14. Visuals and Their Formatting
14.13 Gauge
Start with a problem
Rani's May target was ₹1,100. She wants a dial that shows how close May sales came.
Explain simply
A gauge shows one value on a semicircle between a minimum and a maximum, with an optional target needle.
Show the data
| Month (FY 2026-27) | Total Sales (₹) | Target (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| Apr-2026 | 900 | 1,000 |
| May-2026 | 1,200 | 1,100 |
| FY to date | 2,100 | 2,100 |
About this data: This table uses columns: Month (FY 2026-27), Total Sales (₹), Target (₹). This table uses columns: Field, May-2026. This table uses columns: Wrong result, Reason, Correction. Values shown are the lesson examples already on this page (not a new dataset).
Fictional sample data. Practice file: visuals_orders_apr_may_2026.csv, monthly_targets_fy2026_27.csv (source: src/practice/).
Demonstrate
- Load the targets file and relate it by Month (or use a measure
Target = SUM(Targets[Target])). - Filter the page to May-2026.
- Insert Gauge: Value
Total Sales, Target valueTarget. - Format › Visual › Gauge axis › Max 1,500. Why: the default max (2× value) changes with each filter.
Show the result
Your result should look like this (fictional sample):
| Field | May-2026 |
|---|---|
| Value | ₹1,200 |
| Target needle | ₹1,100 |
| Achievement | 109.1% (1,200 ÷ 1,100) |
Explain what happened
Both measures are evaluated with the May filter. The needle is placed at 1,100 on a fixed 0–1,500 axis.
Explore further
- For April the gauge shows ₹900 against ₹1,000 = 90.0%.
- A KPI visual or a card with a variance often uses less space.
Detailed reference for this lesson:
Shows one value against a range and target.
- Field wells: Value, Minimum value, Maximum value, Target value, Tooltips.
- Example: Value = % Orders Delivered Under 10 Mins, Minimum = 0, Maximum = 1, Target = a Delivery Target % measure (a value set by the trainer for practice).
- Avoid when space is tight or you need a trend (use KPI). A gauge takes a lot of space for one number.
- Formatting: Gauge axis (min, max, target), Colors (fill, target colour), Data labels, Target label, Callout value.
Ravindra Bagale's Tip
Friends, many students leave the gauge maximum on automatic, so it changes with every filter and the needle always looks half-full. Set the Minimum, Maximum and Target from measures (for example the target delivery time), so the gauge means the same thing on every selection. Try it once more, then move on.
Ravindra Bagale's Tip – मराठी
मित्रांनो, बरेच students gauge चा maximum automatic वर ठेवतात, त्यामुळे तो प्रत्येक filter सोबत बदलतो आणि सुई नेहमी अर्धी भरलेली दिसते. Minimum, Maximum आणि Target measures वरून set करा (उदाहरणार्थ target delivery time), म्हणजे प्रत्येक selection वर gauge चा अर्थ सारखाच राहील. पुन्हा एकदा करून बघा, मग पुढे जा.
Ravindra Bagale's Tip – हिंदी
दोस्तों, बहुत से students gauge का maximum automatic पर छोड़ देते हैं, जिससे वह हर filter के साथ बदलता है और सुई हमेशा आधी भरी दिखती है. Minimum, Maximum और Target को measures से set करो (जैसे target delivery time), ताकि हर selection पर gauge का मतलब एक जैसा रहे. एक बार फिर करके देखो, फिर आगे बढ़ो.
Fix common mistakes
| Wrong result | Reason | Correction |
|---|---|---|
| Gauge always looks half full | Default max is twice the value | Set a fixed Max or a Max measure |
| Target shows FY total ₹2,100 | No month filter | Filter to one month or use a month slicer |
| Many gauges on one page | Gauges use a lot of space | Use cards or a bullet-style bar |
Practise independently
Practice task
Show April in the gauge. What is the achievement %?
Hints
- April actual 900, target 1,000.
Solution
90.0% – the value sits below the needle.
Think like a professional
Gauges are popular in executive pages but carry one number. Professionals pair them with the trend (KPI visual) so a good month does not hide a bad quarter.
Revision card