Working with graphs

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You can create graphs in ArcGIS for Desktop applications (ArcMap, ArcGlobe, and ArcScene) to visualize and explore data. Graphs are helpful in presenting information about map features, and the relationship between them, in a visual, easy-to-understand manner. Graphs can also be created for non-spatial tabular data and can show additional information about the features on the map or the same information in a different way.

Graphs are complementary to maps in that they simply and visually convey information that would generally be summarized numerically or explored in tables. With a graph, it's easy to quickly compare features to gain insight into the functional relationship between the features and to visualize the distribution, trends, and patterns in the data that otherwise would be difficult to see.

When working with ArcObjects, DataGraphT is the main component that allows you to create graphs. All non-user interface (UI) related items are located in the Carto and CartoUI library, and all UI related items are located in the ArcMapUI library.

DataGraphT is the container for graph series. It can be cocreated and contain multiple series. Series is the basic unit for a graph in data representation. Each series contains one representation method—for example, drawing data using bars. DataGraphT provides access to general graph properties, such as series properties, axis properties, legend properties, and so on.

Instances of DataGraphT are stored in MxDocument via IDataGraphCollection and can be displayed in DataGraphWindow. When working in three-dimensional (3D) applications, the instances of DataGraphT are stored in GMxDocument (ArcGlobe) and SxDocument (ArcScene).

For more information on graphs, see What are graphs in ArcGIS?.