How to Create a Number in a Shape Visualization

This article describes how to create an automatically updating number in a shape using the visualization library. We'll go from any number - in a table, R Output, or entered directly into the function to the same number shown on screen in a shape, like this:

Requirements

Any number. This can come from either:

• Typing it into the function directly
• From an R Output
• From a table
• From the Sum of a variable
• From the Average of a variable
• From the Percentage of a variable

For the options Number in Donut, Modern Gauge, and Number in Bar the number represented should be a percentage or proportion out of a maximum value. For the more basic functions Number, Number in Oval, and Number in Rectangle, there is no such requirement.

Method 1

For Number, Number in Oval, and Number in Rectangle take the steps here:

1. Go to Visualization > Number > [type of number in shape you would like].
2. Click on the page to place the visualization.
3. In the object inspector under Inputs > DATA SOURCE > Data source select how you want to provide your number to the function. For the rest of these instructions, the option Type or paste value was selected.
4. Under Inputs > DATA SOURCE > Input data enter the number you want to represent in the visualization.
5. Click on Format to change the appearance of the visualization.

Method 2

For Number in Donut, Modern Gauge, and Number in Bar take the steps here:

1. Go to Visualization > Number > [type of number in shape you would like].
2. In the object inspector under Inputs > DATA SOURCE > Data source select how you want to provide your number to the function.  For the rest of these instructions, the option Type or paste value was selected.
3. Under Inputs > DATA SOURCE > Input data enter the number you want to represent in the visualization. Include the % sign in the number if you want it to appear in the visualization, i.e., 25%.
4. Under Inputs > OUTPUT > Maximum value set the maximum value for the number. By default, this is 100, but this could be any number, e.g. 365, and the Input data value could then be a number less than or equal to 365.
5. OPTIONAL: Click on Format to change the appearance of the visualization.

NOTE: If you are using tables or R outputs as inputs for any of the above Number in a Shape visualizations, you can select that table or output and then go to Inputs > OUTPUT > Visualization > Number > [type of number in shape you would like].

See Also

How to Create a Single Icon Pictograph