2.5. Time Series Charts in Looker Studio

Understanding Time Series Charts

Time series charts are powerful visualization tools for displaying data over time. Although they may appear similar to line charts, they are distinct and serve different purposes. Understanding these differences is crucial for creating effective visualizations.

Basic Time Series Chart Structure

A time series chart requires a date field as its dimension for the x-axis. It can display a single value over time or break down the value across different categories of a dimension, such as user type or device category. This breakdown can reveal hidden insights and trends in the data.

Creating Time Series Charts

To create a time series chart in Looker Studio, select the chart type from the available options, and apply the date field and metric. You can then apply any breakdown dimension to further segment the data. In case of having multiple related metrics, combo charts in Looker Studio are great for visualizing.

Comparing Time Periods

Looker Studio enables you to compare values across different time periods using lighter shades of color for previous periods. This feature helps you assess changes and trends over time.

Changing Date Granularity

Despite using a date field in day format, Looker Studio allows you to display data using different date range granularities, such as week, month, or quarter. You can adjust the granularity by selecting the desired option from the chart's settings.

Time Series vs. Line Charts

Time series charts are NOT the same as line charts. In Looker Studio, you can choose to display a time series chart with either lines or bars by adjusting the chart's settings. Bars may be more suitable for displaying data with fewer categories or longer date range granularities, making it easier to compare values.

Time series charts in Looker Studio offer a flexible and insightful way to visualize data over time. By understanding their differences from line charts and utilizing the available features, you can create powerful and informative visualizations for your data.