Although Confluence serves as an effective collaboration tool it lacks sufficient language capabilities during particular situations. The presentation of data as charts and graphs enhances page engagement in Confluence systems and leads to a better understanding of the information.
Your Confluence pages gain enhanced engagement and better understandability when you display static reports through dynamic dashboards using charts and graphs for tracking project progress or analyzing sales data or team performance.
The article supplies a definitive explanation for creating Confluence charts and graphs through native capabilities and supported external apps.
Why Use Charts and Graphs in Confluence?
Enhancing Understanding
The use of charts together with graphs aids the breakdown of intricate information into simpler formats. Charts provide your audience with streamlined access to major insights that lead to a better understanding of your data.
Increasing Engagement
Visual presentations in the form of charts along with graphs will enhance the appearance of your Confluence pages. Visual elements in a document attract viewers' eyes while maintaining their connection with the presented information.
Improving Communication
A universal communication tool exists through charts and graphs that display information. The tool operates beyond linguistic restrictions to provide effective communication between people from diverse teams.
Methods to Make Charts and Graphs in Confluence
1. Using Native Confluence Chart Macro
The Native Confluence Chart Macro provides an easy method to generate visualizations in Confluence pages.
Users can create standard charts straightforwardly through the built-in Chart macro which exists in the Confluence native interface.
Here’s how to use it:
Begin chart creation with table development which involves entering data into it. The user has two options to add information:
Type it manually or paste it from an Excel table.
Use the cursor to select the table by clicking it. A button labeled "Insert Chart" should be visible beneath the table.
Click the "Insert Chart" icon located on the interface. The selected data from your table generates a default chart automatically.
Inside the Chart Options menu, you will find the function to customize default settings. From the sidebar, you can modify the chart type together with data point titles and legends.
The native Confluence Chart macro supports various chart types:
Pie Chart
Bar Chart
3D Bar Chart
Time Series Chart
XY Line Chart
XY Area Chart
Area Charts
Gantt Chart
2. Using Google Sheets for Charts
Confluence allows users to display Google Sheets charts through iframes embedded within the software.
Here's how:
You should start by creating a Chart in Google Sheets by highlighting your data before selecting "Insert" > "Chart." Customize the chart as needed.
After selecting “Publish” through the chart’s three dots you can proceed. Select "Embed" from the provided options and note down the URL that appears.
To embed content in your Confluence page first start typing /iframe or open the Insert menu to locate the iframe macro. Add the URL that links to your Google Sheets into the iframe configuration window.
The embed customization tool enables you to modify its dimensions as well as the CSS to match your page layout.
3. Using Rows for Interactive Charts
The online spreadsheet tool Rows enables users to generate interactive charts before embedding them into Confluence.
Here’s how to use it:
Users should begin by opening their Rows website through a proper account registration.
Start by clicking the button for “Create Spreadsheet”.
Add your data to the spreadsheet by filling it with information that will create your chart.
Select the desired data range followed by a click on the "Insert" menu option and pick the "Chart" item. Customize as needed.
4. Using Third-Party Apps
Confluence users have access to multiple third-party applications that boost their charting features.
Here are some popular options:
Table Filter Charts & Spreadsheets for Confluence
This application permits users to generate various charts based on table information. Through this application, users can generate Gantt charts and pie charts as well as bar charts among other options.
"The standard Chart macro allows you to create graphs based on your tabular data. You have a table in Confluence, you can visualize it." - Atlassian Community
Features:
Table filtering and sorting.
Pivot tables for data summarization.
Chart creation from table data.
Stiltsoft Table Filter, Charts & Spreadsheets
Users get access to advanced plugins that enable better table visualizations and charting capabilities.
Features:
Filtering and aggregating table data.
Gantt charts, and other advanced visualization
Direct integration with Confluence tables.
Draw.io diagrams for Confluence provide users with an optimal platform for design diagrams and flowcharts.
Features:
Whiteboard creation tools.
Users gain the capability to picture intricate data configurations through this system.
Creating custom charts is possible through a broad selection of symbols and shapes accessible in the interface.
Gliffy Diagrams for Confluence
This platform provides users with various types of diagrams for visualizing their data.
