Adding a Baseline to a Chart

Baselines are horizontal or vertical lines that cut through the chart to indicate major divisions in the data. For example, you can add a baseline to show a sales quota or break-even point.

Each baseline represents a value on an axis.

Depending on the type of chart, you can use the following options to position the baseline.

Option	Description
Numeric Value	Uses a static numeric value.
Query Calculation	Uses a query calculation from the chart query or from a different query. For more information, see Using Relational Calculations.
Layout Calculation	Uses a layout calculation. For more information, see Using Relational Calculations.
Category Index	Uses the index value of the data item in the categories axis. For example, a Category index value of 1 indicates that the baseline is located at the first data item. This is the default. Note: This option applies only to the current default charts, and does not apply to the legacy charts.
Member Value	When working with dimensional data sources, uses a position relative to a member. For example, a member calculation that uses an expression similar to [Query1].[Current year]=2011 places the baseline in the middle of the chart object that represents 2011. To place the baseline between 2011 and 2012 on the chart, a half member width to the right, set the Member Offset property to 50%. To place the baseline between 2010 and 2011, set the Member Offset property to -50%. You can also type in 100, -200, and so on to place the baseline on the chart.
Statistical Limit	Statistical maximum uses the following expression: 25th percentile value - 1.5 * (75th percentile value - 25th percentile value) For example, if 2.5 is the 25th percentile and 7.5 is the 75th percentile, the statistical minimum is -5 [2.5 -1.5(5) = -5]. Statistical minimum uses the following expression: 75th percentile value + 1.5 * (75th percentile value - 25th percentile value) For example, if 2.5 is the 25th percentile and 7.5 is the 75th percentile, the statistical maximum is 15 [7.5 +1.5(5) = 15]. Statistical minimum and Statistical maximum use percentiles to determine values, so the baseline might not appear on the chart if its value is off the axis.
Mean	Uses the statistical mean plus or minus a number of standard deviations based on all charted data values on the specified axis.
Percentile (%)	Uses a specified percentile.
Percent on Axis (%)	Uses a percentage of the full range of the axis. For example, if the axis range is -500 to 1100, a Percent on Axis value of 25% puts the baseline at -100 (25% of the range, 1600).

If you apply more than one baseline, you can specify the order in which they should be drawn when the report runs. If you have two baselines with the same coordinates, the first one in the list is drawn first and the next one is drawn on top of the first one.

By default, the baseline and its label appear in the legend.

Baselines do not support color transparency.

Tip: The Positions to Fill sample report in the GO Data Warehouse (analysis) package includes a baseline.