information.
Note: No properties are available for the schedule chart.
Specify Custom Graph Styles

To specify styles for custom graphs:
1 If it is not already selected, select the custom graph in the canvas that you
want to update.

Using Custom Graphs to Display Results 349
3 Update the styles for the graph. The available styles depend on the selected
custom graph type. For example, you can specify Border and Fill, Data
Styling, Frame Styling, Text Styling, and Data Colors for custom graphs.
By default, the background of a graph is set to white. Use the Wall
background option (under Frame Styling) to specify a different color.
Note: A three-color Gradient data color style is available for custom graphs
that have a Color role.
Assign Colors to Overlays in Custom Graph

Elements
Each time a new graph element is overlaid on top of an existing graph element,
the data colors that are assigned to each subsequent graph element are the
colors after all of the colors have been assigned to the first graph and its
elements. If 12 colors are assigned to the first graph element (for example, a bar
chart), then the graph element that is overlaid (for example, a line chart) is
assigned color 13.
To have the overlaid graph element start with the first color, change the Overlaid
plot colors property for the cell in the graph builder to All graphs start with the
same color.
Setting the Overlaid plot colors property affects the Fill colors on the Styles
tab when you open the custom graph in the designer.
Figure 42.2 Data Colors on the Styles Tab in the Designer
If a custom graph contains more than eight groupings, the Fill colors are
repeated. Here is the pattern for colors:
Colors Pattern
1-8 The colors are specified in the Fill color palette.
9-16 Repeat colors 1 through 8 in a lighter hue.
17-24 Repeat colors 1 through 8 in a darker hue.
More than 24 Repeat the color patterns above.

colors
Duplicate a Report Object

Duplicating a report object in the designer enables you to use a copy of the
same object in the same section or another section of your report.
Note: If you duplicate a control with a parameter, the parameter is not copied
from the original control because the parameter can get its value from only one
control.
To duplicate a report object:
1 On the canvas, right-click the report object that you want to duplicate.
2 Select Duplicate <ReportObject>, where <ReportObject> is the name of

the report object in the report. (For example, List Table 1, Bar Chart 1,
and so on.) The duplicated report object is placed on the canvas with a name
based on the original name. For example, if the original report object name is
List Table 1, then the duplicate report object is displayed as List Table
1 (1). If you choose to duplicate the same report object again, then it is
displayed as List Table 1 (2).
3 (Optional) Move the duplicate report object to another section. Right-click the
report object that you want to move. Select Move <ReportObject> to 
<SectionName>, where <ReportObject> is the name of the report object
and <SectionName> is the name of the section.
Working with Alerts for Report Objects 351
4 (Optional) If you want the report object to appear in a different location, then
drag and drop it in a new location.
If you move an object to a section with precision layout, then you must
manually move the object to its proper location. All objects are put in the top
left corner by default.
Working with Alerts for Report Objects
Overview of Alerts
You can create alerts for a report object so that subscribers are notified via e-
mail or a text message when the alert condition is met. You can specify how
frequently the system checks to see whether the alert condition is been met.
You can add alerts to report objects using the Alerts tab. You can also add
alerts when you create a display rule. For more information about display rules,
see “Adding Table-Level Display Rules” on page 403.
Note: You can specify a preference for receiving alert notifications via e-mail or
a text message in both the designer and the viewer. For more information, see
“Specify General Preferences for the Designer” on page 305.
Add an Alert
To add an alert to a report object:
1 If it is not already selected, select the report object in the canvas to which
you want to add an alert.
2 Do one of the following:

n Right-click the report object, and select Add Alert. The Add Alert window
is displayed.
n In the right pane, click the Alerts tab. Click . The Add Alert window is
displayed.
3 On the Expression tab, specify the criteria for the alert. You can create a
new expression or use an existing expression.
4 (Optional) Specify how often you want the system to check for the criteria.
You can use the system default, which is set by your administrator, or you
can limit the check to a minute or hourly increment.
5 On the Subscription and Notification tab, add or remove subscribers for

the alert. You can specify how frequently alert notifications are sent. For
example, suppose that you specify that you want alert notifications sent
every five days. Then, it will be at least five days before you receive an alert
notification.
Note: Only users who have e-mail addresses stored in metadata are
displayed in the Manage subscribers list on the Subscription and
Notification tab.
Note: The timing of when alert notifications are sent can vary depending on
when the alert condition is met.
6 Click OK. The details for the alert are displayed at the bottom of the Alerts
tab.
Note: An alert notification has a blank subject. Some cellular carriers convert
text messages to e-mail messages. When a subject is not specified in an e-mail,
these carriers try to add a subject. Some carriers add the alert condition as the
subject. Other carriers cannot add the subject, so the e-mail message has a
blank subject.
Edit an Alert
To edit an alert:
1 In the right pane, click the Alerts tab.
2 Select the alert that you want to edit, and click . The Edit Alert window is
displayed.
3 Update the alert criteria, and then click OK to save your changes.
Working with Alerts for Report Objects 353
Delete an Alert
Alerts are not automatically deleted when a report is deleted. You can delete an
alert on the Alerts tab. Select the alert that you want to delete, and click .
Then, click Delete in the confirmation message that is displayed.
355
43
Working with Data in SAS Visual
Analytics Designer
Overview of Data Sources and Data Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356
Working with Data Sources in Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356
About Data Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356
Import a Data Source for a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357
Add a Data Source to a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
Refresh a Data Source for a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
Remove a Data Source from a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
Change a Data Source in a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
View Measure Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360
Show or Hide Data Items on the Data Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360
Sort Data Items on the Data Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361
Group Data Items on the Data Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361
Working with Hierarchies in a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361
About Hierarchies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361
Create a New Hierarchy for a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362
Edit a Hierarchy for a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362
Delete a Hierarchy for a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363
Working with Data Items in a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363
About Data Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363
Assign Data Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366
Automatic Data Item Assignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 367
Duplicate Data Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368
Rename Data Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368
Search for Data Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369
Create a Distinct Count for a Category Data Item . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369
Create Derived Items for Measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369
Create a Percentage of Total Using the Data Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372
Create a Custom Category . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372
Modify Data Item Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373
Delete Data Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378
Working with Geography Data Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 379
About Geographic Data Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 379
Use a Predefined Geography Data Item . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 379
Create a Custom Geography Data Item . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 379
Working with Calculated Items in Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 380
About Calculated Data Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 380
356 Chapter 43 / Working with Data in SAS Visual Analytics Designer
Add a New Calculated Data Item to a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381

Preview the Expression for a Calculated Data Item . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 383
Edit a Calculated Data Item . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 383
Add a New Aggregated Measure to a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 384
Edit an Aggregated Measure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385
Working with Data Role Assignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 386
About Data Roles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 386
Modify Data Role Assignments in Report Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 386
Add Animation to Charts, Bubble Plots, and Geo Bubble Maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . 391
Add Data Roles for Lattice Columns or Lattice Rows in a Graph . . . . . . . . . . . . 393
Remove Data Role Assignments from Report Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 394
Sorting Data in Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 395
How Sorting Can Help with Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 395
Sort Data in a List Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 395
Sort Data in a Crosstab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 396
Sort Data in a Graph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 397
Using a Custom Sort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 397
Cancel a Slow-Running Query for a Report Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 399
Overview of Data Sources and Data Items

Each data source that is available in SAS Visual Analytics Designer (the
designer) includes one or more data items that you can use in reports. For
example, a data source named Order Information might include standard
data items such as Order ID, Product ID, Unit Cost, Order Date, and
Order Amount. You decide which data items to use. You can select all of the
data items in the data source or a subset of the data items.
For information about exporting data, see “Exporting Content from the Designer”
on page 480.
Working with Data Sources in Reports
About Data Sources

Many data sources that are available in the designer are prepared by a data
administrator or analyst so that you can easily define a report. Data
administrators load tables into memory using SAS Visual Analytics Administrator
(the administrator). Analysts can use SAS Visual Data Builder (the builder) to
design queries that load tables into memory too.
The Add Data Source window can be used to add or import data sources. If you
have the Import and Load Data capability, then you can import data from a file
into the designer. Supported files are SAS data sets, Microsoft Excel
spreadsheets, and delimited text files (such as CSV files). If you can import data
sources, the Add Data Source window has Import Data in the right pane.
Working with Data Sources in Reports 357
All data sources contain data items, which can refer to calculations or columns in
physical data (tables). Reports can include query results from more than one
data source.
Import a Data Source for a Report

If you have the Import and Load Data capability, then you can import a data
source into the designer using either the Add Data Source window or the
Change Data Source window. When you import data, the data source is
automatically added to the open report. For more information about importing,
see Chapter 4, “Importing Local Data Files,” on page 19 or Chapter 5, “Importing
Data from Servers,” on page 25.
To import a data source for a report using the Add Data Source window:
1 On the Data tab, click beside the Select a data source text to display the
Add Data Source window.
2 In the Import Data pane, select a data source that you want to import.
TIP If you select a delimited text file, then you can specify additional
options. For example, you can specify the delimiter, whether the first row
contains column heading names, and where the data rows begin.
TIP If you select a spreadsheet, then you can specify additional options.
For example, you can specify which worksheets to import, whether the first
row contains column heading names, and where the data rows begin.
3 Click Add.
Add a Data Source to a Report

You can use one or more data sources in a report in the designer.
To add a data source to a report:
1 On the Data tab, click beside the Select a data source text.
The Add Data Source window is displayed.
2 In the Add Data Source window, select one or more data sources.
TIP Use the Search field to narrow the list of data sources that are
displayed in the Add Data Source window. The search searches the Name
and Description fields. It is a “begins with” search rather than a “contains”
search. If you receive a message that a data source is not available,
contact your data administrator.
3 Click Add. The list of available data items is displayed on the Data tab.
4 (Optional) To add additional data sources, click on the Data tab, which
displays the Add Data Source window. Select the data sources that you
want, and then click Add. The Data tab is populated with a list of all of the
data items that are in the data sources.
When you add multiple data sources, the last data source that you selected
is displayed on the Data tab. If one of the data sources that you selected is
not available, the last available data source that you selected is displayed on
the Data tab.
Note: When you open a saved report that has multiple data sources, the
designer displays the same data source that was displayed in the Data tab
when the report was saved.
Working with Data Sources in Reports 359
Refresh a Data Source for a Report

You can refresh the columns in a data source in the designer at any time. Be
aware that refreshing a data source means that all live report objects that are
connected to that data source will have their queries rerun.
Note: Refreshing a data source adds any new columns that have been added
to the table metadata in the SAS LASR Analytic Server. The default formats and
names of existing columns will be updated the next time you open the report.
Note: Data is refreshed from the table that is currently loaded into the SAS
LASR Analytic Server.
To refresh a data source for a report, on the Data tab, select the data source,
and then click .
To refresh the list of data sources when you are using the Add Data Source
window, click beside the search field. This updates the list of all possible data
sources. Individual data sources are not refreshed.
When you refresh a data source for a report, columns that have been deleted
from the table metadata in the SAS LASR Analytic Server are automatically
removed if they do not impact any objects in the report. If deleted columns do
impact objects in the report, then the Repair Report window is displayed so that
you can repair the objects that are impacted by the deleted columns. For more
information, see Appendix 8, “Troubleshooting in SAS Visual Analytics
Designer,” on page 615.
Remove a Data Source from a Report

You can remove all references to a data source from a report in the designer. Be
aware that removing a data source means that all related data items are also
removed from the report objects within the report.
Note: Other reports that use the same data source are not affected when you
remove a data source from a report.
To remove a data source from a report:
1 On the Data tab, select the data source, and then click .
2 Click Delete in the confirmation message that is displayed.
Change a Data Source in a Report

Note: The currency format will not adjust the locale if you change the data
source and the locale associated with the second data source is different from
the first data source.
To change a data source in a report:
1 On the Data tab, click , and then select Change Data Source. The
Change Data Source window is displayed.
2 In the Change Data Source window, select a data source.
3 Click Change.
If a data item with the same name does not exist in the replacement data
source, then it is automatically removed from the replacement data source if
there are no report objects that use the data item. If there are report objects
that use the data item, then those report objects will not work. The Repair
Report window is displayed so that you can repair the objects that use the
data item. For more information about repairing reports, see Appendix 8,
“Troubleshooting in SAS Visual Analytics Designer,” on page 615.
Data items in the replacement data source that have names that do not exist
in the original data source are added to the Data tab automatically.
Note: For data item names, the case is ignored when data sources are
compared by the designer.
View Measure Details

To view the details about all of the measures in a data source:
1 On the Data tab, click , and then select Measure Details. The Measure
Details window is displayed.
2 Click Close.
Show or Hide Data Items on the Data Tab

You can specify which data items you want to see for the data source on the
Data tab. Your selections for which data items are shown or hidden are stored
with the report. For example, suppose that you hide data items in one report,
and then you open a second report that uses the same data source. The data
items in the second report are not hidden unless you specifically hide them in
that report, too.
Note: Hiding data items on the Data tab does not hide them in the entire report.
This feature is not a way to implement column-level security.
To show or hide data items:
1 On the Data tab, click , and then select Show or Hide Items. The Show
or Hide Data Items window is displayed.
2 Select the data items that you want to appear on the Data tab. If there are
data items that you do not want to see on the Data tab, then clear the check
box (or check boxes) for that data item (or data items).
3 Click OK. The Data tab is updated.
Alternatively, you can select a data item that you want to hide on the Data tab.
Right-click the data item, and select Hide Data Item.
TIP Starting in the 7.2 release, you can hide all of the data items that are not
used in the current report. On the Data tab, click , and then select Only
Show Used Items.
You can also use a data source filter to restrict the data that is displayed in a
report. For more information, see “Use a Data Source Filter in a Report” on page
427.
Working with Hierarchies in a Report 361
Sort Data Items on the Data Tab

To sort data items on the Data tab, click , and then select one of the following:
n Sort Items  Ascending By Name
n Sort Items  Descending By Name
The data items are sorted on the Data tab within each grouping. The default sort
is Ascending By Name.
For information about sorting data values in report objects, see “Sorting Data in
Reports” on page 395.
Group Data Items on the Data Tab

To group data items on the Data tab, click , and then select one of the
following:
n Group Items  By First Letter
n Group Items  By Data Type
n Group Items  By Classification
n Group Items  By Format
n Group Items  By Aggregation
The data items are grouped on the Data tab. The default is grouping By Role.
Working with Hierarchies in a Report
About Hierarchies
Creating hierarchies enables you to add drill-down functionality to your reports.
A hierarchy is an arrangement of category columns that is based on parent-child
relationships. The levels of a hierarchy are arranged with more general
information at the top and more specific information at the bottom. For example,
you might create a hierarchy of datetime columns with Year as the top level,
Month as the next level, and Day as the bottom level.
You can also have a geographic hierarchy. For example, you might have a
hierarchy with Region as the top level, State as the next level, and City as the
bottom level.
You can have a maximum of two hierarchies for a report object.
Keep the following considerations in mind:
n List tables, controls, and gauges do not support hierarchies.
n Data item auto-assignment does not support hierarchies.
n Crosstabs can have either a hierarchy or categories, but not a combination of

both, on each row or column.
n Time series plot report objects allow only datetime data items in a hierarchy.
n Geo bubble maps, geo coordinate maps, and geo region maps allow only
geographic data items in a hierarchy.
You can also have a date hierarchy.
Create a New Hierarchy for a Report

To create a new hierarchy:
1 On the Data tab, click , and then select New Hierarchy. The New
Hierarchy window is displayed.
2 Enter a Name.
3 Select at least two categories, and drag them to the Hierarchy list.
4 (Optional) Use the up and down arrows to arrange the data items in the
Hierarchy list.
5 Click OK to save the new hierarchy. The icon identifies the new hierarchy
in the list of data items on the Data tab.
TIP You can create a date hierarchy by right-clicking a date or datetime data
item on the Data tab, and selecting Create Date Hierarchy. If you use a date
data item, it must have a format that specifies the year or the Create Date
Hierarchy option is not available.
Crosstab report objects enable you to create hierarchies from the categories on
a crosstab axis. To create a hierarchy, right-click a category heading, and then
select Create Hierarchy. The categories are replaced with a new hierarchy. The
name of the new hierarchy is generated from the name of the outermost
category with the suffix Hierarchy.
Edit a Hierarchy for a Report

To edit a hierarchy:
1 Right-click the hierarchy name on the Data tab, and select Edit Hierarchy.
The Edit Hierarchy window is displayed.
2 (Optional) Edit the Name.
3 Add and remove categories. There must be at least two categories.

Note: If a geographic hierarchy is used in a geo bubble map, geo coordinate
map, or geo region map, only geographic data items are displayed when you
edit the hierarchy.
4 Click OK to save the updated hierarchy.
If the hierarchy that you edit is already used in a report object and is drilled or
expanded, it returns to the top level after it is edited.
Working with Data Items in a Report 363
Delete a Hierarchy for a Report

To delete a hierarchy:
1 Right-click the hierarchy name on the Data tab, and select Delete Hierarchy.
2 Click Delete in the confirmation message that is displayed. The hierarchy is

removed from the list of data items, as well as from any report objects, filters,
or ranks that were using it.
Working with Data Items in a Report
About Data Items

You decide which data items to use to define a query for each report object. You
can use all the data items in the data source or a subset of data items. Each
data item is classified as either a category or a measure.
The designer can display data items using an existing user-defined format that
has already been specified externally for a data column in a data source.
However, you cannot specify a new or different user-defined format for a data
item in the designer.
You can create a custom sort so that data items in a table or graph can sort to
the top or to the bottom. Category data items, calculated items that are
categories, and custom categories also support custom sorts. For more
information, see “Using a Custom Sort” on page 397.
For information about filtering data items, see “Use a Data Source Filter in a
Report” on page 427.
Table 43.1 Data Items That Are Available in the Designer
Data Item Icon Description
Aggregated A data item that represents special predefined

Measure or operations, like distinct count, percentage of totals,
Time Period percentage of subtotals, or frequency percent. Or,
Calculation users can define their own aggregated measure
calculations.
Aggregate measures can be used in only some report
objects. They cannot be used in filters, controls, spark
lines, or time series graphs. Percentage of subtotal
items (including row total, row subtotal, column total,
and column subtotal) can be used only in crosstabs.
Some aggregated measure calculations cannot be
used in a detail rank.
Calculated A data item that is calculated from existing data items

, ,
by using an expression. For example, you could create
or a calculated data item called Profit, which is created by
using this expression: [Revenue] — [Cost],
where Revenue and Cost are measures in a data
source.
Calculated dates and times are treated as categories
with distinct values being governed by the date or time
format that you have chosen. Numeric calculated items
can be treated as measures (with an aggregation type
such as Sum, which is applied to each distinct
category combination). Or, you can change numeric
calculated items into category data items with distinct
values being governed by the number of decimal
places in the numeric format.
Category A data item whose distinct values are used to group

and aggregate measures. There are five types of
categories: alphanumeric, date, datetime, time, and
numeric. Alphanumeric categories can be made up of
all letters, all digits, or a combination of the two.
Categories that have values that are all digits might be
physically stored as character or numeric data. The
data type affects how values are handled in relation to
some functionality, such as filtering, sorting, and
formatting.
Examples of alphanumeric categories include data
items such as Product ID, Country, Employee Number,
and Employee Name. Alphanumeric categories sort
lexically.
Date, datetime, time, and numeric categories are
sorted by their underlying numeric values.
Category data items can also be numeric. A category
data item sorts differently than an alphanumeric data
item. Numeric category data items sort by number.
Note: If you change a measure to a category, then it
uses this category icon.
The icon indicates a user-defined format category

data item. User-defined format categories can be
based on underlying numeric or character data.
Date and Time A category data item whose distinct values are used to
group and aggregate measures. There are three types
of date categories: date, datetime, and time.
Examples of date, datetime, and time categories are
Order Year, Date and Time of Sale, and Customer
Wait Time.
Frequency A measure data item whose value represents the

number of times an observation occurs in the selected
data source. SAS Visual Analytics automatically adds
this data item to the Data tab under the Measure
heading when you select a data source. You cannot
change the classification for the frequency data item.
The frequency data item is automatically displayed in a
crosstab when no measures are assigned. It is also
automatically assigned to objects that require a
measure when you have not specified one (for
example, a bar chart).
Frequency A measure data item whose value is based on the

Percent percentage of occurrence in the selected data source.
SAS Visual Analytics automatically adds this data item
to the Data tab under the Aggregated Measure
heading when you select a data source. You cannot
change the classification for the frequency percent
data item.
Geography A category data item whose values are mapped to

geographical locations or regions. Geography data
items can be used in reports to show your data on a
geographic map. For example, a geography data item
can identify geographic information that is specific to
your organization (for example, sales regions,
warehouse locations, oil platforms, and so on). For
more information, see “Working with Geography Data
Items” on page 379.
The geography icon can also indicate that all data
items in a hierarchy are based on geography.
Hierarchy A data item whose values are arranged with more

general information at the top and more specific
information at the bottom. The first level in the
hierarchy is the root level. For example, you might
have a Date hierarchy, which includes the Year (the
root level), the Quarter, and then the Month. You can
also have geographic hierarchies.
Measure A data item whose values can be used in

computations. These values are numeric. Examples of
measures include Sales Revenue, Units Sold, and
Salary.
The designer assigns a default aggregation method to
every measure. Almost all measures are assigned
Sum. You can change the aggregation method.
Note: Report objects that are imported from SAS Visual Analytics Explorer (the
explorer) use either live or on-demand data. For on-demand data, you can
update the properties and styles for these report objects in the designer, but you
cannot change the data assigned to them.
Assign Data Items

To assign data items to use in queries for the current report section:
1 On the Data tab in the left pane, click the down arrow to display a list of
available data sources. Select a data source, and the Data tab is populated
with a list of all of the data items that are in the data source.
If the data source that you want is not in the list, click , which displays the
Add Data Source window. Select the data source that you want, and then
click Add. The Data tab is populated with a list of all of the data items that
are in the data source.
If you do not want to use the data source that you originally selected, click
. Click Delete in the confirmation message that is displayed.
2 Select an existing report object that uses the same data source name or add
a new report object to the section.
3 Drag and drop a data item onto the canvas. The data item is automatically
assigned a data role. For more information, see “Automatic Data Item
Assignments” on page 367.
TIP You can use the Ctrl key to select multiple data items, and then drag
and drop them onto the canvas.
Alternatively, you can right-click on a data item, and select Add Data Item to
<ReportObject>, where <ReportObject> is the name of the report object in
the report. (For example, List Table 1, Bar Chart 1, and so on.)
Note: You cannot double-click the icon for a data item and assign it to the
report.
4 If the selected data item can replace a current data item in the report object
or if the selected data item is valid for multiple data roles, then select the data
assignment from the Assign <DataItemName> as window. A data
assignment that is marked with a red asterisk (*) is required before the query
can be run.
For more information about aggregations, see Appendix 4, “Aggregations for

Measures,” on page 581.
5 (Optional) To see more information about a data item, select it in the list. The
Name, Classification, Format, and Aggregation are displayed in the data
item table below the list of data items. For a category data item with a user-
defined format that has an underlying numeric value, you can specify Sort
Options.
Automatic Data Item Assignments

When you drag and drop data items on a report object, the designer
automatically assigns them a data role. For a single data item, the data item is
assigned to an empty and required data role before you are prompted to replace
an already assigned data item. For multiple data items, the data items are
assigned to all empty and required data roles that accept the data items. There
is a special case for a measure data role that allows multiple data items. In this
special case, the designer automatically assigns all of the data items to the
Measures data role.
Note: Hierarchy data items cannot be used in the automatic assignment of
multiple data items. Also, the animation role and data tip role are not
automatically assigned.
For more information about data roles, see “Working with Data Role
Assignments” on page 386.
Duplicate Data Items

Duplicating measure data items in the designer enables you to see the
aggregations of a data item side by side in a table. For a list of the available
aggregation types, see Appendix 4, “Aggregations for Measures,” on page 581.
You can duplicate a numeric measure if you want to use it as a category to
group other values in some tables or graphs. If you save a report with duplicate
data items, then those data items are available when you edit the report the next
time.
You can duplicate a calculated data item to make a variation of a calculation. For
example, you might make similar calculations involving miles per gallon for a
vehicle, but you create one calculation using MPG (City) and another using
MPG (Highway). You can duplicate any data item if you want to use it with more
than one format in your report. For example, you might change Month to Year
for a date data item.
To duplicate a data item:
1 On the Data tab in the left pane, right-click the data item that you want to
duplicate. Select Duplicate Data Item.
All of the properties of the original data item are copied to the duplicate data
item. The duplicate data item appears in the list of data items on the Data
tab. For example, if the original data item name is Engine Size, then the
duplicate data item is displayed as Engine Size (1). If you choose to
duplicate the same data item again, then it is displayed as Engine Size
(2).
2 (Optional) Rename the duplicate data item.
3 (Optional) Change the format or aggregation for the duplicate data item.
4 (Optional) Edit the calculation for a calculated data item or aggregated

measure.
5 (Optional) Change the sort options for a category data item with a user-
defined format that is based on an underlying numeric value.
6 (Optional) Change the classification for the data item. For example, a
numeric data item that has been duplicated and is not yet assigned to a
report object can be a category or a measure.
Rename Data Items

You can rename data items in the data source using the Data tab.
To rename data items:
1 On the Data tab, right-click on a data item, and then select Rename Data
Item. The Rename Data Item window is displayed.
2 Enter a new name. The name cannot be used by another data item in the
same data source.
3 Click OK.
Alternatively, you can use the data item table at the bottom of the Data tab to
rename a data item. For the Name property, enter a new name for Value.
Search for Data Items

If your data source contains many data items, you can search for particular data
items using the Data tab.
To search for data items:
1 Enter the name of a data item in the search field on the Data tab. The field is
located above the list of data items.
2 (Optional) Click to collapse the list of data item groupings or click to

expand the list of data item groupings.
3 Click to clear the search term and display all of the data items in the data
source.
Create a Distinct Count for a Category Data Item

A distinct count query is useful in many ways. For example, you might want to
know the number of distinct products that were purchased during a specific time
period. Or, you might want to know which products have the most customers or
which products have the most customers in a particular geographic region. You
can create a distinct count for category data items only.
Note: If your category contains missing values, then distinct count is increased
by one.
To create a distinct count aggregated measure data item:
1 On the Data tab in the left pane, right-click the category data item that you
want to use for the distinct count.
2 Select Create Distinct Count.
The distinct count data item appears in the list of data items with a name that
is derived from the original name. For example, if the original data item name
is Date, then the distinct count data item is displayed as Date (Distinct
Count). The icon identifies the new distinct count data item on the Data
tab.
Create Derived Items for Measures

You can create derived data items that are aggregated measures in the
designer. The aggregated measure does not contain data values in itself, but
when it is used in a report object, it displays the value for the measure and
formula type on which it is based. An example is a percentage of total.
Here are some key points about derived items:
n Derived data items cannot be used in filters or controls.
n Period calculations cannot be derived from measures with certain

aggregations.
To create a derived item from a report object:
1 In the report object, right-click on the measure data item that you want to use
for the derived item.
2 Select Create and Add, and then select one of the following:
Difference from Previous Period
Displays the difference between the value for the current time period and
the value for the previous time period. For example, you might derive the
difference between sales for the current month and sales for the previous
month.
Note: This derived item is not available if your data source does not
contain a date data item that includes the year.
Difference from Previous Parallel Period
Displays the difference between the value for the current time period and
the value for the previous parallel time period within a larger time interval.
For example, you might derive the difference between sales for the
current month and sales for the same month of the previous year.
Percent Difference from Previous Period
period and the value for the previous time period. For example, you might
derive the percentage difference between sales for the current month and
sales for the previous month.
Percent Difference from Previous Parallel Period
period and the value for the previous parallel time period within a larger
time interval. For example, you might derive the percentage difference
between sales for the current month and sales for the same month of the
previous year.
Percent of Subtotals
Displays the percentage of the subtotal value for the measure on which it
is based. You can create a percentage of subtotal only when the source
data item has an aggregation of Sum or Count.
Note: The Percent of Subtotals derived item is available only for
crosstabs.
Note: The Percent of Subtotals derived item is relative to the subset of
data that is selected by your filters and ranks.
Percent of Total
Displays the percentage of the total value for the measure on which it is
based. You can create a percentage of total only when the source data
item has an aggregation of Sum or Count. For example, you might create
the percentage of the total value for a measure that contains revenue
values. If you create a bar chart of the aggregated measure and a

category that contains product lines, then the bar chart shows the
percentage of total revenue for each product line.
Note: The percentage of the total value is relative to the subset of data
that is selected by your filters and ranks.
Period to Date
previous time periods within a larger time interval. For example, you might
derive the year-to-date total for each month.
Year to Date
previous time periods within the year. For example, you might derive the
year-to-date total for each month.
date (where today is evaluated each time you view the report). To use all
data for every period, edit the expression for the derived item.
Year to Date Growth
Displays the percentage difference between the year-to-date value for the
current time period and the year-to-date value for the same time period of
the previous year. For example, you might derive the difference in year-
to-date sales between the current month and the same month of the
previous year.
date (where today is evaluated each time you view the report). To use all
data for every period, use a Period to Date item or edit the expression for
the derived item.
For the month that contains today’s date, the data for an earlier year is
subset to the same corresponding date.
Year over Year Growth
Displays the percentage difference between the current time period and
an equivalent time period from the previous year. For example, you might
derive the difference in sales between the current month and the same
month of the previous year.
The year-over-year growth calculation subsets the data for each year
using today’s date (where today is evaluated each time you view the
report). To display a percentage of growth using full periods, use Percent
Difference from Previous Parallel Period or edit the generated formula.
For the month that contains today’s date, the data for an earlier year is
subset to the same corresponding date.
Alternatively, you can use the Data tab to create derived data items.
Create a Percentage of Total Using the Data Tab

A measure is required to have a Sum or Count aggregation before you can
create a percentage of total.
To create a percentage of total from a measure data item using the Data tab:
1 On the Data tab in the left pane, right-click on the measure data item that you
want to use for the percentage of total.
2 Select Create  Percent of Total.

The percentage of total measure data item appears in the list of aggregated
data items with a name that is derived from the original name. For example, if
the original measure data item name is Revenue, then the percentage of
total measure data item is displayed as Revenue (Percent of Total).
The icon identifies the new percentage of total measure data item on the
Data tab.
Create a Custom Category

You can create a custom category based on either a category or measure data
item. A custom category data item is always a category data item with an
alphanumeric value.
When you create a custom category from a measure, you can use intervals,
ranges, or specific values to group the data.
TIP The labels for your custom categories must use characters that are
compatible with the locale of the data source. If the data source uses Unicode,
then your labels can contain characters from any locale.
To create a custom category:
1 On the Data tab, right-click on the category or measure data item that you
want to use to create the new custom category. Select New Custom
Category. The New Custom Category window is displayed.
Note: In the New Custom Category window, Based on identifies the type
and the name of the data item that the custom category is based on.
2 Select the Values that you want to include. Drag and drop the values onto
the right pane under New label.
TIP To rename a custom group label, right-click the label name, and
select Edit.
3 (Optional) Specify the Options for remaining values. You can specify a
name when you select Group remaining values as. The default label for
Group remaining values as is Other. Alternatively, you can specify Show
as missing or Show as is.
Note: The Show as is option is available only for data items that are based
on string categories. It is not available for numeric or date values.
4 Specify a Name for the new custom category. The default name is
CustomCategory1.
5 Click OK. The new custom category is displayed on the Data tab.
Modify Data Item Properties
Rename a Data Item

To rename a data item:
1 Select a data item on the Data tab.
2 In the data item table, select the existing name for the data item, and then
enter a new name. The name cannot be used by another data item in the
same data source. Your change is saved automatically.
Alternatively, you can right-click the data item, and select Rename Data Item.
Modify a Data Item’s Classification

You can modify a data item’s classification. For example, you might want to
modify a measure data item to be a category data item. A data item’s
classification cannot be modified if that data item is in use in the report or if the
data item can have one classification only. However, duplicating the data item
allows the new data item to have a different classification.
Here are some key points about modifying a data item’s classification:
n You can modify a category data item to be a measure data item only if the
data item started as a numeric measure. For example, if you change a
measure to a category in the report, then the designer allows you to change
it back to a measure. In addition, you can change a category to a measure if
it was originally in the data source as a numeric column. In this case, your
data administrator converted the numeric column to a character string by
applying a user-defined format. As a result, you can use the designer to
change the category’s format to one of the standard numeric formats, and
then you can change it to a measure.
n You cannot change the classification for the frequency data item or the
frequency percent data item.
n You cannot change the classification for an aggregated measure.
n You cannot convert calculated data items into geography data items.
TIP For geography data items, use the pop-up menu instead of the drop-
down menu to change the classification. The pop-up menu enables you to
specify additional classification information for the geography data item.
To modify a data item’s classification:
2 In the data item table, select the existing classification for the data item.
3 Click to open the drop-down menu. Select Measure or Category. Your

change is saved automatically.
Modify the Format of a Numeric Measure Data Item or a

Date, Datetime, or Time Data Item
You can modify the format of a numeric measure data item or a date, datetime,
or time data item. You can also modify the format of a data item with a user-
defined format as long as the user-defined format is based on an underlying
numeric value. For more information about user-defined formats, see “Modify
User-Defined Formats” on page 375.
Here are some key points about modifying a data item’s format:
n You cannot modify the format of a data item that is being used in a filter, as
part of a calculated or aggregated measure, or in a custom category.
n For line charts with multiple measures, formats are removed from all of the
measure labels if the formats are different.
To change the format:
2 In the data item table, select the existing format. A list is displayed with the
Format type, Width, and Decimals (for numeric data items). Make your
selections. A sample of your selection is displayed under the list.
Note: There are different format variations available for some format types
for date, datetime, and time data items. Select the format variation based on
the sample value displayed in the Format drop-down list.
Here is an example of the list for a numeric data item:
Here is an example of the list for a date data item:
Note: The Reset to Default option is displayed only if the format has been
changed from the default.
Note: The Reset to Default option is available for user-defined format data
items after they have been modified to a standard numeric format as long as
the data item is still a category data item.
3 Click OK to save your changes.
Modify User-Defined Formats

In the designer, user-defined formats that are defined in the SAS LASR Analytic
Server are applied to the results. You can change the format for an underlying
numeric data item, but you cannot change the format for an underlying
character-based data item. If you change the format for an underlying numeric
data item, you can restore the user-defined format by selecting Reset to
Default.
The Format property of the data item displays the name for a user-defined
format.
The icon identifies a category data item with an active user-defined format on
the Data tab.
Modify How a Measure Is Aggregated

You can change the aggregation method for a measure in a data source using
the Data tab or a report object in the canvas.
Note: You need to understand your data because some aggregation methods
are not always appropriate. For example, an average of an average is not valid.
To change the aggregation method using the Data tab:
1 Select a measure data item on the Data tab.
2 In the data item table, select the existing aggregation, and then click .A
drop-down list is displayed with aggregations. For a list of the available
aggregation types, see Appendix 4, “Aggregations for Measures,” on page
581.
When you select an aggregation, your change is saved automatically.
Note: All of the report objects in the report that use this data item are
affected by this change unless you have selected a local aggregation
override.
Note: Depending on the aggregation, formats might be overridden when
they are used in report objects. For example, skewness becomes a floating
point number with four decimals.
To change the aggregation method when you are working with a report object in
the canvas:
1 Choose one of the following:

n For a list table, right-click on a measure header in the report object.
n For a crosstab, right-click on the header row with the measure.

