How to Configure the Chart Window in iDempiere

Learn how to configure the Chart window in iDempiere to build retail sales dashboards with data-driven charts and KPIs.

Introduction

The Chart window in iDempiere lets administrators build data-driven visualizations directly from any transactional table using SQL, without custom coding.

Once configured, it feeds Dashboard Content widgets so store managers and executives see live sales trends and performance without running manual reports.

Process Flow

Business Rules

• Only Active charts are available for selection in Dashboard Content.
• Sql WHERE should include AD_Client_ID so data stays specific to the tenant.
• Chart Type controls how data is displayed: Line, Bar, Area, or Pie.
• Each Chart header can have one Datasource detail line defining its query.
• Window Height controls how large the chart appears on the Home dashboard.

Prerequisites

• Sales Order, Invoice, or relevant transactional data already recorded in the system.
• Role has read access to the source table used in the chart query.
• Dashboard Content window accessible for mapping the chart to the Home screen.
• Basic SQL knowledge to define the Sql FROM and Sql WHERE clauses.

Navigation

Path: Menu → Performance Analysis and Accounting → Performance Management → Chart

Configuration Steps

Step 1: Create the Chart Header Record

In the Chart tab, enter a Name such as “Sales YTD”, set Chart Type to Line Chart, set Orientation to Vertical, and enable Time Series for a month-wise trend.

Field	Sample Value	Purpose
Name	Sales YTD	Identifies the chart in the Dashboard Content list
Chart Type	Line Chart	Defines the visual representation of the data
Window Height	300	Sets the chart display height in pixels
Orientation	Vertical	Sets the chart axis orientation
Domain Label	Month	Labels the X-axis of the chart
Range Label	Value	Labels the Y-axis of the chart
Time Series	Checked	Enables date-based trend plotting
Time Unit	Month	Groups data points by month
Time Scope	12	Number of periods displayed on the chart
Active	Checked	Makes the chart available for dashboard mapping

Step 2: Define Chart Type and Display Settings

Choose a chart type matching the KPI: Line for trends, Bar for store comparisons, Pie for share of total. Enable Display Legend when the chart carries multiple series.

Step 3: Configure the Chart Datasource

Switch to the Datasource tab and enter Sql FROM, Sql WHERE, Date Column, and Value Column so the chart pulls the correct sales figures.

Field	Sample Value	Purpose
Sql FROM	C_Order o	Source table for the chart query
Sql WHERE	o.DocStatus IN (‘CO’,’CL’) AND o.AD_Client_ID=@#AD_Client_ID@ AND o.IsSOTrx=’Y’	Filters completed sales orders for the current client
Date Column	o.DateOrdered	Column used for time-series grouping
Value Column	sum(o.GrandTotal)	Aggregated sales value plotted on the chart
Table	C_Order_Order	Reference table used for drill-down
Key Column	o.C_Order_ID	Unique key used for drill-down navigation
Series Column	(blank)	Used only when splitting the chart into multiple series
Time Offset	0	Adjusts time zone offset applied to date grouping

Step 4: Activate and Save the Chart

Check the Active checkbox on the Chart tab and the Datasource tab, then save the record.

Common Issues and Resolutions

Issue	Cause	Resolution
Chart not listed in Dashboard Content	Chart or Datasource record marked Inactive	Activate both records and save
Trend line not grouped by month	Time Series unchecked or Time Unit mismatch	Enable Time Series and set the correct Time Unit
Error when opening or saving the chart	Syntax error in Sql FROM or Sql WHERE	Test the query in the database before saving
Chart appears too small or too large	Window Height not set appropriately	Adjust Window Height and refresh the dashboard

Next Steps

• Configure Dashboard Content to map this chart to the Home screen.
• Set up role-based dashboard access so the right store managers see it.
• Create additional charts for inventory levels, returns, or top-selling products.