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Linear Gauges

Linear gauges show the same period comparison as radial gauges, but on a horizontal bar instead of a circular gauge.

Use linear gauges when you want a compact, left-to-right comparison that fits narrow widgets, side-by-side dashboard layouts, or rows of KPI tiles.

When Chart Values is on, you can ask NimbusAI about the comparison in the panel, and the reply can include a card for that chart.

Linear gauge showing total revenue for the latest year vs last year, with a horizontal bar, delta label, and comparison marker

What A Linear Gauge Shows

Section titled “What A Linear Gauge Shows”

A linear gauge widget displays:

  • The current period value on a horizontal gauge bar
  • A delta label showing percent change vs the comparison period, such as +8.2% vs Last Quarter (450K)
  • An optional subtitle below the chart title

Like radial gauges, linear gauges compare exactly one metric across two periods. They do not support category, split-by, or multi-metric breakdowns. On the shortest linear gauges, the comparison delta is not shown.

When To Use A Linear Gauge

Section titled “When To Use A Linear Gauge”

Linear gauges work well when you need answers like:

  • How does this quarter’s revenue compare to last quarter in a narrow widget?
  • Can I fit a month-over-month sales comparison beside other dashboard tiles?
  • Do I want a horizontal “bar gauge” instead of a circular gauge?

For grouped period-over-period breakdowns, use a Table Chart. For a circular presentation, see Radial Gauges.

Create A Linear Gauge With NimbusAI

Section titled “Create A Linear Gauge With NimbusAI”
  1. Open NimbusAI.
  2. Load dashboard data into the grid.
  3. Ask for a linear or horizontal gauge comparison.

Example prompts:

  • Create a linear gauge of total sales this month vs last month
  • Show revenue this quarter vs last quarter as a horizontal gauge
  • Linear gauge of order count this year vs last year to date
  1. Review the preview and click Apply.

When you ask for a linear gauge, horizontal gauge, or bar gauge, NimbusAI creates a linear gauge. A prompt that asks only for a gauge creates a radial gauge — see Radial Gauges.

Configure In The Edit Modal

Section titled “Configure In The Edit Modal”
  1. Click Edit on the gauge widget.
  2. Set Chart Type to the linear gauge option.
  3. Configure Metrics with one metric (field, aggregation, and optional label).
  4. In Period Comparison, set:
    • Period Field
    • Granularity
    • Current Period
    • Compare To

See Comparative Charts for details on each period field.

  1. Click Update Chart.

Period Comparison is always required for gauge charts, including linear gauges.

Switch From A Radial Gauge

Section titled “Switch From A Radial Gauge”

If NimbusAI created a radial gauge and you want a linear layout:

  1. Click Edit on the gauge widget.
  2. Change Chart Type to the linear gauge option.
  3. Click Update Chart.

All period comparison settings carry over.

Example Workflow

Section titled “Example Workflow”

To show month-to-date sales vs last month to date in a horizontal gauge:

  1. Create or edit a gauge chart and set Chart Type to linear gauge.
  2. Set the metric to Amount with aggregation Sum.
  3. Set Period Field to your transaction date column.
  4. Set Granularity to Month.
  5. Set Current Period to This Month.
  6. Set Compare To to Last Month To Date.
  7. Click Update Chart.
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