The Visualization Editor lets you build charts, tables, and pivot tables from your Workiva Carbon data. Open it from Report visuals in your workspace navigation.
From there, pick the emissions data you need and shape it into the visualization you want, then connect it to a document, presentation, or spreadsheet. Each inserted visual stays connected to its source, so when the underlying data changes, you can refresh the connection to bring every copy up to date.
Requirements
- A BI role that lets you build visualizations: BI Builder or BI Administrator
- Workiva Carbon enabled in the workspace
Note: BI Viewers can open and explore the visualizations shared with them, but they can't create or edit one.
Access your visualizations
Report visuals is the home page for every visualization in your workspace. Open it from the workspace navigation to browse, search, and sort what you've already built, or to start something new.
Visualizations appear as cards by default, with a preview of each one. Switch to a list view using the view controls in the upper-right corner.
Sort and filter visualizations
By default, visualizations are sorted by most recently modified, so the ones you've worked on most recently appear first. Use the sort, filter, and search controls above the list to change what you see. You can sort by:
- Most recent
- Oldest
- Name (A-Z or Z-A)
Roles and permissions
Two things control what you can do with visualizations: the BI role assigned to you in the workspace, and the permissions set on each individual visualization. Your role determines whether you can create and edit at all, and permissions determine which visualizations you can open. To learn more, see Roles and permissions for visualizations.
Create a visualization
The Visualization Editor opens to an empty canvas set to Pivot table. You can keep that type or change it, then select the data behind it.
- From Report visuals, click Create to open the Visualization Editor.
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To build something other than a pivot table, open the menu where Pivot table is selected and choose a different table or chart type.
Note: This menu appears above the canvas and again in the middle of the empty canvas, and either one opens the same menu. You can change your selected chart type later.
| Group | Types | Use it to |
|---|---|---|
| Table | Pivot table, Table | Show governed row-level data, or summarize it across dimensions. These are the types you connect to a spreadsheet. |
| Bar | Bar, Column | Compare a value across categories. |
| Line | Line, Area, Combo | Show a value across a continuous axis. Combo plots two values together, each with its own type and axis. |
| Pie | Pie, Donut | Show how parts contribute to a whole. |
| Scatter | Scatter, Bubble | Plot values against each other to look for relationships. |
| Waterfall | Waterfall | Show how a starting value increases and decreases to a final value. |
Select your data
Use the Sources panel to choose your data and pick the fields you want to work with.
- Under Dataset, make sure Carbon is selected.
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Choose a View. Views organize related Carbon data into a set of fields you can build from, such as Emissions Summary, Emissions Audit, or Purchases Audit.
Note: Switching views resets your field selections, so choose your view before you start building.
- Expand Fields and Values to see what the view offers. Fields are what you group by, such as Scope or Facility name. Values are what you measure, such as Spend (converted) or Energy amount (converted).
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Select the fields and values you want. Use Search to find a specific one, and Clear to remove your selections and start over.
Note: Select all selects everything in a folder at once, and is available for tables only.
Each field you select is placed in the visualization for you, based on what it is and which type you're building. You can move it afterward.
Fields and values come from Workiva Carbon, grouped into the same folders you see there. For what each one contains, see Fields and values for visualizations (Carbon).
Build the visualization
Map your data using the Structure tab of the Build panel. Each visualization type has its own field- and value-types, and the tab shows only the areas that apply to the one you selected.
These areas are named differently for each type of visualization, but they do the same two jobs. One set takes the fields you're grouping by, such as a reporting year or a location. The other takes the values you're measuring, such as energy amount or spend. Once you recognize which is which, they all work the same way.
| Visualization type | Groups the data | Measures the data | Other options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Table | Columns holds both, in the order you arrange them. | ||
| Pivot table | Rows, Columns | Values | — |
| Bar, column, line, area, waterfall | X-axis | Y-axis | Group by |
| Combo | X-axis | Y-axis (left), Y-axis (right) | Group by (left), Group by (right) |
| Pie, donut | Category | Value | — |
| Scatter | Category | X-axis, Y-axis | Color |
| Bubble | Category | X-axis, Y-axis, Size | Color, Shape |
Scatter and bubble charts work differently from the rest. Both axes carry values, so the chart plots two measures against each other and Category decides what each point represents. A bubble chart adds Size as a third measure.
There are two ways to add a field or value:
- Select it in the Sources panel: The editor places it in the appropriate area for you, so you can pick your fields first and adjust the arrangement in the Build panel later.
- Click Add in the Build panel: The menu displays only the fields or values that area accepts, so this is the faster path when you know where you want something.
As you add fields and values, the chart updates so you can see your changes in real time.
Field limits
Each area holds a limited number of fields. Once an area is full, the editor shows Limit reached beneath it and Add for that area becomes unavailable.
Fields bound for a full area also become unselectable in the Sources panel, so you can see what's still open to you without guessing. Fields bound for an area that still has room stay selectable.
To make room, remove a field from the full area or move it somewhere else.