Features:
Flowcharts and process maps.
Various types of diagrams.
Easy-to-use interface.
PlantUML Diagrams for Confluence
It generates diagrams from text-based descriptions.
Features:
Diagram creation from multiple sources, such as GitHub.
Supports a variety of diagram types like sequence and class diagrams.
Text-based format for easy sharing.
5. Using Jira Chart Macro in Confluence
Confluence users who employ Jira as their tool can view their Jira data through the Jira Chart macro. The macro provides users with the ability to generate charts from Jira filters and JQL queries. Three different chart options are accessible.
The Jira application offers its users both Created vs. Resolved Chart and Pie Chart from Jira. The Table Filter Charts & Spreadsheets app enables the processing along with charting of Jira data as an alternative to the Jira Chart macro.
To help you quickly choose the best method for creating charts and graphs in Confluence, here's a table summarizing the key options and their features:
Method | Description | Chart Types Supported | Key Features | Complexity |
Native Chart Macro | Built-in tool for creating charts directly from Confluence tables. | Pie, Bar, 3D Bar, Time Series, XY Line, XY Area, Area, Gantt | Simple to use, requires data in a Confluence table, and customizable chart options within Confluence. | Low |
Google Sheets Embed | Embed interactive charts from Google Sheets using an iframe. | All chart types are available in Google Sheets. | Charts are created and customized in Google Sheets, requiring external access and publishing. | Medium |
Rows Embed | Embed interactive charts using the Rows web-based spreadsheet tool. | All chart types are available in Rows. | Interactive charts with data integrations require a Rows account, embedded via iframe or specific code. | Medium |
Table Filter, Charts & Spreadsheets App | Third-party app to enhance charting capabilities from Confluence tables and Jira data. | Gantt, Pie, Donut, Bubble Pie, Column, Stacked Column, Bar, Stacked Bar, Line, Area, Stacked Area, Time Line, Time Area, Stacked Time Area, Radar, Contiguity, Scatter, Punchcard. | Table filtering and sorting, pivot tables, chart creation from tables and Jira, Excel-like spreadsheets in Confluence, advanced visualization, flexible. | High |
http://Draw.io Diagrams App | Third-party app for creating diagrams and flowcharts. | Wide range of diagram and flowchart types. | Whiteboard creation tools, visual data structurization, and a large library of symbols and shapes for custom charts. | High |
Gliffy Diagrams App | Third-party app for creating a variety of diagrams. | Flowcharts, process maps, and various types of diagrams. | A wide array of diagram types and, an easy-to-use interface. | Medium |
PlantUML Diagrams App | Third-party app for generating diagrams from text descriptions. | Sequence, class, and other diagram types supported by PlantUML. | Diagram creation from multiple sources, text-based format for easy sharing. | High |
Jira Chart Macro | Native tool to visualize Jira data directly in Confluence. | Pie Chart from Jira, Created vs. Resolved Chart from Jira, Jira Two-Dimensional Chart. | Creates charts from Jira filters and JQL queries, and provides quick insights from Jira data. | Medium |
Tips for Effective Charts and Graphs
Choose the Right Chart Type
Select a suitable chart type that matches your data format. People should use pie charts to display proportions bar charts to compare values and line charts to illustrate trending data.
Add Clear Titles and Labels
Each chart needs well-written titles together with descriptive labels for axes. The addition of proper titles enables observers to grasp the meaning of the presented data.
Keep It Simple
Contain as few chart elements as possible when you present data. Rephrase the essential information while maintaining a simple and straightforward composition.
Use Color Effectively
Your visual elements should consist of colors that help clean up data legibility because numerous colors can create confusion in visual displays.
Make it Accessible
Accessible charts must be available to users with disabilities in addition to other audience members. Images should contain alternative text descriptions and you must avoid using color alone to express information.
Conclusion
Virtual data representation is essential for communication, and Confluence enhances this with its chart and graph features.
The Confluence Chart macro, Google Sheets embeddings, Rows tool, and third-party integrations turn complex data into clear visuals, improving the presentation of sales figures, project timelines, and team performance.
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