Depending on the aggregation, formats might be overridden when they
are used in a crosstab.
n For a graph, right-click on the measure name hotspot. Or, you can right-
click on a measure data item name on the Roles tab.
2 Select Aggregation  <aggregation-name>, where aggregation-name is

one of the available aggregations. For a description of the available
aggregation types, see Appendix 4, “Aggregations for Measures,” on page

581.
Your change is saved automatically.
Note: This is a local override for only this report object. It does not affect the
default aggregation for this data item in other report objects.
Modify the Sort Options for a Category Data Item

Using the data item table on the Data tab, you can change the Sort Options for
a category data item with a user-defined format that is based on an underlying
numeric value. The sort options are the following:
Formatted
Uses the formatted character output of the user-defined format and sorts
lexically. (For example, the names of the months in the year would sort as
April, August, December, February, and so on.) Formatted is the default.
Unformatted
Uses the underlying numeric value and sorts numerically. (For example, if the
underlying numeric value for January is 1, for February is 2, for March is 3,
and for April is 4, then the months of the year would sort as January,
February, March, April, and so on.)
Delete Data Items

You can delete data items that you have created in the designer (for example,
calculated data items or duplicated data items) so that they no longer appear on
the Data tab in the left pane.
You cannot delete a data item that is inside a hierarchy if it reduces the
hierarchy to a single level. You cannot delete a data item if it is the last or only
reference to a column in the original data source. You cannot delete a data item
if it is used in a calculated data item, aggregated measure, a geography data
item, or a custom category.
TIP You can hide a data item that you cannot delete by right-clicking on the
data item name in the Data tab, and then selecting Hide Data Item. For more
information, see “Show or Hide Data Items on the Data Tab” on page 360.
To delete a data item:
1 On the Data tab in the left pane, right-click the data item that you want to
delete.
2 Select Delete Data Item.
3 Click Delete in the confirmation message that is displayed. The data item is
removed from the list of data items, as well as from any report objects, filters,
or ranks that were using it.
Working with Geography Data Items 379
Working with Geography Data Items
About Geographic Data Items

A geography data item can be useful if your data contains values that are
mapped to geographical locations or regions. For example, a geography data
item can identify geographic information that is specific to your organization (for
example, sales regions, warehouse locations, oil platforms, and so on).
If you change a numeric measure to a geography data item, then it automatically
becomes a category data item.
Note: Custom data items cannot be changed into geography data items.
Use a Predefined Geography Data Item

You can use the geography data items that are available in SAS Visual Analytics
or you can create custom geography data items. To access existing geography
data items, select the Data tab in the left pane. Right-click the data item that you
want to use for the geography data item, and then select Geography. Then,
select one of the following items:
n Country or Region Names
n Country or Region ISO 2-Letter Codes
n Country or Region ISO Numeric Codes
n Country or Region SAS Map ID Values
n Subdivision (State, Region, Province) Names
n Subdivision (State, Region, Province) SAS Map ID Values
n US State Names
n US State Abbreviations
n US ZIP Codes
Note: For predefined geographic roles, the values of your geography data items
must match the lookup values that are used by SAS Visual Analytics. To view
the lookup values, see http://support.sas.com/va72geo.
TIP To get geographic maps to work with any data set, add a column with
the predefined lookup values to your data set.
Create a Custom Geography Data Item

A custom geography data item consists of three values:
n Latitude
n Longitude
n A category (other than the latitude or the longitude)

For example, suppose you have data that includes airport location identifiers,
latitude, and longitude. You can convert the airport location identifiers to custom
geography data items.
To create a custom geography data item:
1 On the Data tab in the left pane, right-click the data item that you want to use
for the custom geography data item. Select Geography, and then select
Custom. The Geography window is displayed.
TIP Make sure that the data item that you select is a category data item
other than the latitude or the longitude.
2 Select a measure for the Latitude. You can also enter the first letter of the
name of the latitude column to quickly search for it in the drop-down menu.
3 Select a measure for the Longitude. You can also enter the first letter of the
name of the longitude column to quickly search for it in the drop-down menu.
4 Select a Coordinate space (coordinate system) that is used to project the

longitude and latitude coordinate values. Your choices are World Geodetic
System (WGS84), Web Mercator, and British National Grid (OSGB36).
The default is World Geodetic System (WGS84).
Note: The coordinate space should match the projection that your data is in.
The designer supports the World Geodetic System (WGS84), Web Mercator
(EPSG:3857), and British National Grid (EPSG:27700) for data coordinate
space.
5 Click OK. The icon identifies the new geography data item on the Data
tab.
Working with Calculated Items in Reports
About Calculated Data Items

The designer enables you to calculate new data items from your existing data
items by using an expression. For example, you might want to calculate a
company’s profits by subtracting expenses from revenues.
In addition to performing mathematical calculations on numeric values, you can
use calculated data items to create date and time values. For example, if your
data contains separate categories for month, day, and year, then you can
calculate a date value from those categories.
Here are some key points about calculated data items:
n All calculations are performed on unaggregated data. The calculation
expression is evaluated for each row in the data source before aggregations
are performed. To perform calculations on aggregated data, see “Add a New
Aggregated Measure to a Report” on page 384.
n Calculated data items can accept parameters. For more information, see
Chapter 49, “Working with Parameters in Reports,” on page 463.
n A hierarchy can contain calculated data items as long as they are categories.
Working with Calculated Items in Reports 381
n Starting in the 7.2 release, calculated data items can be changed into
geographic data items and used in geo maps.
Using the designer, you can work with calculated data items or aggregated
measures.
For information about deleting calculated data items, see “Delete Data Items” on
page 378.
Add a New Calculated Data Item to a Report

To add a new calculated data item:
1 On the Data tab, click , and then select New Calculated Item. The New
Calculated Item window is displayed.
2 Enter a Name.
3 Select a Result type from the drop-down list. Numeric is the default data
type.
The following table lists the available result types:
Icon Result Type
Character
Date
Datetime
Numeric
Time
Calculated data items in the designer always default to the following formats,
which are based on the data type:
n Date: DATE9
n Datetime: DATETIME10
n Time: TIME8
n Numeric: COMMA12.2
After you create the new calculated data item, you can change its format
using the data item table on the Data tab unless it is a character calculated
data item. You cannot specify a format for a character calculated data item.
Sum is the default aggregation for new numeric calculated data items in the
designer. You can change the aggregation for numeric calculated data items
using the data item table on the Data tab.
4 (Optional) Click beside Detail mode to clear the Show all drop zones
option. You can also select Show display text, which adds a new tab
between the Messages and Scratch tabs.
5 Use the Visual tab to build the expression for your calculated data item by
dragging Data Items and Operators onto the expression in the right pane.
For each rectangular field in the expression, you can insert a data item, an
operator, or a specific value.
When you drag and drop data items or operators onto your expression, the
precise location of the cursor determines where and how the new element is
added to the expression. As you drag the new element over the expression,
a preview appears that displays how the expression changes if you drop the
element at that location.
For example, if your current expression is ( Profit / Revenue ), and you
drag and drop the x - y (subtract) operator inside the open parenthesis
symbol, then the expression changes to ( [number] – ( Profit /
Revenue )). If you drag and drop the operator over the division symbol,
then the expression changes to ( Profit – Revenue ), and so on.
Alternatively, you can use the Text tab to enter the expression.
You can use the Scratch tab to build temporary expressions.
mathematical functions, process datetime values, handle text, and evaluate
logical processing such as IF clauses. For more information, see Appendix 5,
“Operators for Data Expressions,” on page 583.
6 (Optional) Click Preview to preview the results of the calculation. The

Preview Results window is displayed. Click Close to return to the New
Calculated Item window.
7 Click OK. The new calculated data item appears on the Data tab. The ,
, or icon identifies the new calculated data item on the Data tab.
Note: The icon is displayed if you change a calculated numeric measure

to a category data item. It is also displayed for a character calculated data
item (which is always a category).
Preview the Expression for a Calculated Data

Item
For calculated data items only, you can preview the results of your expression by
clicking Preview.
You can preview the results of a subset of your expression by right-clicking a
part of your expression, and then selecting Preview Subexpression Results.
Edit a Calculated Data Item

To edit a calculated data item:
1 Right-click on a calculated data item on the Data tab, and select Edit
Calculated Item. The Edit Calculated Item window is displayed.
2 Modify the Data Items and Operators for the calculated data item as
needed. For information about the operators that are available, see Appendix
5, “Operators for Data Expressions,” on page 583.
Note: If the calculated data item has not been used in a report, then you can
modify the Result type.
3 Click OK.
You can duplicate, rename, hide, and delete calculated data items using the
same steps as any other data item. If a calculated data item is used inside
another calculated data item, then it cannot be removed.
TIP You can cut and paste from the Text area between different reports as
well as between the explorer and the designer to transfer calculations or to e-
mail them to others. For more information, see “Editing a Data Expression in
Text Mode” on page 577.
Add a New Aggregated Measure to a Report

Aggregated measures enable you to calculate new data items by using
aggregated values. For example, you might want to calculate a company's profit
margin by region by taking the aggregated sum of the profit for all of the stores
in a region group and dividing it by the aggregated sum of the revenue for all of
the stores in that same region group. Aggregations are evaluated as part of a
calculated expression.
To add an aggregated measure:
1 On the Data tab, click , and then select New Aggregated Measure. The
New Aggregated Measure window is displayed.
2 Enter a Name.
3 (Optional) Click to Show all drop zones. You can also choose to Show
scratch area to build temporary expressions.
4 Use the Visual tab to build the expression for your aggregated measure by
dragging and dropping Data Items and Operators onto the expression in the
right pane. For each field in the expression, you can insert a data item, an
operator, or a specific value.
When you drag and drop data items and operators onto the expression, the
precise location of the cursor determines where and how the data item or
operator is added to the expression. As you drag the new element over the
expression, a preview appears, which displays how the expression would
change if you drop the element at the current location.
Alternatively, you can use the Text tab to enter the expression.
mathematical functions and evaluate logical processing such as IF clauses.
For more information, see Appendix 5, “Operators for Data Expressions,” on
page 583.
5 For each data item in your expression, select an aggregation type. By

default, Sum is used for measures and Distinct is used for categories. To
select a new aggregation type, drag and drop an aggregated operator from
the Operators list onto the aggregation type in the expression. See Appendix
5, “Operators for Data Expressions,” on page 583 for a list of the aggregated
operators that are available.
6 For each aggregation in your expression, select the aggregation context. A

drop-down list beside each aggregation enables you to select one of the
following context values:
ByGroup
calculates the aggregation for each subset of the data item that is used in
a visualization. For example, in a bar chart, an aggregated measure with
the ByGroup context calculates a separate aggregated value for each
bar in the chart.
ForAll
example, in a bar chart, an aggregated measure with the ForAll context
uses the same aggregated value (calculated for the entire data item) for
each bar in the chart.
By using the ForAll and ByGroup contexts together, you can create
measures that compare the local value to the global value. For example, you
might calculate the difference from mean by using an expression such as the
following:
Avg ByGroup(X) - Avg ForAll(X)
For more information, see “Periodic Operators” on page 591.
7 Click OK. The new aggregated measure appears on the Data tab. The
icon identifies the new aggregated measure.
Edit an Aggregated Measure

To edit an aggregated measure:
1 Right-click on an aggregated measure on the Data tab, and select Edit

Aggregated Measure. The Edit Aggregated Measure window is displayed.
2 Modify the Data Items and Operators for the aggregated measure as
needed. For information about the operators that are available, see Appendix
5, “Operators for Data Expressions,” on page 583.
3 Click OK.
You can duplicate, rename, hide, and delete aggregated measures using the
same steps as any other data item.
TIP You can cut and paste from the Text area between different reports, as
well as between the explorer and the designer, to transfer calculations or to e-
mail them to others. For more information, see “Editing a Data Expression in
Text Mode” on page 577.
Working with Data Role Assignments
About Data Roles

After you have selected a report object and a data source, the Roles tab in the
right pane shows which data items have been assigned to which roles.
A data role is a designation that describes how a particular data item is to be
used in a report object. In the designer, each report object has data roles, some
are required, and others are optional. For example, the data roles for a bar chart
are Category, Measures, Group, Lattice columns, Lattice rows, Data tip
values, and Animation. For the bar chart, the category and measures data
roles are required.
Not all report objects have the same data roles. For example, the Color data
role is available for only scatter plots, bubble plots, treemaps, geo bubble maps,
geo region maps, and word clouds.
Note: You cannot add Frequency or Frequency Percent data items for dynamic
text using the Roles tab.
Modify Data Role Assignments in Report Objects

Note: You cannot change data role assignments for any report object that is
imported from the explorer and uses on-demand data.
To modify data role assignments:
1 Select a report object in the canvas that has one or more data items
assigned.
2 Click the Roles tab in the right pane.
3 Click beside the role that you want to edit. For data roles that allow
multiple data items, the menu items that are available can vary.
If you select a data item in Roles, then the Aggregation (if appropriate),
Add, Remove, and Replace menu items are displayed. You can also right-
click on a data item and the actions specific to that data item are displayed.
Different data roles are available for different report objects.
In addition to the basic data roles, you can assign additional data roles. Here
is a list of all the data roles available for each report object:
Report Object Basic Data Roles Additional Data Roles
Tables
List table Columns None
Crosstab n Columns Measures

n Rows
Working with Data Role Assignments 387
Graphs
Bar chart n Category n Group

n Measures n Lattice columns
n Lattice rows
n Data tip values
n Animation
Targeted bar chart n Category n Lattice columns

n Measure n Lattice rows
n Target n Data tip values
n Animation
Waterfall chart n Category n Lattice columns

n Measure n Lattice rows
n Data tip values
Line chart* n Category n Group

n Lattice rows
n Data tip values
n Animation
Pie chart n Category n Group

n Lattice rows
n Data tip values
n Animation
Scatter plot n X axis n Color

n Y axis n Lattice columns
n Lattice rows
n Data tip values
Time series plot n Time axis n Group

n Measure (line) n Data tip values
Bubble plot n X axis n Group

n Y axis n Color
n Size n Lattice columns
n Lattice rows
n Data tip values
n Animation
Treemap n Tile n Color

n Size n Data tip values
Dual axis bar chart n Category n Lattice columns

n Measure (bar) n Lattice rows
n Measure (bar 2) n Data tip values
n Animation
Dual axis line chart n Category n Lattice columns

n Measure (line) n Lattice rows
n Measure (line 2) n Data tip values
n Animation
Dual axis bar-line chart n Category n Lattice columns

n Measure (bar) n Lattice rows
n Measure (line) n Data tip values
n Animation
Dual axis time series n Time axis Data tip values

plot
n Measure (line)
n Measure (line 2)
Schedule chart** n Task n Group

n Start n Label
n Finish n Data tip values
n Lattice columns
n Lattice rows
Vector plot** n X axis n Color

n Y axis n Group
n X Origin n Data tip values
n Y Origin n Lattice columns
n Lattice rows
Numeric series plot** n X axis n Group

n Y axis n Label
n Data tip values
n Lattice columns
n Lattice rows
Needle plot** n X axis n Group

n Y axis n Data tip values
n Lattice columns
n Lattice rows
Step plot** n X axis n Group

n Y axis n Label
n Data tip values
n Lattice columns
n Lattice rows
Dot plot** n X axis n Data tip values

n Y axis n Lattice columns
n Lattice rows
Butterfly chart** n Category Data tip values

n Measure (bar)
n Measure (bar 2)
Stock high-low plot** n Time axis None

n Close
n High
n Low
Stock volume and n Time axis None

volatility plot** n Bollinger Upper
n Bollinger Lower
n Moving Average
n High
n Low
n Close
n Volume
Bubble change plot** n Group None

n Y end
n X end
n Y start
n X start
n Size start
n Size end
Comparative time n Time axis Data tip values

series plot** n Measure (time
series)
n Measure (time
series 2)
Controls
Drop-down list n Category None

n Frequency
n Parameter
List n Category None

n Frequency
Button bar n Category None

n Frequency
n Parameter
Text input n Category None

n Frequency
n Parameter
Slider n Measure/Date None

n Parameter
Containers
Vertical container None None

Horizontal container
Stack container
Prompt container
Other
Text None None

Image
Stored process
Geo bubble map Geography n Size

n Color
n Data tip values
n Animation
Geo coordinate map Geography Data tip values
Geo region map Geography n Color

n Data tip values
Gauge Measure n Target

n Group
n Data tip values
Word cloud n Word None

n Size
n Color
* For line charts with multiple measures, formats are removed from all of the measure labels if
the formats are different.
** This report object is not displayed by default in the designer.
Here are definitions for some of the additional data roles:

Animation
animates the date category that you assign. You can specify a Loop for
the animation, and you can specify the Speed of the animation. For more
information, see “Add Animation to Charts, Bubble Plots, and Geo Bubble
Maps” on page 391.
Note: For a bubble plot only, you must assign the Group role to enable
the Animation role. If you remove the Group role after assigning
animation, the animation control is disabled.
Data tip values
enables you to add more measures to your data tips.
Note: For pie charts, the Other slice does not show the additional
information.
Group
groups the data based on the category data item that you assign.
Lattice columns
creates a lattice of charts with a column for each value of the category
data item that you assign.
Lattice rows
creates a lattice of charts with a row for each value of the category data
Add Animation to Charts, Bubble Plots, and Geo

Bubble Maps
An animated bubble plot displays the changes in your data values over time.
Each frame of the animation represents a value of the datetime data item that is
assigned to the Animation data role.
For example, if you assign a category with the Year format to the Animation
data role, then each frame of the animation displays a bubble plot of your data
for a specific year.
Starting in the 7.1 release, you can select bubbles, bars, pie slices, and lines in
an animated graph. The interaction filter is based on the category value (or
values) and the selected frame in the animation. When a bubble, bar, pie slice,
or line is selected, its row lists all of the category and date values of the
selection. For example, the resulting filter that is applied to any downstream
interactions could be filtered by car=”Toyota” and year=”2014”.
If you select a bubble for one frame in the animation and click , then any
downstream interactions play with the animation. This means that as the
animation is running, the interaction targets are filtered with each frame in the
animation.
TIP To improve animation performance, use a color for the graph’s reference
line instead of a pattern.
TIP When you add animation to a pie chart, it is recommended that you sort
the Category in ascending or descending order. To sort, right-click on a
category name in the pie chart, and select Sort. Then, select either
Ascending or Descending.
To add animation:
1 Select an existing chart, bubble plot, or geo bubble map, or create a new
one.
2 Add the required roles:

n For a bubble plot, on the Role tab, assign a data item to the Group data
role.
Note: If you remove the Group data role after assigning animation, the
animation control is disabled.
n For a bar chart or geo bubble map, on the Role tab, assign the other
required roles.
3 Assign a data item with a datetime format to the Animation data role.
When an animated bubble plot is displayed, a set of animation controls appears

at the bottom of the report object.
Table 43.2 Animation Controls
Task Action
Start the animation. Click .
Go to the previous animation frame. Click .
Go to the next animation frame. Click .
Jump to a specific animation frame. Use the slider.
Specify whether to repeat the animation. Select or deselect Loop.
Select the animation speed. Use the Speed slider.
Track the movement of a specific bubble. Click the bubble that you want to track.
Note: If you select a bubble to track, the selected bubble is highlighted in the
current animation frame.
Add Data Roles for Lattice Columns or Lattice

Rows in a Graph
A lattice is a multi-cell graph in which you create each cell independently. Each
cell can contain different types of plots. In the designer, you can create a multi-
cell graph by using data roles to add lattice columns, lattice rows, or both. For a
list of graphs that have lattice column or lattice row data roles, see “Modify Data
Role Assignments in Report Objects” on page 386.
Note: There is a limit of 15 unique values for lattice column and lattice row data
roles.
To add a lattice column or lattice row data role:
1 Select a report object in the canvas that has one or more data items
assigned and that allows a lattice data role.
2 Click the Roles tab in the right pane.
3 Click beside the Lattice columns or Lattice rows role that you want to
edit.
The following example shows a bar chart with a lattice column specified for the
data role:
TIP Scroll bars are generated by the graph if you have a lot of data. These
scroll bars work differently than other scroll bars in the designer. They initially
fill the maximum area so that you can see all of the bars in the lattice row or
lattice column. To zoom in and see specific bars, you have to drag the top or
the bottom of the scroll bar to adjust the height of the scrolling bar. Labels are
added as space becomes available.
The following example shows a horizontal bar chart with lattice columns. It has a
scroll bar activated so that you are zoomed in on the bars for the West region.
Remove Data Role Assignments from Report

Objects
To remove data items from their assigned data roles in a specific report object:
1 Right-click the report object in the canvas. A menu is displayed.
Here is an example of a bar chart with the object menu:
2 Select Remove All Data Items. All data items are removed from the
assigned data roles as well as the data-dependent features like filters, ranks,
conditions, and so on. The report object turns gray, and the status icon
appears in the lower right corner to let you know that the required data roles
are not assigned.
Sorting Data in Reports 395
Here is an example of what a bar chart looks like after all the data items have
been removed from their assigned data roles:
Sorting Data in Reports
How Sorting Can Help with Analysis

Information can be easier to understand when it appears in an intentional order.
Applying a sort order to one or more data items in the designer enables you to
arrange rows and columns in tables and axis labels on charts in some order,
such as alphabetically or highest to lowest numerically. Interactively changing
the order of data can provide you with a different perspective that often
facilitates valuable insight. For example, in a report, sales employees who are
initially arranged alphabetically can be re-sorted by sales amount.
the top or to the bottom. For more information, see “Using a Custom Sort” on
page 397.
Ranking can help reduce the amount of visible data and is often used in
combination with sorting. For more information, see “Add a New Rank” on page
459.
Note: The designer uses the locale of the SAS LASR Analytic Server to sort
data items. For example, if you want to sort data items in the Swedish language,
then the table needs to be loaded into a SAS LASR Analytic Server that is
initialized for the Swedish locale (sv_SE). Contact your system administrator for
additional assistance.
Sort Data in a List Table

List tables are automatically sorted in ascending order by the first column added
to the table. To sort by a different column, right-click on that column heading,
and select Sort. Then, select either Ascending or Descending.
Here are some key points about sorting data in a list table:
n If you replace the data item in the first column, the list table is not
automatically sorted by the replacement, even though the replacement is the
first column in the table. You must manually sort the replacement column.
n Click a column heading to sort the column or toggle an existing sort.
n Use the Ctrl key to select and sort multiple columns.
n You can also press the spacebar to sort a single column in a table.
Figure 43.1 Sort Menu Items for List Tables
Sort Data in a Crosstab

To sort by category or measure values in a crosstab, right-click on a column or
row heading, and select Sort. Then, select either Ascending or Descending.
Figure 43.2 Sort Menu Items for a Crosstab
You can also sort categories, rather than measures, by clicking the category
name.
Sorting Data in Reports 397
Sort Data in a Graph

To sort by values in a graph, right-click on a measure name or category name,
and select Sort. Then, select either Ascending or Descending.
Here are some key points about sorting data in a graph:
n Sorting in a pie chart is based on the measure. If you do not use a measure,
then sorting is based on the frequency (and automatically applied).
n Only the Category role in a schedule chart can be sorted.
Figure 43.3 Sort Menu Items for a Graph
Using a Custom Sort
Add a Custom Sort

the top or to the bottom. Category data items, calculated items that are
categories, and custom categories support custom sorts. You can select up to
25 data items for a custom sort. For example, suppose that your company has
manufacturing facilities in multiple cities across the country. You can use a
custom sort to make sure that certain cities are always sorted before or after
other cities in a list table.
Here are some key points for custom sorting:
n For graphs, a custom sort works only if the data item containing the custom
sort is on the X axis, Y axis, or the outermost lattice role.
n For graphs, a custom sort does not work if the data item is assigned to one of
the legend data roles (either Color or Group). The same restriction applies
when sorting on the raw values of a data item that has a user-defined format.
n Because user-defined formats have their own sort order, a custom sort works
only on the X axis (the Category role).
n A custom sort takes precedence over user-defined formats.
To create a custom sort:
1 On the Data tab, select a category data item. Right-click, and select New
Custom Sort. The New Custom Sort window is displayed.
2 Select the category data items that you want to sort. Click to move the
data items to the Sorted Items list. You can also drag and drop data items in
the New Custom Sort window. Use the Ctrl key to select multiple data items.
3 (Optional) Use the up and down arrows to arrange the data items in the
Sorted Items list.
4 Click OK.
Edit a Custom Sort

To edit a custom sort:
1 On the Data tab, select a category data item, calculated item that is a
category, or a custom category. Right-click, and select Edit Custom Sort.
The Edit Custom Sort window is displayed.
2 Modify the Sorted Items list.
3 Click OK.
Delete a Custom Sort

You can delete a custom sort on the Data tab. Select the category data item with
a custom sort. Right-click, and select Delete Custom Sort. Click Delete in the
confirmation message that is displayed.
When you delete a custom sort, the data item is sorted on the data.
Cancel a Slow-Running Query for a Report Object 399
Cancel a Slow-Running Query for a Report

Object
To cancel slow-running queries for a report object, position your mouse over the
progress indicator for the report object, and click the icon.
Here is an example of the progress indicator for a list table with a slow-running
query:
Figure 43.4 The Progress Indicator for List Table with a Slow-Running Query
After you cancel the query, the progress indicator is replaced by the refresh icon.
To resume a query that you canceled, click .
Here is an example of a list table after a query was canceled:
Figure 43.5 The Progress Indicator for List Table with Query That Has Been Stopped
401
44
Working with Display Rules for
Reports
Overview of Display Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 401
Add Report-Level Display Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 402
Adding Table-Level Display Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403
Add Display Rules to a List Table Using an Expression . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 404
Add Display Rules to a List Table Using a Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 406
Add Display Rules to a List Table Using Color-Mapped Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 408
Add Display Rules to a Crosstab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 409
Adding Graph-Level Display Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 411
Add Display Rules to a Graph Using an Expression . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 411
Add Display Rules to a Graph Using Color-Mapped Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 413
Adding Gauge-Level Display Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 415
Add Display Rules to a Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 416
Add a Shared Display Rule for Gauges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 416
Overview of Display Rules

Display rules include all types of highlighting of report objects. They provide a
flexible structure to specify conditions. There are several types of display rules.
Display rules enable conditions to be shared across objects, but not all display
rules apply across all report object types.
SAS Visual Analytics Designer (the designer) provides the following interfaces
for display rules:
n The Display Rules tab in the right pane enables you to populate intervals,
add intervals, or add color-mapped values for the report object that is
currently selected in the canvas. You can use this pane to specify both
report-level or object-level display rules, depending on what you have
selected in the canvas.
n The Shared Rules tab in the left pane enables you to create a new display
rule for a gauge, which is used by other gauges to designate intervals and
colors for ranges. You can edit or delete an existing shared display rule.
These rules are shared across multiple gauges and can be created at any
time.
402 Chapter 44 / Working with Display Rules for Reports
TIP The Shared Rules tab is not displayed by default. To display the tab,
click after the last tab name, and select Shared Rules.
Display rules can accept parameters. For more information, see Chapter 49,
“Working with Parameters in Reports,” on page 463.
For list tables and graphs, you can create display rules that reference a measure
that is not included in the currently displayed report object. This feature is not
available for crosstabs.
Here are some key points about color-mapped display rules:
n Color-mapped display rules are not allowed if there are multiple overlays.
n Color-mapped values for a report object can be applied only to category data
items.
n Color-mapped values cannot be applied to date or datetime data items.
n Color-mapped display rules are not applied if there are two measures.
n If a color-mapped display rule is applied to one measure and you add a

second measure, the display rule is removed.
The following report objects that are imported from SAS Visual Analytics
Explorer (the explorer) or created in SAS Visual Analytics Graph Builder (the
graph builder) do not support display rules:
n heat maps (which are imported from the explorer)
n band plots (which are created in the graph builder)
n step plots (which are created in the graph builder)
Add Report-Level Display Rules

To add a report-level display rule:
1 Without any report objects or the section selected in the canvas, click the
Display Rules tab in the right pane. Click New. The Add New Display Rule
2 Enter a value for the display rule in the field.
3 Select a color for the display rule.
4 (Optional) Repeat the steps for entering a value and selecting a color.
5 (Optional) Select the Other check box. Then, select a color so that any of the
other categories that do not have a color will have the one that you just
selected.
Adding Table-Level Display Rules 403
In the following example, values and colors have been specified for each
region in a list table. And, a color has been selected for the Other check box.
6 Click OK. The report objects in the report update with the new display rule.
And, the display rule appears on the Display Rules tab in the right pane.
The following table illustrates the report-level display rules that were defined in
the Add New Display Rule window above.
Adding Table-Level Display Rules

You can add three different types of display rules to tables. You cannot create a
display rule to highlight dates in a table.
Add Display Rules to a List Table Using an

Expression
To specify a new display rule for a table using an expression:
update.
2 In the right pane, click the Display Rules tab. Click New. The Add New
Display Rule window is displayed.
3 Click Expression. The Add New Display Rule window expands to show the
details for the expression.
4 On the Expression Details tab, select the Column or any measure value.
5 Select the Operator. You can select =, < >, BetweenInclusive, <, <=, >, >=,
Missing, or NotMissing. The default is >.
6 Enter or select a Value.
7 Modify the style, size, and color of the font. There is no default style for list
table display rules. You must specify a style to enable the OK button in the
Add New Display Rule window.
8 Select the row or column in the Applies to drop-down list.
9 (Optional) On the Alert Options tab, select the Create an alert based on
this rule check box. For more information about alerts, see “Working with
Alerts for Report Objects” on page 351.
a Click beside the Manage subscribers list to add users who you want
notified when the alert condition is met. The Add Recipients window is
displayed.
b Select one or more users. Click OK to return to the Add New Display Rule
window.
Note: A user’s e-mail address must be stored in metadata to be
displayed on the View All tab in the Add Recipients window.
10 Click OK. The table updates with the new display rule. The display rule
appears on the Display Rules tab in the right pane.
Here is an example of a display rule that uses an expression:
11 (Optional) Click on the Display Rules tab to edit the new display rule.
Add Display Rules to a List Table Using a Gauge

To specify a new display rule for a table using a gauge:
update.
3 Click Gauge. The Add New Display Rule window expands to show the
details for the gauge.
4 Select a Gauge type from the drop-down list. Your choices are a bullet, an
icon, a slider, or a thermometer. Icon is the default.
5 Using the Based on column drop-down list, specify which column the rule
should be based on in the report.
6 Specify where the gauge should appear in the column for the Cell
placement. Your choices are Left of text, Right of text, or Replace text.
7 Define the intervals and colors for the rule:
n Enter the individual values for the intervals and then select a color. You
can click the operator between the intervals to change it.
n Click to automatically populate the intervals. The Populate Intervals
You can specify Number of intervals, Lower bounds, and Upper

bounds. Click OK.
8 Specify the Column in which you want the gauge to be displayed
9 Click OK. The table updates with the new display rule. The display rule
Here is an example of an automatically populated display rule that uses an
icon:
Here is a list table with the display rules applied:
Note: If a value falls outside the bounds of the display rule intervals, no icon
is displayed in the list table
Add Display Rules to a List Table Using Color-

Mapped Values
To specify a new display rule for a list table using color-mapped values:
1 If it is not already selected, select the list table in the canvas that you want to
update.
3 Click Color-mapped Values. The Add New Display Rule window expands to
show the details for the color-mapped values.
4 Select the Column or value to which you want to apply the display rule.
Note: Color-mapped values for a report object can be applied only to
category data items.
Note: Color-mapped values cannot be applied to date or datetime data
items.
5 Click in the box to enter a value for the display rule.
8 (Optional) Select the Other check box. Then, select a color.
9 Using the list, specify where you want to apply the colors.
In the following example, values and colors have been specified for products
in a list table.
10 Click OK. The table updates with the display rules.
The display rule appears on the Display Rules tab in the right pane.
11 (Optional) Click on the Display Rules tab to change the table-level

display rule to a report-level display rule.
Add Display Rules to a Crosstab

To specify a new display rule for a crosstab using an expression:
1 If it is not already selected, select the crosstab in the canvas that you want to
update.
6 If your crosstab contains a hierarchy, then you can specify the hierarchy
levels in which the display rule is applied.
a Click Specify Intersections. The Specify Intersections window is

displayed.
b Select one or more hierarchy levels, the grand total, or all of the levels.
Click OK to return to the Add New Display Rule window. The intersections
that you selected are displayed above the Edit Intersections button.
7 Modify the style, size, and color of the font.
8 Select the row or column in the Applies to drop-down list. For crosstabs, the
Applies to drop-down list displays only the measures that have been added
to the crosstab. There are no row or column options.
Adding Graph-Level Display Rules 411
a Click beside the Manage subscribers list to add users who you want
notified when the alert condition is met. The Add Recipients window is
displayed.
b Select one or more users. Click OK to return to the Add New Display Rule
window.
10 Click OK. The crosstab updates with the new display rule. The display rule
Adding Graph-Level Display Rules

You can add display rules to graphs. Note that you cannot create a display rule
to highlight dates in a graph.
Add Display Rules to a Graph Using an Expression

Here are some key points about adding an expression-based display rules to a
graph:
n Display rules can be added to a waterfall chart only if you clear the Color by
response sign check box on the Properties tab in the right pane.
n You can create an expression-based display rule for a 100% stacked bar
chart, which uses the Grouping style and Grouping scale properties.
However, the display rule cannot be based on a percentage.
To specify a new expression-based display rule for a graph:
update.
3 Click Expression. The Add New Display Rule window expands to show the
details for the expression.
7 If your graph contains a hierarchy, then you can specify the hierarchy levels
in which the display rule is applied.
a Click Specify Intersections. The Specify Intersections window is

displayed.
b Select one or more hierarchy levels. Click OK to return to the Add New
Display Rule window. The intersections that you selected are displayed
above the Edit Intersections button.
8 Modify the Style, which includes color and graph or background.
Note: Background is available only for bar charts, waterfall charts, line
charts, scatter plots, time series plots, and bubble plots. It is also available
for needle plots, which are created in the SAS Visual Analytics Graph Builder
(the graph builder).
Adding Graph-Level Display Rules 413
Use the Manage subscribers list to add users who you want notified when
the alert condition is met.
10 Click OK. The graph updates with the new display rule. The display rule
Here is an example of a display rule that uses an expression:
Note: A warning badge is displayed on a graph when the color is overloaded.

This happens when multiple measures are assigned, a color or group role is
assigned, or multiple overlays are present (which have cycling colors).
Add Display Rules to a Graph Using Color-Mapped

Values
Note: Display rules can be added to a waterfall chart only if you clear the Color
by response sign check box on the Properties tab in the right pane.
To specify a new display rule for a graph using color-mapped values:
update.
3 Click Color-mapped Values. The Add New Display Rule window expands to
show the details for the color-mapped values.
4 Select the Column or value to which you want to apply the display rule.
Note: Color-mapped values for a report object can be applied only to
category data items.
Note: Color-mapped values cannot be applied to date or datetime data
items.
5 Click in the box to enter a value for the display rule.
8 (Optional) Select the Other check box. Then, select a color.
9 Using the list, specify where you want to apply the colors.
Adding Gauge-Level Display Rules 415
In the following example, values and colors have been specified for products
in a graph.
10 Click OK. The graph updates with the display rules.
The display rule appears on the Display Rules tab in the right pane.
11 (Optional) Click on the Display Rules tab to change the graph-level

display rule to a report-level display rule.
Adding Gauge-Level Display Rules

A display rule is used by a gauge to designate intervals and colors for ranges.
You can add a shared display rule for a gauge, which is used by other gauges to
designate intervals and colors for ranges.
Add Display Rules to a Gauge

To specify a new display rule for a gauge:
1 If it is not already selected, select the gauge in the canvas that you want to
update.
2 In the right pane, click the Display Rules tab.

Here is an example of the Display Rules tab for a gauge:
3 Specify (or modify) the display rules for the gauge. You can populate
intervals, edit the display rule, and specify the Type.
To automatically populate the intervals:
a Click beside the Add an interval field to display the Populate Intervals
window.
b (Optional) Review or change the values for the Number of intervals,

Lower bounds, and Upper bounds fields.
c Click OK. The gauge updates and the new display rule is displayed on
the Display Rules tab.
To edit the display rule for a gauge, use the fields on the Display Rules tab. You
can update the conditions for the values, the intervals, and the color for the
range. Select a color to open the color palette. To add new intervals to the
display rule, enter a number, and click beside the Add an interval field.
Add a Shared Display Rule for Gauges

There are two ways to create a shared display rule for a gauge in the designer.
You can use either the Shared Rules tab in the left pane or the Display Rules
tab in the right pane.
To create a shared display rule for a gauge using the Shared Rules tab:
1 Click on the Shared Rules tab. The Create Display Rule window is
displayed.
Adding Gauge-Level Display Rules 417
2 Enter a Name.
3 Add an interval or automatically populate the intervals.
To automatically populate the intervals:
a Click beside the Add an interval field to display the Populate Intervals
window.
b (Optional) Review or change the values for the Number of intervals,

Lower bounds, and Upper bounds fields.
c Click OK to return to the Create Display Rule window.
4 Click OK. The new shared display rule is added to the Shared Rules tab.
To create a shared display rule for a gauge using the Display Rules tab:
1 Click on the Display Rules tab. The Shared Rule Name window is
displayed.
2 Enter a Name.
3 Click OK. The new shared display rule is displayed below the Type field on
the Display Rules tab. The new shared display rule is also added to the
Shared Rules tab.
To edit a shared display rule for a gauge:
1 Select the shared display rule on the Shared Rules tab, and then click .
The Edit Display Rule window is displayed.
2 Update the conditions for the values, the intervals, and the color for the
range. Select a color to open the color palette. To add new intervals to the
shared display rule, enter a number, and click beside the Add an interval
field.
3 Click OK.
419
45
Working with Report Filters
About Report Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 419
Using Detail Report Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 420
Use a Basic Report Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 420
Use an Advanced Report Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 424
Use a Data Source Filter in a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 427
Using Post-Aggregate Report Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 429
About Post-Aggregate Report Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 429
Create a Post-Aggregate Report Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 429
Edit a Post-Aggregate Report Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 430
Delete a Post-Aggregate Report Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 431
About Report Filters

In SAS Visual Analytics Designer (the designer), you can create filters to subset
your data. These types of filters are available:
n Detail Report Filters
Basic filters
subset the data for individual report objects in your reports by using a
single data item. A basic filter is constrained to use only the data item that
was selected when the basic filter was created. Basic filters can be
created and modified by using the pop-up menu for a report object or by
using the Edit Filter window. For more information, see “Use a Basic
Report Filter” on page 420.
Advanced filters
subset the data for individual report objects in your reports by using any
number of data items and operators (for example, OR and AND) in the
same expression. Advanced filters can be created and modified by using
the Advanced Filter window. For more information, see “Use an Advanced
Report Filter” on page 424.
Data source filters
subset the data for the entire report. The data source filters that you
create are applied to every report object in the report that uses that data
source. For more information, see “Use a Data Source Filter in a Report”
on page 427.
n Post-aggregate Report Filters
420 Chapter 45 / Working with Report Filters
For more information, see “Using Post-Aggregate Report Filters” on page

429.
Here are some key points about report filters:
n If you change a report filter from a detail filter to a post-aggregate filter, then
all of the selections for the filter will be lost. The same is true if you change a
post-aggregate filter to a detail filter. There is a warning message for both
cases.
n One data item cannot have both a detail data item filter and a post-aggregate
data item filter.
n Clear the Auto-update check box above the report canvas until you are
ready to apply your filter changes.
All of your filters are saved when you save your report.
Filters can accept parameters. For more information, see Chapter 49, “Working
with Parameters in Reports,” on page 463.
When a report object imported from SAS Visual Analytics Explorer (the explorer)
has a local filter, that filter is displayed on the Filters tab. You cannot edit or
delete these filters on imported report objects that use on-demand data.
Note: Report linking is a type of filter. The report section that is the target of the
link is filtered by the values selected in the linked report object. For more
information, see “Overview of Report Links” on page 449.
Using Detail Report Filters
Use a Basic Report Filter
About Basic Report Filters

For certain report objects, you can subset your data by using the Filters tab in
the right pane of the designer. You can base your filters on any data item in the
current data source for this report object, regardless of whether the data item is
assigned to a report object in the current report.
Note: If you have multiple basic filters, the designer assumes that there is an
AND operator between the filters.
Create a Basic Report Filter

To create a basic report filter:
1 If it is not already selected, select the report object in the canvas that you
want to filter. The report object must have at least one data item assigned.
TIP Clear the Auto-update check box above the report canvas until you
are ready to apply your filter changes.
2 In the right pane, click the Filters tab.

Using Detail Report Filters 421
3 Click beside the Add Filter button, and select a data item from the list.
Then, click Add Filter. The filter appears on the tab.
4 Select the data values for the filter.
TIP Use the arrow to the left of the filter name on the Filters tab to
expand or collapse the filter details when you are working with multiple
filters.
n For a basic filter that uses discrete values, a check box is displayed for
each distinct value that uses the current format applied to the data item.
To the right of each value, a bar indicates the frequency. Select the data
values that you want to filter or clear the selections for the data values
that you do not want to filter. Select All to select all of the values.
Here is an example of a basic filter for discrete values:
n For a filter that uses continuous values, a slider shows you the maximum
values and the minimum values that exist for the data item using the
current data item format. Use the slider to select a range of target values.
Here is an example of a basic filter for continuous values:
5 (Optional) If your data contains missing values, and you want to exclude
those missing values from your report, then clear the Include missing
values check box.
6 Click (to the left of the delete icon) for options. The available options
depend on whether you are filtering characters, dates, or numerics. You can
sort the values or frequencies in the filter.
The following options are available:
Option Availability
Edit Filter This option is always available.
Delete Filter This option is always available.
Filter Detail This option is available only for detail values.

Values
Filter Aggregated This option is available only for aggregated values.

Values
Filter using This option is available only for measure data items.
continuous
values
Filter using This option is available for measure and category data items.
discrete values
Include Missing This option is available when you filter continuous values. It
Values works the same as selecting the Include missing values
check box.
Exclude Missing This option is available when you filter continuous values. It
Values works the same as clearing the Include missing values
check box.
Select All This option is available when you filter discrete values. It
selects all of the current discrete values that are listed. This
option does not affect the Include missing values setting.
Clear All This option is available when you filter discrete values. It
clears the selections of all of the current discrete values that
are listed. This option does not affect the Include missing
values setting.
Invert Selection This option is available when you filter discrete values. It
changes all of the discrete value check boxes so that if they
are selected, then they are cleared. If they are cleared, then
they are selected. This option does not affect the Include
missing values setting.
Sort by Values This option enables you to sort by the values in the filter.
Sort by This option enables you to sort by the frequencies in the filter.
Frequency
Show Selected at This option is available for basic filters that use discrete
Top values.
7 (Optional) If you cleared the Auto-update check box above the report
canvas while you worked on your filter, then select it when you are ready to
apply your filter changes.
Edit a Basic Report Filter

To edit a basic report filter:
3 Click beside the filter name. Then, select Edit Filter. The Edit Filter
4 Edit the expression for your filter.

n You can drag and drop conditions and operators onto the expression on
the Visual tab in the right pane.
n You can enter the expression on the Text tab in the right pane.
n You can create an expression using both the Visual and Text tabs in the
right pane.
For information, see Appendix 6, “Conditions for Filters,” on page 607.
Note: The AND and OR operators can accept more than two conditions. To
add a condition to the operator, drag and drop a condition onto the operator
name in the right pane. For example, to add a third condition to an AND
operator, drag and drop the new condition onto AND in the expression.
TIP Right-click the AND or OR operator in the expression, and then select
Add  New Condition.
Delete a Basic Report Filter

To delete a basic report filter, click beside the filter on the Filters tab.
Use an Advanced Report Filter
About Advanced Report Filters

For most report objects, you can create advanced filters to subset your data by
using the Filters tab in the right pane of the designer.
Advanced filters enable you to create filters that use more than one data item.
Here are some key points about advanced filters:
n Advanced filters that are created in the explorer might contain expressions
that you cannot create in the designer.
n Advanced global filters that are created in the explorer are supported by the
designer, but you cannot create advanced global filters in the designer.
Create an Advanced Report Filter

To create an advanced report filter:
3 Click to select Advanced instead of a specific data item.
4 Click Add Filter. The Edit Advanced Filter window is displayed.