Change a field after you add it
Click More next to a field in the Build panel. The options you see depend on which area the field is in.
| Option | What it does |
|---|---|
| Sort | Sorts the field Ascending or Descending. Available on fields in Rows and Columns. |
| Move up, Move down | Reorders the field within its area. In a pivot table, the order of the fields in Rows sets how the rows nest. |
| Move | Moves the field to another area, such as Move to Rows for a field currently in Columns. It appears only when the destination has room for a new field. |
| Replace | Swaps in a different field, keeping the position and settings of the one it replaces. |
| Rename | Changes how the field is labeled in this visualization. The source field isn't affected. |
| Remove | Removes the field. You can also click the remove icon next to the field. |
Build a table
Tables show governed row-level data. Use one when you need the underlying records rather than a summary. A table is the simplest way to move Carbon data into a spreadsheet.
- Select Table as your visualization type.
- In the Structure tab, click Add under Columns and add the field that uniquely identifies each record, such as Unique ID.
- Add the rest of the fields and values you need.
- Reorder the columns to match how you want the output to read, and use Sort in a field's options menu to set its sort direction.
Your column configuration is saved with the visualization and restored when you reopen it.
Build a pivot table
Pivot tables summarize your data across two dimensions. Use one to see totals by category and period without building the view somewhere else.
- Select Pivot table as your visualization type.
- Under Rows, add the fields you want down the side of the table.
- Under Columns, add the field you want across the top.
- Under Values, add the values you want summarized.
A field can't be used as both a row and a column, so a field already in use isn't available in the other area.
With one field in Rows, that field names the first column. Add more and the rows nest; the first column is labeled Group, and you can expand and collapse each level.
Use the controls below the table to page through the results and set how many rows appear at a time.
Pivot table options
Totals are on by default, and you turn them off with the checkbox below a field name.
- Grand totals sits below the first field in Rows and below the field in Columns. It controls the overall total for the table.
- Sub-totals sits below each of the remaining fields in Rows.
Change how a value is summarized
Each value in the Values area has its own controls.
- Aggregation sets how the value is calculated, such as a sum or an average. The options available depend on the value.
- Show as applies a calculation on top of the aggregation, such as a percentage of the row total. Default shows the aggregated value on its own.
- Currency or Unit sets how the value is expressed, for a value that supports more than one. A spend value shows a currency; an emissions value offers grams, kilograms, and metric tons of CO2e.
Build a chart
Charts plot your data rather than listing it in a table form. Use one when the shape of the data is the goal.
- Select a chart type (Bar, Line, Pie, etc.).
- Add the field you're grouping by: X-axis for most charts, or Category for pie, donut, scatter, and bubble charts.
- Add the values you're measuring, then set each one's Aggregation and, where it applies, its Currency or Unit.
- Optionally, fill the remaining areas. Group by breaks the chart down by another dimension, and Color, Shape, and Size encode extra detail on a scatter or bubble chart.
Change the visualization type
You can change the visualization type at any point while you're building. The editor automatically remaps your eligible fields to the new type.
Fields that don't fit are set aside rather than deleted, and a message tells you it happened. Switch back to the earlier type and they return.
Because of this, you can try a few types without rebuilding each time. The fields you set aside are only lost if you save and close while a narrower type is selected.
Note: If the visualization is already inserted somewhere, switching between a table and a chart breaks the connection the next time someone refreshes it. See Insert a visualization into a spreadsheet, document, or presentation.
Filter your data
Use the Filter tab of the Build panel to narrow the data shown in your visualization.
- Open the Filter tab.
- Click Add filters and select a field.
- Choose an Operator. The operators available depend on the field type: text, numeric, or date.
- Choose your values, then click Apply. Apply stays unavailable until you've selected at least one value.
Cancel discards a filter you're still setting up.
Manage your filters
Once applied, a filter collapses to a summary of the field and the condition you set, such as Reporting year followed by Is not 2026. The Filter tab also shows how many filters are in effect, so you can tell at a glance that a visualization is filtered without opening the tab.
Click More next to a filter to Edit or Delete it, or expand the filter to see its settings. To remove every filter at once, click Clear filters.
Note: Apply your filters before you insert the visualization. You can't filter a connected visualization from inside a document, presentation, or spreadsheet.
Filter operators by field type
Text operators are grouped into four categories in the menu.
| Category | Operator | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Basic filters | Is | Includes records that match a value you select from the field's existing values. Supports single- or multi-select. |
| Basic filters | Is not | Excludes records that match a value you select from the field's existing values. Supports single- or multi-select. |
| Pattern matching | Contains | Includes records where the field contains the text you enter. |
| Pattern matching | Does not contain | Excludes records where the field contains the text you enter. |
| Pattern matching | Starts with | Includes records where the field begins with the text you enter. |
| Pattern matching | Does not start with | Excludes records where the field begins with the text you enter. |
| Pattern matching | Ends with | Includes records where the field ends with the text you enter. |
| Pattern matching | Does not end with | Excludes records where the field ends with the text you enter. |
| Exact comparison | Equals | Includes records that exactly match the text you enter. |
| Exact comparison | Does not equal | Excludes records that exactly match the text you enter. |
| Empty checks | Is empty | Includes only records with no value for the field. |
| Empty checks | Is not empty | Excludes records with no value for the field. |
Note: "Is" and "Equals" look similar but behave differently. Use "Is" when you want to pick from values that already exist in the data, such as selecting one or more locations from a list. Use "Equals" when you want to type a specific value for an exact match, even if it isn't in the data yet.
