Working with Graphs

Mouse Tracks has the ability to create custom graphs directly in the program.  This graphing feature allows you to create graphs from single tables as well as joined tables.  Every built-in graph included in Mouse Tracks was created using this tool.

Deleting a Graph
Select a graph from the list and click Delete.  Be aware that you cannot undo the deletion.  Also, you will not be allowed to delete any of the graphs that ship with Mouse Tracks.

Viewing a Graph
Double click on the graph in the graph list.  The Mouse Tracks graph viewer is very powerful.  It allows you to resize the graphs, explode pie pieces, rotate graphs, copy the graph to the clipboard, save the graph as a file, move the position of the graph, and adjust the 3-D view all with the use of your mouse.  You can also quickly change the graph to a pie chart, bar chart, line chart, point chart, pyramid chart, or radar chart with one click of the mouse.

Designing a Graph
To add a graph to Mouse Tracks, click the Add command from the graph list.  Otherwise, select the graph you wish to design and click the design command (it is not recommended to change the design of the built-in graphs).

Graph Title
This is a descriptive name for the graph.  This name must be unique.

Graph Category
This is the category to which the graph will be assigned. 
Inventory requires Mouse Tracks Inventory privileges.
Purchasing requires Mouse Tracks Purchaser privileges.
Help Desk requires Mouse Tracks Technician privileges.

Graph Owner (optional)
If you select a Graph Owner, the graph will be only available to the Graph Owner listed.  If you create the graph and select a different user ID for the owner, you will be unable to design it or view it in the future.

If the graph does not have an owner, it will be viewable and designable by all users who have access to the graph category.

Graph Type
Single Table Graph - The above example is of a Single Table Graph.  You can select fields from a single table on which to group or calculate.

Joined Table Graph -  Selecting a Joined table graph would allow you to group by a field in the primary table and still calculate on a field in the joined table.

Join Type -- If you selected a Joined Table Graph, you then need to select a Join Type.  There are three types of joins from which you can select.

• INNER JOIN -- Include records from the tables where the Join Fields are equal.
• LEFT JOIN -- Include all records from the Source Table and only the records in the Join Table where the Joined Fields are equal.
• RIGHT JOIN -- Include all records from the Join Table and only records from the Source Table where the Joined Fields are equal.

Chart Type
From the drop down list of chart types, you can select either Pie, Bar, Line, Point, Pyramid, or Radar.  This is the default chart type that is displayed.  You can always change the chart type when you're viewing the graph.

Group by
This is the field on which your graph will group.  The unique values for this field will appear in the legend as well as label points on the graph.

Calculated Field
If the field is a numeric field, you will have your choice of seven aggregate functions to perform on the field.  If the field is a text field, you can only choose the Count function.  In fact, if the field is a text field, it doesn't matter what field you select for the calculated field.  The count of the records will be the same as long as it's in the same table.

Example
The example listed in the above pictures shows how you would create a graph that groups on CPU Type and Counts the number of each CPU Type. 

If decided to group on CPU Type and calculate the CPU Speed (Avg), the graph would show the average CPU speed for each of your processors.

Calculation
If the field is a numeric field, you will have your choice of seven aggregate functions to perform on the field.  If the field is a text field, you can only choose the Count function.

Note: You will receive an error if you try to calculate on a memo field.

Color Each Point
The pie chart and pyramid chart automatically color each of the chart sections.  However, the other chart types will use the same color for all lines unless you select 'Color Each Point'

Prompt for Filter on Open?
If you choose this option, you will see the graph filter screen before your graph is rendered.  If you have a large dataset that will return many records, it may save the user some time if the dataset can be filtered before the graph is opened.  You may also want to choose this option if you frequently filter the graph.  You will be able to filter on all fields for the graph's underlying tables.  You do not need to add a field to the graph to filter on it.  For example, you could create a graph that counts CPU Types but filter the graph on Operating System = Windows XP.

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