5 Specify a Filter name. The filter name identifies the advanced filter on the
Filters tab.
6 Create a condition for the filter. You can use the Visual tab, Text tab, or a
combination of both tabs.
To create a condition using the Visual tab:
a From the Data Items list, select the data item on which the condition is
based.
b From the Column Templates list, select a condition. For information, see
Appendix 6, “Conditions for Filters,” on page 607.
c Drag and drop the condition onto the expression.
d For any required parameters, select the parameter, and enter a value, or
right-click on the parameter field, and select Replace with to select a
data item.
7 (Optional) Add operators to the expression. You can use the Visual tab, Text
tab, or a combination of both tabs.
To add operators using the Visual tab:
a From the Operators list, select an operator to join the conditions in your
expression. For more information, see Appendix 6, “Conditions for
Filters,” on page 607.
b Drag and drop the operator onto the expression.

c From the Column Templates list, select another condition. Then, drag
and drop the additional condition onto the expression. Complete any
required parameters.
TIP Right-click the AND or OR operator in the expression, and then

select Add  New Condition.
Edit an Advanced Report Filter

To edit an advanced report filter:
3 Click beside the advanced filter name. Then, select Edit Filter. The Edit
Advanced Filter window is displayed.
4 Edit or add a condition for the filter. You can use the Visual tab, Text tab, or
a combination of both tabs.
To add conditions using the Visual tab:
based.
b From the Column Templates list, select a condition. For more

information, see Appendix 6, “Conditions for Filters,” on page 607.
right-click the parameter field, and select Replace with to select a data
item.
5 (Optional) Replace a condition by dragging and dropping a new condition

onto the existing condition in the expression on the Visual tab. Or, remove a
condition using the Text tab.
6 (Optional) Add an operator to the expression. You can use the Visual tab,
Text tab, or a combination of both tabs.
To add an operator using the Visual tab:
c (Optional) Add a condition.


7 (Optional) Delete part of an expression by highlighting the part of the

expression that you want to delete, and then selecting Delete or Clear.
8 Click OK to apply the advanced filter.
Delete an Advanced Report Filter

To delete an advanced filter, click on the filter on the Filters tab.
Use a Data Source Filter in a Report
About Data Source Filters

Data source filters are used to restrict the data that is displayed in a report. The
data source filters that you create in the designer are applied to every report
object in the report that uses the data source. A report that has multiple data
sources can contain multiple data source filters.
You can use either continuous values or discrete values to create a data source
filter. Continuous value filters can be used only for measures. Discrete value
filters can be used for any character; numeric; or date, datetime, or data item; as
long as the total number of distinct values does not exceed a maximum number.
Data source filters are not displayed on the Filters or the Data tabs. A data
source filter updates the cardinality values that appear on the Data tab.
There is a limit of one data source filter per data source. However, if you want to
filter on more than one data source, you can create a combination filter.
Create a Data Source Filter

1 On the Data tab, click , and then select New Data Source Filter. The New
Data Source Filter window is displayed.
2 Add a condition for the filter. You can use the Visual tab, Text tab, or a
combination of both tabs.
To add conditions using the Visual tab:
based.

item.
3 (Optional) Replace a condition by dragging and dropping a new condition

onto the existing condition in the expression on the Visual tab. Or remove a
condition using the Text tab.
4 (Optional) Add an operator to the expression. You can use the Visual tab,
Text tab, or a combination of both tabs.
To add an operator using the Visual tab:
c (Optional) Add a condition.

5 (Optional) Delete part of an expression by highlighting the part of the

expression that you want to delete, and then selecting Delete or Clear.
Edit a Data Source Filter

1 If a data source is not already added, add a data source.
2 On the Data tab, click , and then select Edit Data Source Filter. The Edit
Data Source Filter window is displayed.
3 Add or modify the condition for the filter. You can use the Visual tab, Text
tab, or a combination of both tabs.
To edit conditions using the Visual tab:
based.

item.
4 Edit the operator in the expression. You can use the Visual tab, Text tab, or
a combination of both tabs.
Delete a Data Source Filter

To delete a data source filter:
1 On the Data tab, click , and then select Delete Filter.

Using Post-Aggregate Report Filters 429
Using Post-Aggregate Report Filters
About Post-Aggregate Report Filters

Post-aggregate filters subset the data for individual report objects in your reports
by using the aggregated values, not the summarized values. You can use the
Filters tab in the right pane of the designer to filter data in a report object using
an aggregated value instead of a detail value. Post-aggregate filters are
available only for measure data items.
When a report object has both ranks and post-aggregate filters applied, the
ranks are applied before the post-aggregate filters.
Here are some key points about post-aggregate filters:
n Post-aggregate filters are not available for report objects that use detail data.
n Crosstabs, time series plots, and dual axis time series plots do not support
post-aggregate filters.
Create a Post-Aggregate Report Filter

To create a post-aggregate filter:
3 Click beside the Add Filter button, and select a measure data item from
the list. Then, click Add Filter. The filter appears on the Filters tab.
4 Select the data values for the post-aggregate filter. If the data item allows
aggregate values, the Filter aggregated values check box is displayed. A
slider shows you the maximum and minimum data values that exist for the
data item using the current data item format. Use the slider to select a range
of target values.
Note: The post-aggregate filter tracks the aggregation associated with the
data item. If you change the Aggregation using the data item table on the
Data tab, then the filter name on the Filter tab reflects that change. For
example, if you create a post-aggregate filter for a data item called Sales, it is
initially displayed on the Filters tab as Sales(Sum). In the data item table,
you change the aggregation to Average. On the Filters tab, the filter name is
displayed as Sales(Average). The post-aggregate filter attempts to keep
the same range of data values that you originally selected for the
aggregation.
TIP Use the arrow to the left of the filter name on the Filters tab to
expand or collapse the filter details when you are working with multiple
filters.
5 (Optional) Click beside the filter name to change the operator. Select
Condition Type, and then select an operator.
6 (Optional) Change the lower and upper values for the post-aggregate filter by
clicking the value, and then entering a new value.
7 (Optional) If your data contains missing values, and you want to exclude
those missing values from your report, then clear the Include missing
values check box.
Edit a Post-Aggregate Report Filter

To edit a post-aggregate filter:
3 Click beside the filter name. Then, select Edit Filter. The Edit Filter
Using Post-Aggregate Report Filters 431
4 Edit the expression for your post-aggregate filter.

n You can drag and drop conditions and operators onto the expression on
the Visual tab in the right pane.
n You can enter the expression on the Text tab in the right pane.
n You can create an expression using both the Visual and Text tabs in the
right pane.
For information, see Appendix 6, “Conditions for Filters,” on page 607.
Note: The AND and OR Boolean operators can accept more than two
conditions. To add a condition to the operator, drag and drop a condition onto
the operator name in the right pane. For example, to add a third condition to
an AND operator, drag and drop the condition onto AND in the expression.
TIP Right-click the AND or OR operator in the expression, and then select
Add  New Condition.
5 Click OK to apply the post-aggregate filter.
Delete a Post-Aggregate Report Filter

To delete a post-aggregate filter, click beside the post-aggregate filter on the
Filters tab.
433
46
Working with Report Interactions
Overview of Report Interactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 433
Creating a Report Interaction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 434
Create a Filter Interaction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 434
Create a Data Brushing Interaction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 439
Map Data Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 444
Delete a Report Interaction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 446
Overview of Report Interactions

Interactions are used to direct a report viewer’s attention to specific results in a
report. Interactions allow data to be subset to reduce the amount of data, and
enables users to understand it within a particular context.
The interactions view in SAS Visual Analytics Designer (the designer) enables
report designers to specify which interactions they would like to add to tables,
graphs, gauges, and controls in a report.
There are these types of report interactions:
filter
is used to restrict the data that is returned from a query to a data source.
Filters are simply a set of rules or conditions that you specify to subset the
data that is displayed in a table or graph. The goal is to display only the data
that you need to see to perform your analysis.
brush
is short for data brushing, which enables you to show the same data selected
simultaneously in two or more tables, graphs, or controls. Brushing highlights
a percentage that reflects the number of shared observations in the data set.
Brushing does not highlight a percentage that corresponds to the aggregated
value. The brushed data has the same appearance in each object, which
makes the data easily apparent to report viewers.
Tables, graphs, and gauges can be the source of an interaction, with the
exception of time series plots. Report objects that use detail data cannot be the
source of an interaction. Controls that are used on the canvas can also be the
source of an interaction. Controls that are used as section prompts are treated
as automatic filters and are not displayed in the interactions view.
The Interactions tab in the right pane enables you to create interactions and
links.
434 Chapter 46 / Working with Report Interactions
Here are some key points about interactions:

Note: Interactions are available only for report objects in the same section.
Note: Report linking is a type of interaction. The report section that is the target
of the link is subset by the values selected in the linked report object. For more
information, see “Overview of Report Links” on page 449.
Creating a Report Interaction
Create a Filter Interaction

You can create interactions using the interactions view or the Interactions tab in
the right pane.
The following objects that are imported from the explorer can be the source of a
filter interaction:
n Box plots
n Heat maps with a relational category measure
n Forecast plots
n Geo maps
Imported correlation matrices, histograms, scatter plots with fit lines, heat maps
without a selectable relational category measure, and box plots without a
selectable relational category measure cannot be the source of an interaction.
Hierarchy data items are not supported for interactions.
Here are some key points about creating filter interactions:
n You cannot create interactions from list tables, bubble plots, and scatter plots
that use detail data. However, a list table that uses detail data can be the
target of an interaction.
n Scatter plots cannot be the source of an interaction.
n Bubble plots can be the source of an interaction only if they have a

Grouping role assigned.
n Sliders can be the target of an interaction. However, a slider that has the Set
fixed range property set will not do anything when it is filtered because its
data is fixed.
n A slider that is assigned to an aggregated measure data role cannot be the
source of an interaction.
n Prompt containers enable you to delay the execution of interactions to report
objects that are outside of the prompt container. However, interactions
between report objects that are inside a prompt container are never delayed.
To create a filter interaction using the interactions view:
1 Add the report objects that you want to use to the canvas. For example, you
might have a bar chart, a line chart, and a list table.
2 Click Interactions View on the Interactions tab to switch to the interactions

view. You can also select View  Show Interactions.
Creating a Report Interaction 435
3 In the interactions view, draw a connection between the source and target
report objects. When you have created an interaction, the is displayed
between the report objects. Here is an example of an interaction between a
bar chart (the source) and a list table (the target):
Note: The source and target of an interaction should be based on the same
data source. If you have multiple data sources, you are prompted to map the
data sources to create the interaction. For more information, see “Map Data
Sources” on page 444.
4 Right-click . Then, select Interaction Type  Filter.

5 (Optional) Select the Show parameter interactions check box. (Parameter

interactions are represented by dashed lines in the Interactions View. If the
parameter is affecting a report object in another section, a link is drawn to
that section. If a section contains a parameter that is targeting a report object
in the current section, then a link is drawn from that section to the report
object in the current section.)
6 (Optional) Clear the Show derived interactions check box. (Derived

interactions are represented by dashed lines in the Interactions View.)
7 (Optional) Add other filter interactions.
8 Click Close. The new interaction (or interactions) appears on the

Interactions tab in the right pane.
The following example shows the Interactions tab for the filtering example
shown in Figure 46.1 on page 436.
Select data in the source report object to filter data in the target report object (or
objects). In the following example, the promotional product line was selected in
the bar chart. Simultaneously, the line chart and the list table show the same
filter.
Figure 46.1 A Filtering Example with a Bar Chart, a Line Chart, and a List Table
Clicking on another selection applies the filter based on your new selection. For
example, in the report above, you can click on the game product line to change
the filter. An icon is added to the report object that is filtered.
Here is the line chart that was used in the previous example. The incoming filter
icon appears above the report object when it is selected in the canvas. Click
to get details about the filter that has been applied. Click Details to find out more
about the filter. The Visual Element Filters window is displayed. It shows the
exact query that was sent to the server.
TIP To clear the selection and reset the filter (or filters), press Ctrl+click while
viewing the original report object.
To create an interaction using the New button on the Interactions tab:
1 Select a report object in the canvas. For example, you might have a bar
chart.
2 Select the Interactions tab.
3 Click New, and then select Interaction. The Edit Interaction window is
displayed.
4 In the Edit Interaction window, select the report object that you want to use
as the source of a filter or brush interaction. For example, if your report has a
list table, and you want it to filter a line chart, the first line should read List
Table 1 filters Line Chart 1.
The Edit Interaction window disables options for filter or brush interactions if
they are not possible.
5 When you are finished working with interactions, click OK. The new
interaction is displayed in the Interactions tab.
Create a Data Brushing Interaction

The following objects that are imported from the explorer cannot be the source
of a brush interaction:
n Box plots
n Heat maps with a relational category measure
n Forecast plots
n Geo maps
To create an interaction using data brushing:
1 Add the report objects that you want to use to the canvas. For example, you
might have a bar chart, a line chart, and a list table.
3 Click Interactions View on the Interactions tab to switch to the interactions

view. You can also select View  Show Interactions.
4 In the interactions view, draw a connection between the source and target
report objects. When you have created an interaction, the is displayed
between the report objects.
Note: The source and target of a data brushing interaction should be based
on the same data source. If you have multiple data sources, you are
prompted to map the data sources to create the interaction. For more
5 Right-click . Then, select Interaction Type  Brush. The filter icon

changes to .
6 Click Close. The new interaction (or interactions) appears on the

Interactions tab in the right pane.
Select data in the source report object to brush data in the target report object
(or objects). In the following example, the stuffed animal product line was
selected in the bar chart. Simultaneously, the line chart and the list table
highlight the same data.
Figure 46.2 A Data Brushing Example with a Bar Chart, a Line Chart, and a List Table
Note: If a graph contains a frequency measure, then a crosshatch pattern

indicates when it is selected or brushed.
The brush interaction between controls behaves differently than a brush
interaction between tables and graphs. When there is a brush interaction
between controls, instead of highlighting or selecting the values in the other
control, the values that match are moved to the top of the control, and the values
that do not match are grayed out. If a frequency data item exists, then the
frequency value is updated.
Here is an example of a report with three list controls that have brush
interactions:
Figure 46.3 Example: Three List Controls in a Report
The first list contains three countries listed as the Origin. The second list
contains six types of vehicles. The third list contains 38 car manufacturing
companies. There is a brush interaction between the first list and the second list.
There is a second brush interaction between the second list and the third list.
Here is an example of the interactions view for the report:
Figure 46.4 Three List Controls with Brush Interactions
In step 1, the user has selected Europe as the country of Origin in the first list.
Notice the changes in the second list. Hybrid and Truck are grayed out, and
their frequency values have both changed to 0. In the third list, all of the car
manufacturers that are not located in Europe are grayed out, and their frequency
values have all changed to 0.
Figure 46.5 Example: Three List Controls in a Report with One Brush Interaction
In step 2, the user has selected Porsche as the car manufacturing company in
the third list. Notice the changes in the second list. Hybrid, Sedan, Truck, and
Wagon are grayed out, and their frequency values have all changed to 0.
Figure 46.6 Example: Three List Controls in a Report with Two Brush Interactions
Map Data Sources

The source and target of an interaction or link should be based on the same
data source. You might be prompted to map data sources so that an interaction
or link works properly in these situations:
n When you try to create an interaction or link between a report object that
uses one data source and another report object that uses a different data
source.
n When you try to create a link between a report object that uses one data
source and a report section that uses a different data source.
n When you try to create a link between a report object that uses one data
source and a report that uses a different data source.
Here are some considerations for mapping data sources:
n For mappings created from a report link, the target data item cannot be a
calculated item.
n Data source mapping is not supported from links in a text object.
Here are some key points about mapping columns in data sources:
n A column in one data source can be mapped only once to another data
source. If you need to map a column more than once, then the column needs
to be duplicated in the data source.
n Mapped columns must share the same format for filters to work. For
example, if the format of the source column is MMDDYYYY and the format of
the target column is DDMMYYYY, then a filter will not work.
To map data sources using the Map Data Sources window:
1 Use the Source drop-down list to select a column from the first data source.
2 Use the Target drop-down list to select a corresponding column from the
second data source.
Here is an example of the Map Data Sources window for an interaction

between two list tables that have different data sources:
TIP If there are multiple data sources, and you do not want to link to all of
them, you can select the Enable data source mapping check box. For
more information, see “Map Data Sources” on page 444.
For section links, you are not required to map the data sources. If you
choose not to map the data sources, then the filters are not carried over. For
more information, see “Create a Link to One or More Sections in a Report”
on page 451.
Here is an example of the Create Section Link window with the map data
sources information.
3 Map additional data items. Click . A new row is displayed in the Map Data
Sources window.
Note: If you create interactions between multiple objects on the same data
source, but on different columns in that data source, then you must map
each and every column in a Map Data Sources window. If you do not do this,
then a subsequent mapping for the data source overrides a previous
mapping.
4 The lower half of the window shows you how the mappings are applied to the
objects shown in the Source and Target relationship. Depending on the
interaction or link, you might need to map additional Source and Target
objects.
5 Click OK.
Delete a Report Interaction

You can delete an interaction using the interactions view or the Interactions tab
in the right pane.
Delete a Report Interaction 447
To delete either a filter or data brushing interaction using the interactions view:
2 Click Interactions View to switch to the interactions view. You can also
select View  Show Interactions.
3 Right-click or the , depending on which type of interaction you want to

delete. Then, select Delete Interaction.
5 (Optional) Remove other interactions.
You can delete an interaction using the Interactions tab. Click next to the
interaction that you want to delete. Then, click Delete in the confirmation
message that is displayed.
449
47
Working with Report Links
Overview of Report Links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 449
Creating Report Links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 450
Create a Link to Another Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 450
Create a Link to One or More Sections in a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 451
Create a Link to One or More Info Windows in a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 452
Create a Link to an External URL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 453
Create a Link from a Text Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 454
Edit a Report Link . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 455
Delete a Report Link . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 455
Example: How Report Links and Report Interactions Work Together . . . . . . . 455
Overview of Report Links

Report links enable single-step access to a report or web page that is related to
a report that you are currently viewing. For example, you might be looking at a
bar chart that has sales information for each geographical region of your
company. If you click the bar for the Northeast region, then a report link
associated with the graph could take you to a different report that provides
information about employees in each region. You can click in the top left
corner of a destination report to return to the previous report.
Using SAS Visual Analytics Designer (the designer), you can add a link from a
report object to another report, to a specific section or an info window in the
current report, or to an external URL. If a destination report contains multiple
sections, then you are able (when defining the link) to choose the initial section
of the destination report that you want to open first.
When a report has an info window, you can provide additional information to a
user who is viewing the report. For example, you might want a list table to
provide additional information for a bar chart, or you might want to provide
additional text about what is displayed in the data for a particular report object. In
the SAS Visual Analytics Viewer (the viewer), a user double-clicks the data (for
example, a bar, a bubble, a pie slice, a table row, and so on) in a report object
that has an info window, and then the additional information is displayed in a
new window in the viewer. For more information, see “Overview of Report
Sections and Info Windows” on page 471.
450 Chapter 47 / Working with Report Links
Linking has elements of both a filter and an interaction. A report section that is
the target of a link is filtered by the values that are selected in the linked report
object. And, like interactions, objects that display detail data cannot be the
source of a link.
For information about how links appear in the viewer, see “View Links in
Imported box plots and heat maps with a relational category measure and
imported forecast plots can be the source of section, report, or external links.
Starting in the 7.4 release, you can synchronize prompt values and parameters
across linked reports. For example, suppose that you have two reports, Report 1
and Report 2. When you follow a link from Report 1 to Report 2, all of the
prompts and their values are displayed in Report 2, and their states are
synchronized. The same is true when you move from Report 2 to Report 1.
Creating Report Links
Create a Link to Another Report

Note: The following steps do not apply to text objects. For more information,
see “Create a Link from a Text Object” on page 454.
To add a link from a report object or an image to another report:
1 If a report object is not already selected, select the object that you want to
link from.
2 Click the Interactions tab.
3 Click New, and then select Report Link. The Choose an Item window is
displayed.
4 Select a target report, and then click OK. The Create Report Link window is
displayed.
5 Verify the name of the target report. If you want to select a different target
report, click Browse.
Creating Report Links 451
Note: The source and target of report link should be based on the same
data sources to create the report link. For more information, see “Map Data
If the target report contains more than one section, then select the report
section that you want to open first.
If you want to set values in the target report, select the Set the value for
controls in the target report prompt bar option.
Note: This option sets values only on the controls that use the same data
item as the source object or only on data items that filter the source object.
6 Click OK. The new report link is displayed on the Interactions tab in the right
pane.
Double-click on an item in the report object (for example, a bar, a row in a table,
a pie slice, and so on) to activate the report link. You are prompted to save
changes to the report object before you can follow the link to the target report. To
return to the source report object, use the button above the canvas.
Here is an example of the button that enables you to return to the source report
object: .
Create a Link to One or More Sections in a Report

To add a link from a report object or an image to a specific section in the same
report:
1 If a report object is not already selected, select the object that you want to
link from.
3 Click New, and then select Section Link. The Create Section Link window is
displayed.
4 Select All to link to all of the sections in the report or select a specific section
(or sections) in the report.
Note: The source and target of section link should be based on the same
data sources to create the section link. For more information, see “Map Data
If you want to set values in the target section, select the Set the value for
controls in the target section prompt bar option.
Note: This option sets values only on the controls that use the same data
item as the source object or only on data items that filter the source object.
5 Click OK. The new section link is displayed on the Interactions tab in the
right pane. If you selected multiple sections, those links are displayed on the
Interactions tab.
Alternatively, you can create a section link using the interactions view.
Note: If you use a section link to navigate to another section, and then you
change the value of a report prompt, the section link filter is removed.
Create a Link to One or More Info Windows in a

Report
To add a link from a report object or image to an info window in the same report:
2 Click New, and then select Info Window Link. The Create Info Window Link
3 Select All to link to all of the info windows in the report, or select a specific
info window in the report.
Note: The source and target of the info window link should be based on the
same data source. If you have multiple data sources, you are prompted to
map the data sources to create the info window link. For more information,
see “Map Data Sources” on page 444.
4 Click OK. The new info window link is displayed on the Interactions tab in
the right pane. If you selected multiple info windows to link to, those links are
displayed on the Interactions tab.
Creating Report Links 453
Create a Link to an External URL

You can add a link from a report object, text, or image to an external URL. The
http:// part of the link is provided. The link can be relative to the current web
application server. For example, you can link to a stored process, which means
that you would not need to specify http://server-name:port because you are
already logged on to that server.
TIP Click the Link to Stored Process button in the Create External Link
window to link to a stored process without having to enter the required link
information.
Note: UTF-8 is supported for external URL links.

To add a link to an external URL:
2 Click New, and then select External Link. The Create External Link window
is displayed.
3 Enter a Label and a URL for the link.
TIP Do not add parameters to the URL field. Click to specify additional
parameters, such as a Target. These additional parameters are
automatically added to the URL.
4 (Optional) Click Link to Stored Process. The Open window is displayed.

Select a stored process, and then click Open. The Label field shows the
name of the stored process, and the URL field shows the link information for
the stored process.
Note: If the stored process accepts prompts, they are automatically added to
the Parameters.
5 (Optional) Click to specify additional parameters for the link. You can
specify the Format value option, a Source, and a Target. The Format value
option applies only to dates and numbers. You can add multiple parameters.
For example, you might have a report for your company’s product lines.
When a user views the report, you want them to be able to double-click a
product line in the line chart, and then link to a Google search for that product
line. In the Create External Link window for this example, you would enter
http://www.google.com/search as the URL, select ProductLine as the
Source, and then enter q as the Target.
6 Press Enter or Tab to activate the OK button. Click OK. The new external link
is displayed on the Interactions tab in the right pane.
Double-click on a report object to link to the external URL.
Create a Link from a Text Object

You can add a link from text to an external URL, to another report, or to a
specific section or an info window in the current report.
Note: Only static text can have links. Links are not available for dynamic text.
To add a link from a text object:
1 Double-click inside a text object on the canvas and enter the text.
2 Selecting some or all of the text, and then click in the floating toolbar.
Select Hyperlink. The Link Setup window is displayed.
TIP To change the default color of the hyperlinked text, you need to select
a leading blank space and a trailing blank space around the hyperlinked
text.
TIP You can use the pop-up menu to cut, copy, and delete text. However,
you have to use the keyboard shortcut (Ctrl+V) to paste text. Do not copy
or paste text with hyperlinks. Instead, duplicate or import the text object.
3 Select the link Type. The options are:

External URL
The link target is an external URL. For example, you might want to link
some text to your company’s web page or Twitter feed. The link can be
relative to the current web application server. Enter a URL. The http://
part of the link is provided.
Report Link
The link target is another report. Enter the name of the Target report or
browse to find it. If the target report has multiple sections, you can select
which report section opens first.
Section Link
If your report has multiple sections, then the link target can be a section in
the report. Select a Target section from the list.
Example: How Report Links and Report Interactions Work Together 455
Info Window Link

If your report has one or more sections and one or more info windows,
then the link target can be an info window in the report. Select a Target
info window from the list.
4 Click OK. The text that you selected is a link in the text object.
Edit a Report Link

To edit a report link or an external link:
1 Click next to the link on the Interactions tab. For a report link, the Edit
Report Link window is displayed. For an external link, the Edit External Link
2 Make changes to the link.
Note: You cannot edit a section link.
Delete a Report Link

You can delete a section, report, or external link using the Interactions tab.
Click next to the link that you want to delete. Click Delete in the confirmation
message that is displayed.
To delete a link from a text object, select the linked text, and then click .
Select Delete Link.
Example: How Report Links and Report

Interactions Work Together
Suppose that you have two reports about furniture sales. The first report
contains an interaction between a bar chart and a list table. The bar chart links
to a second report. The filter interaction and the link are displayed on the
Interactions tab. Currently, CANADA is selected in the bar chart, so the list table
is filtered by that country. Here is an example of the first report:
Figure 47.1 Example: Furniture Sales Report
When you double-click the CANADA bar in the first report, the second report
(which is the target of the report link) is displayed. The filter interaction for
country in the first report is automatically passed to the second report when you
link to it. Here is an example of the second report:
Example: How Report Links and Report Interactions Work Together 457
Figure 47.2 Example: Furniture Sales Report
You can remove the applied filter by clicking beside the in the upper left
corner. Select the Apply report link filters option. After you remove the applied
filter, you can choose to apply it again by selecting the Apply report link filters
option.
You can return to the source report by clicking .

For information about how links appear in the viewer, see “View Links in
459
48
Ranking Values in Reports
Overview of Ranking in Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 459
Add a New Rank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 459
Delete a Rank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 462
Overview of Ranking in Reports

Using SAS Visual Analytics Designer (the designer), you can rank the data in a
report object to show the top (greatest) value or bottom (least) value for a
category that is based on a measure. For a list table, you can also rank across a
set of categories for the top value or bottom value in the set. A rank filters the
values of a category based on the aggregated measure by the top or bottom of
the values. A rank greatly reduces the visible categories to make it easier to
focus on the top value or bottom value that interests a user.
For example, you might create a rank of the top 10 countries by frequency to
select the 10 countries that are most represented in your report. As another
example, you might create a rank of the top 10 countries by population to select
the 10 countries with the greatest populations.
Ranks can accept parameters. For more information, see Chapter 49, “Working
with Parameters in Reports,” on page 463.
Note: Rank descriptions are displayed for report objects that are imported from
SAS Visual Analytics Explorer (the explorer) and that use on-demand data. You
cannot edit or delete the ranks for imported objects.
Add a New Rank

You can use the Ranks tab to create ranks to subset the data in your reports.
You can also right-click on your graphs and tables to add a rank to limit the
number of bars, rows, and so on. Controls and gauges support ranks.
A single category rank ranks the top of a single category.
To add a rank:
1 Click the Ranks tab.

460 Chapter 48 / Ranking Values in Reports
2 Select a data item. You can select any category or geography data item,
regardless of whether it is assigned to the current report object.
For list tables only, you can select All visible categories. This rank ranks
across the intersection. The top or bottom combination of the visible
categories is displayed. For example, you select the region and product data
items. You rank on the top 10 by profit. The top 10 region and product
combinations are displayed. In this case, the column is no longer considered
a single column, it is considered the crossing of the columns.
Note: If a list table has a rank for All visible categories, then that is the
only rank that it can have.
The Detail rank option is available for list tables, bubble plots, and scatter
plots that show detail data. If the report object has a detail rank, then it is the
only rank that it can have. Otherwise, report objects can have multiple ranks.
3 Click Add Rank. The Ranks tab expands.
4 Select the type of rank from the drop-down list. These types are available:
n Top Count specifies that the rank selects the greatest values.
n Bottom Count specifies that the rank selects the least values.
n Top Percent specifies that the rank selects the greatest percentages.
n Bottom Percent specifies that the rank selects the least percentages.
5 If you selected Top Count or Bottom Count for the rank, then specify one of
the following:
n Select Count, and then select a number for the rank. For example, if you
select 5, then the rank selects the five greatest values.
n Select a Parameter. If there is more than one parameter available, use
the drop-down list to select the one that you want. For more information,
see Chapter 49, “Working with Parameters in Reports,” on page 463.
6 If you selected Top Percent or Bottom Percent for the rank, then specify
one of the following:
n Select Percent, and then enter a number between 0.1 and 99.9 in the %
field.
n Select a Parameter. If there is more than one parameter available, use
the drop-down list to select the one that you want. For more information,
see Chapter 49, “Working with Parameters in Reports,” on page 463.
Add a New Rank 461
7 From the By drop-down list, select the measure that is used to create the
rank. You can select any measure.
8 (Optional) Select Ties to include ties in the rank.

If you select Ties, then the rank selects as many values as necessary to
include all of the ties. If you do not select Ties, then the rank selects only the
number of values that are specified by the rank parameters.
For example, if your rank selects the top three values, but there are five
values tied for the greatest value, then the number of values that are
selected by the rank depends on the Ties option. If you select Ties, then the
rank includes all five of the tied values. If you do not select Ties, then the
rank includes only three of the tied values.
9 (Optional) For category-specific ranks, you can select All Other to show the
measurements for the categories that did not qualify as a top or bottom
value. This option is not available if the report object is showing only detail
values.
Here are some key points about the All Other option:
n The option is available when you are ranking visible categories in certain
types of report objects.
n The option applies only to the category that is being ranked. For example,
suppose that you have Region and Product categories assigned to a list
table. Then, you apply a Region rank with the All Other option set, so the
“All Other” value might appear as a Region value, but not as a Product
value.
If you want to combine category values that are excluded by rank into “All
Other”, then you need to use the All Other property. For more
information, see “Use the Combine Excluded Rows (or Cells) into “All
Other” Properties” on page 327.
n The option is not available if the rank is on a prompt control, geo bubble
map, geo coordinate map, or geo region map.
n When the option is specified for a report object, the total, subtotal, and
percent of total show values with respect to all of the data, rather than
data just relative to data qualifying under the rank. The data that does not
fit into the top or bottom of the rank is aggregated in the All Other
category.
n You can use this option with a ranking to reduce the number of slices in a
pie chart. However, this means the “Other” slice must be removed from
the pie chart.
n If this option is selected, then any All Other value that appears in a table
or graph cannot be selected. This means that the All Other value cannot
be the source value for an interaction.
n If you do not select All Other, then the rank shows only the data as
filtered by the category values that qualify as the top or bottom value.
By default, your new rank is applied automatically to the report object.

You can add more than one rank to a report object, as long as the first rank is
not a Detail rank, or an All visible categories rank.
462 Chapter 48 / Ranking Values in Reports
Here is an example of a pie chart that shows the profit for multiple product lines
before a rank is applied:
Figure 48.1 Pie Chart with Profits for Each Product Line Displayed
Here is the same pie chart after a rank of the top five product lines is added. The
All Other option was selected, so the “Other” slice is not displayed.
Figure 48.2 Pie Chart with Profits for the Top Five Product Lines Displayed
Delete a Rank
To delete a rank, click on the rank on the Ranks tab.
You can also right-click on the report object, and select Delete Rank, as long as
there is only one rank for the report object.
463
49
Working with Parameters in Reports
Overview of Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 463
Where Parameters Can Be Used in the Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 464
Create a New Parameter for a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 465
Edit a Parameter for a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 466
Delete a Parameter for a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 466
Example: Using Parameters in a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 467
Example: Using a Numeric Parameter in a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 468
Overview of Parameters
A parameter is a variable whose value can be changed and that can be
referenced by other report objects. The SAS Visual Analytics Designer (the
designer) supports parameters for controls in reports. If a control has an
associated parameter, then when the value of the control changes, the
parameter is assigned that changed value. When the value of the parameter
changes, any report objects that reference the parameter detect the change
accordingly.
Starting in the 7.4 release, you can create parameters for date and datetime
data items. You can also create parameters that store multiple values.
Here are some key points about parameters:
n The type of parameter is required to match the type of data that is assigned
to the control.
n If you duplicate a control with a parameter, the parameter is not copied from
the original control.
n You cannot delete a parameter that is being used by a calculation, rank, filter,
display rule, or text object.
Whenever a parameter value is updated, then all display rules, ranks,
calculations, and filters that use that parameter are updated. Any report object in
the report that uses the display rule, rank, calculation, or filter is updated
accordingly. For an example of how parameters can be used in a complex
report, see “Example: Using Parameters in a Report” on page 467.
464 Chapter 49 / Working with Parameters in Reports
Where Parameters Can Be Used in the

Designer
You can use parameters in calculations, display rules, filters, and ranks. You can
create, modify, and manage parameters using the Data tab in the left pane.
The following controls in the designer support parameters:
n The drop-down list control accepts any single-value parameter.
n The list control accepts multiple-value parameters only when multiple-

selection is enabled.
n The button bar control accepts any single-value parameter.
n The text input field control supports character or numeric parameters. It does
not support date or datetime parameters.
n The slider (single-point only) accepts numeric, date, and datetime
parameters. It does not accept month or date and time format parameters.
You can assign a numeric parameter to a slider control or text input control.
However, if the category data assigned to the control is also a numeric type,
then you can assign a numeric parameter to a drop-down list control, list control,
or button bar control. A numeric category data item is one that started as a
measure data item, but then its classification property changed from Measure to
Category. For more information, see “Example: Using a Numeric Parameter in a
Report” on page 468.
Parameters can be used with the following features in the designer:
calculations
calculated items and aggregated measures allow parameters. Parameters
are supported wherever it makes sense to have a numeric, character, date,
or datetime value. Multiple-value parameters can be used with only the In
and NotIn operators.
display rules
numeric parameters can be specified as the value of an expression rule.
Note: Display rules cannot use character, date, datetime, or multiple-value
parameters.
filters (detail filters, aggregated filters, and data source filters)
a numeric, character, date, or datetime value parameter is supported
wherever it makes sense to have a numeric, character, date, or datetime
value. Multiple-value parameters can be used with only the In and NotIn
operators.
The data source filter is a special case. Ordinarily, a data source filter applies
to all of the report objects on the canvas. However, if the data source filter
contains a parameter, then the filter is not applied to the control that has that
parameter assigned to it.
ranks
for a rank, the parameter can be included for the n value of the rank. It is
supported for Top Count or Bottom Count and Top Percent or Bottom
Percent.
Create a New Parameter for a Report 465
Note: Ranks cannot use character, date, datetime, or multiple-value

parameters.
URLs
parameters in a report URL can be modified.
For example, suppose that you have the following URL for a report: http://
host/SASVisualAnalyticsDesigner/?reportPath=%2FUser%20Folders
%2Fsasdemo%2 FMy%20Folder&reportName=Parameterized
%20Calculations%20DR&type=Report.BI&Origin
%20Parameter=Europe&Cost%20of%20gas=3.35
The first parameter is called Origin Parameter, which enables you to
specify a different country name. The second parameter is called Cost of
gas, which enables you to specify different costs to see how different gas
prices change the report.
Note: A parameter cannot be used to pass credentials. However, credentials
can be used as the value of a parameter.
Note: You cannot provide a value for a multiple-value parameter using a
URL parameter.
Create a New Parameter for a Report

To create a new parameter using the Data tab in the left pane:
1 Click , and then select New Parameter. The Create Parameter window is
displayed.
2 (Optional) Modify the Name of the parameter.
3 Select the Type for the parameter. You can select one of the following:
n Numeric
n Character
n Date
n Datetime
n Numeric list
n Character list
n Date list
n Datetime list
For character parameters, you can specify a Current value.