Numeric operators are grouped into three categories.
| Category | Operator | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Basic filters | Is | Includes records that match a value you select from the field's existing values. |
| Basic filters | Is not | Excludes records that match a value you select from the field's existing values. |
| Numeric comparison | Equals (=) | Includes records that match a number you enter. |
| Numeric comparison | Does not equal | Excludes records that match a number you enter. |
| Numeric comparison | Smaller than | Includes records below the number you enter. |
| Numeric comparison | Equals or smaller than | Includes records below or equal to the number you enter. |
| Numeric comparison | Greater than | Includes records above the number you enter. |
| Numeric comparison | Equals or greater than | Includes records above or equal to the number you enter. |
| Range filters | Between | Includes records that fall within a range you define using a From and To value. |
Date filters use two modes instead of operators. Choose the mode that fits how you want to define the time period.
- Date range: Use the calendar to select a fixed start and end date, such as January 1, 2026 to March 31, 2026. The range stays the same over time.
- Relative timeframe: Filter to a period that looks forward or backward from today, such as the next 30 days or the previous three months. Enable Include current period to include the current day, week, month, or year in the calculations.
Note: Relative ranges shift over time, so the data in your visualization updates as new days, weeks, or months pass.
Style a chart
Use the Style tab of the Build panel to adjust the appearance of a chart. Most settings are a toggle with additional controls that appear once you turn them on.
You can set styles for the whole chart, or click an individual element, such as a single bar, to style just that element.
Note: Style options don't apply to tables or pivot tables. Formatting for a connected table is controlled by the document, presentation, or spreadsheet you insert it into.
Settings most charts share
| Setting | What you can change |
|---|---|
| Value label | Shows the value on each element. Set its Orientation and how many Decimal places to display. |
| Color | Choose a Series to recolor, or click an element in the chart to change just that one. |
| Legend | Show or hide the legend, and set its Position. |
| X-axis | Show or hide the axis. When it's shown, you can add a Title and show or hide the Axis line, Grid, and Label. |
| Y-axis | The same controls as the X-axis, plus a Range you can set with Min, Max, and Intervals. Leave the range empty to let the axis scale to your data. |
Two types handle the axes differently:
- Pie and donut charts have no axes, so those settings don't appear.
- Combo charts split the Y-axis into Y-axis (left) and Y-axis (right), each with its own title, labels, and range. Only the left axis controls the grid, since both axes share the same gridlines.
Settings that differ by chart type
Most types add a Chart layout section at the top of the tab. A few change how other settings work instead.
Style settings by chart type
Chart layout offers:
- Orientation switches the chart between vertical and horizontal.
- Stacking sets how multiple series sit together.
Chart layout offers Type, which switches between a line chart and an area chart.
Chart layout offers:
- Left chart type and Right chart type set how each side is drawn, such as columns on the left and a line on the right.
- Stacking sets how multiple series sit together.
Chart layout offers:
- Type switches between a pie chart and a donut chart.
- Inner radius (%) sets the size of the hole in a donut chart.
Value label is built from toggles instead of an orientation setting:
- Categories adds the category name.
- Value adds the number.
- Percent shows the share of the whole instead of the number.
- Decimals sets how many decimal places the number shows. It appears only while Percent is turned off.
These types have no Chart layout section, because color, shape, and size are set in the Structure tab instead. Everything else works the same as the other charts.
Waterfall charts have no Chart layout section, and Color works by what each bar represents rather than by series:
- Increase colors bars showing a gain.
- Decrease colors bars showing a loss.
- Total colors the cumulative result.
To color one series differently, expand Per-series override and choose a Series.
Name and save your visualization
Click the title at the top of the editor to give your visualization a clear, descriptive name so it's easy to find when you reuse it later. Then click Save.
Save requirements
A visualization can only be saved once it has everything its type needs. Save stays unavailable until then, and any area still waiting on a field tells you so.
Insert a visualization
After saving, you can reuse a visualization in any document, presentation, or spreadsheet in the same workspace. Inserting it creates a connection to the source, meaning source updates reach every place it's been used. See Insert a visualization into a spreadsheet, document, or presentation to learn more.
Things to know
- Data refresh times in the Visualization Editor: Data from your Carbon workspace reaches the Visualization Editor on a scheduled interval, so recent changes may not appear right away.
- Filtering happens at the source: Apply filters in the Visualization Editor before you insert a visualization. You can't filter a connected visualization from inside a document, presentation, or spreadsheet.
- Styling doesn't carry over: Connections deliver raw data, and the destination file applies its own formatting on insert.
- Spreadsheet cell limits: Spreadsheets enforce a maximum cell count. If your table would exceed it, add a filter in the Visualization Editor to narrow the results before you connect it.
- Exports: Exporting or downloading visualizations and their underlying data isn't supported at this time.