Click Excel (top-right) to open Reading
Analytics. Either export as XLSX or analyse on-page: choose
table, choose Hardware/Details value, type column name(s),
set period (default 28 days), then generate Chart 1
(absolute values) or Chart 2 (differences).
The
Chart Generator (Access via the
Settings/Sources/Links)
is a flexible reporting tool that transforms your Readings
data into visual representations. It enables users to:
-
Select any custom Reading table created via the Readings
module
-
Choose specific Hardware items or Detail labels to analyse
- Select which numeric columns to visualise
-
Display data in three formats:
-
Bar / Line charts — show daily
differences (pure values per day)
-
Horizontal Bar charts — show
cumulative totals for the selected period
- Apply date ranges to analyse trends over time
-
Preview charts directly in the Dashboard and save
configurations as named reports for future reference
The Chart Generator is designed to provide actionable
insights without requiring technical knowledge — simply
configure, preview, and save your custom visualisations.
When creating Reading tables, it is essential to understand
how the system interprets your data, as this determines
whether charts show cumulative totals or
daily pure values.
Cumulative (metered) data
Cumulative readings are
odometer-style values that constantly
increase over time. Each new reading represents the total
accumulated since the first record.
Example — Electricity meter:
- Monday reading: 1,500 kWh
- Tuesday reading: 1,580 kWh
- Wednesday reading: 1,645 kWh
When displayed as cumulative, the chart
shows the actual meter readings: 1,500 → 1,580 → 1,645. When
displayed as pure values, the system
calculates the daily consumption: 80 kWh (Tue) and 65 kWh
(Wed).
Pure value (non-cumulative / real-time) data
Pure value readings represent
instantaneous measurements at a point in
time. These values may go up or down and do not accumulate.
Example — Temperature sensor:
- Monday 08:00: 42°C
- Tuesday 08:00: 44°C
- Wednesday 08:00: 41°C
Here, the chart displays the actual recorded values (42, 44,
41) because each reading stands alone.
How to specify the data type in the Chart
Generator
When configuring a report, you can indicate whether the
selected column contains cumulative data:
-
Bar / Line charts — select "This data is
cumulative" to calculate daily differences; leave
unchecked to show raw values.
-
Horizontal Bar charts — always show the
total accumulated consumption/generation for the selected
period, automatically calculating the difference between
the first and last readings.
Why this distinction matters
Selecting the correct data type ensures that your charts
accurately reflect operational reality. Cumulative data
(meters, odometers) interpreted as pure values would show
ever-increasing totals, obscuring actual daily consumption.
Conversely, pure values interpreted as cumulative would
produce misleading negative or zero differences. The Chart
Generator gives you full control to match your visualisation
to your data structure.