For numeric parameters, specify a Current value. You must also specify the
following options:
n Minimum value (which is required).
n Maximum value (which is required).
n Format.
Click Select to open the Select Format window, where you can select a
Format type, Width, and Decimals. Click OK in the Select Format
window.
For date, datetime, numeric list, date list, and datetime list parameters, select
a Format. The date and datetime parameters also require the following:
n Minimum value
n Maximum value
n Current value
4 Click OK in the Create Parameter window. The icon identifies the new
parameter in the list of data items on the Data tab.
You can create and edit parameters from the filter window and the calculated
item window.
Edit a Parameter for a Report

To edit a parameter:
1 Right-click the parameter on the Data tab, and select Edit Parameter. The
Edit Parameter window is displayed.
2 Make changes to the parameter.
Note: You cannot change a single-selection parameter to a multi-selection

parameter, or vice versa.
Delete a Parameter for a Report

To delete a parameter that is not currently being used by any object:
1 Right-click the parameter on the Data tab, and select Delete Parameter.
2 Click Delete in the confirmation message that is displayed. The parameter is

removed from the list of data items on the Data tab and from any
calculations, filters, display rules, or ranks that were using it.
Example: Using Parameters in a Report 467
Example: Using Parameters in a Report

You can use parameters to design complex reports. Here is an example of a
complex report with parameters:
Figure 49.1 Example: A Report with Parameters
The report has two sliders, a list table, and a bar chart. One slider lets you adjust
the number of miles that you drive each day. The other slider lets you adjust the
price per gallon of gasoline. The results of the selections in the sliders are
calculated, and the values are used in a calculated data item that is displayed in
the list table. For example, you can see what happens to the list table when you
change the parameter for Miles driven per day from 25 to 100.
The values of the calculated data item are also used in the bar chart. The bar
chart has a display rule, (MPG (City) > Miles per day), so that vehicles that have
a fuel economy value that is better than the number of miles that you drive per
day are highlighted.
Example: Using a Numeric Parameter in a

Report
You can use a numeric parameter with a drop-down list control, list control, or
button bar control. This example explains how to create a numeric parameter
and use it with a button bar control in a report.
Suppose that you have a report for the sales of cars at a dealership. You have a
data source that has a column named Cylinders. When your SAS Visual
Analytics administrator loaded the data source, the Cylinders data item was
defined as a measure. You want to add a button bar control to the report that
shows the values for Cylinders, and has a parameter with the Cylinders values
assigned to it.
Follow these steps to use a numeric parameter in your report:
1 Drag a button bar control from the Objects tab, and drop it onto the canvas.
2 Convert the Cylinders data item by right-clicking on it in the Data tab, and
then selecting Category.
3 Create a numeric parameter by following these steps:
a Right-click the Cylinders data item in the Data tab, and then select Create
Parameter from Data Item. The Create Parameter window is displayed.
b (Optional) Modify the Name of the parameter.
c Select Numeric for the Type for the parameter.
d Specify the Minimum value, Maximum value, and Current value for the
numeric parameter.
Here is an example of the Create Parameter window:
e Click OK. The new numeric parameter is added to the Data tab, under
the Parameter heading.
Example: Using a Numeric Parameter in a Report 469
4 Drag the Cylinders data item, and drop it onto the button bar control.
5 Drag the Cylinders parameter, and drop it onto the button bar control. The
button bar is populated with the values for the numeric parameter.
471
50
Maintaining Multi-Section Reports
Overview of Report Sections and Info Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 471
Add a Section to a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 472
Add an Info Window to a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 472
Reorder Report Sections or Info Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 473
Rename a Report Section or an Info Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 473
Duplicate a Report Section or an Info Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 473
Move a Report Object to Another Section or Info Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 474
Delete a Report Section or an Info Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 474
Overview of Report Sections and Info

Windows
Any report in SAS Visual Analytics Designer (the designer) can have multiple
sections. (Sections are like pages.) Multiple sections can be used to present
different views of the data to the person who views the report. Each section has
one or more data sources. You can have one or more report objects in a section.
There is no limit to the number of sections in a report.
Using the designer, you can add a link from a report object to a specific section
in the current report. For more information, see “Create a Link to One or More
Sections in a Report” on page 451.
Section prompts are controls that are placed in the special row area above the
report objects on the canvas. A section prompt automatically filters all of the
other report objects in the same section, as long as the report object uses the
same data source as the section prompt control. For more information, see “Use
a Control to Create a Section Prompt” on page 335.
When a report has an info window, you can provide additional information to a
user who is viewing the report. For example, you might want a list table to
provide additional information for a bar chart, or you might want to provide
additional text about what is displayed in the data for a particular report object. In
the SAS Visual Analytics Viewer (the viewer), a user double-clicks the data (for
that has an info window, and then the additional information is displayed in a
new window in the viewer.
472 Chapter 50 / Maintaining Multi-Section Reports
Info windows can be created only in the designer. A report can have one or more
info windows, which are displayed as private tabs in the designer. Info windows
are identified by the icon on the tab above the canvas. Info windows can
have one or more report objects. You must provide a link to an info window from
an existing report object to display a new window in the viewer.
Note: Section prompts are not allowed in info windows.
Add a Section to a Report

You can add sections to any report, including reports that were created in SAS
Visual Analytics Explorer (the explorer).
To add a new section to a report, click to the right of the first section tab (or
the last section tab that was added) in the report. The new tab appears to the
right of the existing tab (or tabs).
Here is an example of multiple section tabs:
Figure 50.1 Multiple Section Tabs
You can use the Properties tab for the report to add a new section. In the
Sections area, click . The new tab appears to the right of the existing tab (or
tabs).
Add an Info Window to a Report

You can change any report section to an info window as long as the section
does not have section prompts.
Note: If you change an existing report section to an info window, and there are
links to that specific report section, then those links will no longer open that
section.
Here is an example of multiple Info Window tabs:
To add an info window, click on the Section tab, and then select Display as
Info Window. The tab name changes to Info Window. The Properties tab also
updates.
For information about adding a link to an info window, see “Create a Link to One
or More Info Windows in a Report” on page 452.
Duplicate a Report Section or an Info Window 473
Reorder Report Sections or Info Windows

To change the order in which sections or info windows are displayed:
2 Select the report name in the drop-down list.
3 In the Sections area, select the name of a section or an info window. Click
or to reorder the sections or info windows.
Rename a Report Section or an Info

Window
To rename a section or an info window:
1 Right-click the section tab or the info window tab that you want to rename.
Select Rename. The existing name is highlighted.
2 Type a new name, and then press Enter. The new name also appears on the
Properties tab in the right pane.
Alternatively, you can change the name on the Properties tab.
Duplicate a Report Section or an Info

Window
To duplicate a section or an info window:
1 Right-click the section tab or the info window tab that you want to duplicate.
2 Select Duplicate. All of the report objects and the data in the original section
or info window are copied to the duplicate section or info window. The
duplicate appears on a new tab. For example, if the original section’s name is
Marketing Reports, then the duplicate section is named Marketing
Reports (1).
3 Rename the duplicated section or info window using the pop-up menu or the
Properties tab.
474 Chapter 50 / Maintaining Multi-Section Reports
Move a Report Object to Another Section

or Info Window
To move a report object from one section in a report to another section or an info
window, right-click the report object that you want to move. Select Move
<ReportObject> to  <SectionName>, where <ReportObject> is the name of
the report object and <SectionName> is the name of the section tab or the info
window.
TIP You can drag an object from one section and drop it onto the tab for
another section to move it to that section.
Note: You cannot move a section prompt from a section to an info window.
If you move an object to a section with precision layout, then you must manually
move the object to its proper location. All objects are put in the top left corner by
default.
TIP If you move a section prompt from one section to another section in a
report and there are multiple data sources, you must edit the data source
mapping for an interaction to work. Right-click the control, and select Edit
Data Source Mapping. For more information, see “Map Data Sources” on
page 444.
Delete a Report Section or an Info Window

To delete a section or an info window from a report, right-click the tab that you
want to remove. Select Delete.
Alternatively, click on the section tab or info window tab, and then select
Delete <Section Name or Info Window Name>, where <Section Name or
Info Window Name> is the name of the section or the info window. (For
example, Section 1, Info Window 1, and so on.)
Note: The Delete menu option is not available if the report has only one
section.
475
51
Sharing Reports with Other Users
Overview of Sharing Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 475
E-mail a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 476
Printing Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 477
General Considerations for Printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 477
Considerations for Printing a Stored Process or Stored Process Report . . . . . 478
Print a Report, a Report Section, or a Report Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 478
Exporting Content from the Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 480
Overview of Exporting from the Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 480
Export an Image . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 480
Export Data from a List Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 481
Export Data from a Crosstab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 481
Export Data from a Graph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 482
Add Comments to a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 484
Distributing Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 484
Overview of Distributing Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 484
Add a New Report Job . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 485
Create a Report Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 486
Manage Report Distributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 488
Localize Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 488
Overview of Sharing Reports

Depending on your role and capabilities, the SAS Visual Analytics Designer (the
designer) enables you to complete many tasks related to sharing reports. You
can do the following:
n e-mail reports
n print reports
n export images or data from report objects
n add comments to reports
n distribute reports on a schedule
n localize (or translate) labels, tooltips, and other descriptive text in reports
476 Chapter 51 / Sharing Reports with Other Users
E-mail a Report
You can e-mail a link to a report to someone using the designer. Here are some
key points about what happens when a recipient clicks the link to a report:
n If the recipient has already signed in to SAS, the report is displayed when the
report link is clicked.
n If the recipient is not signed in to SAS, they are prompted for a user ID and
password. Starting in the 7.3 release, recipients can sign in as a guest by
clicking Guest on the standard sign-in window for SAS applications.
n If the recipient opens the e-mail message on a PC or Mac with a Flash-
enabled viewer, and then clicks the e-mail link, then the report is displayed in
SAS Visual Analytics Viewer (the viewer).
n If the recipient opens the e-mail message on a mobile device, and then clicks
the e-mail link, then the report is displayed using the SAS Visual Analytics
App (previously called SAS Mobile BI) if the user has it installed.
TIP Recipients who use SAS Home (the home page) can use the
Application Shortcuts setting to specify which application opens the report
when they click on an e-mail link. For more information about settings, refer to
the online Help that is available for the home page.
TIP Recipients who use the classic SAS Visual Analytics home page can use
the Order the actions associated with a content type preference to specify
which application opens the report when you click on an e-mail link. For more
information, see “Specifying Your Preferences for the Classic SAS Visual
Analytics Home Page” on page 637.
To e-mail a report from the designer:
1 Select File  E-mail. The new e-mail message opens in your default e-mail
application.
The designer automatically adds a subject line with the report name. The
URL for the report is automatically generated and appears in the e-mail
message.
Note: Only locally installed e-mail clients are supported. If your default e-
mail application is web-based (for example, Gmail), you cannot e-mail a
report.
2 Add recipients.
3 (Optional) Revise the subject line.
4 (Optional) Revise the e-mail message.
5 Send the e-mail message.

Printing Reports 477
Printing Reports
You can create a PDF for a report, a report section, or a report object. The PDF
can then be printed.
General Considerations for Printing

Here are some considerations for printing:
n Info windows, report prompts, section prompts, and prompt containers are
not included in the PDF. However, any filters that are applied to report objects
in the prompt container are displayed in the appendix.
n Vertical containers print only the currently selected report object. Horizontal
and stack containers might print more than the currently selected report
object if there is enough space.
n Select Expand clipped content to see the all of the content for tables,
crosstabs, gauges, and containers with content that is only partially available
in the layout of the report section. Each report object is displayed on a
separate page at the end of the report.
TIP In the generated PDF, click to see the content that was clipped in
the layout of the report section in the designer.
n If a list table or a crosstab has scroll bars, then some of the scrolled content
might not be printed. However, more columns or rows might be printed than
are visible in the designer. The print feature attempts to fill the space
available on the page in the PDF.
n A list table or crosstab that is printed from the designer might show more
rows than when the same list table or crosstab is printed after the report has
been distributed. This happens because the state of the report in the
designer is taken into consideration when it is printed. The print feature
attempts to match what the user sees in the designer. When you print a
report that has been distributed, there is no report state for the print feature
to match.
n If a report object has a high-cardinality filter, and the Show appendix
information option is selected, then the filter description might be truncated
in the printed appendix.
n A crosstab with more than 5,000 selected cells cannot be printed.
n There can be differences in the fonts in a printed report if the fonts that are
used to create a report do not match the fonts that are available on the
server that generates the PDF.
n If you want to print from the designer using Mozilla Firefox, you must have
Firefox configured to open a link in a new tab instead of in a new window.
Instructions for making this change might vary between Firefox releases, so
refer to the Firefox documentation. As an alternative, you can use a different
supported browser, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer or Google Chrome.
Considerations for Printing a Stored Process or

Stored Process Report
Here are some key points about printing output from a stored process or a
stored process report:
n Output from a stored process starts on a new page.
n The stored process must use the %STPBEGIN and %STPEND macros.
These macros provide standardized functionality for generating and
delivering output from a stored process. For more information, see “Using the
%STPBEGIN and %STPEND Macros” in SAS Stored Processes:
Developer’s Guide.
n PDF security must be turned off for a stored process.
n The stored process report must be configured to produce PDF output. In the
stored process that is referenced by the stored process report, set the
_ODSDEST variable to PDF. Or, define a stored process parameter for the
_ODSDEST variable and configure it with a value of PDF for the stored
process report. It is recommended that you also set the _ODSOPTIONS
variable to notoc to save processing time and to reduce the size of the PDF
produced by the stored process and the final PDF. For more information
about ODS options, see “Using the %STPBEGIN and %STPEND Macros” in
SAS Stored Processes: Developer’s Guide.
Print a Report, a Report Section, or a Report

Object
By default, an appendix is included in the PDF if the report, report section, or
report object has descriptions, filters, warnings, errors, or display rule legends.
To create a PDF that can be printed for a report:
1 Select File  Print to PDF, or click . The Print window is displayed.
2 Select the Paper size, Orientation, and Margins. Your selections are saved
for that report.
If you select Custom for the paper size, you can specify the Height, and
Width of the page. For custom paper sizes, you cannot change the page
orientation.
3 (Optional) Select the Options for your report.

Here are some details about the printing options:
n If you select Include a cover page check box, then the cover page
provides the name of the report (or the label if the report has not been
saved), the date of the print request, the user name, and the number of
pages. Click Add a description to enter additional text for the cover page
in the Cover Page Description Text window.
Note: The description for the cover page is not saved if you click Cancel
in the Print to PDF window.
n If you clear the selection for the Include a cover page check box, any
additional text that you added for the cover page is discarded.
Printing Reports 479
n The Show empty rows and columns in tables option is for both list
tables and crosstabs.
n The Show appendix information option is selected by default if the
report, report section, or report object has parameters, descriptions,
filters, warnings, errors, or display rule legends.
When the Show appendix information option is specified, and the
report, report section, or report object has parameters, descriptions,
filters, warnings, errors, or display rule legends, then an appendix is
created. Each report object that is selected to be included in the PDF is
automatically assigned a value so that you can reference that report
object in the appendix. For example, suppose that you select two report
objects in the Select the items to be printed list. The first report object is
assigned the value A1.1 and the second report object is assigned the
value A1.2. Suppose that the first report object has a description and the
second report object has a filter that has been applied. The first report
object’s description is displayed in the appendix under the A1.1 heading.
The second report object’s filter is displayed in the appendix under the
A1.2 heading.
4 Make your selections in the Select the items to be printed list. You can
select the report, the report sections, or the report objects.
5 Click Print. The PDF is displayed in a browser.
6 (Optional) If you want to save any changes that you made in the Print
window, then save the report.
TIP The print options that you save with the report are used when you
distribute the report to other users. Saved print options can impact the
appearance of the report.
To print a report section, click on the Section tab, and then select Print
<section-name> to PDF.
To print a report object, right-click on the report object in the canvas, and then
select Print <report-object-name> to PDF. A stored process does not have the
same pop-up menu selection.
The following table lists the icons that can appear in the appendix:
Icon Description
Indicates that a report object contains a filter.
Indicates that a report object contains a warning.

Exporting Content from the Designer
Overview of Exporting from the Designer

You can export an image or data from a report object using the designer.
All users who have the Export Data capability can use the designer to export
data from report objects to Microsoft Excel format for future viewing or printing.
This exported output can be saved locally on disk, and then opened in Microsoft
Excel. Or you can choose to create a delimited text file Tab-Separated Values
(*.tsv) or Comma-Separated Values (*.csv) data file.
Here are some key points about exporting from the designer:
n When you export a graph from the designer, you are exporting the data, not
the visual graph representation.
n Not all report objects in the designer support the exporting feature. For
example, you cannot export data from gauges. If the export feature is not
available for a particular report object, the Export <reportObjectName>
menu item does not appear when you right-click on the object.
n The designer does not preserve leading blanks in displayed data or exported
data. However, you can filter for values that contain leading blanks.
n The designer uses the locale of the SAS LASR Analytic Server to export
data.
Export an Image
You can export an image for any list table, crosstab, graph, or gauge in a report.
This is useful if you want to include the image of a report object in a
presentation, such as in Microsoft PowerPoint. Images are saved as PNG files.
Here are key points about exporting an image:
n An exported image does not show ranks or filters that are associated with the
report object.
n The image defaults to the size of the report object in the report.
n The following characters in an image name are converted to an underscore

when the image is exported: / \ : * ? " < > | %
To export an image:
1 If the list table, crosstab, graph, or gauge that you want to export is not
already selected, select it.
2 Right-click the report object, and select Export Image. The Save Image
3 Click Save. A download window is displayed.
4 Enter a name for the PNG file. Click Save.

Exporting Content from the Designer 481
Export Data from a List Table

To export data from a list table:
1 If the list table that you want to export is not already selected, select it.
2 Right-click the list table, and select Export <listTableName>, where

<listTableName> is the name of the report object. The Export or Save As
3 Choose to export All rows or a range of Rows.
4 Choose to export All columns or Selected columns. If you choose

Selected columns, select the check box (or check boxes) to the left of the
column (or columns) that you want to export. At least one column is required.
If you do not select a column, then a message is displayed, and the Export or
Save As window cannot be closed.
5 (Optional) To choose whether the exported data is formatted, either select or

clear the Formatted data check box. This check box is selected by default.
6 If you select Export to, then the only option is Excel 2007 Workbook
(*.xlsx) to create a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet.
7 If you select Save as, choose either Tab-Separated Values (*.tsv) or

Comma-Separated Values (*.csv) to create a data file.
8 Click OK.
9 When you are prompted, choose either to open the file or to save it.
Export Data from a Crosstab

To export data from a crosstab:
1 If the crosstab that you want to export is not already selected, select it.
2 Right-click on the crosstab, and select Export <crosstabName>, where

<crosstabName> is the name of the report object. The Export or Save As

5 (Optional) To choose whether the exported data is formatted, either select or


8 Click OK.
Note: The designer exports data from a crosstab into a list table. This is
different from SAS Visual Analytics Explorer (the explorer), which exports data
from a crosstab into a crosstab.
Export Data from a Graph

Note: You cannot export the actual visual graph. Only the data can be exported.
To export data from a graph:
1 If the graph that you want to export is not already selected, select it.
Exporting Content from the Designer 483
2 Right-click on the graph, and select Export <graphName>, where

<graphName> is the name of the report object. The Export or Save As

5 (Optional) Choose whether the exported data is formatted, either select or

6 (Optional) Choose whether detail data is exported for the graph. If you select
Detailed data, then you can select the columns that you want to export.
Note: The Detailed data option is not available for imported report objects,
custom graph objects that have multiple data definitions, or for any graphs in
which detail data is not allowed.

9 Click OK.
Add Comments to a Report

In the designer, you can add comments to the whole report, but you cannot add
comments to the individual report objects.
TIP You must save a report before you can add comments.
Here are some key points about adding comments to a report:

n If comments have been added to an individual report object using the home
page, the explorer, or the viewer, then those comments cannot be displayed
or edited in the designer.
n If you have the Add or View Comments capability, then you can add or view
comments. You can edit your own comments and respond to other
comments.
Distributing Reports
Overview of Distributing Reports

If you have the Distribute Reports capability, then you can distribute reports
using the designer. Distributing reports automates the process of delivering
updated content to report users. You can distribute reports once or at recurring
intervals, such as daily, multiple times daily, weekly, or monthly. In addition,
distributing reports gives you the ability to create a time event to generate
reports during non-peak hours.
CAUTION! Use only the designer to schedule and distribute SAS Visual
Analytics reports. If you try to use the Schedule Manager plug-in to SAS
Management Console and set an option that is not available in the designer, the
report job might be incompatible with the designer.
When you distribute a report, you are considered the report job owner.
Distributing reports requires two steps. First, you define a report job, which
contains a list of one or more reports, a list of one or more recipients, and an
optional e-mail message. Both the report job owner and the recipient must be
registered and have e-mail addresses stored in metadata because the report
generates using the recipients’ data access rights. Second, you create a
distribution, which contains a report job and a time event. The time event
specifies when and how often the distribution occurs. When a distribution runs, a
history record is created. After you create a distribution, you can schedule,
unschedule, run, delete, and show the history for your distribution.
Recipients receive an e-mail message with one or more reports attached as
PDF files. The e-mail message contains a link to the report.
If you distribute a multi-section report that uses multiple data sources, and one
of the data sources is not accessible to a recipient, then a warning message
about the non-accessible data source is appended to the PDF.
Distributing Reports 485
TIP The print options that you save with a report are used when you
distribute the report to other users.
TIP If you distribute reports to multiple locales or if you receive distributed

reports, then you can specify your User locale in the global SAS preferences.
For more information about setting global SAS preferences, see “Specifying
Your Preferences” on page 9.
Add a New Report Job

To create a new report job:
1 Select File  Distribute Reports. The Distribute Reports window is

displayed.
Note: Only your report jobs are displayed in the New Report Job window. If
another user has already used the name that you enter for the report job, a
warning message is displayed. You must enter a different name for your
report job.
2 Click New Report Job. The New Report Job window is displayed.
3 Enter a Name. The report job name cannot contain blanks, white space, or
these characters: ! " $ % & ' ( ) * . + , / : ; < = > ? @ [ \ ]
^ ` | ~ ‑
Note: Report jobs cannot be renamed.
4 On the Properties tab:

n Click beside the Reports field. Select one or more reports from the list
that is displayed. When you select a report, it is added to the Reports list.
TIP If the report that you want is not displayed in the pop-up list, click
Select another report, and use the Open window to find the report that
you want to distribute.
n Click beside the Recipients field. The Add Recipients window is

displayed. Select one or more users. Click OK to return to the New
Report Job window.
5 On the E-mail Options tab:

n Enter a Subject for the e-mail message. If you leave this field blank, the
name of the first report in the list is used as the subject.
n (Optional) Enter a Message for the body of the e-mail message.
n The Show the report job owner in the message option enables you to
have your name appear in the e-mail message. Because the mail service
cannot display the report job owner’s name in the From field of the e-mail
message, this is the only way to inform recipients who created the report
job.
6 Use the Notifications tab to specify that you want to receive the report job
owner notifications. You can select Send e-mail notification when the
report job starts, Send e-mail notification when the report job ends, or
both.
Note: If there is a warning (for example, when a recipient or a report cannot
be found), then you automatically receive a notification with the details when
the report job ends.
7 Click OK. The report job is displayed in the table in the Distribute Reports
window.
Create a Report Distribution

To create a distribution:
1 Select Distributions in the left pane of the Distribute Reports window.
2 Select a report job, and click Schedule. The Schedule window is displayed.
3 Click New to create a time event. The Specify Schedule Details window is
displayed.
4 Specify whether the distribution should happen One time only or More than
once. By default, a new time event is defined to occur only once at a time
that is approximately five minutes later than the time that you opened the
Specify Schedule Details window.
If you select One time only, then select an Hour and a Minute for the
distribution.
If you select More than once, then specify the details about when the
distribution should occur. The specific fields that are available depend on the
recurrence interval (Hourly, Daily, Weekly, Monthly, or Yearly) that you
select.
n If you select Hourly, then the time is calculated from hour zero on a 24-
hour clock. For example, if you leave Interval hour set to 1, then the data
query runs at hour zero (midnight) and runs each hour.
Select an Interval hour, and then select a Starting hour and Minute.
Distributing Reports 487
The Duration in minutes field is used to specify the maximum number of

minutes after the specified time has been reached that the dependency is
kept in an open state. This value is used when a report job has multiple
dependencies. It specifies a window of time in which distribution remains
open so that other time events can be met. If the report job does not have
multiple dependencies, then it is recommended to use the default
duration of 1 minute.
If needed, specify the range of recurrence (the start date and end date for
distribution). The default is to start at the current date and to not have an
end date.
n If you select Daily, Weekly, Monthly, or Yearly for More than once, then
you can select start times.
Here is an example of a Daily recurrence interval.
The following options are specific to the recurrence interval that you select:
Recurrence Interval Options
Daily Select a number for Interval in days or select Every

weekday for the report job to run.
Weekly Select a number for Interval in weeks, and then

select the day (or days) that you want the report job
to run.
Monthly Select a number for Interval in months, and then

select a Day number or a Week and Day that you
want the report job to run.
Yearly Select a number for Interval in years and the

Month. Then, select a Day number or a Week and
Day that you want the report job to run.
The following options are available for all recurrence intervals:

o Use the Hours and Minutes check boxes to select the times. The
Minutes area contains groupings of 10-minute intervals. Selecting a
check box for a minute grouping selects all of the minutes in that
grouping. Your selections are displayed in the Selected start times
area.
TIP To select individual minutes, expand the grouping.
o The Duration in minutes field is used to specify the maximum

number of minutes after the specified time has been reached that the
dependency is kept in an open state. This value is used when a report
job has multiple dependencies. It specifies a window of time in which
the distribution remains open so that other events can be met. If the
report job does not have multiple dependencies, then it is
recommended to use the default duration of 1 minute.
o If needed, specify the range of recurrence (the start date and end date
for distribution). The default is to start at the current date and to not
have an end date.
For more information, see Scheduling in SAS.
5 Click OK to return to the Schedule window. The new schedule details are
displayed under the Schedule heading.
6 Click OK to return to the Distribute Reports window. The new schedule

details are displayed in the Schedule column.
7 (Optional) Click Run Now to have the distribution run immediately. Click
Close in the information window.
8 Click Close.
Manage Report Distributions

The Distribute Reports window enables you to schedule, unschedule, run now,
delete, and show history for distributions that you own. Only distributions that
contain at least one report job that you own are displayed. (Some distributions
might contain report jobs that other users own, but they are not displayed.)
TIP You can delete a distribution if it contains only report jobs that you own.
To see the history record for a selected distribution that has been run, click
Show History. The Show History window is displayed. You can see the Start
Time, Finish Time, State, and Status Message. Click Close to return to the
Distribute Reports window.
Localize Reports
The designer enables you to localize (or translate) the labels, tooltips, and other
descriptive text that is part of your report. You can export localizable text from
Localize Reports 489
your report so that you can apply one or more translations. You can translate
your report into a new language without removing the text from the designer.
There is no limit to the number of translations that you can add to the report.
TIP If you localize a report and want to see the results immediately, it is
recommended that you set the User locale setting or preference. For
information about settings and the modern home page, refer to the online
Help. For more information about preferences, see “Specify Global
Preferences Using the Classic Home Page” on page 637.
To localize a report:
1 Select File  Save As to save a copy of the report. This enables you to have
a backup copy of your report.
2 Select File  Localize Report. The Localize Report Text window is

displayed. Identifiers, which provide context information, are displayed
beside the original text. The text that is displayed after the equal sign (=) is
the text that you can localize.
Note: You cannot change the original text in the report using the Localize
Report Text window.
The first line in the Localize Report Text window contains the locale identifier,
which is specified by the ISO 693 two-letter language code. If a language is
created for a specific country or region, the language code can be followed
by an underscore ( _ ) and the ISO 693 two-letter country code. In the
preceding screen capture, the en_US country code is displayed.
3 Localize the original text strings. You have the following options:
n Save the text in the Localize Report Text window to a file, modify the file,
and then open the modified file in the Localize Report Text window.
n Modify the text in the Localize Report Text window.
n Copy and paste the text from the Localize Report Text window into an
editor.
CAUTION! All report text is encoded as Unicode characters using the
UTF-8 format. If you export the localizable text to an editor, make sure that the
editor is capable of saving the data as UTF-8.
4 Click Apply to import the translations.

CAUTION! Your report is immediately updated and saved. You cannot
revert to a previous version of the localized text or undo your changes.
Localize Reports 491
The report text is displayed in the browser’s locale or in the User locale that
you specified for your global settings or preferences. For information about
settings and the modern home page, refer to the online Help. For more
information about preferences, see “Specify Global Preferences Using the
Classic Home Page” on page 637.
For step-by-step instructions, examples, and a list of advanced features, see

One Report, Many Languages: Using SAS Visual Analytics to Localize Your
Reports, which is available on the SAS Visual Analytics page on the SAS
support site.
493
Part 7
Creating Custom Graph Objects
Chapter 52
Creating and Using Custom Graph Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 495
Chapter 53
Modifying Custom Graph Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 511
Chapter 54
Graph Builder Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 523
494
495
52
Creating and Using Custom Graph
Objects
About the Graph Builder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 495
About the Graph Template Gallery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 496
Build a Custom Graph Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 497
Working with Roles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 498
About Roles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 498
Create Optional Roles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 498
Types of Roles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 499
Adding a Graph Element to an Existing Graph Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 500
Add an Overlay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 500
Add a Graph Element to a New Row or Column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 501
Incompatible Graph Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 503
Creating a Data-Driven Lattice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 505
About Data-Driven Lattices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 505
Create a Data-Driven Lattice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 506
Save a Custom Graph Object So It Appears in the Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 507
Add a Graph Object to the Designer’s Objects Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 508
Specify Your Preferences for the Graph Builder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 508
About the Graph Builder

SAS Visual Analytics Graph Builder (the graph builder) enables you to create
custom graph objects, which then become available in the SAS Visual Analytics
Designer (the designer) for use in reports.
You can create custom graph objects for all graph types that are used in the
designer. In your custom graph object, you can change the layout, add new
graph elements, modify roles, change the visual properties, and so on. Your
custom graph object is displayed under the Custom heading on the designer's
Objects tab. For more information, see “Save a Custom Graph Object So It
Appears in the Designer” on page 507.
You do not associate real data with the graph objects in the graph builder.
Rather, you build graph objects or templates using sample data that is shipped
496 Chapter 52 / Creating and Using Custom Graph Objects
with the graph builder. Report designers assign data when they include your
graph objects in their reports.
The graph objects that you build have a consistent appearance that is
compatible with the designer’s graph objects. The graph builder enables you to
produce a wide array of graph objects with more options for layouts and visual
properties. Using the graph objects that you build, report designers can create
simple or complex graphical views of their data.
You can do the following in the graph builder:
n drag and drop graph elements onto the canvas. Graph elements include the
plots and charts that are available from the Graph Elements pane.
For a definition and a picture of each available graph element, see “Graphs,
Charts, and Plots” on page 555.
n use a gallery of predefined graph objects as templates from which you can
build and customize custom graph objects. For more information, see “About
the Graph Template Gallery” on page 496.
n combine and arrange the graph elements as needed. For example, you can
layer multiple graph elements in a cell, create a lattice of cells in rows and
columns, or combine these layouts.
There are two types of lattice graphs:
o A data-driven lattice is a multi-cell graph in which the cell data is
determined by the values of one or more class variables. The number of
cells is determined by the unique values of the class variables. Each cell
of the lattice has the same graph elements. However, these graph
elements have different values of the class variables.
o A user-defined lattice is a multi-cell graph in which you create each cell
independently. Each cell can contain different types of plots.
n determine and configure which data roles become available for assignment.
For more information, see “Working with Roles” on page 498.
n specify the visual attributes of the graph elements. You can specify
properties for the graph, the graph cells, for individual graph elements, for the
axes, and for legends. For more information, see “Working with Properties”
on page 517.
About the Graph Template Gallery

The graph builder includes a gallery that contains predefined graph objects.
Using these predefined graph objects as templates, you can build and customize
custom graph objects. The templates provide a useful starting point for creating
interesting or complex graph objects.
TIP All of the graph objects in the gallery are available as is for use in
reports. However, these graph objects are not all displayed in the designer by
default. Use the designer’s Show or Hide Objects window to display the graph
objects on the designer’s Objects tab.
Build a Custom Graph Object 497
Here are the main features of the gallery:

n By default, the gallery is displayed when you start the graph builder. You can
disable this feature by selecting the Don’t show this window at start-up
check box in the window. You can also change the default setting in your
preferences. For more information, see “Specify Your Preferences for the
Graph Builder” on page 508.
n If the gallery is not displayed, select File  New from Gallery to display it.
n In the gallery, select a category in the left pane to see the available graph
objects. You can then select the appropriate graph object from the right pane.
For more information, see “Build a Custom Graph Object” on page 497.
n Some of the gallery graphs are created as data-driven lattices. When you
select one of these graphs from the gallery, row and column lattice roles are
automatically created. If you want to create a user-defined lattice from one of
these gallery graphs, you must first delete the row and column lattice roles.
Build a Custom Graph Object
To build a custom graph object:
1 Do either of the following:

n Drag and drop a graph element from the Graph Elements pane onto the
blank canvas.
n Select a graph object from the gallery.
1 If the gallery is not displayed, select File  New from Gallery to

display it.
2 Select a category in the left pane to see the available graph objects.
The All category shows all of the graph objects that are in the gallery.
3 When you find the graph object that you want, select the object, and
click OK.
Note: Some of the gallery graphs are created as data-driven lattices. For
more information, see “About the Graph Template Gallery” on page 496.
Sample data is used in the graph object. The report designer assigns real
data when he or she includes the graph object in a report.
2 (Optional) On the Role Definitions tab, you can define roles for the graph
object.
You have the following options:
n Provide more descriptive names for the default roles.
n Click Add Role to add more roles.
n Create a data-driven lattice by adding a lattice role. For more information,

see “Creating a Data-Driven Lattice ” on page 505.
3 (Optional) You can add additional graph elements to the graph object. See
“Adding a Graph Element to an Existing Graph Object” on page 500.
4 (Optional) You can change the properties for the graph object, the cell, the
graph element, the legend, or one or more axes. Select the item, and make
your changes on the Properties tab.
5 Save the graph object. Depending on where you save the graph object, it
might be immediately displayed on the Objects tab in SAS Visual Analytics
Designer (the designer). For more information, see “Save a Custom Graph
Object So It Appears in the Designer” on page 507.
Working with Roles
About Roles
When you create a custom graph object, you determine which data roles
become available for assignment. However, you do not assign data to those
roles in the graph builder. When the graph object becomes available to report
designers for use in their reports, the report designers assign data items to the
available roles.
Create Optional Roles

When you drag and drop a graph element onto the canvas, the required roles for
that graph element are created on the Role Definitions tab. You can create
additional, optional roles.
To create an optional role:
1 On the Role Definitions tab, click Add Role. The Add Role window is
displayed. The contents of the Add Role window vary depending on the
current graph element.
2 Select the type of role that you want to create. For more information, see
“Types of Roles” on page 499.
3 (Optional) You can change the default role name to provide a more
meaningful name.
4 Select the data type, or classification, for the role. For information about the
data types, see “Working with Data Items in a Report” on page 363.
5 (Optional) Select Required to require report designers to assign data to the

role. If this option is not selected, then report designers can choose whether
to assign data to the role.
6 If the Allow multiple data assignments check box is available, then you
can select or clear the check box. When this option is selected, the role can
have more than one measure assigned. For example, in a line chart, if
multiple measures are assigned to the Y axis, then the graph shows a line for
each measure.
7 Click OK.
Working with Roles 499
Types of Roles
In addition to the standard roles, such as Time, X, or Category, you can add the
following roles by clicking Add Role on the Role Definitions tab. The roles that
are available depend on the type of graph element.
n The Color role specifies a data column that is used to color the data.
The following example shows the heights of a group of students. A student’s

gender is specified for the Color role.
The Color role can be any data type. In this example, the Color role is
assigned a Category data type.
Note: When you add the Color role to a graph element in a data-driven
lattice, the Measure data type is not always available. The Measure data type
is not available for a bar chart, a waterfall chart, or a scatter plot.
In some graph elements, such as a bar chart, the Group role also colors the
graph based on the values of the group variable. In those graph elements,
the Color role is used to color the data across a color gradient as shown in
the following example. In this case, the Color role must be a Measure data
type.
In this example, the color gradient indicates the age range of the students.
n The Group role specifies a data column that is used to group the data. The
graph elements for each unique group value are automatically distinguished
by different visual attributes, such as color, line style, and so on. The Group
role can be a Category data type or a Datetime data type.
n The Data Label role specifies a data column that is used for data labels.
n The Data Tip role specifies a data column that is used for data tips. The Data
Tip role must be numeric.
n The Target role specifies a data column that is used to generate a targeted
bar chart. A targeted bar chart compares data that is summarized by the
value of a category in reference to target values.
Adding a Graph Element to an Existing

Graph Object
You have two options for adding a graph element to an existing graph object.
You can overlay the new graph element on top of an existing graph element. Or,
you can add the graph element so that it creates a cell in a new row or column.
Add an Overlay
In an overlay, one graph element is superimposed on another graph element.
You can add an overlaid graph element to a single-cell graph as well as to a
lattice.
In this example, a step plot is overlaid on a bar chart. The example shows the
graph element with data assigned to it.
Figure 52.1 Step Plot Overlaid on a Bar Chart
To create an overlay:
1 Drag and drop a graph element from the Graph Elements pane onto the
canvas.
Adding a Graph Element to an Existing Graph Object 501
2 Drag and drop a second graph element directly onto the existing graph
element.
If the graph elements are compatible, they are automatically assigned a
shared role. This enables both graph elements to have a common X axis
role. You can unshare the shared role if needed.
Some graph elements, such as the pie chart and the treemap, cannot be
layered in an overlay. A message is displayed when you try to drag and drop
these types of graph elements.
For more information, see the following topics:
n “Incompatible Graph Elements” on page 503
n “Sharing Data Roles” on page 520
3 (Optional) On the Role Definitions tab, you can change the default role
names to provide more meaningful names.
TIP The graph elements are layered in the order in which they were added to
the canvas. You can change the order by moving a graph element to the front
or the back. For more information, see “Change the Order of Graph Elements
in a Cell” on page 513.
Add a Graph Element to a New Row or Column

A graph element can be added so that it creates a cell in a new row or column.
This arrangement results in a graph object with more than one cell. It is called a
user-defined lattice. In a user-defined lattice, each cell is created independently
and can contain different types of graph elements. Cells are aligned in rows and
columns that you create by dragging and dropping graph elements.
Note: You cannot create new rows or columns in a data-driven lattice. For a
description of a data-driven lattice, see “About Data-Driven Lattices ” on page
505.
This example shows a user-defined lattice with four cells. One of the cells is
empty. The example shows the graph element with data assigned to it.
Figure 52.2 User-Defined Lattice
To create a user-defined lattice:
canvas. The graph element is created in the center of the graph area of the
canvas.
2 Drag and drop another graph element onto the canvas as follows:
n Drag and drop the graph element onto the right or left border of the
existing graph to create a new column. The area becomes shaded to
indicate the location of the new column.
n Drag and drop the graph element onto the top or bottom border of the
existing graph to create a new row.
Incompatible Graph Elements 503
3 To add more cells, continue dragging and dropping graph elements onto the
borders of the existing graph to create new columns or rows. You can drag
and drop a graph element onto the area between two columns to insert a
new column. Or, you can drag and drop a graph element onto the area
between two rows to insert a new row. If the existing graph contains a lattice
with an empty cell, you can drag and drop the graph element into that empty
cell.
You can create up to 10 rows and 10 columns.
Incompatible Graph Elements

Some graph elements can be layered in an overlay with one graph element
superimposed on another. Other graph elements, however, are incompatible.
They cannot be layered in the same cell. The following table shows which graph
elements cannot be layered in the same cell.
Note: Pie charts and treemaps are not compatible with any other graph
elements. They are not listed in the table.
Table 52.1 Graph Element Type Incompatibility
Graph Element Not Compatible
Band plot Bar chart, horizontal

Schedule chart
Bar chart, horizontal Band plot

Bar chart, vertical
Line chart
Needle plot
Schedule chart
Vector plot
Waterfall chart
Bar chart, vertical Bar chart, horizontal

Schedule chart
Vector plot
Bubble plot (Compatible with all graph elements except pie

charts and treemaps)
Line chart Bar chart, horizontal

Schedule chart
Vector plot
Needle plot Bar chart, horizontal

Schedule chart
Scatter plot (Compatible with all graph elements except pie

Schedule chart Band plot

Bar chart, horizontal
Bar chart, vertical
Line chart
Needle plot
Step plot
Time series plot
Vector plot
Waterfall chart
Series plot (Compatible with all graph elements except pie

Step plot Schedule chart
Time series plot Schedule chart
Vector plot Bar chart, horizontal

Bar chart, vertical
Line chart
Schedule chart
Waterfall chart
Creating a Data-Driven Lattice 505
Waterfall chart* Bar chart, horizontal

Schedule chart
Vector plot
Waterfall chart
* The waterfall chart requires the X axis to have a shared role to avoid unpredictable results.
Creating a Data-Driven Lattice
About Data-Driven Lattices

A data-driven lattice is a multi-cell graph in which the cell data is determined by
the values of one or more class variables. Class variables are specified in the
designer when the report designer creates a report that includes the lattice. The
number of cells is determined by the unique values of the class variables. Each
cell of the lattice has the same graph elements. However, these graph elements
have different values of the class variables.
The following example shows a graph with data assigned to it. The custom
graph object includes a data-driven lattice with a columnar role. The graph
object allows multiple data assignments for the Measure role.
Figure 52.3 Data-Driven Lattice Multi-Cell Graph
In the report, the graph object includes a three-cell lattice of bar charts showing
engine size and miles per gallon for different types of automobiles. The country
of origin is specified as the class variable. As a result, a cell is created for each
country of origin.
The following example shows the graph object that was created in the graph
builder. The lattice role was specified for columns.
Here are the characteristics of data-driven lattices:

n You can define up to two lattice roles: one role for the rows and another role
for the columns. When the report designer uses the lattice in a report, the
class variables are assigned to the lattice roles. All class variables must
come from a single data source. The number of rows and columns in the
graph is determined by the unique values of the class variables.
n If you specify that the role is required, then a report designer must assign
data to the role.
If this option is not selected, then report designers can choose whether to
assign data to the role. In that case, it is possible for a graph object to have
no lattice.
n Graph elements can be overlaid the same way they are overlaid in single-cell
or user-defined multi-cell graphs. When the report designer adds a lattice to
a report, the overlaid graph element is displayed in every cell.
n Properties that you specify for graph elements are applied to all of the cells of
the graph object.
Create a Data-Driven Lattice

To create a data-driven lattice:
1 Create the graph object that you want as the basis for your lattice. For more
information, see “Build a Custom Graph Object” on page 497.
3 Specify the role for a class variable. In the Data-Driven Lattice section of the
Role Definitions tab, click Add Lattice Role.
The Add Role window is displayed.
Save a Custom Graph Object So It Appears in the Designer 507
The Data-Driven Lattice section is not available in either of the following

cases:
n the graph object already contains more than one cell
n a Color role with a Measure data type has been added to the bar chart,
waterfall chart, or scatter plot
In addition, data-driven lattices do not allow graph elements to be overlaid
unless their aggregations are compatible. Graph elements with compatible
aggregations either perform no aggregation at all or they use the same set of
shared Category roles.
4 For the Role Type, select Row or Column to specify the layout for the cells.
5 Specify a role name or use the default name.
6 Select the data type, or classification, for the role. For information about the
data types, see “Working with Data Items in a Report” on page 363.
7 (Optional) Select Required to require report designers to assign data to the

role. If this option is not selected, then report designers can choose whether
to assign data to the role. In that case, it is possible for a graph to have no
lattice.
8 If the Allow multiple data assignments check box is available, then you
can select or clear the check box. When this option is selected, the role can
have more than one measure assigned. For example, in a line chart, if
multiple columns are assigned to the Y axis, then the graph shows a line for
each measure.
9 Click OK.
Repeat the previous steps to specify a second role. For example, if you specified
a role for a multi-row layout, you can specify an additional role for columns.
Save a Custom Graph Object So It Appears

in the Designer
Custom graph objects are saved when you select either File  Save or File 
Save As. Graph objects that are saved in the My Folder location are
automatically displayed in the list of Custom objects on the designer’s Objects
tab.
Graph objects that you save in public folders are not automatically displayed on
the Objects tab. However, you can add the graph objects manually. For more
information, see “Add a Graph Object to the Designer’s Objects Tab” on page
508.
Add a Graph Object to the Designer’s

Objects Tab
Custom graph objects that are saved in the My Folder location are
automatically added to the designer’s Objects tab. Custom graph objects that
you save in public folders are not automatically displayed on the Objects tab.
However, you can add the graph objects manually.
TIP All of the graph objects in the gallery are available in the designer.
However, by default, not all of these graph objects are displayed on the
designer’s Objects tab. Use the designer’s Show or Hide Objects window to
display any of these graph objects on the designer’s Objects tab.
To add a graph object to the designer’s Objects tab:
1 On the Objects tab in the designer, click , and select Show or Hide
Objects. The Show or Hide Objects window is displayed.
2 Click Select Custom. The Choose an Item window is displayed.
3 Navigate to the graph object that you want to add.
4 (Optional) To search for a graph object, do the following:
a Click in the toolbar. The Search window is displayed.
b Enter the name of the graph object that you want to find.
c Click Search.
TIP As an alternative, you can search for all graph objects. Specify Graph
template for Type.
5 Select the graph object, and click OK.

