Abstract: A method for visualizing data is disclosed. The method is performed on a client system. The client system displays a visual representation of a set of data having a plurality of fields; wherein the visual representation is an area-based visual representation. The client system displays the plurality of fields associated with the set of data. The client system then receives an indication from a user associating a first field in the plurality of fields with a column or row attribute of the visual representation and in response to receiving the indication associating a first field in the plurality of fields with a column or row attribute of the visual representation alters the displayed representation to display the set of data as a plurality of smaller area-based visual representations which are sorted in columns or rows according to the values of the selected first field.