Charts allow you to present information graphically, using such visual cues as color, size, and position to convey relationships between measures (numeric fields to be aggregated) and dimensions (categories) and to identify trends and outliers. FOCUS can create a wide variety of charts, generated in your choice of output formats.

HTML5 charts are created as JavaScript code that runs directly in the browser, producing highly-interactive visualizations. These charts conform to all current web standards and are supported by all modern browsers (Firefox, Safari, Mobile Safari, Chrome, or Internet Explorer 9 or higher).

The basis of this process is the familiar and understandable FOCUS language. In addition to these simple FOCUS commands, HTML5 charts support a JSON API that allows you to completely customize the final output. Multiple charts can even be linked.

Also built into the FOCUS HTML5 charting product is lightweight map support. You can create choropleth maps, in which areas are color-coded, or proportional symbol maps that display bubbles of different sizes over relevant areas of the map.

In order to create an HTML5 chart using the FOCUS language, all you have to do is include the HOLD FORMAT JSCHART command in your request.

The data source referenced in a FOCUS chart request can be a joined or cross-referenced data source, and can be stored in any supported DBMS, across all operating environments. Dialogue Manager variables and commands can be used in the request to make the chart customizable based on user selections at run-time. In addition, FOCUS charts support a wide variety of FOCUS styling options.

Each data source referenced in a request needs a FOCUS description, called a synonym. A synonym consists of a Master File (which describes the data) and, in most cases, an associated Access File (which describes how to access the data).

JSON objects define values for enhanced chart properties. In addition to complete JSON objects, format JSCHART can accept JSON objects that only include one or a few properties. These property values are used in place of any default or existing settings.

Note: The terms chart and graph are used interchangeably unless otherwise noted.