Adding dimensionality to your data by defining hierarchies

Spotfire makes it easy for you to use hierarchies. First, whenever you select a date column for visualization, Spotfire offers you a set of prebuilt hierarchy options, including hierarchy sets and individual hierarchy elements.

If you select a hierarchy set for a visualization axis, the user is presented with a convenient slider to select which level of the hierarchy he or she wishes to view on that axis. The visualization adjusts dynamically.

You can also build your own date hierarchies or any other hierarchy you need by selecting the columns that define the hierarchy. You do this from the same dialog Column Properties window, where you build calculated columns. The only difference is you select Hierarchy… from the Insert dropdown and then select the columns or date elements you want to add to the hierarchy in the desired order and give the hierarchy a name. Once created, the hierarchy can be used as a regular column in visualizations...