Abstract: A method displays a graphical user interface for a data visualization application. The user interface includes shelves for specifying data visualization characteristics for a dataset. The method selects a map view based on geographic location field name(s) placed onto the shelves, and displays a geographic map. A user selects a visual encoding by placing a first field name onto a first shelf, which specifies a visual property of displayed marks. The property for each mark is determined by values of the first field in records of the result set. A mark displays for each record in the result set. When the first shelf specifies color of marks, each displayed mark fills the respective geographic region with a color based on the value of the first field. When the first shelf specifies size of marks, point marks are displayed with a respective size corresponding to the value of the first field.

Abstract: A method sorts data in data visualizations. The method is performed at a computing device having one or more processors and memory. The method retrieves a set of tuples from a database according to user selection. Each tuple includes a same set of fields. The method identifies a relation between tuples. The relation is a non-empty set of ordered pairs of tuples from the set of tuples. The method receives user selection of the relation to specify a dimensional position of visual marks corresponding to the tuples. The dimensional position is either the x-position of the y-position. The method generates and displays a data visualization with each tuple represented by a visible mark. The dimensional position of each displayed visual mark is based on a network traversal of the tuples using the relation.

Abstract: A user interacts with a graphical user interface on a client device. The device displays a data visualization that includes configuration parameters. The device also displays one or more read-only static controls, each static control corresponding to a respective parameter. Each static control indicates the value assigned to the corresponding parameter. A first user action activates a first static control. The first static control corresponds to a first parameter with a first value. The device displays an editable indirect control in the graphical user interface, which displays the first value. The editable indirect control is larger than the first static control, and is superimposed over the corresponding static control. The user changes the first value to a second value, and the device updates the displayed data visualization based on the second value for the first parameter. The editable indirect control is subsequently removed from display in the graphical user interface.

Abstract: A process builds a view of a dataset. The process displays a graphical user interface window, including: a schema display region; a visualization region; and a shelf region that includes multiple shelves. The process detects user input to place a data field icon from the schema display region into the visualization region. Upon ceasing to detect the user input, the process associates the data field icon with a first shelf according to its data type and data types corresponding to other data field icons, if any, previously associated with the shelves, and then places the first data field icon within the first shelf. The method further includes determining a view type based on the data field icon and the association of the data field icon with the first shelf, and generating a graphical representation in the visualization region in accordance with the determined view type.

Abstract: A method filters data in data visualizations. The method retrieves a set of tuples from a database according to user selection. Each tuple includes a same set of fields. The method identifies a relation between tuples. The relation is a non-empty set of ordered pairs of tuples from the set of tuples. The method receives selection of one or more filter conditions for the tuples, where at least one of the filter conditions uses the relation. The method receives selection of an aggregation level, which includes one or more fields from the set of tuples. The method then displays a data visualization based on aggregating the set of tuples at the selected aggregation level to form a set of aggregated tuples, and displays each aggregated tuple as a visible mark. Each tuple that satisfies all of the filter conditions is included in an aggregated tuple; all other tuples are excluded.

Abstract: A method constructs data visualizations. The method receives a visual specification, which includes properties and corresponding user-selected property values. The visual specification defines a data visualization layout. One property value identifies source databases for the data visualization. The method constructs node queries from the visual specification corresponding to one or more data fields in the source databases. The method also constructs link queries from the visual specification corresponding to a relationship between rows of the source databases. The method retrieves node tuples from the database that satisfy at least one of the node queries and retrieves link tuples from the database that satisfy at least one of the link queries. The method displays visual marks corresponding to the retrieved node tuples and displays edge marks in the corresponding to the retrieved link tuples. Each edge mark visually connects a pair of visual marks corresponding to the node tuples.

Abstract: The implementations described herein include methods and systems for ranking data visualizations. A method is performed at a computing device having one or more processors and memory storing programs for execution by the processors. The method receives user selection of a set of data fields and identifies data visualizations that use each data field in the user-selected set. The method automatically forms modified sets of data fields that each differ from the user-selected set by at most two atomic operations, each selected from: removing or adding a data field; replacing a user-selected data field with a hierarchically narrower or broader data field; or adding, removing, or modifying a filter for a data field. The method identifies alternative data visualizations using each respective modified set, computes a score for each data visualization and alternative data visualization, and presents high scoring data visualizations and high scoring alternative data visualizations to the user.

Abstract: A method displays a user interface for a graphical view application. The user interface includes a plurality of shelves for specifying characteristics of a dataset. The method includes receiving user actions to associate first, second, and third fields of the dataset with first, second, and third shelves of the plurality of shelves, respectively. The method further includes, in response to receiving the user actions, displaying graphical views in the user interface in accordance with the first, second, and third fields, wherein (i) each of the graphical views corresponds to a respective distinct value of the third field; and (ii) each of the graphical views includes a set of graphical marks, each graphical mark (a) having a respective color that corresponds to a respective data value associated with the first field and (b) having a respective size that corresponds to a respective data value associated with the second field.

