Using Regions

In any graph with two scale (or range) axes, you can draw regions to group values within a rectangular area you draw, called a region. A region is an area of the graph described by its minimum and maximum X and Y values. If a graph has multiple panels, a region drawn in one panel is also represented in the other panels as well.

Not all graphs accept regions. Some of those graphs that accept regions include: plots (line, scatter, bubble, time, etc.), SPLOM, and collections. These regions are drawn in X,Y space and cannot, therefore, be defined in 1-D, 3-D, or animated plots. In graphs with paneling, regions appear in all panels. With a scatterplot matrix (SPLOM), a corresponding region will appear in the corresponding upper plots but not on the diagonal plots since they show only one scale field.

Figure 1. Defining a region of high claim values
Defining a region of high claim values

Defining Regions

Wherever you define a region, you are creating a grouping of values. By default, each new region is called Region<N>, where N corresponds to the number of regions already created.

Once you have a defined a region, you can right-click the region line to get some basic shortcuts. However, you can see many other shortcuts by right-clicking inside the region (not on the line) for tasks such as renaming, deleting, or generating Select and Derive nodes for that specific region.

You can select subsets of records on the basis of their inclusion in a particular region or in one of several regions. You can also incorporate region information for a record by producing a Derive node to flag records based on their inclusion in a region. See the topic Generating Nodes from Graphs for more information.

Figure 2. Exploring the region of high claim values
Exploring the region of high claim values

To define regions:

  1. Verify that you are in Explore mode. From the menus, choose View > Explore Mode.
  2. In the Explore mode toolbar, click the Draw Region button.
    Figure 3. Draw Region toolbar button
    Draw Region toolbar button
  3. In a graph that accepts regions, click and drag your mouse to draw the rectangular region.

Editing, Renaming and Deleting Regions

You can edit the properties of existing regions in the Edit Graph Regions dialog box or through context menus in the graph itself.

Figure 4. Specifying properties for the defined regions
Specifying properties for the defined regions

To edit regions:

  1. Verify that you are in Explore mode. From the menus, choose View > Explore Mode.
  2. In the Explore mode toolbar, click the Draw Region button.
  3. From the menus, choose Edit > Graph Regions. The Edit Graph Regions dialog box opens.
  4. If you have multiple fields in your graph (for example, SPLOM graphs), you must define the field for the region in the Field A and Field B columns.
  5. Add a new region on a new line by typing a name, selecting field names (if applicable) and defining the maximum and minimum boundaries for each field. Press the Enter key to begin a new row.
  6. Edit existing region boundaries by adjusting the Min and Max values for A and B.
  7. Rename a region by changing the region's name in the table.
  8. Delete a region by selecting the line in the table and clicking the delete button.
  9. Click OK to apply your changes and close the dialog box.

Note: Alternatively, you can delete and rename regions directly in the graph by right-clicking the region's line and choosing the option you want from the context menus.