The selected graph object is now displayed with a check mark in the Show or
Hide Objects window.
6 Click OK. The Objects tab is updated.
Specify Your Preferences for the Graph

Builder
To specify preferences that are specific to the graph builder:
1 In the graph builder, select File  Preferences to open the Preferences

window.
2 Select SAS Visual Analytics Graph Builder.

Specify Your Preferences for the Graph Builder 509
3 Select or deselect Show template gallery at start-up. The gallery contains

predefined graph objects as templates from which you can build and
customize custom graph objects.
4 Click OK.
To specify global SAS preferences, see “Specifying Your Preferences” on page

9. To specify general preferences for SAS Visual Analytics, see “Specify Settings
511
53
Modifying Custom Graph Objects
Change a Custom Graph That Has Been Saved . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 511
Select Components and Elements of a Graph Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 512
Change the Order of Graph Elements in a Cell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 513
Remove a Graph Element . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 514
Working with User-Defined Lattices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 514
About User-Defined Lattices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 514
Move a Graph Element from One Cell to Another Cell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 515
Resize a Row or a Column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 515
Add a Row or a Column to a Lattice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 515
Remove a Cell or a Graph Element in the Cell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 516
Move or Delete a Row or a Column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 516
Working with Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517
About Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517
About Style Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517
Create an Overview Axis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 518
Change Attribute Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 519
Sharing Data Roles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 520
About Shared Data Roles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 520
Share or Unshare a Data Role . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 521
Change a Custom Graph That Has Been

Saved
When you save a custom graph object, depending on where you save it, it might
be immediately displayed on the Objects tab in SAS Visual Analytics Designer
(the designer). For more information, see “Save a Custom Graph Object So It
Appears in the Designer” on page 507.
To change a graph that has been saved, do either of the following:
n Right-click the graph object in the designer, and select Edit Custom Graph.
n Select File  Open, and then locate and open the file for your graph object.
Note: Any changes that you make to the graph object do not appear in existing
reports that were created from the original graph object. However, new reports
512 Chapter 53 / Modifying Custom Graph Objects
that are created after a modified graph object has been saved reflect the
changes to the graph object.
Select Components and Elements of a

Graph Object
To change the properties of a graph element such as a bar chart, you must first
select the graph element. Similarly, to change the properties of a legend or an
axis, you must first select the component.
When you select a component in a graph object, the selected component is
highlighted. The component is also displayed in the drop-down list at the top of
the Properties tab. The available properties vary depending on the selected
component.
The following display shows a highlighted bar chart. The Properties tab displays
the properties for the bar chart, which is identified as Bar Chart 1.
TIP You can click beside the drop-down list on the Properties tab, and
then select the component that you want to modify.
Here are some suggestions for selecting graph elements:

n To select a line chart or a time series plot, click a data point on a line.
n To select the entire graph object, click above the graph element or cell area.
n To select a cell in a multi-cell graph object, click the background area just
above the graph element. The cell is highlighted, and a tab appears in the
upper left corner of the cell. From the cell’s tab, you can delete and reorder
graph elements. You can move graph elements to other cells.
Change the Order of Graph Elements in a Cell 513
In a multi-cell graph object, cells are identified by a combination of a letter and a

number, such as A1, B1, A2, and so on. The letters identify columns and the
numbers identify rows. The following table represents the labeling for a multi-cell
graph object that contains three columns and three rows:
A1 B1 C1
A2 B2 C2
A3 B3 C3
Change the Order of Graph Elements in a

Cell
When you overlay a graph element on top of another, the graph elements are
layered with the last one added on top. For example, suppose that you create a
graph object with a line chart, and then you add a bar chart. Because the bar
chart was added last, it appears in front of the line chart. Depending on the data
that is assigned to the graph elements in the designer, the bar chart might
obscure part of the line chart. You can reorder the graph elements so that the
line chart appears in front of the bar chart.
To change the order of the graph elements in a cell:
1 From the drop-down list at the top of the Properties tab, select the cell that
you want to change. Cells are identified by a combination of a letter and a
number, such as A1, B1, A2, and so on. For more information, see “Select
Components and Elements of a Graph Object” on page 512.
In the Graph Elements area on the Properties tab, the graph elements in
the cell are listed in the order in which they were added to the cell.
2 Drag a graph element to a new position.

Remove a Graph Element

To remove a graph element from a graph object, right-click the graph element,
and select Remove graph element name.
Note: In a user-defined lattice, you can remove graph elements using the cell’s
tab. For more information, see “Remove a Cell or a Graph Element in the Cell”
on page 516.
Working with User-Defined Lattices
About User-Defined Lattices

A user-defined lattice is a multi-cell graph in which each cell is created
independently. And, each cell can contain different types of graph elements.
Cells are aligned in rows and columns that you create by dragging and dropping
graph elements.
The following example shows four cells arranged in two rows and two columns.
Letters identify the columns and numbers identify the rows.
Figure 53.1 User-Defined Lattice
When you select a cell, a tab appears in the upper left corner of the cell. From
the cell’s tab, you can delete the cell and its contents by clicking . If you click
Working with User-Defined Lattices 515
, the graph elements in the cell are listed. From this list, you can delete and
reorder the graph elements. You can move graph elements to other cells.
For more information about selecting cells and how they are labeled in the
graph, see “Select Components and Elements of a Graph Object” on page 512.
Move a Graph Element from One Cell to Another

Cell
To move a graph element to a different cell:
1 Select the cell whose graph element you want to move. For more
information, see “Select Components and Elements of a Graph Object” on
page 512.
2 In the cell’s tab, click to list the graph elements in the cell.
3 Drag and drop a graph element from one cell into the target cell.
You can also drag and drop the graph element so that it creates a new row or
new column. For more information, see “Add a Graph Element to a New Row
or Column” on page 501.
Resize a Row or a Column

You can change the width of a column and the height of a row in a user-defined
lattice. For example, you might want a particular column to be wider than the
others.
To resize a row:
1 Select between the row that you want to change and an adjacent row.
2 Drag the handle upward or downward to change the row height.
To resize a column:
1 Select between the column that you want to change and an adjacent
column.
2 Drag the handle left or right to change the column width.
Add a Row or a Column to a Lattice

To add a new row or column to a lattice, drag and drop a graph element to the
location where you want the new row or column. For more information, see “Add
a Graph Element to a New Row or Column” on page 501.
You can also move a graph element from a row or column to another row or
column. For more information, see “Move a Graph Element from One Cell to
Another Cell” on page 515.
Remove a Cell or a Graph Element in the Cell

You can remove a graph element from the cell. You can also remove the cell
itself.
1 Select the cell.
2 To remove a graph element from the cell:
a Click to list the graph elements in the cell.
b Click next to the graph element.
You can also right-click the graph element, and select Delete.
3 To remove the cell, click on the cell’s tab.

The cell and its contents are removed. If the cell is the only cell in a row or
column, then the respective row or column is removed as well.
Move or Delete a Row or a Column

In a graph, a heading contains a letter that identifies the column and a number
that identifies the row.
From the headings, you can move and delete columns and rows. When you
move a column or row, the column or row switches places with the adjacent
column or row. For example, if you move column B to the left, column B switches
places with column A.
To more or delete a column or row:
1 Select the graph.
2 Position the cursor over a heading. A button and arrows are displayed on the
heading.
The following example shows a column heading that contains a button to
delete the column and arrows to move the column. The button to move the
column to the left is unavailable.
3 To delete the column or row, click .
4 To move the column or row, click an arrow.
n Click or to move a column left or right.

n Click or to move a row up or down.
Working with Properties 517
Some arrows might not be available. For example, the leftmost column can
be moved only to the right, as is the case in the previous example. Only is
available for the column.
Working with Properties
About Properties
The Properties tab lists the properties for the selected graph component.
Components that have properties include graph elements, cells, axes, legends,
and the entire graph. Properties enable you to control the overall appearance of
your graph, from the graph’s background color to the tick value interval on the
axis. Report designers can override some properties in their report.
To change the properties for a graph object, cell, graph element, legend, or one
or more axes, select the item, and make your changes on the Properties tab.
See Also
“Select Components and Elements of a Graph Object” on page 512
About Style Properties

The color schemes and visual attributes for a graph come from the active report
theme, which is a named collection of style elements. Each style element
contains attributes such as fill color, marker symbol, line style, font face, and
many others. Each part of a graph element, such as a marker, a bar, a line, or a
label, derives its visual attributes from a specific style element from the active
report theme. Similarly, the attributes for axes and legends come from a style
element.
The style elements are developed to produce effective graphics without
changing the default settings. However, you can change the default settings by
changing style properties on the Properties tab. When you specify a style
property, such as a color or font style, you are changing the style element that is
applied to the graph component.
The following display shows the available style elements for bar chart labels.
The list of style elements is displayed when you click beside the Data label
font color drop-down list on the Properties tab.
Each color is shown in the list beside its style element. Automatic indicates the
default value for the graph element. Automatic enables the graph element to
cycle through a list of colors provided for group colors and multi-response colors.
Visual attributes that are referenced by a style element provide consistency

within the report theme. If you later change the report theme, the graph element
is compatible with the new theme. In addition, some of the properties that you
specify can be overridden by report designers when they use your graph objects
in their reports.
Create an Overview Axis

The overview axes that you create in the graph builder are similar to the
overview axes that you create in the designer. In addition, you can do the
following:
n select specific graph elements from the main graph to show in the overview
axis
n select completely different graph elements from the main graph to show in
the overview axis
To create an overview axis:
canvas.
You can drag and drop another graph element to create an overlay. However,
do not create a new cell for this additional graph element. You cannot create
an overview axis when the graph object contains more than one cell.
2 Select the graph object.
3 On the Properties tab, select the Show overview axis check box.
The graph object displays the overview axis beneath the existing graph
elements. By default, the existing graph elements are displayed in the
overview axis, as shown in the following example:
4 To display different graph elements in the overview axis, do the following:
a On the Properties tab, select Specify graph elements from Contents.
b Drag and drop one or more graph elements from the Graph Elements
pane onto the overview axis area of the canvas.
Working with Properties 519
The graph element names that you added are displayed in the Graph
elements section on the Properties tab.
c If you added more than one graph element to the overview axis area, you
can change the order of the graph elements by dragging and dropping a
graph element to a different position.
Change Attribute Rotation

When you apply a group role to your graph element, by default, the graph
builder rotates through predefined style elements to determine how to present
each unique group value. This type of rotation also occurs when multiple
response roles are assigned to the graph element or when graph elements are
overlaid.
When the graph element is rendered, the attributes for colors, line patterns, and
marker symbols are rotated for the values in your group. Whether you change
the attributes or keep the default attribute values, the manner in which the
attributes are combined is determined by the attribute rotation priority.
To change the attribute rotation priority:
1 Select the graph object. For more information, see “Select Components and
Elements of a Graph Object” on page 512.
2 On the Properties tab, select an option from Attribute rotation priority.
You have two options for the attribute rotation priority:
Rotate color only attributes such as marker symbols and line patterns are
until all colors held constant while each color in the list is applied
used exhaustively to the graph element.
Rotate all each attribute rotates through its own list to generate a
attributes unique combination for each group value. Attributes
include colors, marker symbols, line patterns, and so
on.
For example, the following figure shows an example rotation for an age
grouping. The dotted-line pattern is held constant while red, green, and blue
colors are applied to the dotted lines for the consecutive age group values. If
there are more group values, red, green, and blue colors are applied to the solid
lines.
If you change the rotation pattern, and specify Rotate all attributes for the
attribute rotation priority, the contrasting colors and line patterns are rotated at
the same time.
A red dotted-line pattern is applied to the first group crossing. Then, a green
solid-line pattern is applied to the second crossing, a blue dotted-line pattern is
applied to the third crossing, and so on.
Sharing Data Roles
About Shared Data Roles

If your graph object contains multiple graph elements, you can specify that some
data roles be shared across two or more graph elements. You share data roles
when you want the graph elements to use the same data role for either of their
axes. When report designers who use the graph object in their reports assign
roles, a single data column is assigned to all roles that use the shared role.
Note: If the graph element types are compatible, overlaid graph elements are
automatically assigned a shared role. (See “Incompatible Graph Elements” on
page 503.) You can unshare a role if needed.
Shared roles are very useful in user-defined lattices. They enable you to
manage data roles across columns and rows. For example, you might share
data roles if you want to analyze relationships in your data.
In this example, the X axis of the scatter plot shares a role with the Measure axis
of the bar chart.
When the graph object is used in the designer, the data might be applied as
shown in the following example.
Sharing Data Roles 521
The bar chart shows engine sizes for different regions of the world. (The engine
size has been changed from a Sum to an Average measure.) The scatter plot
shows the miles-per-gallon trend for the different engine sizes.
Share or Unshare a Data Role

To share a data role, on the Role Definitions tab, click next to the role that
you want to share. Select Create Shared Role With Another Role and then
select the name of a role.
You can also click Add Shared Role, and then create and share the data role.
To unshare a data role, click next to the shared role, and select Unshare.
523
54
Graph Builder Examples
Example: Data-Driven Lattice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 523
About the Data-Driven Lattice Example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 523
Build the Graph Object for the Data-Driven Lattice Example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 524
Example: User-Defined Lattice (Butterfly Chart) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 525
About the User-Defined Lattice Example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 525
Build the Graph Object for the User-Defined Lattice Example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 525
Example: Filled Overlay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 528
About the Filled Overlay Example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 528
Build the Graph Object for the Filled Overlay Example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 529
Example: Vector Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 529
About the Vector Plot Example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 529
Build the Graph Object for the Vector Plot Example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 530
Example: Data-Driven Lattice
About the Data-Driven Lattice Example

This example shows the sales for a line of retail products over a period of time.
The custom graph object specifies a row-based lattice in which the rows
correspond to the corporate divisions that are responsible for the sales. The
corporation has two divisions, resulting in a graph with two rows.
524 Chapter 54 / Graph Builder Examples
Figure 54.1 Example Data-Driven Lattice
Build the Graph Object for the Data-Driven Lattice

Example
1 In the graph builder, drag and drop a line chart from the Graph Elements
pane onto the canvas.
2 On the Role Definitions tab, click next to Category, and select Edit
Role. The Edit Role window is displayed.
3 Select Datetime for Classification.
Click OK.
Specifying Datetime forces the report designer to assign date and time data
to the Category role.
4 Specify the role to which a class variable is assigned.
a In the Data-Driven Lattice section on the Role Definitions tab, click Add
Lattice Role. The Add Role window is displayed.
b Select Row for Role Type.
c Select Category for Classification.

Example: User-Defined Lattice (Butterfly Chart) 525
d Select Required. With this option selected, the report designer must
assign data to this role to render the report with data assigned.
e Click OK.
5 Save the graph object. See “Save a Custom Graph Object So It Appears in
Example: User-Defined Lattice (Butterfly

Chart)
About the User-Defined Lattice Example

This example uses a butterfly chart to show the actual sales compared to the
predicted sales for a line of retail products. The butterfly chart is useful for
comparing two unique values. In this chart, the two values are arranged on each
side of the Y axis.
Figure 54.2 Example User-Defined Lattice
Build the Graph Object for the User-Defined

Lattice Example
TIP As a shortcut, you can select a butterfly chart from the graph gallery.
1 In the graph builder, drag and drop a bar chart from the Graph Elements
2 Drag and drop a second bar chart from the Graph Elements pane onto the
left edge of the canvas. This action creates a new column for the second bar
chart.
3 Share the category roles. On the Role Definitions tab, click next to the
Category for either bar chart. Select Create Shared Role With Another
Role and then select the other category role.
The Add Shared Role window is displayed.
Click OK.
4 Change both bar charts to a horizontal layout.
a Select a bar chart.
b On the Properties tab, click next to Direction, and select Horizontal.
c Repeat the previous two steps for the other bar chart.
5 Specify a uniform column and row axis.
a Select the full graph. (Custom Graph should be displayed on the

Properties tab).
b On the Properties tab, click next to Y axis range (left axis only), and
select Same within each row.
c On the Properties tab, click next to X axis range, and select Same
for all cells.
The bar charts should resemble the following:
6 Reverse the order of the X (Measure) axis for the left bar chart.
a Click the horizontal axis for the left bar chart.
b On the Properties tab, select Reverse order.

Example: User-Defined Lattice (Butterfly Chart) 527
The bar charts resemble the following:
7 Change the color of the right bar chart to distinguish it from the left bar chart.
a Select the right bar chart.
b On the Properties tab, click next to Fill color, and select Data color
3. The right bar chart changes to a different color. In the default theme,
the color is deep red.
8 Display the grid lines for the X axes.
a Click the horizontal axis for the left bar chart.
b On the Properties tab, select Show grid lines.
c Repeat the previous two steps for the right bar chart.
The final graph object, complete with the legend, resembles the following:
Example: Filled Overlay
About the Filled Overlay Example

This example uses two time series plots to show actual sales compared to
predicted sales for a line of retail products. The graph is enhanced by applying a
filled area to one of the overlaid plots.
Figure 54.3 Example Filled Overlay

Example: Vector Plot 529
Build the Graph Object for the Filled Overlay

Example
1 In the graph builder, drag and drop a time series plot from the Graph
Elements pane onto the canvas.
2 Drag and drop a second time series plot from the Graph Elements pane
onto the first time series plot. This action creates an overlaid plot.
Note: When you overlay the plots, the Time role is automatically shared
between the plots.
3 Specify a fill area for the first time series plot.
a Select the first time series plot. (On the Properties tab, the plot might be
identified as Time Series Plot 1.)
b On the Properties tab, click next to Grouping style, and select

Overlay Filled.
c Click next to Fill color, and select Prediction limits color.
Example: Vector Plot
About the Vector Plot Example

This example uses a vector plot to show the changes in SAT exam scores for
different North Carolina school systems from 2012 to 2013. The graph is
enhanced by adding bubble plot overlays.
Here are the main features of this graph:
n Vector lines show the changes in the average math and writing scores
between 2012 and 2013.
n Bubbles represent the average score for each year. The size of the bubble
represents the number of students who took the test.
n To modify the appearance, the arrow line thickness was reduced and the
transparency for the bubbles was increased. In addition, grid lines and a
sheen data skin were applied to the graph. (These changes were made in
the designer.)
n To reduce the number of school systems for comparison, a filter was applied
in the designer on the School System Name category.
Figure 54.4 Example Vector Plot with Bubble Plots
Build the Graph Object for the Vector Plot

Example
TIP As a shortcut, you can select a bubble change plot from the graph
gallery.
1 In the graph builder, drag and drop a vector plot from the Graph Elements
2 Drag and drop a bubble plot from the Graph Elements pane onto the vector
plot.
3 Drag and drop a second bubble plot from the Graph Elements pane onto the
vector plot.
4 On the Role Definitions tab, share the roles. This action joins the vector
origin point to the first bubble, and the vector termination point to the second
bubble.
a Click next to the Bubble Plot 1 X role. Select Create Shared Role
With Another Role  Vector Plot 1 X Origin.
In the Add Shared Role window, specify Xstart as the name of the shared
role. Click OK.
b Click next to the Bubble Plot 1 Y role. Select Create Shared Role
With Another Role  Vector Plot 1 Y Origin.
In the Add Shared Role window, specify Ystart as the name of the shared
role. Click OK.
c Click next to the Bubble Plot 2 X role. Select Create Shared Role
With Another Role  Vector Plot 1 X.
Example: Vector Plot 531
In the Add Shared Role window, specify Xend as the name of the shared
role. Click OK.
d Click next to the Bubble Plot 2 Y role. Select Create Shared Role
With Another Role  Vector Plot 1 Y.
In the Add Shared Role window, specify Yend as the name of the shared
role. Click OK.
5 On the Role Definitions tab, add a group role to all three plots.
a In the Bubble Plot 1 section, click Add Role. The Add Role window is
displayed. The Group type is selected by default.
Click OK.
b Repeat the previous step for the Bubble Plot 2 section.
c In the Vector Plot 1 section, click Add Role. The Add Role window is
displayed.
Select Group for the type of role. Click OK.
6 Share the Group role among all three plots.
a In the Bubble Plot 1 section, clicknext to the Group role. Select

Create Shared Role With Another Role  Bubble Plot 2 Group.
In the Add Shared Role window, specify Color as the name of the shared
role. Click OK.
b In the Vector Plot 1 section, click next to the Group role. Select Use
Shared Role  Color.
7 Specify that the plots start with the same color.
a On the Properties tab, select A1 (the cell).
b Click next to Overlaid plot colors, and select All graphs start with
the same color.
8 Remove redundancy from the legend.
a On the Properties tab, select the Discrete Legend.
b In the Display in legend box, deselect the Vector Plot 1 and the Bubble
Plot 2 check boxes.
9 Specify the bubble size. This is an optional change made only to improve the
appearance of the bubble sizes with respect to the vector lines.
a On the Properties tab, select Bubble Plot 1.
b Next to Radius of smallest bubble (pixels), enter the number 5.
c Next to Radius of largest bubble (pixels), enter the number 12.
d Repeat the previous steps for Bubble Plot 2.
533
Part 8
Viewing Reports
Chapter 55
Viewing Reports on a Mobile Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 535
Chapter 56
Viewing Reports in Modern SAS Visual Analytics Viewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . 537
Chapter 57
Viewing Reports in Classic SAS Visual Analytics Viewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . 541
534
535
55
Viewing Reports on a Mobile Device
What Are the SAS Visual Analytics Apps? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 535
Where Can I Find SAS Visual Analytics Apps? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 535
What Are the SAS Visual Analytics Apps?

The SAS Visual Analytics Apps (previously called SAS Mobile BI) are free
mobile apps. Using these apps, you can view and interact with SAS Visual
Analytics reports, as well as share comments and observations with others. The
apps support all charts and graphs that are available in SAS Visual Analytics.
For more information, see the SAS Visual Analytics Apps Documentation.
Where Can I Find SAS Visual Analytics

Apps?
You can download the apps from the following locations:
n Apple App Store
n Google Play
n Microsoft Store
536 Chapter 55 / Viewing Reports on a Mobile Device
537
56
Viewing Reports in Modern SAS
Visual Analytics Viewer
Overview of Viewing Reports in SAS Visual Analytics Viewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 537
Open a Report in the Modern Viewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 537
View a Report Object with SAS Graphics Accelerator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 538
What is SAS Graphics Accelerator? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 538
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 539
Supported Report Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 539
Open SAS Graphics Accelerator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 539
About Guest Access in the Viewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 539
Overview of Viewing Reports in SAS Visual

Analytics Viewer
As an alternative to viewing reports in a native mobile app, you can use the web
viewer. For users with a Report Viewing role, the SAS Visual Analytics Viewer
(the viewer) enables them to view report content.
Open a Report in the Modern Viewer

To open a report in the modern viewer:
n On SAS Home (modern), click next to a report, and then click View.
n On the classic home page, use the object inspector to view details about the
report, and then click View. For more information about the object inspector,
see “Discover Details Using the Object Inspector on the Classic Home Page”
on page 633.
n In the modern viewer, click Browse or click on a report in the Recent list.
Note: The layout of some charts is dependent on the size of the display area.
This means that the same treemap might appear slightly different in the viewer
than it does in SAS Visual Analytics Designer (the designer) or in a native
mobile app.
538 Chapter 56 / Viewing Reports in Modern SAS Visual Analytics Viewer
Here is an example of a report in the modern viewer:
Figure 56.1 A Report in the Modern Viewer
Here are some key points about the modern viewer:

n You cannot edit stored process prompts in the modern viewer. In the modern
viewer, stored processes are executed using default prompt values.
n The web viewer is not supported on mobile devices. Mobile users are
redirected to SAS Visual Analytics Apps (previously called SAS Mobile BI).
For more information, see “What Are the SAS Visual Analytics Apps?” on
page 535.
n The modern viewer does not support right-to-left (RTL) languages. If you are
using RTL languages, be sure to specify Classic for the Default
Appearance setting.
For more information about using the modern viewer, refer to the online Help
that is available for the viewer. For more information about using the classic
viewer, see Chapter 57, “Viewing Reports in Classic SAS Visual Analytics
Viewer,” on page 541.
View a Report Object with SAS Graphics

Accelerator
What is SAS Graphics Accelerator?

Starting in the 7.4 release, you can view some types of report objects with SAS
Graphics Accelerator.
About Guest Access in the Viewer 539
SAS Graphics Accelerator is a Google Chrome extension that enables users

with visual impairments or blindness to explore data visualizations. It supports
alternative presentations of data visualizations that include enhanced visual
rendering, text descriptions, tabular data, and interactive sonification.
Sonification uses non-speech audio to convey important information about the
graph.
Installation
For information about installing SAS Graphics Accelerator, see http://
support.sas.com/software/products/graphics-accelerator/index.html.
Supported Report Objects

The following report objects support SAS Graphics Accelerator:
n bar chart
n bubble plot
n line chart
n time series plot
n pie chart
n scatter plot
Open SAS Graphics Accelerator

To view a report object with SAS Graphics Accelerator, position your cursor over
the button for the report you want to duplicate, and then click .
SAS Graphics Accelerator displays the report object in a new Google Chrome
tab.
The SAS Graphics Accelerator tab contains a link to the SAS Graphics
Accelerator: User’s Guide.
About Guest Access in the Viewer

SAS Visual Analytics system administrators can configure support for guest
access. Users with guest access can access only the home page and the
viewer. Guest access uses a shared account, so it does not provide
individualized features, such as history, favorites, preferences, or alerts. If guest
access is configured, it is available at a special URL such as
http://host/SASVisualAnalyticsViewer/guest.jsp
Accessing SAS Visual Analytics as a guest is useful if you do not have a
metadata identity. This enables you to view reports that are widely available
under a generic, shared account. You can also view reports that are available to
the public on the Internet.
Note: Some features such as comments and alerts are not available with guest
access.
540 Chapter 56 / Viewing Reports in Modern SAS Visual Analytics Viewer
541
57
Viewing Reports in Classic SAS
Visual Analytics Viewer
Open a Report in the Classic Viewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 541
View Report Object Information in the Classic Viewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 542
Add Comments to a Report in the Classic Viewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 543
Interacting with Reports in the Classic Viewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 544
Filter, Brush, and Drill in Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 544
View Links in Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 544
Subscribe and Unsubscribe to Alerts in the Classic Viewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 545
Specify Your Preferences for the Classic Viewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 545
Open a Report in the Classic Viewer

Starting in the 7.3 release, the modern viewer is the default. To switch to the
classic viewer, you must modify your settings. Click your name, and select
Settings. Under SAS Report Viewer, click Default Appearance to specify the
appearance of the viewer. Select Classic. You must sign out and sign in for the
change to take effect.
To open a report in the classic viewer:
n On SAS Home (modern), click next to a report, and then click View.
n On the classic home page, use the object inspector to view details about the
report, and then click View. For more information about the object inspector,
see “Discover Details Using the Object Inspector on the Classic Home Page”
on page 633.
n In the classic viewer, select File  Open.
Note: The layout of some charts is dependent on the size of the display area.
This means that the same treemap might appear slightly different in the viewer
than it does in SAS Visual Analytics Designer (the designer) or in the SAS Visual
Analytics Apps (previously called SAS Mobile BI).
542 Chapter 57 / Viewing Reports in Classic SAS Visual Analytics Viewer
Here is an example of a report in the classic viewer:
Figure 57.1 A Report in the Classic Viewer
If you have the Create Report capability, then you can select File  Edit Report
in the current report. The designer is displayed, and then you can edit the report.
You can e-mail and print reports to share with other users, and export data and
images of report objects. For more information about sending reports to other
users, prerequisites and conditions for printing, and exporting, see Chapter 51,
“Sharing Reports with Other Users,” on page 475.
Note: Info windows are not included in the PDF that is generated when you
print. An info window can be printed separately by clicking Print report to PDF
in the info window.
View Report Object Information in the

Classic Viewer
You can select a report object to display icons that provide more information
about that report object. Depending on which type of report object you select,
you might see the following icons:
Icon Description
Click to display the title and description of the report object.

Add Comments to a Report in the Classic Viewer 543
Icon Description
Click to maximize the report object. This icon is displayed only if there is
more than one report object being displayed.
Click to restore the report object to its original size. This icon is displayed
only if you previously maximized the report object.
Click to display incoming filter information for a report object. This icon is
displayed only if the data for the report object has been filtered as a result of
selecting data in another report object.
Click to display the prompt dialog box for a stored process. This icon is
displayed only for prompted stored processes. You can use the prompt
dialog box to change prompt values for a stored process and to re-execute
the stored process.
Note: Report authors can disable object selection, so you might not be able to
select some report objects.
Add Comments to a Report in the Classic

Viewer
If you have the Add Comments capability, then you can add or view comments.
Comments can be added to a report or to an object within a report. The
comments that you add are automatically saved with the report.
To add a comment to a report or to an object within a report:
1 Expand the right pane. Click the Comments tab. (If you are adding a
comment to a report object, then select the report object.)
2 Enter a topic name and a comment.

Here is an example:
Figure 57.2 Adding Comments in SAS Visual Analytics Viewer
3 (Optional) Click to attach a file to your comment.

4 Click Post to add your comment. Your comment is added to the Comments
tab in the right pane.
To respond to an existing comment:
1 Expand the right pane. Click the Comments tab. Select an existing
comment, and then enter a reply.
2 (Optional) Click to attach a file to your reply.
3 Click Post. Your reply is added to the Comments tab in the right pane.
Note: To edit another user's comments or to delete comments, you must have
the Comments:Administrator predefined role.
To search for a comment:
1 Expand the right pane. Click the Comments tab. Enter the word or phrase
that you want to search for in the Search within comments field on the
Comments tab.
2 (Optional) To clear the Search within comments field, click .
Interacting with Reports in the Classic

Viewer
Filter, Brush, and Drill in Reports

Depending on the interactions that were defined by the report designer, you
might be able to interact with your report in the following ways:
filter
restricts the data that is returned from a query to a data source. Click on data
in the source report object to filter data in the target report object (or objects).
Clicking on different data applies the filter based on the new data. To clear
the selection, right-click, and select Clear Selection.
brush
enables you to show the same data selected simultaneously in two or more
tables, graphs, or both. Click on data in the source report object to brush
data in the target report object (or objects). To clear the selection, right-click,
and select Clear Selection.
drill down
enables you to move from summary information to more detailed data. If the
data contains hierarchies, you can double-click on the data to drill down the
hierarchy into detailed information. When you drill down the hierarchy,
breadcrumbs at the top of the report object enable you to drill back up the
hierarchy.
View Links in Reports

Report objects can link to other report sections or whole reports. And, they can
link to external links. To view a link from a report object, double-click on the
Specify Your Preferences for the Classic Viewer 545
report object. If there are multiple links or interactions from a report object, then
a list appears that enables you to select a link or interaction. When you are
viewing a link, the following buttons are displayed in the top left corner: .
If a report object that you are linking to shares a data source with the current
report object, then the target report object is filtered based on the data value that
you double-clicked. If you do not want the target report object to be filtered, you
can click , and deselect Apply report link filters. If the data source is not
shared between the two report objects, then no additional filtering takes place in
the target report object.
To go back to the original report object, click .

A report object, text, or image can link to an info window within the same report.
The info window provides additional information. For example, a list table might
provide additional information for a bar chart. Or, there might be additional text
about what is displayed in a report object. When you double-click the data (for
that has an info window link, the info window is displayed as a new window.
Subscribe and Unsubscribe to Alerts in the

Classic Viewer
You can subscribe to existing alerts for report objects and receive notifications
when the alert criteria is met.
To subscribe or unsubscribe to alerts for a report object:
1 Expand the right pane. Click the Alerts tab. This tab contains a list of all alert
conditions for all report objects within the report.
2 Select or deselect the Subscribe check box next to an alert to subscribe or

unsubscribe to that alert.
TIP You can specify a preference for receiving notifications via e-mail or text
message. For more information, see “Specify General Preferences for the
Designer” on page 305.
Specify Your Preferences for the Classic

Viewer
To specify preferences that are specific to the classic viewer:
2 Select SAS Visual Analytics Viewer.
3 If the SAS High Contrast theme is selected as a global preference, then you
can select the Override report theme when High Contrast Theme is
selected check box to ensure that reports are displayed using the SAS High
Contrast theme. This overrides any theme settings that are made in the
designer.
4 Select Modern, Classic, or Administrator default to specify the default

appearance of the viewer. This change takes effect after you sign out and
sign back in.
To specify your preferences for receiving notifications, see “Specify General

Preferences for the Designer” on page 305. To specify general preferences for
SAS Visual Analytics, see “Specify Settings Using SAS Home” on page 10. To
specify global SAS preferences, see “Specifying Your Preferences” on page 9.
547
Part 9
Appendixes
Appendix 1
Keyboard Shortcuts for SAS Visual Analytics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 549
Appendix 2
Gallery of Report Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 553
Appendix 3
Editing a Data Expression in Text Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 577
Appendix 4
Aggregations for Measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 581
Appendix 5
Operators for Data Expressions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 583
Appendix 6
Conditions for Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 607
Appendix 7
Data Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 609
Appendix 8
Troubleshooting in SAS Visual Analytics Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 615
Appendix 9
Using URL Parameters to View a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 619
548
Appendix 10
Schema for Imported Tweets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 621
Appendix 11
About the Classic SAS Visual Analytics Home Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 625
549
Appendix 1
Keyboard Shortcuts for SAS Visual
Analytics
The following table contains many of the keyboard shortcuts for SAS Visual
Analytics. In SAS Visual Analytics, some shortcuts are displayed within
parentheses in tooltips and menu item labels. Some are also displayed in the
Keyboard Shortcuts window (press F9 to open that window).
Note: When you use a keyboard shortcut to activate a button, move the focus to
the field or section that the button is associated with before you use the
keyboard shortcut. For example, if a table has an associated Help button, you
must first move the focus to the table before you press Ctrl+?.
Table A1.1 Keyboard Shortcuts
Action Keyboard Shortcut
Open the Keyboard Shortcuts window. F9

Note: The Keyboard Shortcuts window
might not contain all of the shortcuts for
your application.
Open a Help pop-up window from the Ctrl+?

