Build a time-series chart

Example: batch viscosity

The example records 80 successive adhesive batches, with viscosity measured at 25 °C in mPa·s. The timestamps are local collection times without an assigned timezone.

Download the example data (CSV)

This is the same example used in Help. The CSV contains the observations to import.

1. Create the analysis

In the sidebar, open Plots and create an analysis. Name it, select New blank worksheet, then choose Create analysis.

2. Import the data

On Worksheet, choose Import. Select the downloaded CSV or paste its contents. Set the delimiter to Comma, use Decimal dot, and check First row contains column names. Preview the import, then choose Import into worksheet.

3. Assign the input columns

On Inputs, choose Time series in Chart type. In Data arrangement, choose Single variable — no grouping. Set Horizontal axis to Observation order and leave Use an observation-label column unchecked.

Open the column picker for Series and select viscosity_mpa_s. Keep all 80 rows in their supplied order. The chart uses row position, rather than the collected_at timestamps.

4. Set the chart options

Leave Show trailing moving average and Show markers unchecked. The line will connect the original batch readings without smoothing.

Open Labels and enter Explore viscosity in collection order in Chart title. Leave Horizontal axis label and Vertical axis label blank so the source labels are used.

Plots: Inputs with the example’s assignments and settings — Time series Inputs with the example’s column assignments, chart options and title. View full-size image (opens in a new tab)

5. Create chart

Choose Create chart, then open Results. Check Data used before comparing the chart with this guide. All stored worksheet rows participate; sorting or filtering the worksheet does not change the analytical sample.

6. Interpret results

Follow the collection order
The horizontal axis is observation order, rather than elapsed time. Each line segment connects two successive batch readings. The vertical axis is viscosity in mPa·s, measured at 25 °C.
Eighty original batch-viscosity readings connected in collection order, without smoothing or limits. View full-size chart (opens in a new tab)
Inspect observation 52
Observation 52 is batch ADH052, at 1380.8 mPa·s. Its neighbors are ADH051 (1245.1 mPa·s) and ADH053 (1256.1 mPa·s). Check these measurement and batch records together; their heights do not identify a cause or justify automatic deletion.
Keep the chart’s purpose in mind
This is a time-series line, without smoothing, control limits or customer acceptance limits. Its appearance alone does not establish whether the process is stable.
Choose the next analysis
Preserve collection order and use the I-MR example if a control-chart study is appropriate. Investigate the batch records before deciding whether an unusual reading is a data error or a process change.

More details: read each result section

Complete result tables use six significant digits, as in Help.

Data used

Worksheet rows is 80; Eligible observations across series is 80; Excluded observations is 0. All source rows are used. Check these counts and keep the example’s column assignments when comparing runs. Worksheet sorting and filters do not change the analytical sample.

All stored rows are considered in original order. Worksheet sorting and filters do not change the analytical sample.

Data used · 1 row
Worksheet rows	Eligible observations across series	Excluded observations
80	80	0

Data summary

Series names the measurement or group. Valid and Missing give counts; Mean and Median describe the center. Sample SD describes spread. Minimum and Maximum are the observed ends; Q1 and Q3 enclose the middle half. These summaries describe the captured observations, not acceptance limits.

Data summary · 1 row
Series	Valid	Missing	Mean	Sample SD	Minimum	Q1	Median	Q3	Maximum
viscosity_mpa_s	80	0	1251.17	22.3753	1215.2	1238.18	1246.95	1260.48	1380.8

Connected values

Series names the viscosity column. First worksheet row and Worksheet row locate each reading in collection order; viscosity_mpa_s gives the original value. There are 80 connected values and no moving-average column. Observation 52 is 1380.8 mPa·s.

