For the latest version of JMP Help, visit JMP.com/help.

Publication date: 09/28/2021

Graph Zones

The main element in the Graph Builder window is the graph area. The graph area contains zones, and you drag and drop variables from the Variables box into the zones.

Tip: If you drop variables into the center of the graph, JMP guesses which drop zone to put them into, based on whether the variables are continuous, ordinal, or nominal.

There are two types of zones into which you can drag variables:

Data zones include X, Y, Map Shape, Freq, Color, Size, and Interval. The X, Y, and Map Shape zones are positional, and influence the types of graph elements that are available. The Freq, Color, Size, and Interval zones modify certain graph elements.

Grouping zones partition the data into subsets that repeat the graph for each possible subset. Grouping zones include Group X, Group Y, Wrap, Overlay, and Page.

The following zones are available in Graph Builder:

Table 3.5 Graph Builder Zones

Zone

Description

X and Y

Constructs plots that are based on the values, levels, or categories of the variables that you drop into these zones. Use the X zone for a horizontal layout and the Y zone for a vertical layout.

Group X and Group Y

Stratifies your data by the levels of the nominal or ordinal variable and constructs a plot for each level. Group X produces a horizontal display, and Group Y produces a vertical display.

The type of variable that you put in Group X or Y also determines aspects of the display:

Adding a continuous variable creates non-overlapping interval subgroups and plots for the values in each interval.

Adding a categorical variable creates plots for each level of the categorical variable.

You can add multiple variables to Group X or Group Y:

To add a variable above a variable in one of the Group zones, drag it to the left of that variable in the Group X zone or above that variable in the Group Y zone.

To add a variable below a variable in one of the zones, drag it to the right of that variable in the Group X zone or below that variable in the Group Y zone.

To stratify by the levels of two variables, drag a variable into both Group X and Group Y. To change the number of levels that appear, right-click in the axis border and select Levels in View. For a description of all options, see Options for Axes, Variable Labels, or Graph Titles.

Map Shape

Adds a map. Your variable must contain geographic place names, such as countries, regions, states, or provinces, or you must provide information in a custom shape file. Note the following:

If you drag and drop columns labeled Latitude and Longitude, JMP automatically assigns them to the Y and X roles (respectively).

When you drop a variable into the Map Shape zone, the X and Y zones disappear.

The Map Shape element can be used with the Points element to place points within the shape.

For more information about creating map shapes, see Red Triangle Option for Formula and Graph Builder.

Wrap

Creates rows of plots for the levels of a categorical variable or for the interval subgroups of a continuous variable. Use Wrap when your stratifying variable has many levels. To change the number of levels that appear, right-click in the axis border and select Levels in View. For a description of all options, see Grouping Zones Options.

Note: Once a variable is placed here, no variable can be placed in Group X.

Overlay

Subgroups and colors the plot elements according to the levels of the Overlay variable.

Adding a nominal or ordinal variable stratifies and colors the plot elements by the levels of the variable.

Adding a continuous variable creates interval subgroups. The plot elements are stratified and colored according to the subgroups.

A legend appears to the right of the plot. Right-click on legend items for customization options.

Color

Adds color to points, map shapes, and other objects.

Adding a nominal or ordinal variable colors the plot elements by the variable’s levels.

Adding a continuous variable colors the plot elements according to an intensity scale.

A legend appears to the right of the plot. Right-click in the legend to change colors or to customize the intensity scale.

Tip: Once you have added a variable in the Color zone, you can show or hide color using the Variables option in the element properties panel.

Size

Sizes graph elements by a summarizing statistic or other size variable.

A legend appears to the right of the plot. Right-click on legend items for customization options.

Interval

Add interval variables to draw custom error bars.

A single interval variable is treated as a delta to compute upper and lower ends of the interval.

Two interval variables are treated as lower and upper values for the interval.

Freq

Add a frequency or weight variable. When all values are integer values, the Freq variable is treated as a frequency, otherwise it is treated as a weight. A footer note indicates how the variable is treated. The Freq variable affects summary statistics.

Page

Drop a By group variable to the Page zone to show each level of the group on a separate graph. By default, the Page zone is limited to 200 pages. The first 200 categories are displayed. Adjust this limit in the Graph Builder preferences. See Preferences by JMP Platform.

Tips:

Once you click Page, you can select the red triangle menu option Link Page Axes. Use this option to link or unlink graph axis scales across levels of the By group variable in the Page zone.

To copy select individual plots with the selection tool, first save the graph builder output to a journal (Edit > Journal).

For more information about the legend, see Legend Options.

Note: When you use categorical values in zones associated with summarization roles like Y and Color, summary statistics are calculated based on numerical values assigned to the variable levels (integer values ranging from 0 to the number of levels minus one). The final result is then mapped back as a level to a corresponding categorical value or value range. This approach allows the use of ordinal variables in summarization, but might not lead to clear results for nominal variables.

Want more information? Have questions? Get answers in the JMP User Community (community.jmp.com).