Help button.
Note: This shortcut does not work on
some keyboards (for example, the Italian
keyboard).
Zoom in. Ctrl+plus sign
Zoom out. Ctrl+minus sign
Reset the zoom state. Ctrl+0
Maximize view (collapses the category Ctrl+Alt+Shift+M

pane and the tile pane and hides the
status bar and the application bar, which
includes the menu bar).
or
Exit maximized view (expands the
category pane and the tile pane and
shows the status bar and the application
bar).
550 Appendix 1 / Keyboard Shortcuts for SAS Visual Analytics
Open a pop-up menu. Shift+F9 (if a menu is available in that

context)
Note: If you use Shift+F9 to display the
pop-up menu, then it is always displayed
in the top left corner of the user interface
control that you are using.
Open the Landmarks window. Ctrl+F6
Temporarily invert or revert application Ctrl+~

colors (for the current session only).
Note: You can set the Invert application
colors preference in the Preferences
window if you want the color change to
persist across sessions.
Rename the selected tab. Make sure that the focus is on the tab.
Press F2, and specify the new name. To
commit your changes, press Enter. To
cancel your changes, press Esc.
Close the selected tab. Make sure that the focus is on the tab,
and then press Delete.
Note: Some tabs cannot be closed.
Switch in and out of Edit mode for a table To enter Edit mode, select a cell, and
cell. press F2.
To exit Edit mode, press Esc.
Navigate between table headings and For a two-dimensional table, make sure
table content. that the focus is on the table and that you
are not in Edit mode. Press Ctrl+F8 to
switch the focus between column
headings and table cells. Use the arrow
keys to navigate from heading to heading.
For a multidimensional table, make sure
that the focus is on a table cell and that
you are not in Edit mode. Press Ctrl+F8 to
switch the focus between column
headings, row headings, and table cells.
Use the arrow keys to navigate from
heading to heading.
Navigate the content rows of a table. When table cells are in Edit mode:
n Press Tab and Shift+Tab to move from
cell to cell horizontally across columns.
n Press Enter and Shift+Enter to move
from cell to cell vertically across rows.
When table cells are not in Edit mode,
use the arrow keys to move from cell to
cell.
Keyboard Shortcuts for SAS Visual Analytics 551
Sort columns in a table. To sort a single column, navigate to its

column heading (press Ctrl+F8). Press
the spacebar to sort the column.
To sort additional columns, navigate to the
column heading of each additional column
that you want to sort. Press Ctrl
+spacebar.
Change the width of the current column. Navigate to the column heading (press
Ctrl+F8). Then, press Ctrl+left arrow or
Ctrl+right arrow to change the width of the
column.
Move the current column. Navigate to the column heading (press

Ctrl+F8). Then, press Shift+left arrow to
move one column to the left, and press
Shift+right arrow to move one column to
the right.
Automatically re-size the current column Navigate to the column heading (press
to fit its contents. Ctrl+F8). Then, press Enter.
Open a drop-down list or drop-down Make sure that the focus is on the control,
menu. and press Ctrl+down arrow.
Exit a single application in the SAS Visual Tab to the application’s button at the top
Analytics home page. of the browser window, and press Delete.
552 Appendix 1 / Keyboard Shortcuts for SAS Visual Analytics
553
Appendix 2
Gallery of Report Objects
Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 554
List Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 554
Crosstabs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 554
Graphs, Charts, and Plots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 555
Bar Charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 555
Targeted Bar Charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 556
Waterfall Charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 556
Line Charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 556
Pie Charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 557
Scatter Plots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 558
Time Series Plots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 558
Comparative Time Series Plots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 558
Series Plots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 559
Numeric Series Plots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 560
Bubble Plots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 560
Bubble Change Plots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 561
Treemaps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 561
Dual Axis Bar Charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 562
Dual Axis Line Charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 562
Dual Axis Bar-Line Charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 563
Dual Axis Time Series Plots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 563
Band Plots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 564
Needle Plots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 564
Step Plots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 565
Schedule Charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 566
Vector Plots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 566
Dot Plots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 567
Butterfly Charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 568
Stock High-Low Plots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 568
Stock Volume and Volatility Plots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 569
Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 570
Other Report Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 571
Geo Bubble Maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 571
Geo Coordinate Maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 571
Geo Region Maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 572
Gauges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 573
Word Clouds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575
554 Appendix 2 / Gallery of Report Objects
Tables
List Tables
A list table is a two-dimensional representation of data in which the data values
are arranged in unlabeled rows and labeled columns. List tables can use any
data items from a data source. A list table cannot use a hierarchy or a
percentage of subtotals.
You can add sparklines to a column (if the data source contains a date data
item) when aggregated data is displayed in the list table.
Figure A2.1 A List Table
Crosstabs
A crosstab (also known as a crosstabulation table) shows an aggregate metric
for the intersections of two or more categories. Crosstabs often have two or
more categories assigned to both the rows and columns, forming a matrix.
Crosstabs can be easier to read than list tables because they often use less
space, and they always collapse repeating values for outer category data items
into one unique value, which is known as grouping. A crosstab can use a
hierarchy.
Graphs, Charts, and Plots 555
Figure A2.2 A Crosstab
Graphs, Charts, and Plots
Bar Charts
A bar chart consists of vertical or horizontal bars that represent quantitative data.
Use bar charts to compare data that is aggregated by the distinct values of a
category.
You can apply grouping and create data-driven lattices. You can filter or rank
your data based on a specified number of top or bottom values.
Figure A2.3 A Bar Chart

Targeted Bar Charts

A targeted bar chart is a variation of the bar chart that has target values. A target
value is represented as a triangle with a line at the target value that is
determined by the target role.
Figure A2.4 A Targeted Bar Chart
Waterfall Charts
A waterfall chart (also known as a progressive bar chart) shows how the initial
value of a measure increases or decreases during a series of operations or
transactions. The first bar begins at the initial value, and each subsequent bar
begins where the previous bar ends. The length and direction of a bar indicate
the magnitude and type (positive or negative, for example) of the operation or
transaction. The resulting chart is a stepped bar showing how incremental
changes lead to the final value of the measure.
Figure A2.5 A Waterfall Chart
Line Charts
A line chart shows the relationship of one or more measures over some interval,
such as time or a series of ranges. You can measure a single measure
(univariate analysis), or you can show the relationships among multiple
measures (multivariate analysis), such as the leading or lagging relationship

between advertising and sales over time. The category on the X axis of a line
chart is discrete; the category on the X axis of a time series plot is continuous.
You can apply grouping and create lattices.
Figure A2.6 A Line Chart
Pie Charts
A pie chart displays a part-to-whole relationship in a circle divided into multiple
slices for each value of a category data item based on a single measure data
item. Each slice represents the relative contribution of each part to the whole. In
a pie chart, the legend is sorted by contribution.
In SAS Visual Analytics Designer (the designer), a pie chart does not show a
slice with a missing or zero response.
Effective pie charts limit the number of slices to 5 or 6. In the designer, you can
use a rank to reduce the number of slices in a pie chart. For more information,
see “Add a New Rank” on page 459.
Note: The Other slice does not display data tip values. In addition, the Other
slice always sums the included values, regardless of the aggregation method
selected for the measure. For example, if the aggregation method selected is
Count, then the Other slice displays the sum of the individual counts.
Figure A2.7 A Pie Chart

Scatter Plots
A scatter plot is a two-dimensional plot that shows the relationship of two
measure data items. Each marker (represented by a symbol such as a dot, a
square, or a plus sign) represents an observation. The marker’s position
indicates the value for each observation. Use a scatter plot to examine the
relationship between numeric data items. You can apply grouping by assigning a
category to the Color role.
Scatter plots do not use aggregated data.
Figure A2.8 A Scatter Plot
Time Series Plots

A time series plot shows an ordered sequence of values that are observed at
equally spaced time intervals. A time series plot requires a date, datetime, time,
or hierarchy data item that is continuous on the X axis.
Figure A2.9 A Time Series Plot
Comparative Time Series Plots

A comparative time series plot uses line segments to chart two measures on
different scales over time. A comparative time series plot requires a date,
datetime, time, or hierarchy data item that is continuous on the X axis. The X
axis is shared across both plots.
TIP This report object is not displayed in the designer by default. You can
select what you want to display using the designer’s Show or Hide Objects
window.
Figure A2.10 A Comparative Time Series Plot
Series Plots
A series plot displays a series of line segments that connect observations of
input data. A series plot can use numeric or character data on the X axis.
Note: You must create and save this custom graph object in the SAS Visual
Analytics Graph Builder (the graph builder) before the object is available for use
in reports.
The following example shows MPG averages for different types of vehicles:
Figure A2.11 A Series Plot

Numeric Series Plots

A numeric series plot shows the relationship of one or more measures across a
series of numeric values. A numeric series plot requires numeric data on the X
axis.
window.
Figure A2.12 A Numeric Series Plot
Bubble Plots
A bubble plot is a variation of a scatter plot in which the markers are replaced
with bubbles. A bubble plot displays the relationships among at least three
measures. Two measures are represented by the plot axes, and the third
measure is represented by the size of the bubbles. Each bubble represents an
observation. A bubble plot is useful for data sets with dozens to hundreds of
values. You can add categories to the Grouping and Lattice roles.
Note: A bubble’s size is scaled relative to the minimum and maximum values of
the size variable. The minimum and maximum sizes are illustrated in the plot
legend. The actual value for each bubble is displayed as a data tip. For example,
the legend that is displayed in Figure A2.13 on page 561, the minimum size is
1.3 and the maximum size is 8.3.
Figure A2.13 A Bubble Plot
Bubble Change Plots

A bubble change plot shows changes in two sets of measures using bubbles
and directed line segments.
window.
Figure A2.14 A Bubble Change Plot
Treemaps
A treemap displays your data as a set of rectangles (called tiles). Each tile
represents a category node or a hierarchy node. The color of each tile
represents the value of the first measure. The size of each tile represents the
value of the second measure. (There are two data roles for measures in a
treemap—Size and Color.) For example, a sales data treemap might have tile
sizes that represent the number of orders, and it might have tile colors that are
derived from color gradients that represent sales.
The layout of the tiles in the treemap is dependent on the size of the display
area because it uses a space-filling algorithm to lay the tiles down. This means
that the same treemap might appear slightly different in the designer than it does
in the viewer or on a mobile device because the aspect ratio and size available
in those viewers might be different from what the original report designer sees in
the designer.
Note: Treemaps allow only one category data item or hierarchy data item.
Figure A2.15 A Treemap
Dual Axis Bar Charts

A dual axis bar chart is a variation of the bar chart that has two measures. A
measure is on each axis.
Figure A2.16 A Dual Axis Bar Chart
Dual Axis Line Charts

A dual axis line chart is a variation of the line chart that has two measures. A
measure is displayed on both the left and right side of the Y axis. The
relationship between two measures can be examined on two different scales in a
dual axis line chart.
Figure A2.17 A Dual Axis Line Chart
Dual Axis Bar-Line Charts

A dual axis bar-line chart is a variation of the bar chart that has two measures. A
measure is on each axis, and the bar chart is overlaid by a line chart.
Figure A2.18 A Dual Axis Bar-Line Chart
Dual Axis Time Series Plots

A dual axis time series plot is a variation of the time series plot that has two
measures. A measure is displayed on both the left and right side of the Y axis.
For example, a dual axis time series plot can be useful when you need to display
two measures that have the same unit of measurement and different scales,
such as quantity ordered and returns, or when you need to display two
measures that have different units of measurement, such as sales and quantity
ordered.
Figure A2.19 A Dual Axis Time Series Plot
Band Plots
A band plot draws a horizontal band with two Y values for each X value. Or, it
draws a vertical band with two X values for each Y value. A band plot is typically
used to show confidence, error, prediction, or control limits. The points on the
upper and lower band boundaries can be joined to create two outlines. The area
between the boundaries is filled.
Here are some key points about band plots:
n You must create and save this custom graph object in the graph builder
before the object is available for use in reports.
n A band plot does not support display rules in the designer.
Figure A2.20 A Band Plot
Needle Plots
A needle plot is a plot in which data points are connected by a vertical line that
connects to a horizontal baseline. The baseline intersects the 0 value or the
minimum value on the vertical axis.
window.
The following example shows profits during a particular time period. The
example specifies an optional baseline value on the Y axis.
Figure A2.21 A Needle Plot
Step Plots
A step plot consists of a series of horizontal and vertical line segments (giving
the appearance of steps) that connect observations of input data.
Note: A step plot does not support display rules in the designer.
window.
The following example shows the price trend during a particular time interval:
Figure A2.22 A Step Plot
Schedule Charts
A schedule chart makes it easy to visualize time lines by representing tasks,
start dates, durations, and end dates in cascading horizontal bar charts.
window.
Figure A2.23 A Schedule Chart
Vector Plots
A vector plot shows the change in value of a measure using directed line
segments, or vectors, to represent both direction and magnitude at each point.
window.
The following example shows the changes in exam scores for different North
Carolina school systems from 2012 to 2013:
Figure A2.24 A Vector Plot
For an example that shows a vector plot enhanced with bubble plots, see
“Example: Vector Plot” on page 529.
Dot Plots
A dot plot compares data that is aggregated by the value of a category.
window.
Figure A2.25 A Dot Plot

Butterfly Charts
A butterfly chart compares two measures for a category of values.
window.
Figure A2.26 A Butterfly Chart
Stock High-Low Plots

A stock high-low plot tracks changes in the price of a tradable asset over time.
This plot creates a display of floating vertical lines that represent high and low
stock values. The plot also displays stock closing values as markers.
window.
Figure A2.27 A Stock High-Low Plot
Stock Volume and Volatility Plots

A stock volume and volatility plot tracks changes in the price of a tradable asset
over time with additional context.
This plot creates a display of floating vertical lines that represent high and low
stock values. The plot also displays stock closing values as markers. The plot
shows the stock’s moving average and Bollinger upper and lower bands.
window.
Figure A2.28 A Stock Volume and Volatility Plot

Controls
A control is a report object that filters or narrows the scope of the data that user
is viewing. A control enables a report designer to select a category that he or
she wants the report viewer to see.
The following controls are available in the designer:
n drop-down lists
Figure A2.29 A Drop-down List Control
n lists
Figure A2.30 A List Control
n button bars
Figure A2.31 A Button Bar Control
n text input fields
Figure A2.32 A Text Input Control
n sliders
Figure A2.33 A Slider Control

Other Report Objects 571
Other Report Objects
Geo Bubble Maps

A geo bubble map is a bubble plot that is overlaid on a geographic map. Each
bubble is located at a geographic location or at the center of a geographical
region. The bubbles are automatically colored based on the location. You
provide a measure data item that determines the size of the bubble. A geo
bubble map requires a data item that contains geographical information and is
assigned to a geography role.
Figure A2.34 Geo Bubble Map
Geo Coordinate Maps

A geo coordinate map is a simple scatter plot that is overlaid on a geographic
map. A geo coordinate map is used in place of a geo bubble map when the
cardinality is too high and the geo bubble map cannot display the number of
points. Each point in a geo coordinate map is located at the center of a
geographic region or at the coordinates of a location. A geo coordinate map
requires a data item that contains geographical information and is assigned to a
geography role.
Figure A2.35 Geo Coordinate Map
Geo Region Maps

A geo region map (also known as a choropleth map) is a two-dimensional map
that uses color combinations to represent different categories or levels of
magnitude. You can fill geographical boundaries (for example, a country or a
state) on a map with color, based on measure values that are aggregated to the
level defined by a geographical boundary.
Geo region maps do not support ZIP code data.
Figure A2.36 Geo Region Map

Gauges
Bullet Gauges
A bullet gauge is a dashboard indicator that compares an actual value to a target
value and compares them in intervals. The actual value of the primary measure
is indicated by an inset horizontal bar.
Note that the scale of a bullet gauge often begins at zero, but it can contain both
positive and negative values if both types of values apply to the primary
measure, such as profit. The inset horizontal bar should always begin at zero so
that comparing multiple bullet graphs is not confusing.
The bullet gauge requires a primary measure and a range display rule, and the
target measure is optional. The default orientation is horizontal with an option to
display the gauge vertically.
Figure A2.37 A Bullet Gauge
Slider Gauges
A slider gauge is a dashboard indicator that compares an actual value to a target
value and compares them in intervals. The actual value of the primary measure
is indicated by a downward-facing arrow. The target value is indicated by a small
upward-facing arrow.
Like a bullet gauge, a slider gauge is oriented horizontally by default, but you
can change the gauge’s orientation to vertical. You should use a slider gauge
when the numeric scale does not start at zero.
The slider gauge supports dates (which are continuous) and numeric categories.
Figure A2.38 A Slider Gauge
Thermometer Gauges
A thermometer gauge is a dashboard indicator that compares an actual value to
a target value and compares them in intervals. The actual value of the primary
measure is indicated by a vertical bar. The target value is indicated by a small
black line.
The thermometer gauge requires a primary measure value and a range-based

display rule. A target measure value is optional. The entire vertical bar is colored
conditionally based on one color from the display rule.
The base of a thermometer bar should always start at zero. You can set this by
defining your first range display rule to begin at zero. The designer always
shows the base of the bar at the bottom of the thermometer.
Figure A2.39 A Thermometer Gauge
Dial Gauges
A dial gauge is an arc-shaped dashboard indicator that compares an actual
value to a target value and compares them in intervals. The actual value of the
primary measure is indicated by an arrow that points outward from the inner
circle. The target value is indicated by an arrow that points inward from the outer
arc. The color of the center circle is the color associated with the primary
measure value’s range interval.
The dial gauge requires a primary measure value and a range-based display
rule. For more information, see “Adding Gauge-Level Display Rules” on page
415.
A target measure value is optional.
Figure A2.40 A Dial Gauge
Speedometer Gauges
A speedometer gauge is a circular dashboard indicator that compares an actual
value to a target value and compares them in intervals. The actual value of the
primary measure is indicated by the larger pointer. The target value is indicated
by a small triangle along the quantitative scale, either pointing inward or
outward, depending on the KPI skin option for the gauge.
A speedometer gauge requires a primary measure value and a range-based
display rule. A target measure value is optional.
Figure A2.41 A Speedometer Gauge
Word Clouds
A word cloud displays a set of category values as text, grouped in a cloud-like
shape. Depending on the word cloud data roles, the size of the text indicates the
frequency of a category value or the value of a measure that corresponds to a
category value.
Figure A2.42 Word Cloud

577
Appendix 3
Editing a Data Expression in Text
Mode
Overview of Text Mode

In SAS Visual Analytics, you create and edit filters, calculated items, and
aggregated items by using an expression editor. The Text tab of the expression
editor enables you to edit the expression as text.
You can add operators and data items to your expression by dragging and
dropping them onto the expression or by entering the names of the operators or
data items.
As you enter text, a list of suggestions appears. For example, if you enter date,
then a drop-down list appears and enables you to select any of the operators
and data items whose names begin with “date.”
When you make changes to your expression, it is automatically evaluated to
determine whether it is valid. If the expression is not valid, then an error appears
on the Messages tab, and the OK button is disabled. There might be a brief
delay as your expression is evaluated.
Specifying Operator Parameters

When you add an operator to the expression, any parameters that are required
by the operator are represented between braces { }. For example, if you add the
x – y operator, then your expression appears as {Number} — {Number}.
Each parameter value that you enter should replace the entire string between
the braces, including the brace characters. For example, you might replace
{Number} with 12 or with a data item such as Expenses.
You can automatically select the next operator in the expression by pressing Ctrl
+ Shift + spacebar.
Specifying Data Item Names and Global

Parameter Names
Data item names and global parameter names can be entered as plain text and
are not case sensitive. You can enter names formally by using the format 'data-
item-name'n for a data item, or 'parameter-name'p for a global parameter. If you
switch to the Visual tab, then all of your names are converted to the formal
format.
578 Appendix 3 / Editing a Data Expression in Text Mode
Note: If a name contains quotation marks, then you must use the \ character to
escape the quotes.
Note: If a name contains spaces, then you must use the formal format.
Note: If a data item or global parameter has the same name as an operator,
then you must use the formal format. For example, if you have a category
named Year, then enter the name as 'Year'n to avoid conflict with the Year
operator.
Using Formatted and Unformatted Values

By default, category values and discrete numeric and date values are evaluated
as formatted values. Continuous numeric values are evaluated as unformatted
values.
To override this default behavior, you can add [raw] (to use unformatted
values) or [formatted] (to use formatted values) to the right of the data item.
For example,
'Expenses'n[formatted]
specifies that the Expenses measure is evaluated as a formatted value.
Specifying String Values

To enter a string value, you can enter the string between single quotes or double
quotes. If your value contains a quotation mark, use the \ character to escape
the quote. If you use double quotes to enclose the string, then you do not need
to escape the single quotes. If you use single quotes to enclose the string, then
you do not need to escape the double quotes. For example, "O'Reilly", 'O
\'Reilly', and '"Hello"' are all valid.
To enter a string that contains a newline character, use \r, \n, or both to specify
the newline character.
Specifying Date, Time, and Datetime Values

For date, datetime, and time values, specify a formatted value in quotes,
followed by the letter “d” for a date value, the letters “dt” for a datetime value, or
the letter “t” for a time value.
For time values, a value with a leading underscore is a reference to a specific
time of the day.
A time value without a leading underscore specifies a period of elapsed time.
Here are some examples of date, datetime, and time values:
Table A3.1 Example Date, Datetime, and Time Values
Date '23JUN2013'd
'JUN2013'd
'2013'd
'q32013'd
Editing a Data Expression in Text Mode 579
Datetime '23JUN2013_5:23:55’dt
'23JUN2013_5:23'dt
'23JUN2013'dt
Time '_12:23:55't
'_12:23't
Elapsed Time '44:23:55't

'00:01:34't
Specifying Aggregated Values

For aggregated values, specify the format, aggregation-type [context] (value),
where context specifies one of the following aggregation contexts:
ByGroup
calculates the aggregation for each subset of the data item that is used in a
visualization. For example, in a bar chart, an aggregated measure with the
ByGroup context calculates a separate aggregated value for each bar in the
chart.
ForAll
example, in a bar chart, an aggregated measure with the ForAll context uses
the same aggregated value (calculated for the entire data item) for each bar
in the chart.
See “Aggregated (Simple) Operators” on page 589 for a list of the aggregation
types that are available.
For example,
sum [bygroup] ('cost'n)
aggregates the sum of the measure COST for each BY-group value.
Specifying a Missing Value

Use a period character (.) to specify a missing numeric or date value. Use empty
quotes ('') to specify a missing string value.
580 Appendix 3 / Editing a Data Expression in Text Mode
581
Appendix 4
Aggregations for Measures
The aggregation that is assigned to a measure determines how its values are
summarized in a visualization or report object.
For example, in a bar chart of Sales by Quarter, each bar represents the
aggregated values of the Sales measure for a specific quarter. If the aggregation
for Sales is Sum, then the bars represent the sum (total) of sales for each
quarter. If the aggregation for Sales is Average, then the bars represent the
average sales for each quarter.
Note: Some aggregation types can override the data format that is used to
display values in a visualization or report object. For example, if a measure has
the Currency format with zero decimal places of precision, and you apply the
Variance aggregation, then the values are displayed using the Comma format
with two decimal places of precision instead.
You can specify the following aggregations for your measures:
Sum
calculates the sum (total) of the values of a measure.
Average
calculates the average (mean) value of a measure.
Standard Deviation
calculates the standard deviation of a measure.
Standard Error
calculates the standard error of the mean of a measure.
Variance
calculates the variance of a measure.
Count
calculates the total number of nonmissing values of a measure.
Number Missing
calculates the number of missing values in a measure.
Minimum
calculates the smallest value of a measure.
First Quartile
calculates the first quartile of a measure.
Median
calculates the median value of a measure.
Third Quartile
calculates the third quartile of a measure.
582 Appendix 4 / Aggregations for Measures
Maximum
calculates the largest value of a measure.
Skewness
calculates the skewness of a measure. Skewness indicates the distribution of
values. A positive value indicates that the distribution is heavier for values
greater than the mean. A negative value indicates that the distribution is
heavier for values less than the mean.
Kurtosis
calculates the kurtosis of a measure. The kurtosis value indicates how
peaked the distribution is. A larger value indicates a more sharply peaked
distribution. A smaller value indicates a flatter distribution.
Coefficient of Variation
calculates the coefficient of variation of a measure. The coefficient of
variation is the ratio of the standard deviation to the mean.
Uncorrected Sum of Squares
calculates the uncorrected sum of squares of a measure. The uncorrected
sum of squares is the sum of the squared values.
Corrected Sum of Squares
calculates the corrected sum of squares of a measure. The corrected sum of
squares is the sum of the squared deviations from the mean.
T-statistic (for Average = 0)
calculates the Student’s t statistic for a measure, assuming a mean value of
zero.
P-value (for T-statistic)
calculates the probability of observing the t statistic value or a more extreme
value. A small value indicates that the mean is likely not equal to zero.
583
Appendix 5
Operators for Data Expressions
Overview of Operators for Data Expressions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 583
Numeric (Simple) Operators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 583
Comparison Operators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 584
Boolean Operators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 585
Numeric (Advanced) Operators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 586
Date and Time Operators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 587
Aggregated (Simple) Operators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 589
Aggregated (Advanced) Operators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 590
Periodic Operators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 591
About Periodic Operators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 591
CumulativePeriod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 592
ParallelPeriod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 595
Period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 597
PeriodWithDate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 598
RelativePeriod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 599
Text (Simple) Operators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601
Text (Advanced) Operators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 602
Calculating Compound Annual Growth Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 604
Overview of Operators for Data

Expressions
In the explorer and the designer, you can calculate data items and create filters
by using expressions that contain operators.
Numeric (Simple) Operators

-x
returns a value with the opposite sign of the input value.
For example, ‑‑1 returns 1 and ‑1 returns -1.
584 Appendix 5 / Operators for Data Expressions
x-y
subtracts the second value from the first value.
For example, 2 – 1 returns 1.
x*y
multiplies the first and second values together.
For example, 2 * 3 returns 6.
x/y
divides the first value by the second value.
For example, 6 / 2 returns 3.
x+y
adds the first and second values together.
For example, 1 + 2 returns 3.
Comparison Operators
BetweenExclusive
returns true if the first value is within the range defined by the second and
third values (excluding the bounding values).
For example, X BetweenExclusive(50, 100) returns true if X is greater
than 50 and less than 100.
BetweenInclusive
returns true if the first value is within the range defined by the second and
third values (including the bounding values).
For example, X BetweenInclusive(50, 100) returns true if X is greater
than or equal to 50 and less than or equal to 100.
In
returns true if the first value is in the list specified by the second parameter.
Select your list by choosing the values from the drop-down list or the selector
window.
For example, X In ('A', 'B', 'C') returns true when the value of X is
either A, B, or C.
Note: This operator cannot be used to compare measures.
Missing
returns true if the value is a missing value.
For example, X Missing returns true if the value of X is missing.
NotBetweenExclusive
returns true if the first value is outside the range defined by the second and
third values (excluding the bounding values).
For example, X NotBetweenExclusive(50, 100) returns true if X is less
than 50 or greater than 100.
NotBetweenInclusive
returns true if the first value is outside the range defined by the second and
third values (including the bounding values).
Boolean Operators 585
For example, X NotBetweenInclusive(50, 100) returns true if X is less

than or equal to 50 or greater than or equal to 100.
NotIn
returns true if the first value is not in the list specified by the second
parameter. Select your list by choosing the values from the drop-down list or
the selector window.
For example, X NotIn ('A', 'B', 'C') returns true when the value of X
is not A, B, or C.
Note: This operator cannot be used to compare measures.
NotMissing
returns true if the value is not a missing value.
For example, X NotMissing returns true if the value of X is not missing.
x<y
returns true if the first value is less than the second value.
x <= y
returns true if the first value is less than or equal to the second value.
x <> y
returns true if the first value is not equal to the second value.
x=y
returns true if the first value is equal to the second value.
x>y
returns true if the first value is greater than the second value.
x >= y
returns true if the first value is greater than or equal to the second value.
Boolean Operators
AND
joins two conditions and returns true if both conditions are true.
For example,
(1 = 1) AND (2 = 2)
returns true, and

(1 = 1) AND (2 = 1)
returns false.
IF... ELSE
returns different values, depending on whether the condition is true. The first
parameter specifies the condition. The second parameter specifies the value
to return if the condition is true. The third parameter specifies the value to
return if the condition is false.
For example,
if (X > Y) return X else Y
returns the value of X if X is greater than Y, but returns the value of Y

otherwise.
Note: Starting in the 7.1 release, the IF... ELSE operator can also be used in
report filters in the designer.
NOT
returns true if the condition is false.
For example, not (1 = 2) returns true.
OR
joins two conditions and returns true if either condition is true.
For example,
(1 = 1) OR (2 = 2)
returns true, and

(1 = 1) OR (2 = 1)
returns true.
Numeric (Advanced) Operators

Abs
returns the absolute value of the input value.
For example, Abs(‑3) returns 3.
Ceil
rounds the input value up to the nearest integer.
For example, Ceil(4.2) returns 5 and Ceil(–4.8) returns -4.
Exp
raises the constant e to the power specified by the input value.
For example, Exp(5) returns e to the 5th power (148.41).
Floor
rounds the input value down to the nearest integer.
For example, Floor(4.8) returns 4 and Floor(‑4.2) returns -5.
Ln
returns the natural logarithm (base e) of the input value.
For example, Ln(10) returns the eth root of 10 (2.30...).
Log
returns the logarithm of the first value, where the second value specifies the
base.
For example, 64 Log 8 returns the base 8 logarithm of 64 (2).
Mod
returns the remainder after dividing the first value by the second value.
For example, 5 Mod 2 returns 1.
Power
raises the first value to the power of the second value.
For example, 5 Power 2 returns 5 to the 2nd power (25).
Date and Time Operators 587
Root
returns the nth root of the first value, where the second value specifies n (the
base of the root).
For example, 27 Root 3 returns the 3rd (cube) root of 27 (3).
Round
rounds the first value to the number of decimal places that is specified by the
second value. Select the second value from the drop-down list.
For example, 7.354 Round 2 returns 7.35.
Note: If you select 0 decimal places, then the values are rounded to the
nearest integer.
TreatAs
allows a numeric, date, or datetime value to be used as a different data type
within other operators. Select one of the following:
_Date_
allows the value to be used as a date.
_Datetime_
allows the value to be used as a datetime value.
_Number_
allows the value to be used as a number.
_Time_
allows the value to be used as a time value.
The value is treated as a raw value instead of being converted. Date values
are the number of days since 01JAN1960. Datetime values are the number
of seconds since 01JAN1960. Time values are the number of seconds since
midnight.
For example, TreatAs(_Date_, 19600) returns 30AUG2013 as a date
value.
Note: The TreatAs operator is useful for calculating elapsed time between
two datetime values. For example, (TreatAs(_Number_, '23OCT2013'd)
— TreatAs(_Number_, '15JAN2013'd)) calculates the number of days
between 15JAN and 23OCT, which is 281.
Trunc
truncates the input value to an integer.
For example, Trunc(8.9) returns 8 and Trunc(‑8.9) returns -8.
Date and Time Operators

Note: Date and time operators are not supported for aggregated items.
DateFromMDY
creates a date value from separate month, day, and year values. The first
value specifies the month as a number from 1–12. The second value
specifies the day as a number from 1–31. The third value specifies the year
as a four-digit number.
For example, DateFromMDY(1, 15, 2013) returns 15JAN2013.
DateFromYQ
creates a date value from separate year and quarter values. The first value
specifies the year as a four-digit number. The second value specifies the
quarter as a number from 1–4.
For example, DateFromYQ(2013, 1) returns 01JAN2013.
Note: The date is generated using the first day of each quarter.
DatePart
converts a datetime value to a date value.
For example, DatePart('15JAN2013_17:15'dt) returns 15JAN2013.
DateTimeFromDateHMS
creates a datetime value from a date value and separate hour, minute, and
second values. The first value specifies the date. The second value specifies
the hour as a number from 0–23. The third value specifies the minute as a
number from 0–59. The fourth value specifies the second as a number from
0–59.
For example, DateTimeFromDateHMS('15JAN2013'd, 17, 15, 23)
returns January 15, 2013 05:15:23 PM
DateTimeFromTimeMDY
creates a datetime value from a time value and separate month, day, and
year values. The first value specifies the time. The second value specifies
the month as a number from 1–12. The third value specifies the day as a
number from 1–31. The fourth value specifies the year as a four-digit
number.
For example, DateTimeFromTimeMDY('_17:15:23'dt, 1, 15, 2013)
returns January 15, 2013 05:15:23 PM.
DayOfMonth
returns the day of the month from a date value as a number from 1–31.
For example, DayOfMonth('15JAN2013'd) returns 15.
DayOfWeek
returns the day of the week from a date value as a number from 1–7 (1 is
Sunday).
For example, DayOfWeek('15JAN2013'd) returns 3 (Tuesday).
DayOfYear
returns the day of the year from a date value as a number from 1–366.
For example, DayOfYear('15FEB2013'd) returns 46.
Hour
returns the hour from a time or datetime value as a number from 0–23.
For example, Hour('17:15:23't) returns 17.
Minute
returns the minute from a time or datetime value as a number from 0–59.
For example, Minute('17:15:23't) returns 15.
Month
returns the month from a date value as a number from 1–12.
For example, Month('15JAN2013'd) returns 1.
Aggregated (Simple) Operators 589
Now
creates a datetime value from the current date and time.
For example, Now() returns the current date and time.
Quarter
returns the quarter from a date value as a number from 1–4.
For example, Quarter('15AUG2013'd) returns 3.
Second
returns the second from a time or datetime value as a number from 0–59.
For example, Second('17:15:23't) returns 23.
TimeFromHMS
creates a time value from separate hour, minute, and second values. The
first value specifies the hour as a number from 0–23. The second value
specifies the minute as a number from 0–59. The third value specifies the
second as a number from 0–59.
For example, TimeFromHMS(17, 15, 23) returns 05:15:23 PM.
TimePart
converts a datetime value to a time value.
For example, TimePart('15JAN2013_17:15:23'dt) returns 05:15:23
PM.
WeekNumber
returns the week of the year as a number from 0–53, where week 1 begins
on the first Sunday of the year. Dates before the first Sunday of the year
return 0.
For example, WeekNumber('04AUG2013'd) returns 31.
Year
returns the year from a date value as a four-digit number.
For example, Year('15JAN2013'd) returns 2013.
Aggregated (Simple) Operators

Avg
calculates the average (mean) value of a measure.
Count
calculates the total number of nonmissing values of a measure.
Distinct
calculates the number of distinct values in a category. If the category
contains missing values, then the distinct count is increased by one.
Max
calculates the largest value of a measure.
Median
calculates the median value of a measure.
Min
calculates the smallest value of a measure.
NumMiss
calculates the number of missing values in a data item.
Q1
calculates the first quartile of a measure.
Q3
calculates the third quartile of a measure.
StdDev
calculates the standard deviation of a measure.
StdErr
calculates the standard error of the mean of a measure.
Sum
calculates the sum (total) of the values of a measure.
Var
calculates the variance of a measure.
Aggregated (Advanced) Operators

CoefVar
calculates the coefficient of variation of a measure. The coefficient of
variation is the ratio of the standard deviation to the mean.
CSS
calculates the corrected sum of squares of a measure. The corrected sum of
squares is the sum of the squared deviations from the mean.
First
calculates the first value of a measure based on chronological order. The first
parameter specifies the measure. The second parameter specifies the
sequence data item that is used to determine the chronological order. The
sequence data item can be either a date or time data item or a numeric data
item. The third parameter specifies whether missing values are included.
Select _IncludeMissing_ to include missing values or select
_ExcludeMissing_ to exclude missing values.
Note: If there are multiple measure values for the first value of the sequence
data item, then the minimum measure value is selected.
Note: The First aggregation always calculates measure values by using the
sequence data item that you specify. If your visualization or report object
uses a different date or time data item, then the results might be misleading
to viewers who do not know the expression for the aggregated data item.
Kurtosis
calculates the kurtosis of a measure. The kurtosis value indicates how
peaked the distribution is. A larger value indicates a more sharply peaked
distribution. A smaller value indicates a flatter distribution.
Last
calculates the last value of a measure based on chronological order. The first
parameter specifies the measure. The second parameter specifies the
sequence data item that is used to determine the chronological order. The
sequence data item can be either a date or time data item or a numeric data
item. The third parameter specifies whether missing values are included.
Periodic Operators 591
Select _IncludeMissing_ to include missing values or select

_ExcludeMissing_ to exclude missing values.
Note: If there are multiple measure values for the last value of the sequence
data item, then the minimum measure value is selected.
Note: The Last aggregation always calculates measure values by using the
sequence data item that you specify. If your visualization or report object
uses a different date or time data item, then the results might be misleading
to viewers who do not know the expression for the aggregated data item.
Percentile
calculates the specified percentile of a measure. Specify a number between
0 and 100. For example, 85 specifies the 85th percentile, the value for which
85% of the values are lower.
PvalT
calculates the probability of observing the t statistic value or a more extreme
value. A small value indicates that the mean is likely not equal to zero.
Skewness
calculates the skewness of a measure. Skewness indicates the distribution of
values. A positive value indicates that the distribution is heavier for values
greater than the mean. A negative value indicates that the distribution is
heavier for values less than the mean.
TStat
calculates the Student’s t statistic for a measure, assuming a mean value of
zero.
USS
calculates the uncorrected sum of squares of a measure. The uncorrected
sum of squares is the sum of the squared values.
Periodic Operators
About Periodic Operators

Periodic operators aggregate values over a period of time.
If you assign a periodic aggregated item to a visualization or report object that
contains dates, the aggregated item displays the aggregated values for each
time period in the visualization or report object.
In a visualization or report object that does not contain dates, the aggregated
item displays values that use today’s date as a reference. If the date data item
for the operator does not contain data for the interval that contains today’s date,
then the operator returns missing values.
Periodic operators are evaluated using time intervals. Intervals specify whether
the aggregation is applied on a monthly basis, a quarterly basis, and so on. You
can specify a specific interval, or you can specify that the interval is inferred. For
an inferred interval, the aggregation is evaluated based on its context in the
visualization or report object. For example, if your visualization contains a bar
chart of sales by month, then the inferred interval is monthly.
Note: Periodic operators return a missing value in the following scenarios:
n Data does not exist for the specified time period.
n The date data item for the period calculation does not match the date data
item in the visualization or report object. You must use the same date data
item or a duplicate data item that is based on the same data item.
n The interval for the operator is smaller than the interval of the date format in
the visualization or report object (for example, if your interval is by month, but
the date format is Year).
n For operators that use inner and outer intervals, the inner interval is larger
than the outer interval.
n The inferred interval is by week of the year or by an interval smaller than a
day.
n The inferred interval is by day for any operator that has an offset other than
0.
For the explorer, the ParallelPeriod and RelativePeriod operators always
return a missing value when the inferred interval is by day.
The following periodic operators are available:
Table A5.1 Periodic Operators
CumulativePeriod returns the aggregated value for a period

of time and all of the previous periods of
time within a larger period of time (for
example, the year-to-date total of monthly
values).
ParallelPeriod returns the aggregated value for a period

of time that is parallel to the current period
of time (for example, the value for the
same month of the previous year).
Period returns the aggregated value for a period

of time (for example, the value for the
current month).
PeriodWithDate returns the aggregated value for a

specific, constant period of time (for
example, the value for the month that
includes 15OCT2013).
RelativePeriod returns the aggregated value for a period

of time that is relative to the current period
(for example, the value for the previous
month of the same year).
CumulativePeriod
The CumulativePeriod operator returns aggregated values for a period of time
and all of the previous periods, within a larger period of time (for example, the
year-to-date total of monthly values).
Note: The CumulativePeriod operator resets at the beginning of each calendar
year. You cannot have a CumulativePeriod operator with a date range that
overlaps two calendar years.
Specify the following parameters:
Figure A5.1 Parameters for the CumulativePeriod Operator
1 The aggregation that is applied to the measure.