Connected values · 80 rows
Series	First worksheet row (0 = empty period)	Worksheet row	viscosity_mpa_s
viscosity_mpa_s	1	1	1260.2
viscosity_mpa_s	2	2	1258.6
viscosity_mpa_s	3	3	1232.8
viscosity_mpa_s	4	4	1250.6
viscosity_mpa_s	5	5	1291.7
viscosity_mpa_s	6	6	1242.8
viscosity_mpa_s	7	7	1272.1
viscosity_mpa_s	8	8	1237.6
viscosity_mpa_s	9	9	1237
viscosity_mpa_s	10	10	1243
viscosity_mpa_s	11	11	1238.2
viscosity_mpa_s	12	12	1280
viscosity_mpa_s	13	13	1250.2
viscosity_mpa_s	14	14	1274.8
viscosity_mpa_s	15	15	1246.3
viscosity_mpa_s	16	16	1232.5
viscosity_mpa_s	17	17	1238.1
viscosity_mpa_s	18	18	1215.2
viscosity_mpa_s	19	19	1244.3
viscosity_mpa_s	20	20	1265
viscosity_mpa_s	21	21	1252.7
viscosity_mpa_s	22	22	1247.9
viscosity_mpa_s	23	23	1246.6
viscosity_mpa_s	24	24	1245.6
viscosity_mpa_s	25	25	1253.9
viscosity_mpa_s	26	26	1235.9
viscosity_mpa_s	27	27	1253.9
viscosity_mpa_s	28	28	1267.6
viscosity_mpa_s	29	29	1254.3
viscosity_mpa_s	30	30	1234.1
viscosity_mpa_s	31	31	1262.3
viscosity_mpa_s	32	32	1216.5
viscosity_mpa_s	33	33	1245.8
viscosity_mpa_s	34	34	1244.4
viscosity_mpa_s	35	35	1260.7
viscosity_mpa_s	36	36	1267.9
viscosity_mpa_s	37	37	1273.9
viscosity_mpa_s	38	38	1260.8
viscosity_mpa_s	39	39	1283.4
viscosity_mpa_s	40	40	1237
viscosity_mpa_s	41	41	1241.3
viscosity_mpa_s	42	42	1250.3
viscosity_mpa_s	43	43	1247.1
viscosity_mpa_s	44	44	1218.9
viscosity_mpa_s	45	45	1289
viscosity_mpa_s	46	46	1241.8
viscosity_mpa_s	47	47	1253.6
viscosity_mpa_s	48	48	1255
viscosity_mpa_s	49	49	1253.4
viscosity_mpa_s	50	50	1273.8
viscosity_mpa_s	51	51	1245.1
viscosity_mpa_s	52	52	1380.8
viscosity_mpa_s	53	53	1256.1
viscosity_mpa_s	54	54	1248
viscosity_mpa_s	55	55	1217
viscosity_mpa_s	56	56	1236.9
viscosity_mpa_s	57	57	1256.6
viscosity_mpa_s	58	58	1285.3
viscosity_mpa_s	59	59	1226.2
viscosity_mpa_s	60	60	1233.9
viscosity_mpa_s	61	61	1263.5
viscosity_mpa_s	62	62	1239.4
viscosity_mpa_s	63	63	1243.2
viscosity_mpa_s	64	64	1218.8
viscosity_mpa_s	65	65	1272.6
viscosity_mpa_s	66	66	1266.5
viscosity_mpa_s	67	67	1246.8
viscosity_mpa_s	68	68	1237.6
viscosity_mpa_s	69	69	1225.5
viscosity_mpa_s	70	70	1268.3
viscosity_mpa_s	71	71	1242.2
viscosity_mpa_s	72	72	1245.7
viscosity_mpa_s	73	73	1252.9
viscosity_mpa_s	74	74	1245.3
viscosity_mpa_s	75	75	1241.7
viscosity_mpa_s	76	76	1260.4
viscosity_mpa_s	77	77	1258.7
viscosity_mpa_s	78	78	1240.4
viscosity_mpa_s	79	79	1230.8
viscosity_mpa_s	80	80	1226.7

7. Create a report

Keep the native chart and Data used, together with Data summary, Connected values. Record the column assignments and chart options. Include the study context and any checks of unusual observations. Keep the chart’s units and the limitations described in the walkthrough.

Choose Add to report from the completed run. Open Choose individual items and advanced options to select tables and charts, then choose Add to draft. Hidden items stay in the saved analysis.

Name the report and add the purpose of the study and your interpretation. Choose Save, review Preview, then use Export → Download HTML. The example below contains the full selected content, including results beyond one screen.

Complete native output for this Help example, including applicable tables, charts and run notes. Report numbers use the app’s displayed precision. Exported charts are static. On narrow screens, scroll wide charts and tables sideways.

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