Graph Builder - Overlay by multiple columns

[morenopelaez_p]

I would like to have Graph Builder be able to Overlay by several variables in the same way that x, y or color drop-zones can take several variables. This would allow overlay to be selected/deselected from the "Variables" group under each graph type and create much more complex and rich visualizations.

[gzmorgan0]

Currently,  there are methods that might meet your needs today:

• Add a column switcher to your report that switches out the Overlay Variables,
• Create a new Column, or transform a column to be a concatenation, and
• for an additional level of control especially for nested overlay variables add a Local Data Filter

Row Switcher example

Transformed column example

Script for the transformed column example:

Graph Builder(
	Size( 491, 454 ),
	Show Control Panel( 0 ),
	Variables(
		X( :Robbery ),
		Y( :Population ),
		Overlay(
			Transform Column(
				"Region, State",
				Character,
				Nominal,
				Formula( :Region || ", " || :State )
			)
		)
	),
	Elements( Points( X, Y, Legend( 1 ) ), Smoother( X, Y, Legend( 2 ) ) ),
	Local Data Filter(
		Add Filter(
			columns( :Region ),
			Where( :Region == "Midwest" ),
			Display( :Region, Size( 160, 120 ), List Display )
		)
	)
)

[morenopelaez_p]

Thanks @gzmorgan0 , indeed, it can be achieved in several ways but I consider those "workarounds" ... I am more looking for the feature to have multiple fields in overlay, the same way that it was implemented for Color some time ago.

[BHarris]

This is a great request and is something I often find myself wanting as well.  

Part of the reason is that the Overlay can be used with line plots to break the lines.  I often find myself wanting to break the lines when any of 2 or 3 variables change, but in order to do that I have to concatenate the columns together in the data table, which is a little clunky.

[hogi]

Would be really nice to have this feature!

@XanGregg: Is there a reason why it is not possible to use several columns as overlay - and, for each subplot,  to pick the desired column via "variables" (like it is possible for all the other settings).

Surprisingly, it IS possible (via JSL) - 
the Overlay dropzone shows both columns and in the variables list the user can pick the Overlay column he wants - the left plot uses sex (red, blue = F/M), the right plot uses age (green/purple = 12 / 13 years):

... but looking closer, the result is not like expected ...

Unfortunately, the overlay by "age" on the right looks exactly like the overlay by "sex" (on the left)  -- just with different colors.

Names Default to Here(1);
dt = Open( "$SAMPLE_DATA/Big Class.jmp" );
Graph Builder(
	Variables(
		X( :height ),
		X( :height ),
		Y( :weight ),
		Overlay( :sex ),
		Overlay( :age )
	),
	Elements(
		Position( 1, 1 ),
		Points( X, Y, Legend( 1 ) ),
		Smoother( X, Y, Legend( 2 ) )
	),
	Elements(
		Position( 2, 1 ),
		Points( X, Y, Overlay( 2 ) ),
		Smoother( X, Y, Overlay( 2 ) )
	)
);

[edit: plot is no easier to understand]

[hogi]

related wish: Graph Builder: support more than 2 'Color' columns 

(>2 Colors instead of >1 Overlays)

[hogi]

@Sarah-Sylvestre : an old wish with a lot of potential.

Attribute is stilll "new".

Are Jmp Developers investigating if this is possible?

[Sarah-Sylvestre]

Hi @hogi, thank you for bringing this to my attention! Status should be acknowledged so I am updating it. This has been investigated but we have had several higher priority items that need to be worked on take precedence. I will check in on this item and update this wish if it becomes a higher priority relative to our other development work. 

[hogi]

#myTop10_2023

[twiindley]

I also run into this need constantly.  Would be wonderful to have this feature!

[hogi]

 Graph Builder: support more than 2 'Color' columns 
got "accepted"

my best wishes for this wish here ...