Abstract: A method for automatically forming the clearest and most useful visual plot for a given dataset of tuples. A best view type is selected for a view that includes a subsequently added new field. The visual plot is populated with the data in the view and then automatically rendered for the user. A dataset that is retrieved from a storage is analyzed to identify all the data types found in the dataset, and to determine the best view type to assign to the dataset's views. The visual plot is then populated with the data according to this best view type, and is automatically rendered for the user.

Abstract: A method executes at an electronic device with a display, concurrently displaying a chart that displays visual marks representing a set of data and a plurality of analytic icons. The method detects a first portion of an input on a first analytic icon, and in response displays one or more option icons that correspond to options for performing a first analytical operation that corresponds to the first analytic icon. The method also detects a second portion of the input on the first analytic icon and in response moves the first analytic icon over a respective option icon such that the first analytic icon is over the respective option icon immediately prior to ceasing to detect the input. In addition, the method adds one or more graphics to the chart that correspond to the first analytical operation and a respective option that corresponds to the respective option icon.

Abstract: A method generates a graphical representation of a data source using a graphical user interface. The user interface includes a schema information region and a data visualization region. The schema information region includes field names associated with data fields. The data visualization region includes shelf regions that determine characteristics of a visual graphic. Each shelf region is configured to receive user placement of field names. The user selects field names and places each field name in a respective shelf region. The user edits a first shelf region, creating a first calculated element in the first shelf region. The first calculated element does not match any of the field names in the schema information region. The method generates a visual graphic based on the content of the shelf regions, including the user-selected field names and the first calculated element, and displays the visual graphic in the data visualization region.

Abstract: The implementations described herein include methods and systems for displaying graphical representations of datasets. A method is performed at a computer having one or more processors and memory storing programs for execution by the processors. The method receives a request from a user to display a graphical representation of a dataset. In response to the request, the method identifies a plurality of alternative graphical representations of the dataset. Each alternative graphical representation has a respective associated view type. The method ranks the plurality of alternative graphical representations in accordance with a rating system. The rating system is based on a set of criteria, which includes at least one user-specific criterion. The method selects for display a resulting graphical representation from among the plurality of alternative graphical representations based on the ranking.

Abstract: A method displays a graphical user interface for a data visualization application. The user interface includes shelves for specifying data visualization characteristics for a dataset. The method selects a map view based on geographic location field name(s) placed onto the shelves, and displays a geographic map. A user selects a visual encoding by placing a first field name onto a first shelf, which specifies a visual property of displayed marks. The property for each mark is determined by values of the first field in records of the result set. A mark displays for each record in the result set. When the first shelf specifies color of marks, each displayed mark fills the respective geographic region with a color based on the value of the first field. When the first shelf specifies size of marks, point marks are displayed with a respective size corresponding to the value of the first field.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of generating marks in a graphical view includes receiving a first user request to associate a first set of data samples with a first visual mark property. In response to the first user request, area marks are displayed in a graphical view. Respective area marks correspond to respective data samples in the first set. A second user request is received to associate the first set of data samples with a second visual mark property. In response to the second user request, point marks are displayed in the graphical view. Respective point marks correspond to respective data samples in the first set.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of generating a map view includes accessing a dataset having multiple records and multiple fields. One or more of the multiple fields are identified as geographical fields. Geographical codes are automatically associated with a first one of the identified geographical fields. A geographical map is generated for the dataset. Generating the geographical map includes generating a first plurality of marks on the geographical map. The first plurality of marks is positioned on the geographical map in accordance with the geographical codes associated with the first one of the identified geographical fields.

Abstract: A method for automatically forming the clearest and most useful visual plot for a given dataset of tuples. A best view type is selected for a view that includes a subsequently added new field. The visual plot is populated with the data in the view and then automatically rendered for the user. A dataset that is retrieved from a storage is analyzed to identify all the data types found in the dataset, and to determine the best view type to assign to the dataset's views. The visual plot is then populated with the data according to this best view type, and is automatically rendered for the user.

Abstract: A method for automatically forming the clearest and most useful visual plot for a given dataset of tuples. A best view type is selected for a view that includes a subsequently added new field. The visual plot is populated with the data in the view and then automatically rendered for the user. A dataset that is retrieved from a storage is analyzed to identify all the data types found in the dataset, and to determine the best view type to assign to the dataset's views. The visual plot is then populated with the data according to this best view type, and is automatically rendered for the user.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of generating marks in a graphical view includes receiving a first user request to associate a first set of data samples with a first visual mark property. In response to the first user request, area marks are displayed in a graphical view. Respective area marks correspond to respective data samples in the first set. A second user request is received to associate the first set of data samples with a second visual mark property. In response to the second user request, point marks are displayed in the graphical view. Respective point marks correspond to respective data samples in the first set.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of generating a map view includes accessing a dataset having multiple records and multiple fields. One or more of the multiple fields are identified as geographical fields. Geographical codes are automatically associated with a first one of the identified geographical fields. A geographical map is generated for the dataset. Generating the geographical map includes generating a first plurality of marks on the geographical map. The first plurality of marks is positioned on the geographical map in accordance with the geographical codes associated with the first one of the identified geographical fields.