2 The measure to aggregate over time.
3 Which time filters should be applied before processing the aggregated
measure. Select one of the following:
_ApplyAllFilters_
applies all filters before processing the aggregated measure.
_IgnoreAllTimeFrameFilters_
ignores all filters that are based on the same date data item as the
periodic operator.
_IgnoreInteractiveTimeFrameFilters_
ignores all interactive filters (from prompts and interactions) that are
based on the same date data item as the periodic operator.
Note: This parameter is not available in the explorer.
4 The date data item for the period calculation. Only data items whose formats
specify year are available.
5 The inner interval (smaller time period) for which the values are aggregated.
For example, specify _ByMonth_ as the inner interval and _ByYear_ as the
outer interval to aggregate the year-to-date values for each month.
_Inferred_
specifies that the interval is determined automatically from the
visualization or report object that displays the aggregated item.
_ByMonth_
specifies a monthly interval.
_ByQuarter_
specifies a quarterly interval.
_ByYear_
specifies a yearly interval.
6 The outer interval (larger time period) that provides the context for the
cumulative aggregation. For example, specify _ByMonth_ as the inner
interval and _ByYear_ as the outer interval to aggregate the year-to-date
values for each month.
_Inferred_
_ByMonth_
_ByQuarter_
_ByYear_
7 The number of outer intervals to offset from the current period. 0 specifies
that the period from the current outer interval is used. A negative value
indicates a previous interval.
For example, if your inner interval is by month and your outer interval is by
year, then -1 specifies the year-to-date monthly values for the previous year.
8 The starting point for each new outer period. For example, if your inner
interval is by month and your outer interval is by year, then 3 specifies that
each year begins in the third month.
Note: If the outer interval is inferred or by year, then the value must be an
interval between 1 and 12. If the outer interval is by quarter, then the value
must be an interval between 1 and 4.
9 The scope for the period. The scope specifies how much of each period is
aggregated.
_Full_
aggregates the values for the entire period.
_ToDate_
aggregates only the values up to a specific day of the outer interval.
_ToToday_
aggregates only the values up to the equivalent of today’s position in the
current interval. For example, if today is the 40th day of the quarter, and
the outer interval is by quarter, then only the values up to the 40th day of
each quarter are used.
The value for today is evaluated dynamically whenever the aggregated
item is viewed in a visualization or report object.
10 If you select _ToDate_ as the scope, then select the date that is used to
subset each period.
For example, if you select 09NOV2013, and the outer interval is by year, then
only the values up to November 9 of each year are used in the aggregation.
For example,
CumulativePeriod(_Sum_, 'Expenses'n, _ApplyAllFilters_, 'Date'n, _ByMonth_, _ByYear_, 0, 1, _Ful
aggregates the sum of year-to-date monthly values for the Expenses measure
using date values from the Date data item.
ParallelPeriod
The ParallelPeriod operator returns aggregated values for a period of time that is
parallel to the current period (for example, the value for the same month of the
previous year).
Figure A5.2 Parameters for the ParallelPeriod Operator

_ApplyAllFilters_
periodic operator.
5 The inner interval (smaller time period) for which the values are aggregated.
For example, specify _ByMonth_ as the inner interval to aggregate the
values for each month.
_Inferred_
_ByMonth_
_ByQuarter_
_ByYear_
6 The outer interval (larger time period) that provides the context for the
parallel period aggregation. For example, specify _ByMonth_ as the inner
interval and _ByYear_ as the outer interval to aggregate the monthly values
for a different year.
_Inferred_
_ByMonth_
_ByQuarter_
_ByYear_
7 The number of outer intervals to offset from the current period. 0 specifies
that the period from the current outer interval is used. A negative value
indicates a previous interval.
For example, if your inner interval is by month and your outer interval is by
year, then -1 specifies the monthly values for the previous year.
aggregated.
_Full_
_ToDate_
aggregates only the values up to a specific day of the outer interval.
_ToToday_

subset each period.
For example, if you select 09NOV2013, and the outer interval is by year, then
only the values up to November 9 of each year are used in the aggregation.
For example,
ParallelPeriod(_Sum_, 'Expenses'n, _ApplyAllFilters_, 'Date'n, _ByMonth_, _ByYear_, -1, _Full_)
aggregates the sum of monthly values for the Expenses measure for the
previous year using date values from the Date data item.
Period
The Period operator returns aggregated values for a period of time (for example,
the value for the current month).
Figure A5.3 Parameters for the Period Operator

_ApplyAllFilters_
periodic operator.
5 The interval for which the values are aggregated. For example, specify
_ByMonth_ as the interval to aggregate the values for each month.

_Inferred_
_ByMonth_
_ByQuarter_
_ByYear_
For example,
Period(_Sum_, 'Expenses'n, _ApplyAllFilters_, 'Date'n, _ByMonth_)
aggregates the sum of monthly values for the Expenses measure using date
values from the Date data item.
PeriodWithDate
The PeriodWithDate operator returns aggregated values for a specific, constant
period of time (for example, the value for the month that includes 15OCT2013).
Figure A5.4 Parameters for the PeriodWithDate Operator

_ApplyAllFilters_
periodic operator.

_ByMonth_ as the interval to aggregate the values for each month.
_Inferred_
_ByMonth_
_ByQuarter_
_ByYear_
6 The reference date for the period aggregation.
For example,
PeriodWithDate(_Sum_, 'Expenses'n, _ApplyAllFilters_, 'Date'n, _ByMonth_, '15OCT2013'd)
aggregates the sum of monthly values for the Expenses measure using date
values from the Date data item.
RelativePeriod
The RelativePeriod operator returns aggregated values for a period of time that
is relative to the current period (for example, the previous month of the same
year).
Figure A5.5 Parameters for the RelativePeriod Operator


_ApplyAllFilters_
periodic operator.
_ByMonth_ as the interval to aggregate the year-to-date values for each
month.
_Inferred_
_ByMonth_
_ByQuarter_
_ByYear_
6 The number of intervals to offset from the current period. 0 specifies that the
period from the current interval is used. A negative value indicates a previous
interval.
For example, if your interval is by month, then -1 specifies the monthly values
for the previous month.
aggregated.
_Full_
_ToDate_
aggregates only the values up to a specific day of the interval.
_ToToday_
Text (Simple) Operators 601
subset each period.
For example, if you select 09NOV2013 and the outer interval is by quarter,
then only the values up to the 40th day of each quarter are used in the
aggregation.
For example,
RelativePeriod(_Sum_, 'Expenses'n, _ApplyAllFilters_, 'Date'n, _ByMonth_, -1, _Full_)
aggregates the sum of monthly values for the Expenses measure for the
previous month using date values from the Date data item.
Text (Simple) Operators

Note: All text operators are case sensitive.
Note: Text operators are not supported for aggregated items.
Concatenate
appends the second input string to the first input string.
For example, Concatenate('A', 'B') returns AB.
Contains
specifies that a matching value must contain the specified string.
For example, 'Catcher' Contains 'Cat' returns true.
EndsWith
specifies that a matching value must contain the specified string at the end of
the value.
For example, 'Catcher' EndsWith 'her' returns true.
Format
applies a SAS format to the input value. Click the format field to select the
format that you want to apply. The output from the Format operator is a
string.
For example, Format(1015.35, 'DOLLAR6.2') returns $1,015.35 as a
string value.
Note: Standard date formats in SAS Visual Analytics display date and
datetime values in the locale of your browser. You can display date and
datetime values in the locale of the data source by using national language
formats. The names of national language formats begin with “NL.” For
example, the NLDATE format displays date values by using the locale of the
data source.
LowerCase
changes all of the characters in a text string to lowercase.
For example, LowerCase('SAS INSTITUTE’) returns sas institute.
NotContains
specifies that a matching value must not contain the specified string.
For example, 'Catcher' NotContains 'Dog' returns true.
Parse
interprets a numeric or datetime value from the input string. Click the format
field to select the format that is used to interpret the string. The output from
the Parse operator is either a number or a datetime value, depending on the
format that you select.
For example, Parse('15JAN2013', 'DATE9.') returns 15JAN2013 as a
date value.
StartsWith
specifies that a matching value must contain the specified string at the start
of the value.
For example, 'Catcher' StartsWith 'Cat' returns true.
UpCase
changes all of the characters in the text string to uppercase.
For example, UpCase('sas institute') returns SAS INSTITUTE.
Text (Advanced) Operators

Note: All text operators are case sensitive.
Note: Text operators are not supported for aggregated items.
FindChar
finds the position of a character or any of a set of characters within a text
string. The position of the first match is returned as a numeric value. If no
matches are found, then 0 is returned. The first input string specifies the
value to search within. The second input string specifies the list of characters
to search for.
For example, FindChar('mystring', 'sz') returns 3.
FindString
finds the position of a string within another string. The position of the first
match is returned as a numeric value. If no matches are found, then 0 is
returned. The first input string specifies the value to search within. The
second input string specifies the string to search for.
For example, FindString('mystring', 'st') returns 3.
GetLength
returns the length of an input string as a numeric value.
For example, GetLength('mystring') returns 8.
GetWord
returns a word from an input string where the words are separated by
spaces, periods, or other special characters. The first parameter specifies the
input string. The second parameter specifies the number of the word to
return where 1 is the first word.
For example, GetWord('my test string', 2) returns test.
RemoveBlanks
removes space characters from the input string. The first parameter specifies
the input string. The second parameter specifies which space characters to
remove. Select one of the following:
Text (Advanced) Operators 603
_All_
removes all spaces from the string.
_Leading_
removes spaces at the beginning of the string.
_LeadingAndTrailing_
removes spaces at the beginning and end of the string.
_Trailing_
removes spaces at the end of the string.
For example, RemoveBlanks('my test string', '_ALL_') returns
myteststring.
RemoveChars
removes all instances of a set of characters from the input string. The first
parameter specifies the input string. The second parameter specifies the list
of characters to remove.
For example, RemoveChars('my_test_string', '_') returns
myteststring.
RemoveWord
removes a word from an input string where the words are separated by
spaces or special characters. The first parameter specifies the input string.
The second parameter specifies the number of the word to remove where 1
is the first word.
For example, RemoveWord('my test string', 2) returns my string.
Note: In addition to spaces, the following characters are used as delimiters
in the input string: . < ( ) + & ! $ * ; ^ - / , % | ’
Replace
replaces a substring within the input string with a replacement string. The first
parameter specifies the input string. The second parameter specifies the
substring to replace. The third parameter specifies the replacement string.
The fourth parameter specifies which instances of the substring to replace.
_ALL_
replaces every instance.
_FIRST_
replaces the first instance only.
_LAST_
replaces the last instance only.
For example, Replace('my test string test', 'test', 'new',
'_ALL_') returns my new string new.
ReplaceWord
replaces a word from an input string where the words are separated by
spaces, periods, or other special characters. The first parameter specifies the
input string. The second parameter specifies the number of the word to
replace where 1 is the first word. The third parameter specifies the
replacement string.
For example, ReplaceWord('my test string', 2, 'new') returns my
new string.
Reverse
reverses the order of the characters in the input string.
For example, Reverse('A B C') returns C B A.
Substring
returns a substring from the input string based on the position of the
characters. The first parameter specifies the input string. The second
parameter specifies the position of the first character to return. The third
parameter specifies the number of characters to return.
For example, Substring('my test string', 4, 3) returns tes.
Update
replaces a substring from the input string based on the position of the
characters. The first parameter specifies the input string. The second
parameter specifies the position of the first character to replace. The third
parameter specifies the number of characters to replace. The fourth
parameter specifies the replacement string.
For example, Update('my test string', 4, 3, 'nex') returns my
next string.
URLDecode
removes URL encoding from the input string. URL encoding replaces some
characters with a % character followed by a two-digit hexadecimal code.
For example, URLDecode('support.sas.com%2Fmy%20string') returns
support.sas.com/my string.
URLEncode
applies URL encoding to the input string. URL encoding replaces some
characters with a % character followed by a two-digit hexadecimal code.
For example, URLEncode('support.sas.com/my string') returns
support.sas.com%2Fmy%20string.
Calculating Compound Annual Growth Rate

Compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is an investing and business term for the
effective constant year-over-year rate of return that produces a target result
value at the end of multiple years, assuming that the CAGR is compounded at
the end of each year. For example, you might use CAGR to compare trends over
multiple years in revenue or in the number of units sold. For SAS Visual
Analytics, you can calculate the yearly CAGR using the expression builder.
This example compares trends in the growth rate for yearly sales amounts
between different product types or regions.
The basic data items are:
sales
This is a numeric measure with a currency format and a default aggregation
of Sum.
ProductType
This is a string category data item.
Calculating Compound Annual Growth Rate 605
RegionName
This is a string category data item.
TransactionDate
This is a date data item with a format of Month, Day, Year (MMDDYYYY).
The duplicate data item is:
TransactionDateYear
This data item is a duplicate of the TransactionDate data item, but with the
Year format.
The calculated data items are:
BeginningYearNum
This data item should be a numeric type with a Float4.0 format and an
aggregation of Minimum.
BeginningYearNum = Year('31DEC2010'd)
EndingYearNum
This data item should be a numeric type with a Float4.0 format and an
aggregation of Minimum.
EndingYearNum = Year(‘transactionDate’n)
The aggregated measure data items are:
NumYears
This data item has a Float4.0 format.
NumYears = Min [_ByGroup_] ('EndingYearNum'n) ‑ Min
[_ByGroup_] ('BeginningYearNum'n)
BeginningValue
This data item needs to be set to the same currency format as the sales
data item.
BeginningValue = PeriodWithDate(_Sum_, 'sales'n,
'transactionDate'n, _ByYear_, '31DEC2010'd)
EndingValue
This data item needs to be set to the same currency format as the sales
data item.
EndingValue = Period(_Sum_, 'sales'n, 'transactionDate'n,
_ByYear_)
NormalizedRatio
This data item has a Float12.2 format.
NormalizedRatio = 'EndingValue'n / 'BeginningValue'n
CAGR
This data item has a Percent format.
CAGR = ('NormalizedRatio'n Power ( 1 / 'NumYears'n ) ) – 1
To use the CAGR, you should add TransactionDateYear, CAGR, and any
other categories of interest (for example, RegionName, ProductType, and so
on) to a list table, a crosstab, or a graph.
607
Appendix 6
Conditions for Filters
In SAS Visual Analytics, filters are based on expressions that contain operators.
Conditions enable you to easily add the most common operators to your
expression. Depending on the type of data that is used by the filter, you can
select from the following categories of filter conditions:
Table A6.1 Conditions for Character Data
= Specifies that a matching value must match one of the filter

values exactly.
Contains Specifies that a matching value must contain the filter value.
EndsWith Specifies that a matching value must contain the filter value
at the end of the value.
In Specifies that a matching value is in the list that you select.

To select your list, choose the values from the drop-down
list.
Missing Specifies that a missing value matches the filter.
NotContains Specifies that a matching value must not contain the filter
value.
NotIn Specifies that a matching value is not in the list that you
select. To select your list, choose the values from the drop-
down list.
NotMissing Specifies that a nonmissing value matches the filter.
StartsWith Specifies that a matching value must contain the filter value
at the start of the value.
Table A6.2 Conditions for Numeric Data and Date and Time Data
<> Specifies that a matching value must not be equal to the

filter value.
= Specifies that a matching value must be equal to the filter

value.
608 Appendix 6 / Conditions for Filters
< Specifies that a matching value must be less than the filter
value.
<= Specifies that a matching value must be less than or equal

to the filter value.
> Specifies that a matching value must be greater than the

filter value.
>= Specifies that a matching value must be greater than or

equal to the filter value.
Between [exclusive] Specifies that a matching value must be greater than the
first filter value and less than the second filter value.
Between [inclusive] Specifies that a matching value must be greater than or

equal to the first filter value and less than or equal to the
second filter value.
In Specifies that a matching value is in the list that you select.

To select your list, choose the values from the drop-down
list.
Note: This condition is not available for continuous numeric
data.
Missing Specifies that a missing value matches the filter.
NotBetween Specifies that a matching value must be less than the first
[exclusive] filter value or greater than the second filter value.
NotBetween Specifies that a matching value must be less than or equal

[inclusive] to the first filter value or less than or equal to the second
filter value.
NotIn Specifies that a matching value is not in the list that you
select. To select your list, choose the values from the drop-
down list.
Note: This condition is not available for continuous numeric
data.
NotMissing Specifies that a nonmissing value matches the filter.

609
Appendix 7
Data Limits
Data Limits for SAS Visual Analytics Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 609
High-Cardinality Thresholds for Report Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 612
Data Limits for SAS Visual Analytics

Explorer
Some of the visualizations in SAS Visual Analytics Explorer (the explorer) have
limits to the number of data values that they can display. The limit values are
affected by the Visualization data threshold setting in the Preferences window.
For more information about the Preferences window, see “Specify Your
Preferences for the Explorer” on page 111.
The following table displays the data limits for visualizations in the explorer:
Table A7.1 Data Limits for the Explorer
Behavior when
Limit Is Default Minimum Maximum
Visualization Type Variation Exceeded Threshold Threshold Threshold
Table — Paging is applied 10,000 1,000 100,000

to the table.
Crosstab — An error message 21,000,000 1,000,000 26,000,000

appears. cells cells cells
Bar Chart Not grouped or The bar chart 3,000 810 3,625
latticed. shows a subset
that contains the
first or last ranked
values.
Grouped or An error message 3,000 810 3,625

latticed. appears.
610 Appendix 7 / Data Limits
Behavior when
Line Chart Single numeric or The line chart 10,000 5,630 11,250
datetime category shows a subset
in the Category that contains the
role. first or last ranked
value.
Single string 4,000 1,380 4,750
category in the
Category role.
No string An error message 10,000 5,630 11,250

categories in the appears.
Category role,
grouped or
latticed.
One or more 4,000 1,380 4,750

string categories
in the Category
role, grouped or
latticed.
Scatter Plot Two measures, The scatter plot is 40,000 9,375 48,750
not grouped. converted to a
heat map.
Two measures, An error message 40,000 9,375 48,750

grouped. appears.
Three or more The scatter plot is 80,000 / 18,750 / 97,500 /

measures, not converted to a number of number of number of
grouped. correlation matrix. measures measures measures
Three or more An error message 80,000 / 18,750 / 97,500 /

measures, appears. number of number of number of
grouped. measures measures measures
Bubble Plot No categories. The bubble plot is 25,000 7,500 30,000

converted to a
heat map.
Grouped. The bubble plot 500 150 600

shows the top or
bottom value by
size.
Latticed. An error message 1,050 4,900 50,000

appears.
Grouped and 500 150 600
latticed.
Animated. 50,000 15,000 60,000
Network Plot — An error message 8,000 100 10,000

appears.
1,000 nodes, 1,000 links
Sankey Diagram — An error message 3,000 links 500 links 3,625 links
appears.
8,020 rows 1,000 rows 10,000 rows
Data Limits for SAS Visual Analytics Explorer 611
Behavior when
Histogram — — None None None
Box Plot — An error message 2,900 boxes 800 boxes 3,500 boxes
appears.
Heat Map No categories. — None None None
One or more An error message 3,000 1,250 3,500

categories. appears.
Geo Map Bubble overlay. The bubble 5,000 1,500 6,000

overlay is
converted to a
coordinate
overlay.
Region overlay. The region 5,000 1,500 6,000

overlay is
converted to a
coordinate
overlay.
Coordinate An error message 82,000 10,000 100,000

overlay. appears.
Treemap No additional The treemap 4,900 1,050 6,000

levels. shows a subset
that contains the
value.
One or more The number of 4,900 1,050 6,000

additional levels. additional levels
is reduced to 0. If
the threshold is
still exceeded,
then the treemap
shows a subset
that contains the
value.
Correlation Matrix — — 60 measures
Decision Tree Number of nodes. An error message 180 75 200

appears.
Number of target The decision tree 50 30 50

values. displays
truncated data.
Number of An error message 4,300 1,500 5,000

predictor values. appears.
Behavior when
Word Cloud — The word cloud 100 100 100

displays the top
words by
frequency, by
measure value,
or by topic
weight.
In addition to the data thresholds that are set by the Preferences window, there
are server data limits that can be set by the system administrator. For
information about the server data limits, see the topic “Manage High-Cardinality
Data” in the SAS Visual Analytics: Administration Guide.
High-Cardinality Thresholds for Report

Objects
Client-side thresholds for report objects are documented in the following table.
These thresholds affect the designer and the classic viewer. For information
about adjusting high-cardinality thresholds for the modern viewer, printing, and
SAS Visual Analytics Apps (previously called SAS Mobile BI), see the
“Configuration Properties: SAS Mobile BI” topic in SAS Intelligence Platform:
Middle-Tier Administration Guide.
Note: The second column indicates the maximum number of unique values.
Table A7.2 Client-Side Thresholds for Report Objects
Report Object Rows
Gauges (bullets, sliders, thermometers, dials, and speedometers) 10
Word cloud 100
Bubble plots 1,500
Bar charts (regular, targeted, dual axis, and dual axis bar-line) 3,000
Waterfall charts 3,000
Line charts (regular and dual axis line) 4,000
Geo maps (bubble, coordinate, and region) 5,000
Step plots 10,000
Time series plots (regular and dual axis) 10,000
Treemaps 25,000
High-Cardinality Thresholds for Report Objects 613
Report Object Rows
Pie charts 40,000
Scatter plots 40,000
Tables (list tables and crosstabs) 40,000
Here are some key points about high-cardinality thresholds in report objects:
n In general, requests that exceed a client-side report object threshold cause
an error message to be displayed. An exception is that for detail data, excess
rows are truncated.
n Scatter plots always show detail data. List tables show details if the user
selects the Show detail data check box. Bubble plots show details unless a
category is assigned to the Group role.
n If a data source contains more than a million records, queries are blocked for
data items whose cardinality is greater than 10,000 unique items in any
particular category.
615
Appendix 8
Troubleshooting in SAS Visual
Analytics Designer
Repairing Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 615
Displaying Alert Notifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 616
Exporting Data from Report Objects to Microsoft Excel 2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 617
Specifying Colors for Data Labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 617
Repairing Reports
Issue: The Repair Report window is displayed.
Resolution:
When you open a report in the designer, you might be prompted to repair the
report. For example, this can happen when one or more columns have been
removed from the data source. You might be prompted to repair the report when
you refresh a report or change a data source. You might be prompted to repair a
report if your system administrator is still deciding which data items should be in
a table.
To repair a report:
1 Decide whether you want to fix individual data items or all of the data items in
the report.
Fixes can be made at the individual data item level. For example, if two data
items are removed from a report, then the Repair Report window displays
separate entries for each data item. The report objects that are impacted by
each data item appear below each of the data items.
616 Appendix 8 / Troubleshooting in SAS Visual Analytics Designer
Here is an example of the Repair Report window that is displayed when a

missing column affects two report objects:
2 Click Fix or Fix All. For example, if there is a column missing in the data
source and you click Fix, then the missing column is removed from the
report.
Note: If you click Open Report, then all of the data is removed from the
report objects.
A confirmation message is displayed when the report has been fixed.
Displaying Alert Notifications

Issue: An expected alert notification has not been received.
Resolution:
There are many factors that can affect alert notifications. For example, system
administrators for SAS Visual Analytics can set a property for how frequently the
system checks to see whether the alert condition has been met. And, alert
notifications are not sent if a server is down.
The timing of when alert notifications are sent can vary depending on when the
alert condition is met. For example, suppose that you specify that alert
notifications are sent every five days. The alert condition is met for the first time
at 10:00am on September 2. After that, the system continues to check for the
alert condition based on the hour or minute value that you specified for the
Query the system every field. Because the frequency is set to five days, no
alert notifications will be sent between 10:01am on September 2 and 9:59am on
September 7. This is the case, no matter how many times the alert condition is
met during that timeframe. At 10:00am on September 7, if the alert condition is
met, then another alert notification is sent, and the five-day countdown starts
again. On the other hand, if the alert condition has not been met at 10:00am on
September 7, then no alert notification is sent. However, now that five days have
passed, an alert notification is sent as soon as the alert condition is met again.
Suppose that an alert notification is sent at 2:00pm on September 10. After the
alert notification is sent, the five-day countdown starts again, and the earliest the
next alert notification can be sent is 2:00pm on September 15. If you modify the
notification frequency, then the notification history is reset.
You might not receive an alert notification as soon as the alert condition is met
because of the hour or minute value that is set in the Query the system every
field in the designer. For example, suppose that you set the value in the Query
Specifying Colors for Data Labels 617
the system every field to 1 day. If the alert condition is met one hour after the
system check is done, then it will be another 23 hours before the system checks
for the alert condition again and sends an alert notification.
Contact your system administrator for additional assistance.
Exporting Data from Report Objects to

Microsoft Excel 2007
Issue: An error occurs when data from a report object is exported using the Export
to: Excel 2007 Workbook (*.xlsx) option or when there are character codes
displayed in the exported Excel file.
Resolutions:
n If an error occurs during exporting, then in the Export or Save As window,
select either the Save as: Tab-Separated Values (*.tsv) or the Save as:
Comma-Separated Values (*.csv) option to create a data file.
n If you see character codes displayed in a file that has been exported to
Excel, then re-open the exported file in Excel, and save it without any
changes. The character codes are removed from the file.
Specifying Colors for Data Labels

Issue: The data label color for my graph is not black.
Resolution: If a graph object that you add to a report does not have the desired
attributes, try creating a custom graph object in the SAS Visual Analytics Graph
Builder (the graph builder). For example, suppose the data labels for a dual axis
bar-line graph are not the colors that you want. You can create a dual axis bar-
line graph in the graph builder and specify the font color for the data labels.
618 Appendix 8 / Troubleshooting in SAS Visual Analytics Designer
619
Appendix 9
Using URL Parameters to View a
Report
If guest access is configured for the SAS Visual Analytics Viewer, you can use
this URL: http://host/SASVisualAnalyticsViewer/VisualAnalyticsViewer/guest.jsp.
However, to log on and display a single report using guest access, you can use
a URL such as this one (which has parameters to specify the name and location
of the report): http://host/SASVisualAnalyticsViewer/
VisualAnalyticsViewer_guest.jsp?reportName=My+Report&reportPath=/Shared
+Data/VA+Reports/&appSwitcherDisabled=true. This second URL is useful for
tasks such as using an <iframe> tag to incorporate a single report within another
web application because the SAS Visual Analytics application bar, menu bar,
and toolbar are not included.
The following table lists the parameters that can be included in the second URL:
Parameter Description
reportName Specifies the name of the report that you want to view. This
parameter is required if you are accessing a specific report
through a URL.
reportPath Specifies the path to the report that you want to view. This
parameter is required if you are accessing a specific report
through a URL.
appSwitcherDisabled Disables the application bar, which enables you to return to

the home page or to access other parts of SAS Visual
Analytics and other SAS applications. The default value is
false.
Note: If you are displaying in an <iframe> tag, you must
disable the application bar by specifying
appSwitcherDisabled=true.
commentsEnabled Enables the Comments tab in the right pane. The default
value is true. If both propertiesEnabled and
commentsEnabled are false, then the right pane is not
added to the viewer.
propertiesEnabled Enables the Properties tab in the right pane. The default
value is true. If both propertiesEnabled and
commentsEnabled are false, then the right pane is not
added to the viewer.
reportViewOnly Hides the SAS Visual Analytics banner, including all of the
menus.
620 Appendix 9 / Using URL Parameters to View a Report
Parameter Description
reportContextBar Enables all of the menu options for the report. The default
value is true. If reportContextBar is false, then it is implied
that both propertiesEnabled and commentsEnabled are
false, and the right pane is not added to the viewer. This
parameter can be used only in the modern viewer.
Note: If reportContextBar is false, you will also hide the
back link, which does not allow section linking or report
linking to work properly.
Parameters are specified in the URL as a sequence of name and value pairs
using query string syntax. The URL specifies your server, an absolute path to
SAS Visual Analytics, and the query string (following the question mark
character). Each parameter name in the query string is separated from the next
value by an equal sign (=). Multiple name and value pairs are separated by
ampersand characters (&). In this example, reportName=My+Report is the
parameter that specifies the name of the report. The second name and value
pair (reportPath=/Shared+Data/VA+Reports/) is the parameter that
specifies the path to that report. The third name and value pair
(appSwitcherDisabled=true) disables the application bar. It must be present
if you are displaying the report in an <iframe> tag.
There are special rules for formatting name and value pairs in a URL. Special
characters (such as most punctuation characters, including spaces) in a value
must be URL-encoded. A space can be encoded as a plus sign (+) or %20.
Other characters are encoded using the %nn convention, where nn is the
hexadecimal representation of the character in the ASCII character set. In the
previous example, the value /Shared+Data/VA+Reports/ actually identifies
the report path /Shared Data/VA Reports/. The spaces in the names are
encoded as plus signs (+).
The reportName and reportPath parameters must be specified in the URL. The
reportName parameter specifies the name of the report that you want to view
(for example, My Report). The reportPath parameter specifies the path to that
report (for example, /Shared Data/VA Reports/).
Note: You can use these parameters with the standard viewer URL that
requires login credentials (http://host/SASVisualAnalyticsViewer/
VisualAnalyticsViewer.jsp). For example, you can use http://host/
SASVisualAnalyticsViewer/VisualAnalyticsViewer.jsp?reportViewOnly=true to
hide the banner.
URL parameters can be used to specify values for report parameters, such as
display rules, filters, ranks, and aggregated measures.
Note: You must know the exact name of the parameter and the valid values for
that parameter if you are going to include the parameter in your URL or change
its values.
621
Appendix 10
Schema for Imported Tweets
The schema for the imported tweets is shown in the following table:
Column Name Column Type Length Description
author Character 128 The author’s screen name.
authordescription Character 1024 The author’s description.
authorfavouritecount Numeric 8 The number of tweets the author has

indicated as a “favorite”.
authorfollowercount Numeric 8 The number of followers the author had

when the tweet was imported from
Twitter.
authorfriendcount Numeric 8 The number of users the author was

following when the tweet was imported
from Twitter.
authorid Numeric 8 Twitter’s unique ID for the author.
authorimageurl Character 1024 A link to the author’s profile image.
authorlang Character 2 The BCP 47 code for the author’s self-

declared user interface language.
authorlocation Character 128 The author’s self-declared location.
authorname Character 128 The author’s self-declared name in the

author’s profile.
authortimezone Character 256 The author’s self-declared time zone.
authorurl Character 1024 A URL provided by the author in the

author’s profile.
body Character 1024 The body of the tweet.
deviceinfo Character 1024 The utility that was used to post the tweet.
It is represented as an HTML-formatted
string.
622 Appendix 10 / Schema for Imported Tweets
Column Name Column Type Length Description
docid Numeric 8 Twitter’s unique ID for the tweet. You can

specify this variable as a unique row
identifier when working with text analysis
and word cloud visualizations.
doclatitude Numeric 8 The latitude value of the tweet’s

coordinates (if available). If it is not
available, then a missing value is
populated.
doclongitude Numeric 8 The longitude value of the tweet’s

coordinates (if available). If it is not
available, then a missing value is
populated.
isretweet Numeric 8 A value of 1 indicates that the tweet is a

retweet. Otherwise, the value is 0.
referenceauthor Character 128 Screen name of the user to whom this

tweet was a reply. If the tweet is not a
reply, then this field is empty.
referenceauthorid Numeric 8 User ID of the user to whom this tweet

was a reply. If the tweet is not a reply,
then the value for this field is set to -1.
publisheddatetime Numeric 8 The tweet’s published date and time as a

SAS datetime value (based on the
number of seconds since January 1, 1960
at midnight).
publisheddatetimestr Character 34 The tweet’s published date and time in

string format. Example: October 24,
2013 6:56:25 PM GMT.
tags Character 150 A semi-colon separated list of hash tags

that are mentioned within the tweet.
listoflinks Character 1024 A semi-colon separated list of URLs that

are included in the body of the tweet.
Expanded links are used where available.
mentionedusernames Character 256 A semi-colon separated list of names of

twitter users mentioned within the tweet.
mentionedusers Character 256 A semi-colon separated list of screen

names of twitter users mentioned within
the tweet.
retweetcount Numeric 8 The number of times this tweet has been

retweeted when the tweet was imported
from Twitter.
Schema for Imported Tweets 623
The schema for tweets is different from the schema that Twitter uses for tweets,
users, and entities. The following list provides URLs to the information from
Twitter for comparison purposes:
n Tweets: https://dev.twitter.com/overview/api/tweets
n Users: https://dev.twitter.com/overview/api/users
n Entities: https://dev.twitter.com/overview/api/entities
624 Appendix 10 / Schema for Imported Tweets
625
Appendix 11
About the Classic SAS Visual
Analytics Home Page
Your First Look at the Classic SAS Visual Analytics Home Page . . . . . . . . . . . 625
Manage Content on the Classic Home Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 628
Overview of Classic Home Page Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 628
Create a Collection Using the Classic Home Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 630
Add a Favorites Group to a Collection or to Your Favorites List . . . . . . . . . . . . . 631
Working with the Right Pane on the Classic Home Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 631
About the Right Pane of the Classic Home Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 631
Hide Content in the Right Pane of the Classic Home Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 632
Show Content in the Right Pane of the Classic Home Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 632
Manage Links in the Right Pane of the Classic Home Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 633
Discover Details Using the Object Inspector on the Classic Home Page . . . . 633
Add Comments to Objects on the Classic Home Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 635
Specifying Your Preferences for the Classic SAS Visual
Analytics Home Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 637
Specify Global Preferences Using the Classic Home Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 637
Specify the SAS Visual Analytics General Preferences
Using the Classic Home Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 638
Specify Your Preferences for the Classic Home Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 638
About Searching from the Classic Home Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 639
Refining Your Search Results for the Classic Home Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 641
Your First Look at the Classic SAS Visual

Analytics Home Page
The home page enables you to create new content in SAS Visual Analytics. In
addition, it enables you to access content that you and others have created.
Starting in the 7.2 release, the home page has two appearances: modern and
classic. The modern appearance is the default. You can specify the appearance
in the modern home page settings or in the classic home page preferences.
626 Appendix 11 / About the Classic SAS Visual Analytics Home Page
Here are the features of the classic home page:
Figure A11.1 The Classic Home Page
1 The application bar enables you to return to the classic home page and to
access other parts of SAS Visual Analytics and other SAS applications that
integrate with the classic home page. You can access your recently created
or viewed reports, explorations, stored processes, stored process reports,
data queries, or other objects in your recent history. Buttons are displayed for
each open application.
2 The menu bar enables you to access task options, such as creating reports,
exploring data, managing your environment or favorites, setting your view,
and getting help on using SAS Visual Analytics. You can search all SAS
content from the menu bar, and you can sign out of SAS Visual Analytics.
3 The Create Content area provides icons to let you quickly explore data,
create a new report, or prepare data, depending on your role, the associated
capabilities, and your SAS software licenses. Other installed SAS
applications might add actions to the Create Content area.
4 The My Content area lists any metadata objects that are created by a
supported SAS application. For example, explorations, reports, queries,
tables, stored processes, or stored process reports that you have opened or
created recently are listed. It also lists any content that you have marked as a
favorite or as part of a collection. Click Browse to explore folders to find a
report, exploration, stored process, stored process report, table, or query.
Note: All tables are displayed because the classic home page does not
distinguish between LASR tables and other tables.
Your First Look at the Classic SAS Visual Analytics Home Page 627
5 The Common Actions section provides an alternate way for you to access
features and other installed SAS applications. For more information, see
“Working with the Right Pane on the Classic Home Page” on page 631.
6 The Links section provides links to pages that you have bookmarked. For
more information, see “Working with the Right Pane on the Classic Home
Page” on page 631.
7 The SAS Resources section provides links to the SAS website, the SAS
Visual Analytics User Community, and to social media. For more information,
see “Working with the Right Pane on the Classic Home Page” on page 631.
Note: Guest access does not provide individualized features on the classic
home page, such as history or alerts. By default, a user with guest access has a
Basic role and can access only the classic home page and the viewer. For more
information, see “Guest Access” on page 7.
If you have the Theme Designer for Flex: Administration role in SAS
Management Console, you can access the SAS Theme Designer for Flex from
the More Actions item on the menu bar or in the Common Actions section.
Here is an example of the menu bar with the More Actions item.
Figure A11.2 Classic Home Page Menu Bar with the More Actions Item
Once you start using the classic home page, thumbnails enable you to open
explorations, reports, stored processes, stored process reports, tables, queries,
and folders that you have created or opened. The default view is secure, generic
thumbnails that represent the content. An administrator can set a property that
specifies the use of thumbnails that are shared and unique to each object.
Shared thumbnails are unique for each individual report object, so each report
looks different from other reports, and each exploration looks different from other
explorations.
Generic thumbnails are distinguished by content type only. All reports look the
same, but they appear different from explorations. Here are examples of the
generic thumbnails that you might see on the classic home page:
Figure A11.3 Generic Thumbnails for an Exploration, a Report, and a Stored Process
You can choose to view the content on the classic home page as a list. To
change your view, click on the menu bar, and then select Thumbnail or List.
The default is Thumbnail.
Here is an example of the list view for the classic home page:
Figure A11.4 List View
For more information about other parts of the SAS Visual Analytics interface,
see the following topics:
n “Your First Look at SAS Visual Data Builder” on page 38
n “Your First Look at the Explorer” on page 109
n “Your First Look at the Designer” on page 300
Manage Content on the Classic Home Page
Overview of Classic Home Page Content

The classic home page displays recent reports, explorations, stored processes,
stored process reports, tables, and queries, as well as favorites and collections
under the My Content heading on the classic home page. A favorite is a report,
an exploration, a stored process, a stored process report, a table, or a query that
you can quickly access. A collection is a group of favorites. A collection can be
shared with multiple users. A favorites group is a grouping of objects that you
can add to a collection or to your Favorites list. A favorites group that is added
to a collection has the same access rights that the collection has.
Note: A user with guest access cannot manage content.
Manage Content on the Classic Home Page 629
To manage your content, click Manage to the right of the My Content heading.
The Manage My Content window is displayed.
Figure A11.5 Manage My Content Window
The following icons are available in the Manage My Content window:
Icon Description
Enables you to create a new favorites group for your reports, explorations,
stored processes, stored process reports, tables, and queries. Folder names
cannot be longer than 60 characters. This icon is available only when
Favorites is selected.
Enables you to add a report, exploration, stored process, stored process

report, table, or query to your list of favorites. You can also create or add a
collection of favorites.
Options Enables you to select either Clear Recent History or Clear Favorites.
Enables you to delete favorite or recent content, one at a time. You can
delete multiple items by pressing the Ctrl key. For a collection, you have a
choice of permanently deleting the collection or simply removing it from
under the My Content heading on the classic home page.
Enables you to move favorites content up in the list to change what is

displayed under the My Content heading on the classic home page.
Enables you to move favorite content down in the list to change what is
displayed under the My Content heading on the classic home page.
When you select a report, exploration, stored process, stored process report,
table, or query in the Manage My Content window, the details such as the name
and location of that item are displayed.
Create a Collection Using the Classic Home Page

A collection is a group of favorites that you can share with other users. If you
have the Create Collections capability, then you can create collections. You can
create a collection that points to your favorite reports, explorations, stored
processes, stored process reports, tables, queries, folders, and favorite groups.
TIP Collections that you create using the home page are available in the SAS
Visual Analytics Apps (previously called SAS Mobile BI).
To create a new collection:
1 Do one of the following:

n On the classic home page, click Manage to the right of the My Content
heading. The Manage My Content window is displayed.
Click to open the menu, and then select Create a Collection. The
Create a Collection window is displayed.
n In the object inspector, click Collections. Then, select Create a

Collection. The Create a Collection window is displayed.
2 Enter a Name for the collection.
3 Click Browse to select a Location for the collection. The Choose a Location
Select an existing folder or create a new one. Click OK to return to the
Create a Collection window.
Note: When you create a new collection, you can add items to it from within
the Manage My Content window only if the collection is a root collection in
My Collections.
Working with the Right Pane on the Classic Home Page 631
4 (Optional) If you opened the Create a Collection window from the object
inspector, then you can clear the Add the new collection to My Content
check box. This means that the new collection is not displayed on the classic
home page next to the Favorites link.
5 Click Add. If you are in the Manage My Content window, then the new
collection is displayed on the left.
In the Manage My Content window, you can rename, remove, or permanently

delete a collection by right-clicking it and selecting the applicable option.
Add a Favorites Group to a Collection or to Your

Favorites List
You can use a favorites group to bring together your favorite reports,
explorations, stored processes, stored process reports, tables, or queries. You
can add a favorites group to a collection or to your Favorites list.
Here are some key points about favorites groups:
n Favorites groups are displayed only in the tree on the left side of the Manage
My Content window.
n Favorites groups that you add using the classic home page are available in
the SAS Visual Analytics Apps (previously called SAS Mobile BI).
n Favorites groups can be added only using the classic home page.
To add a favorites group:
1 On the classic home page, click Manage to the right of My Content. The
Manage My Content window is displayed.
2 Select Favorites or a collection.
TIP When you add a favorites group to a collection that is publicly shared,
any favorites groups inside that collection are also publicly shared.
3 On the menu bar, click . A favorites group is identified by the icon.
In the Manage My Content window, you can rename or remove a favorites group
by right-clicking it and selecting the applicable option.
Working with the Right Pane on the Classic

Home Page
About the Right Pane of the Classic Home Page

The Common Actions, Links, and SAS Resources sections are displayed in
the right pane on the classic home page. Someone who has the Visual
Analytics: Administration role can control which sections are displayed in the
right pane. For example, someone with the Visual Analytics: Administration
role might hide all of the sections, two of the sections, or only one section. For
any of the sections that are displayed, you can control which sections are visible
in your SAS Visual Analytics session. You can also control the order in which the
items in the sections are displayed.
The following sections can be displayed in the right pane:
Common Actions
Provides an alternate way for you to access features, such as designing
reports, exploring data, managing your environment or content. For example,
you can click Build Custom Graph to access the graph builder. If you have
a Data Building role, then a Prepare Data link is displayed. You might also
see links to other SAS products, such as SAS Theme Designer for Flex,
depending on your role and the SAS licenses that your site has.
Links
Provides links to pages that you have bookmarked. Someone with the Visual
Analytics: Administration role can also provide shared links for all users.
For information about links, see “Manage Links in the Right Pane of the
SAS Resources
Provides links to the SAS website, the SAS Visual Analytics User
Community, and to social media.
Hide Content in the Right Pane of the Classic

Home Page
To hide content in the right pane, position your mouse pointer over the section
title (Common Actions, Links, or SAS Resources), and click .
To hide or reorder content in a specific section, position your mouse pointer over
the section name, and click .
Note: You cannot hide or reorder the first three Common Actions (which are
Open, Manage My Content, and Edit Preferences).
To hide content in the right pane using the menu bar:
1 Click beside on the menu bar.
2 Clear the selection for one or more of the following sections:
n Common Actions
n Links
n SAS Resources
The selected section is hidden in the right pane.

