Pitney Bowes MapInfo Professional - Manual (Page 144)

Selecting the Right Type of Graph
What do you need your graph to tell your audience? The answer to this question determines the type of
graph you should select. In MapInfo Professional, you can choose from 10 different graph types. Each
type of graph includes at least one graph template that you can use to create your graph. Each graph
type, with a brief description of each template, is explained in the next section.
Graphing Terms
Axis (Axes)
An axis refers to a graduated line bordering the plot area of a graph. Coordinates are measured relative
to the axes. By convention, the X-axis is horizontal and the Y-axis is vertical.
1. Y Axis, 2. X Axis
Data Series
A data series is the information your graph is based on.
Graph Object
A graph object is any selectable element in your graph. This can be a line, an area, text, or title.
Graph Series
A graph series is the row of objects you are graphing.
Label Axis
The label axis is the axis that has the labels of the data values being graphed. For example, in a typical
financial graph, the label axis might have 1st Qtr, 2nd Qtr, and 3rd Qtr while the value axis might have
dollar amounts. For a graph in normal orientation (not rotated), the label axis is the X, or horizontal axis.
3D Graphs
Three-dimensional (3D) graphs give your information impact and depth. Most 3D templates are variations
of a bar graph. You can customize a graph to fine-tune its appearance, such as applying a 3D Viewing
Angle feature to set the angle at which a 3D graph displays.
• 3D Bar - A conventional bar graph in three dimensions.
MapInfo Professional 12.5 144
Selecting the Right Type of Graph