Can Project Insight Create Charts From Reports?

Yes, Project Insight lets you create charts from report data so you can view project information visually. Report charts help users summarize data, compare results, and review project information in a more visual format.

For example, you can create a pie chart from a project report to show how many projects are assigned to each primary project manager.

Best For

This article is best for:

• Project managers
• PMO leaders
• Executives
• Reporting users
• Administrators
• Teams that want visual summaries of project report data

What Is Report Charting?

Report charting lets you turn report results into a visual chart. Instead of only viewing report data in a table, you can create a chart based on the fields in the report.

Depending on your report setup, you can use predefined charts or create a custom chart.

How Do You Create a Chart From a Report?

To create a chart from a report:

1. Open the report you want to chart.
2. Click Filter.

4. Keep the report filters you want to use.
5. Scroll to Charting.
6. Open the charting options.
7. Choose whether to use a predefined chart or create a custom chart.
8. Select the chart type.
9. Choose how the chart should aggregate the report data.

10. Run the report.

Project Insight will generate the chart based on the report settings you selected.

Video Example: Create a Pie Chart by Primary Project Manager

In this example, the goal is to show how many projects each primary project manager has.

To create this chart:

1. Open an existing project report.
2. Click Filter.
3. Scroll to Charting.
4. Select Custom Chart.
5. Name the chart, such as Primary PM.
6. Choose Pie Chart as the chart type.
7. Under Aggregate By, select Primary Project Manager.
8. Run the report.

Project Insight will display a pie chart showing projects grouped by primary project manager.

What Does Aggregate By Mean?

The Aggregate By option controls how Project Insight groups the report data in the chart.

For example, if you aggregate by Primary Project Manager, the chart groups projects by the project manager assigned as the primary project manager.

Use Aggregate By to decide what the chart should summarize.

Can You Show the Chart and Table Together?

Yes. You can display the chart and the table results together.

To show both:

1. Open the charted report.
2. Select Include Table Results When Displaying Charts.
3. Run or refresh the report.

Project Insight will show the chart and the report table in the same report view.

This is helpful when you want the visual summary and the detailed list available at the same time.

When Should You Use Report Charts?

Use report charts when you want to:

• Summarize report data visually
• Compare projects by project manager
• Show report trends or categories
• Give executives a quick visual overview
• Build more useful PMO reporting views
• Add visual reporting to dashboards
• Make report data easier to review at a glance

Common Mistakes When Creating Report Charts

Choosing the wrong aggregation field

The chart is only useful if the Aggregate By field matches the question you want the chart to answer.

For example, choose Primary Project Manager if you want to compare how many projects each project manager owns.

Forgetting to keep the right report filters

The chart uses the report data returned by your filters. If the report filters are too broad or too narrow, the chart may not show the results you expect.

Hiding the table when users need detail

Charts are useful for visual summaries, but users may still need the detailed report list. Use Include Table Results When Displaying Charts when both views are helpful.

Using a chart when a table is clearer

Some report questions are easier to answer in a table. Use charts when the visual comparison adds value.

Related Questions

Can I Create a Pie Chart in Project Insight Reports?

Yes. In the report charting options, choose a custom chart and select Pie Chart as the chart type.

Can I Chart Projects by Project Manager?

Yes. In a project report, you can create a chart and aggregate by Primary Project Manager.

Can I View the Report Table With the Chart?

Yes. Select Include Table Results When Displaying Charts to show both the chart and the table results.

Do I Have to Use a Predefined Chart?

No. You can choose a custom chart when you want to define the chart name, type, and aggregation field.

Where Are Charting Options Located?

Charting options are available from the report’s Filter area.

In Short

Project Insight report charting lets you turn report data into visual charts. Open a report, go to Filter, scroll to Charting, choose a custom or predefined chart, select the chart type, choose how to aggregate the data, and run the report. You can also include table results so users can see both the chart and the detailed report list.