Note: If someone with the Visual Analytics: Administration role has
hidden any of the sections in the right pane, then the sections are not
displayed in the menu.
Show Content in the Right Pane of the Classic

Home Page
To show content in the right pane:
1 Click beside on the menu bar.

Discover Details Using the Object Inspector on the Classic Home Page 633
2 Select one or more of the following sections:

n Common Actions
n Links
n SAS Resources
The selected section is displayed in the right pane.
To show or reorder content in a specific section, position your mouse pointer

over the section name, and click .
Note: You cannot hide or reorder the first three Common Actions (which are
Open, Manage My Content, and Edit Preferences).
If you have the Administer Hub capability, then you will also see a Manage
Shared View of Right Pane menu item when you click beside on the
menu bar. When you select this menu item, the Manage Shared View of the
Right Pane window is displayed. Administrators can use this window to hide
sections, restore sections, and add links in the right pane. Links that are added
using the Manage Shared View of the Right Pane window are shared links that
anyone can see.
Manage Links in the Right Pane of the Classic

Home Page
Note: All URLs must start with http:// or https://.
You can add, edit, and delete links in the Links section that is displayed in the
right pane.
To add new links, position your mouse pointer over the Links section heading in
the right pane to activate the , which opens the Add Link window. Links that
are added using the Add Link window are private and visible only to the user
who created them. Click to open the Manage Links window, where you can
add, delete, re-order, and hide links. You cannot delete shared links that were
added using the Manage Shared View of the Right Pane window.
If you have an Administration role, then you can click beside on the menu
bar, and select Manage Shared View of Right Pane. The Manage Shared View
of the Right Pane window is displayed. You can use this window to add links to
the right pane that are shared with other users.
Discover Details Using the Object

Inspector on the Classic Home Page
The classic home page provides an object inspector that enables you to quickly
find more information about an object when you click it. You can see a
description of the report, exploration, stored process, stored process report,
table, query, folder, or collection; the location of the selected object; the author;
when the object was created and modified; and a list of keywords.
Your role and capabilities determine the availability of actions on the toolbar
(such as viewing, editing, or opening) in the object inspector. For more
information about roles and capabilities, see the SAS Visual Analytics:
Here is an example of what you might see in the object inspector for a report
that has been viewed:
Figure A11.6 The Object Inspector on the Classic Home Page
You can use the toolbar in the object inspector to do one or more of the following
tasks (which are available depending on your role and capabilities):
n View a report, which opens the report in SAS Visual Analytics Viewer (the
viewer).
n Edit a report, which opens the report in SAS Visual Analytics Designer (the
designer) so that you can edit or change the objects in the report.
n Open an exploration, which displays SAS Visual Analytics Explorer (the
explorer). The Open link is also available for stored processes, stored
process reports, queries, and folders.
n Create Report for a table, which displays the designer.
n Explore Data for a table, which displays the explorer.
n Click Collections to select an existing collection or to create a new

collection. For more information, see “Create a Collection Using the Classic
Home Page” on page 630.
n Click to add the object to your list of favorites. When the star icon is
yellow, it indicates that the object is in your list of favorites. Click to
remove the object from your list of favorites.
Add Comments to Objects on the Classic Home Page 635
n Click to set the object as the initial screen when you start SAS Visual
Analytics. When the icon is blue, it indicates that the object is set as your
initial screen. Click to remove this initial screen setting.
In the object inspector, you can also do the following:

n Click the user name beside the Created or Last modified labels to search
for all of the SAS reports, queries, tables, stored processes, and stored
process reports that have been created or modified by that user.
n Click Comments to add or view comments. Any user who has the Add or
View Comments capability can add comments to any report, exploration,
stored process, stored process report, table, or query. They can view existing
comments about any report, exploration, stored process, stored process
report, table, or query using the Comments link in the lower right of the
object inspector. You cannot comment on folders, favorite groups, or
collections. For more information, see “Add Comments to Objects on the
Add Comments to Objects on the Classic

Home Page
If you have the Add or View Comments capability, then you can use the object
inspector on the classic home page to add (or view) comments to objects on the
home page. You can add comments to reports, explorations, stored processes,
stored process reports, tables, and queries. You can also respond to existing
comments or edit your own comments. You cannot comment on folders, favorite
groups, or collections. You cannot see comments that were added to
visualizations using the explorer.
To add a comment:
1 Click on a report, exploration, stored process, stored process report, table, or

query to open the object inspector.
2 Click Comments in the lower right corner to expand the object inspector.
Figure A11.7 Comments in the Object Inspector
3 Enter a topic name and a comment.
4 Click Post to add your comment. The Comments link in the object inspector
updates to show that there is a comment.
5 (Optional) Click to attach a file or an image to your comment.
To respond to an existing comment:
1 Click on a report, exploration, stored process, stored process report, table, or

query to open the object inspector.
2 Click Comments in the lower right corner to expand the object inspector.
3 Select an existing comment. Then, enter a reply.
4 (Optional) Click to attach a file or image to your reply.
5 Click Post to add your comment. The Comments link in the object inspector
updates to show that there is a comment.
Note: To edit another user’s comments or to delete comments, you must belong
to the predefined role Comments:Administrator. This role includes the
capabilities of editing or deleting comments.
To search for a comment:
1 Enter the word or phrase that you want to search for in the search field.
Press Enter.
2 (Optional) To clear your search, click . Then, you can enter another word
or phrase in the search field.
Specifying Your Preferences for the Classic SAS Visual Analytics Home Page 637
Specifying Your Preferences for the Classic

SAS Visual Analytics Home Page
All of your preferences persist between sessions. Preferences are not available
for a user with guest access.
Specify Global Preferences Using the Classic

Home Page
You can specify global preferences that are applied to all SAS web applications
that are displayed with the Adobe Flash player. These preferences are set by
each user.
To specify global preferences:
1 Click either or Edit Preferences on the classic home page. The

Preferences window is displayed.
Note: If you are in the data builder, the explorer, the designer, or the viewer,
then select File  Preferences to open the Preferences window.
2 Click Global Preferences in the left pane.
3 Specify your preferences.
n Select a User locale to specify your language and geographic region.
Note: If you change the User locale preference, then you must sign out
and sign in to SAS Visual Analytics for the change to take effect.
TIP If you receive distributed reports, it is recommended that you set

the User locale preference. The report distribution feature does not
have access to the browser locale, so it depends on the locale
specified for the User locale. For more information, see “Distributing
n Select a Theme to change the color scheme and other visual settings for
all of your SAS web applications.
n Select Invert application colors to invert all of the colors in your SAS
web applications.
n Select Override settings for focus indicator to change the color,
thickness, and opacity of the focus in your SAS web applications.
n Click Reset to show all warning and confirmation messages.

Specify the SAS Visual Analytics General

Preferences Using the Classic Home Page
Using the SAS Visual Analytics classic home page, you can specify your general
preferences for SAS Visual Analytics. Preferences are saved on a per-user
basis.
To specify your general preferences:
1 Click either or Edit Preferences to open the Preferences window.
2 Click General in the left pane.
3 Specify a value for Show this number of recent items. There is a minimum
of zero and a maximum of 25. The default setting is 10 items.
Click Clear History to reset your history.
Specify Your Preferences for the Classic Home

Page
To specify preferences that are specific to the classic home page:
1 Click either or Edit Preferences to open the Preferences window.
2 Click Home in the left pane.
3 Select an option from the Initial screen drop-down list. The available options
depend on your role and capabilities.
TIP If you select A specific object, then you can use the Choose an Item
window to choose one content type (for example, SAS reports (2G), visual
explorations, or a SAS Visual Statistics project) for your initial screen.
(SAS Visual Statistics is licensed separately.) If you select a report in the
Choose an Item window, then you might be able to click beside the OK
button to select either View (Visual Analytics Viewer) or Edit (Visual
Analytics Designer). The available content types and the options for
opening reports depend on the SAS products that your site has licensed
and how they are configured.
4 Specify Order the actions associated with a content type preferences.

Select a Content type, and then use the arrow keys to specify the Order of
actions. This preference also affects the order of actions in the object
inspector’s toolbar.
This preference also determines which application opens when you click on a
link to a report in an e-mail message. For example, suppose that you specify
Edit - SAS Visual Analytics Designer as the first item in the list of actions
for the SAS report (2G) content type. Then, you receive an e-mail message
with a link to a report. When you click the link to the report, it is displayed in
the designer.

About Searching from the Classic Home Page 639
About Searching from the Classic Home

Page
You can search all reports, explorations, stored processes, stored process
reports, tables, and queries that are on the metadata server from the menu bar
on the classic home page. The list of items that you can search for depends on
the SAS products that your site has licensed.
Note: There can be a delay between the time that an object (for example, a
report or an exploration) is created or changed and when the search is updated.
The following fields in metadata are searched:
n Comment Title
n Comment Description
n Created
n Description
n Keywords
n Last Modified
n Title
The search field on the menu bar supports the following types of searches:
n single word
n multiple word
n in-word wildcards
Note: A wildcard search has a limit of 200 words.

Use the asterisk (*) to represent possible characters in a particular position in
a word to generalize the word or to make it easier to find in a search. For
example, if you specify “cat*”, then the search matches any word with the
prefix cat, such as cats, category, catfish, and so on.
n spaces in strings that use quotation marks indicate that the words are
considered together as a phrase for the search. For example, suppose that
you search for "Sample Report”. The search matches Sample Report 1 and
A Sample Report, but not Sample Values Report or Sample-Report.
n the AND operator
For example, if you specify “A AND B”, then only documents that contain
both A and B are returned.
n plus (+) and minus (-) syntax
The plus (+) sign and minus (-) sign are prefix operators. This means that the
operator precedes the search term that is required or excluded, rather than
following it. For example:
o Specifying 2012 2013 2014 matches documents that contain any of the
three terms.
o Specifying +2012 +2013 +2014 matches only documents that contain all
three terms.
o Specifying 2012 2013 ‑2014 matches documents that contain 2012 or
2013, but only if they do not contain 2014.
Here are some considerations for searching from the classic home page:
n Single- and multiple-word searches that are plain text have a wildcard
appended to them. For example, if you search for the word sample, then it is
converted to sample*. This means that you get different results than if you
entered “sample”, +sample, or *sample*.
n The search is not case sensitive.
n Up to 5000 items can be returned in a single search. If your search results

exceed 5000 items, then the first 5000 items appear, and a message is
displayed at the top of the Search Results window. The message tells you
how many results matched your search and how many have been displayed.
Narrowing your search using the search field enables the relevant search
results to be displayed. When you submit a new search that returns fewer
than 5000 items, you can see all the search results.
n Search results on the classic home page are not ranked. In the workspace,
you can use the Sort by drop-down list to specify that you want the list of
items to sort by Alphabetical ascending, Alphabetical descending, Date
ascending, or Date descending. The default is Alphabetical ascending.
n A search string must be shorter than 4,000 characters.
Suppose that you search for the word sample. All words that contain sample at
the beginning are displayed in the workspace. (For example, a word that starts
with samples is displayed.) Here is an example of the search results:
Figure A11.8 Search Results on the Classic Home Page

Refining Your Search Results for the Classic Home Page 641
Refining Your Search Results for the

Classic Home Page
You can refine your search results using your original search on the metadata
server. After you enter your original search using the menu bar on the classic
home page, the search results are displayed in the workspace. Note that when
you refine your search results, the initial 5000 item subset is not affected.
The refine search feature is dependent on your locale. The search is not case
sensitive.
You can refine the search results displayed in the workspace using the Search
within results field in the left pane. When you enter a term or terms, you can
use quotation marks and spaces when you are searching within your results.
Only the items that match your refined search appear in your workspace. Each
search term that you enter must appear at least once in the object name, the
description, the author’s name, or keywords in the metadata.
You can also refine your search results by selecting (or clearing) check boxes in
the left pane. Note that the totals in the parentheses in any pane are dependent
on what has been selected in the other two panes.
The following panes are available:
n The Type pane shows the available object types. In SAS Visual Analytics,
you can search for Stored process report, SAS report (2G), Table, Stored
process, Visual data query, or Visual exploration. Depending on the SAS
products that you have licensed at your site, other SAS object types might
appear in the Type pane. The default is All object types.
The available types are determined by the capabilities that your system
administrator has assigned. For example, you might see only the All, SAS
report (2G), Table, and Stored process check boxes in the Type pane.
If you select all of the check boxes for the individual types, then the check
boxes clear, and the All check box is selected automatically. If you clear the
check boxes for all of the types, then the All check box is selected
automatically.
Note: If your role permits you to see only one type, then you will not see the
Type pane.
n The Created or Last Modified By pane enables you to search for a specific
user or to select one or more users by name.
The number in parentheses beside the user's name identifies the number of
objects that the user has created or modified, taking into account the filters
that have been selected in the other panes.
If you select all of the check boxes for the users in the list, then the check
boxes clear, and the All check box is selected automatically. If you clear the
check boxes for all of the users, then the All check box is selected
automatically.
n The Date Modified pane lists the dates that the objects were last modified.
You can refine the search to a specific date range by specifying a From date,
a To date, or both. If the initial results set represents only a single day, then
the From and To fields are hidden to conserve visual space.
The dates are time zone dependent. If your company has offices in multiple
time zones, then the date modified time stamp on the object reflects the time
at which it was saved using the current user’s time zone. For example, if a
report was modified by a user on January 3 at 2:00 a.m. in New York,
another user in California sees that it was modified on January 2 at 11:00
p.m.
At the top of the workspace, you can see the breadcrumbs for the selections that
you have made to refine your search. Breadcrumbs change as you modify the
selections in the Type, Created or Last Modified By, and Date Modified
panes. The breadcrumbs also show any search strings that you entered in the
Search within results field.
Suppose that you search for the word sample. Then, you refine the search
results by selecting Stored process for Type. All stored processes that contain
the word sample are displayed in the workspace. Here is an example of the
refined search results:
Figure A11.9 Refined Search Results on the Classic Home Page

643
Recommended Reading
Here is the recommended reading list for this title:
n SAS Visual Analytics: Administration Guide
n SAS Visual Analytics: Getting Started with Data on Windows
n SAS Visual Analytics: Getting Started with Data Preparation
n SAS Visual Analytics: Getting Started with Exploration and Reporting

n SAS Visual Analytics: Getting Started with Analytical Models
n SAS Technical Paper: One Report, Many Languages: Using SAS Visual
Analytics to Localize Your Reports
n Help and tutorials integrated into SAS Visual Analytics Apps (previously
called SAS Mobile BI)
n An Introduction to SAS Visual Analytics: How to Explore Numbers, Design
Reports, and Gain Insight into Your Data
n Paper SAS4080-2016: Designing SAS ® Visual Analytics Reports: Write
Once, View Anywhere
n Paper SAS6321-2016: If You Build It, Will They Understand? Designing
Reports for the General Public in SAS ® Visual Analytics
n Paper SAS6361-2016: Store Processes and SAS ® Visual Analytics: Giving
Users the Power to Load
n Paper SAS3802-2016: Carry-on Suitcases and Mobile Devices: Using SAS ®
Visual Analytics Designer for Creating Optimally Designed Reports for SAS ®
Mobile BI
n SAS offers instructor-led training and self-paced e-learning courses to help
you get started with SAS Visual Analytics. For more information about the
courses available, see support.sas.com/training.
For a complete list of SAS publications, go to sas.com/store/books. If you have

questions about which titles you need, please contact a SAS Representative:
SAS Books
SAS Campus Drive
Cary, NC 27513-2414
Phone: 1-800-727-0025
Fax: 1-919-677-4444
Email: sasbook@sas.com
Web address: sas.com/store/books
644 Recommended Reading
645
Glossary
Apache Hadoop (Hadoop)
an open-source framework that enables the distributed processing of large
data sets, across clusters of computers, using a simple programming model.
calculated column
a column that does not exist in any of the tables that are accessed, but which
is created as a result of a column expression.
capability
an application feature that is under role-based management. Typically, a
capability corresponds to a menu item or button. For example, a Report
Creation capability might correspond to a New Report menu item in a
reporting application. Capabilities are assigned to roles.
co-located data provider

a distributed data source, such as SAS Visual Analytics Hadoop or a third-
party vendor database, that has SAS High-Performance Analytics software
installed on the same machines. The SAS software on each machine
processes the data that is local to the machine or that the data source makes
available as the result of a query.
data item
an item in a data source that is either a logical view of a data field or a
calculation. The author of a report decides which data items to use in a
particular section of a report. There are three types of data items:
hierarchies, categories, and measures.
data source (source)

a table, view, or file from which you will extract information. Sources can be
in any format that SAS can access, on any supported hardware platform. The
metadata for a source is typically an input to a job.
dependency
a trigger condition that must be met before a job can run in a scheduled flow.
deployed job
a job that has been saved in a deployment directory and can be scheduled.
deployment directory
the location for generated SAS DATA step programs that will be executed by
the batch server as part of a scheduled flow.
file event
a file-related occurrence that is used as a trigger in a scheduled flow. For
example, a file event occurs when a scheduling server determines that a
specified file exists.
646 Glossary
filter
a set of specified criteria that are applied to data in order to identify the
subset of data for a subsequent operation, such as continued processing.
flow
a set of jobs and associated dependencies that is scheduled in the Schedule
Manager plug-in in SAS Management Console.
Hadoop
See Apache Hadoop.
job
a collection of SAS tasks that can create output.
job event
a job-related occurrence that is used as a trigger in a scheduled flow. For
example, a job event occurs when the scheduling server issues a command
to determine whether a job ran successfully.
job flow
a group of jobs and their dependencies, including dependencies on other
jobs, on files, or on specified dates and times. See also job.
join condition
a combination of join keys and a comparison operator.
L10N
See localization.
local data
data that is accessible through the file systems on a computer. This includes
data on hard drives or available through network file systems.
locale
a setting that reflects the language, local conventions, and culture for a
geographic region. Local conventions can include specific formatting rules for
paper sizes, dates, times, and numbers, and a currency symbol for the
country or region. Some examples of locale values are French_Canada,
Portuguese_Brazil, and Chinese_Singapore.
localization (L10N)
the process of adapting software for a particular geocultural region (locale).
Translation of the user interface, system messages, and documentation is a
large part of the localization process.
query
a set of instructions that requests particular information from one or more
data sources.
remote data
data that is not accessible through the file systems available to a computer.
To use remote data, you must direct a SAS server to access the data that is
available through file systems on the remote machine.
Glossary 647
report
output that is generated by running custom SAS code against the data in
your project.
role (user role)

a set of capabilities within an application that are targeted to a particular
group of users.
SAS Management Console

a Java application that provides a single user interface for performing SAS
administrative tasks.
SAS Stored Process (stored process)

a SAS program that is stored on a server and defined in metadata, and which
can be executed by client applications.
SAS Workspace Server

a SAS server that provides access to SAS Foundation features such as the
SAS programming language and SAS libraries.
scheduling server
a server that runs deployed jobs in a scheduled flow. The scheduling server
determines whether the schedule criteria and dependencies have been met
before a job is run.
source
See data source.
stored process
See SAS Stored Process.
subquery
a query-expression that is nested as part of another query- expression.
Depending on the clause that contains it, a subquery can return a single
value or multiple values.
time series
an ordered sequence of values of a variable that are observed at equally
spaced time intervals.
Unicode
a 16-bit encoding that is the industry standard for supporting the interchange,
processing, and display of characters and symbols from most of the world's
writing systems.
Unicode Transformation Format 8

See UTF-8.
user role
See role.
UTF-8 (Unicode Transformation Format 8)

a method for converting 16-bit Unicode characters to 8-bit characters. This
format supports all of the world's languages, including those that use non-
Latin 1 characters.
648 Glossary
visual exploration
a metadata object that contains visualizations and data settings that are
saved from a session of the SAS Visual Analytics explorer.
visualization
an interactive visual representation of data. A visualization can be a table, a
chart, or a geographic map.
649
Index
building custom graphs
A
See custom graphs
bullet gauges 573
accessibility 11 butterfly charts 568
adding button bar control 570
columns in custom graphs 501
columns in the data builder 45, 55
comments in the designer 484
info windows 472 C
plots to a custom graph 500
report sections 472 calculated columns 56
adding a report job 485 calculated data items 125, 364, 380,
advanced report filters 424 583
aggregated measures 126, 363 adding 381
adding 384 compound annual growth rate
distinct count 369 (CAGR) 604
editing 385 deleting 378
percentage of total 369 duplicating 368
aggregation types 581 editing 383
aggregations 57, 117, 376, 581 canvas 303
adding to multiple columns 59 capabilities in SAS Visual Analytics 8
alerts 351, 545 category data items 364
adding 351 distinct counts 369
deleting 353 sort options 378
editing 352 changing data sources 359
preference 305 charts
subscribe 545 bar charts 555
unsubscribe 545 butterfly charts 568
alphanumeric categories 364 dual axis bar charts 562
application themes 9 dual axis bar-line charts 563
authenticated users 7 dual axis line charts 562
automatic charts 157 line charts 556
axes pie charts 557
customizing 153 schedule charts 566
locking 153 targeted bar charts 556
transferring 153 waterfall charts 556
classic home page 625
add comments 635
collections 630
B
content 628
favorites group 631
band plots 564 manage links 633
bar charts 160, 555 object inspector 633
basic report filters 420 preferences 637
binning interval 330 searching 639
box plots 182 classic viewer
brush 544 adding comments 543
bubble change plots 561 alerts 545
bubble plots 167, 560
650 Index
brushing 544 adding to the designer’s Objects tab

drilling 544 508
filtering 544 building 497
opening reports 541 changing the order of graph
preferences 545 elements 513
viewing links 544 creating a data-driven lattice 505
cluster matrix window 290 creating a grid of rows and columns
clustering 289 501
color gradients 153 example data-driven lattice 523
column expressions 56 example filled overlay 528
comments example user-defined lattice 525
for explorations 231, 543 example vector 529
for reports 484, 543 properties in the designer 348
for visualizations 231 removing graph elements 514
comparative time series plots 558 roles 498
compound annual growth rate 604 saving 507
conditions for filters 607 selecting components 512
controls 332, 570 shared data roles 520
button bar 570 styles in the designer 348
creating report prompts 334 custom sort
creating section prompts 335 adding 397
drop-down list 570 deleting 398
list 570 editing 398
properties 332
reordering report prompts 335
reordering section prompts 336
D
slider 570
styles 333
dashboard indicator
text input 570
See gauges
correlation matrices 190
data
crosstabs 159, 322, 554
See also data items
exporting data from 481
See also data sources
percentage of total 370
database table 26
sorting data in 396
exporting from crosstabs 481
CSV files 15
Facebook 31
custom categories 121, 372
formats 117
custom geography data items 379
custom graph types Google Analytics 32
local data file 19
band plots 564
properties 116
bar charts 555
self-service 15
bubble plots 560
Twitter 33
line charts 556
data brushing 155
needle plots 564
data items
pie charts 557
See also category data items
scatter plots 558
aggregated measures 363
schedule charts 566
assigning 366
series plots 559
automatic assignment 367
step plots 565
calculated 364, 380
time series plots 558
create custom category 372
treemaps 561
date time 364
vector plots 566
deleting 378
waterfall charts 556
derived 128
custom graphs 348
distinct count 369
about the graph builder 495
duplicating 368
about the template gallery 496
frequency data items 365
adding plots 500
Index 651
frequency percent data items 365 document collections 136

geography 134, 365, 379 dot plots 567
grouping on Data tab 361 drill 544
hiding 360 drop-down list control 570
hierarchies 362, 365 dual axis bar charts 562
in a report 363 dual axis bar-line charts 563
measure data items 365 dual axis line charts 562
modifying format 374 dual axis time series plots 563
modifying role 374 duplicate data items 133
renaming 368, 373 duplicating
searching for 369 data items 368
showing 360 info windows 473
sorting on Data tab 361 report objects 350
data roles report sections 473
modifying in report objects 386 dynamic text 339
removing from report objects 394
data source filters 210, 427
creating 427
E
deleting 428
editing 428
e-mailing
data sources 45, 356
explorations 219
adding to reports 358
reports 476
changing 359
explorations 113
filtering 427
exporting 480
importing 357
data from crosstabs 481
mapping in the designer 444
data from graphs 482
measure details 360
data from list tables 481
modifying measure aggregation 376
data from report objects 480
refreshing 359
data from visualizations 218
removing 359
PDF output 216
data-driven lattice 505
date category data items 364
datetime category data items 364
decision trees 191, 281 F
interactive training 285
pruning 284 filter controls 332
deleting filtering
aggregations 58 continuous data 207
columns in the data builder 56 discrete data 206
data items 378 filters 202, 419, 433, 544
data source filters 428 See also filters, advanced
data sources 359 See also filters, basic
hierarchies 363 See also filters, data source
info windows 474 in SAS Visual Statistics 253
report interactions 446 filters, advanced 209, 424
report sections 474 creating 209, 424
reports 315 deleting 427
details table 148 editing 209, 426
dial gauges 574 filters, basic 204, 420
display rules 401 creating 205, 420
gauges 415 deleting 424
graph level 411 editing 208, 423
report level 402 visual filter controls 206
table level 403 filters, data source 210, 427
distinct counts 128, 369 creating 210, 427
distributing reports 484, 486 deleting 428
652 Index
editing 211, 428 bubble plots 560

filters, post-aggregate 429 butterfly charts 568
creating 429 comparative time series plots 558
deleting 431 custom graphs 495
editing 430 displaying results 329
fit statistics dot plots 567
in generalized linear models 277 exporting data from 482
in linear regressions 261 numeric series plots 560
in logistics regressions 270 pie charts 557
fit summary window properties 329
in generalized linear models 275 scatter plots 558
in linear regressions 258 series plots 559
in logistic regressions 267 stock high-low plots 568
formats stock volume and volatility plots 569
modifying for data items 117, 374 styles 331
modifying user-defined 375 time series plots 558
frequency data items 365 treemaps 561
frequency percent data items 365 vector plots 566
full-screen view 309 group by variables 58
in SAS Visual Statistics 251
grouping
items on Data tab 361
G
guest access
SAS Visual Analytics 7
gain ratio 283 viewer 539
gauges
bullet 573
dial 574
display rules 415 H
properties 345
shared display rules 416 heat maps 184
slider 573 hiding
speedometer 574 data items 360
styles 346 report objects 321
thermometer 573 hierarchies 361
generalized linear model 273 creating 221, 362
geo bubble maps 571 deleting 363
geo coordinate maps 571 editing 362
geo maps 186, 343 from date and time items 222
geo bubble maps 343 hierarchy data items 365
geo coordinate maps 344 histograms 181
geo region maps 344 horizontal containers 336
properties 344 properties 337
styles 345 styles 337
geo region maps 572
geography data items 134, 365, 379
global settings 10
I
graph builder 495
preferences 508
image files, exporting as 218
graph template gallery 496
images 339
graph-level display rules 411
inserting into a report 340
using a color-mapped value 413
properties 341
using an expression 411
importing
graphs
data 15
See also custom graph types
report objects 313
bubble change plots 561
reports 313
Index 653
info windows 471 to another report 450

adding 472 viewing 544
deleting 474 list control 570
duplicating 473 list tables 322, 554
linking to 452 exporting data from 481
renaming 473 sorting data in 395
reordering 473 sparklines 325
information gain 283 localizing reports 488
information maps logging off 7
limitations and restrictions 86 logistic regression model 265
informative missingness 251
interaction terms 250
interactions in reports
M
See report interactions
managing report distributions 488
map data sources 444
J measure data items 365
measures
jobs, in SAS Data Integration Studio details 360
99 modifying aggregation of 376
joins 46 percentage of total 369
automatic join feature 68 metadata view for stored process 342
explicit 67 Microsoft Excel
maximum number of tables 67 exporting data from report objects
sequence 72 480
import spreadsheets 15
missing values, excluding 208
model comparison 293
L
models 237, 249
modern viewer
lattice 505 opening reports 537
about 514 modifying data item role 374
adding rows and columns 515 moving objects
creating 501 info windows 474
moving graph elements 515 report sections 474
moving rows and columns 516
removing cells 516
removing graph elements 516
removing rows and columns 516 N
resizing rows and columns 515
layouts needle plots 564
See report layouts network diagrams 170
libraries 46 numeric series plots 560
line charts 162, 556
linear regression model 257
link functions 274
O
linking
mapping data sources 444
object inventory list 310
links 449
opening
deleting 455
reports 314
editing 455
operators
example 455
for calculated items 583
text 454
overlaid plots
to a section 451
See overlays
to an external URL 453
overlays
to an info window 452
654 Index
changing the order of 513 for the classic viewer 545

creating 500 for the data builder 41
removing 514 for the designer 305
overview axis 518 for the graph builder 508
for the report theme 306
printing reports 477
prompt containers 336
P
properties
controls 332
parallel coordinates plot 291 custom graphs 517
parameters 123, 463
gauges 345
creating 465 geo maps 344
deleting 466 graphs 329
editing 466 horizontal containers 337
using in the designer 464 images 341
partitioning tables overview axis 518
ORDERBY= option 83 reports 310
PDF, exporting as 216 stack containers 337
percentage of total 369 stored process 342
pie charts 557 text 338
pivot by 59 vertical containers 337
plots
word clouds 347
adding as an overlay 500
adding as new rows and columns
501
band plots 564 Q
box plots 182
bubble change plots 561 query, cancel 399
bubble plots 167, 560
changing the order of 513
comparative time series plots 558
R
creating a data-driven lattice 505
dot plots 567
ranks
dual axis time series plots 563
adding to reports 459
needle plots 564
deleting from reports 462
numeric series plots 560
for reports 459
removing 514
for visualizations 151
scatter plots 165, 558
redo history 44
selecting 512
refreshing
series plots 559
data sources 359
shared data roles 520
reports 315
step plots 565
removing data sources 359
stock high-low plots 568
renaming
stock volume and volatility plots 569
data items 368, 373
info windows 473
vector plots 566
report sections 473
post-aggregate report filters 429
reports 312
precision layout 309
reordering
predicted values 254
info windows 473
preferences 9, 41
report sections 473
See also settings
repairing reports 615
alert notifications 305
report data, exporting 480
default view for reports 306
report filters 419
for all web applications 10
See also filters
for SAS Visual Statistics 236
advanced 424
for the classic home page 638
basic 420
Index 655
data sources 427 creating 308

post-aggregate 429 creating a new hierarchy 362
report interactions 433, 544 deleting 315
creating 434 deleting sections 474
data brushing 433, 439 display rules 401
deleting 446 distributing 484
example 455 e-mailing 476
filters 433, 434 hierarchies 361
mapping data sources 444 importing 313
report layouts inserting images 340
precision 309 layout 309
tiled 309 localize 488
report links 449 managing distribution 488
report objects 318 modifying data roles 386
alerts 351 opening 314
container types 336 printing 477
controls 332, 570 properties 310
duplicating 350 re-using objects 314
exporting data 480 refreshing 315
gauges 345 removing data roles 394
graphs 329 renaming 312
hiding 321 repairing 615
inserting 320 sharing 475
moving 474 specify description 310
other types 338 using a custom sort 397
showing 321 view title 310
tables 322 viewing 537, 541
viewing information about 542 views 309
report prompt 332 residual plot
report prompts in generalized linear models 276
creating 334 in linear regressions 259
reordering 335 in logistic regressions 268
report sections 471 results
adding 472 displaying in gauges 345
deleting 474 displaying in graphs 329
duplicating 473 displaying in tables 322
moving objects 474 ROC 269, 286
renaming 473 role names for shared roles 520
reordering 473 roles 8
report themes 304 See also custom graphs
preference 306 data 386
selecting 304 data item, modifying 374
report views 309 user 8
full screen 309 roles for custom graphs 498
tablet 309
wide-screen tablet 309
report-level display rules 402
S
reports 307
See also report filters
Sankey diagrams 174
See also report objects
SAS data sets 15
See also report sections
SAS Graphics Accelerator 538
See also report themes
SAS Visual Analytics 3
adding a report job 485
accessibility features 11
adding sections 472
authenticated users 7
cancel slow query 399
benefits of 4
create a distribution 486
656 Index
capabilities 8 stored processes 341, 543

guest access 7 metadata view 342
how it works 4 properties 342
roles 8 styles
themes 9 controls 333
user community 5 gauges 346
SAS Visual Analytics Apps geo maps 345
downloading 535 graphs 331
overview 535 horizontal containers 337
SAS Visual Statistics 235, 237 tables 324
scatter plots 165, 558 text 339
schedule charts 566 vertical containers 337
scheduling data queries 93 word clouds 347
score code 253 subquery
searching joining 46
for data items 369 subtotals 322, 324
from the classic home page 639
section prompt 332
section prompts
T
creating 335
reordering 336
table-level display rules 403
sections 471
using a color-mapped value 408
adding 472
using a gauge 406
deleting 474
using an expression 404
duplicating 473
tables 158
linking to 451
See also crosstabs
moving 474
joining 46
renaming 473
list tables 322, 554
reordering 473
styles 324
series plots 559
tablet view 309
settings
tabs 301
global 10
designer’s left pane 301
SAS Home 10
designer’s right pane 302
shared display rule 416
targeted bar charts 556
showing
template gallery
data items 360
See graph template gallery
report objects 321
slider control 570 text 338
dynamic 339
slider gauges 573
properties 338
slow query 399
styles 339
sorting
text input control 570
custom 397
themes
data in crosstabs 396
application 9
data in graphs 397
report 304
data in list tables 395
thermometer gauges 573
in reports 395
tiled layout 309
items on Data tab 361
time category data items 364
sparklines 322, 325
speedometer gauges 574
totals 322, 324
stack containers 336
percentage of total 369
properties 337
treemaps 188, 561
styles 337
Twitter
step plots 565
importing tweets 621
stock high-low plots 568
stock volume and volatility plots 569
stopping scheduled data queries 94
Index 657
See also modern viewer

U
guest access 539
overview 537
undo history 44 views
user full-screen 309
capabilities 8 tablet 309
user interface wide-screen tablet 309
designer 299 visualizations 140
user-defined formats arranging 147
modifying 375 creating 146
user-defined lattice
data limits 609
See lattice managing 146
users overview 140
authenticated 7 types of 140
guest 7
W
V
waterfall charts 556
vector plots 566 wide-screen tablet view 309
vertical containers 336 word clouds 196, 346
properties 337 properties 347
styles 337 styles 347
viewer
See also classic viewer
658 Index

SAS® Visual Analytics 7.4 - User's Guide PDF

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SAS Visual Analytics 7.

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Using This Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xv

PART 1 Introduction to SAS Visual Analytics 1

Chapter 1 / About SAS Visual Analytics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Chapter 2 / Accessing SAS Visual Analytics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

PART 2 Accessing Data 13

Chapter 3 / Overview of Data Flow in SAS Visual Analytics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Chapter 4 / Importing Local Data Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Chapter 5 / Importing Data from Servers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Chapter 6 / Importing Data from Other Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

PART 3 Preparing Data 35

Chapter 7 / Overview of SAS Visual Data Builder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Chapter 8 / Specifying Preferences for SAS Visual Data Builder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Chapter 9 / Creating Data Queries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Chapter 10 / Working with Tables in Data Queries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Chapter 11 / Working with Columns in Data Queries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Chapter 12 / Working with Filters in Data Queries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Chapter 13 / Working with Joins in Data Queries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

How Does the Automatic Join Feature Work? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Chapter 14 / Creating LASR Star Schemas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

Chapter 15 / Working with SAS LASR Analytic Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Chapter 16 / Importing SAS Information Maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Chapter 17 / Supporting Text Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Chapter 18 / Customizing Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Chapter 20 / Using the Results Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

PART 4 Exploring Data 105

Chapter 21 / Overview of SAS Visual Analytics Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

Chapter 22 / Specifying Preferences for SAS Visual Analytics Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

Chapter 23 / Managing Explorations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

Chapter 24 / Managing Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

Chapter 25 / Working with Visualizations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137

Working with Network Diagrams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170

Chapter 26 / Working with Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201

Chapter 27 / Exporting Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215

Chapter 28 / Managing Hierarchies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221

Chapter 29 / Performing Data Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225

Chapter 30 / Sharing Comments in the Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231

PART 5 Building Models 233

Chapter 31 / Overview of SAS Visual Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235

Chapter 32 / Getting Started with SAS Visual Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237

Create the Exploration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237

Chapter 33 / Modeling Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249

Chapter 34 / Linear Regression Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257

Chapter 35 / Logistic Regression Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265

Chapter 36 / Generalized Linear Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273

Chapter 37 / Decision Trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281

Chapter 38 / Clustering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289

Chapter 39 / Model Comparison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293

PART 6 Designing Reports 297

Chapter 40 / Overview of SAS Visual Analytics Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299

Chapter 41 / Creating and Working with Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307

Chapter 42 / Using Report Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317

Chapter 43 / Working with Data in SAS Visual Analytics Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355

Working with Hierarchies in a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361

Chapter 44 / Working with Display Rules for Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 401

Chapter 45 / Working with Report Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 419

Chapter 46 / Working with Report Interactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 433

Chapter 47 / Working with Report Links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 449