Forecasting tutorial: view forecast data with a Line visualization

You can use a Line visualization to view and share a graphical representation of forecasting results.

Before you begin

This tutorial is meant to be followed in sequential order. Each part assumes that the previous part was completed.

Procedure

  1. Open the Forecast_tutorial_<your initials> view that you created in the previous tutorial exercise.
  2. Configure the view as shown:
    • All Years members on the rows.
    • Member1 from the Members dimension on the columns.
    • The Version dimension on the context area, with the Actual member selected.
    View configured to display a line visualization

    Note that the view is displaying values for the Actual member, so there are no forecast values displayed. The forecast values are saved to the Forecast member, which is not part of this Exploration view.

  3. On the toolbar, click Exploration, then scroll down and click the Line visualization.
    A Line visualization opens, combining Actual and Forecast data for Member1. Click any of the forecast data points to see the details and to reveal the confidence envelope for the forecast.
    Line visualization with forecast data

    The Line visualization for the forecast combines Actual and Forecast data by detecting the presence of an existing forecast and setting the relevant Forecast fields for the visualization.

    If the Line visualization does not display forecast data, but you know that forecast data does exist for the view, you can configure the visualization fields to display the forecast.

  4. Click visualization, then click the Fields tab.
  5. Expand the Forecast fields section.
  6. Set the Forecast start to the dimension and member of the start of your forecast period.
  7. Set Dimension to the dimension that contains the member that stores forecast values.
  8. Set Hierarchy to the dimension hierarchy that contains the member that stores forecast values.
  9. Set Forecast values to the member that stores forecast values.
  10. Set High bound values to the member that stores high bound values for the forecast.

    Multivariate forecasts do not use a high bound. This field must be left empty for a multivariate forecast.

  11. Set Low bound values to the member that stores low bound values for the forecast.

    Multivariate forecasts do not use a low bound. This field must be left empty for a multivariate forecast.

    Using the tutorial sample data, the fields would be configured lie this:

    Forecast fields for a visualization