Last updated: 2026-02-12

Charts

Visualize your query results instantly. Switch from grid view to chart view and turn data into bar charts, line charts, pie charts, and more without leaving Jam SQL Studio.

Creating Charts from Results

Any query result can be visualized as a chart.

Quick Start

  1. Execute a query that returns data
  2. Click the Chart tab in the results pane
  3. Select a chart type from the toolbar
  4. Choose columns for X and Y axes
  5. The chart generates automatically
Bar chart created from query results showing sales by category.
Bar chart created from query results showing sales by category.
Tip: Jam SQL Studio suggests the most appropriate chart type based on your data. You can always change the type if you prefer a different visualization.

Chart Types

Choose from several chart types to best represent your data.

Chart type selector showing available chart options.
Chart type selector showing available chart options.
Chart TypeBest ForDescription
Bar ChartComparing categoriesVertical bars showing values for each category. Great for comparing discrete items.
Horizontal BarLong category namesBars displayed horizontally. Better when category labels are long.
Line ChartTrends over timeConnected points showing changes. Ideal for time series data.
Area ChartCumulative trendsLine chart with filled area below. Shows volume and trend together.
Pie ChartParts of a wholeCircular chart showing proportions. Best with 2-7 categories.
Doughnut ChartParts of a wholePie chart with a hole in the center. Cleaner look, space for totals.
Scatter PlotCorrelationsPoints plotted by X/Y coordinates. Shows relationships between variables.

Configuring Charts

Customize your chart using the configuration panel.

Chart configuration panel showing axis and series options.
Chart configuration panel showing axis and series options.

Axis Configuration

  • X-Axis Column - Select the column for categories or horizontal values
  • Y-Axis Column(s) - Select one or more numeric columns for values
  • X-Axis Label - Custom label for the horizontal axis
  • Y-Axis Label - Custom label for the vertical axis

Data Series

When you select multiple Y-axis columns, each becomes a separate data series:

  • Series Name - Label shown in the legend (defaults to column name)
  • Series Color - Click to choose a custom color
  • Series Visibility - Toggle series on/off

Chart Options

  • Show Legend - Toggle legend visibility and position
  • Show Data Labels - Display values on bars/points
  • Stack Series - Stack bars/areas instead of grouping (bar/area charts)
  • Show Grid - Toggle background grid lines

Working with Chart Data

Data Requirements

For best results, structure your query data appropriately:

  • Bar/Line/Area Charts - One categorical column (X) and one or more numeric columns (Y)
  • Pie/Doughnut Charts - One column for labels, one numeric column for values
  • Scatter Plots - Two numeric columns (X and Y coordinates)

Example Queries

Sales by Category (Bar Chart):

SELECT Category, SUM(Amount) AS TotalSales
FROM Orders
GROUP BY Category
ORDER BY TotalSales DESC

Monthly Revenue (Line Chart):

SELECT FORMAT(OrderDate, 'yyyy-MM') AS Month,
       SUM(Amount) AS Revenue
FROM Orders
GROUP BY FORMAT(OrderDate, 'yyyy-MM')
ORDER BY Month

Product Distribution (Pie Chart):

SELECT ProductType, COUNT(*) AS Count
FROM Products
GROUP BY ProductType

Exporting Charts

Share your visualizations by exporting or copying.

Export as Image

  1. Click the Export button in the chart toolbar
  2. Choose PNG format
  3. Select a destination folder
  4. The chart is saved at high resolution

Copy to Clipboard

  1. Click the Copy button in the chart toolbar
  2. The chart image is copied to your clipboard
  3. Paste into documents, emails, or presentations

Tips and Best Practices

Choosing the Right Chart

  • Comparing values → Bar chart
  • Showing trends → Line or area chart
  • Showing proportions → Pie or doughnut chart
  • Finding correlations → Scatter plot

Data Considerations

  • Limit pie charts to 7 or fewer categories for readability
  • Use ORDER BY to control the display order of categories
  • Aggregate data (GROUP BY) before charting for cleaner results
  • Consider using TOP N to limit large result sets

Visual Best Practices

  • Add clear axis labels to explain what the chart shows
  • Use the legend when displaying multiple series
  • Consider stacking bars when showing parts of a total
  • Enable data labels when precise values matter

Frequently asked questions

How do I create a chart from query results in Jam SQL Studio?

After executing a query, click the Chart tab in the results pane. Select your chart type, choose columns for X and Y axes, and the chart generates automatically. You can then customize labels, colors, and export the chart.

What chart types are available in Jam SQL Studio?

Jam SQL Studio supports bar charts (vertical and horizontal), line charts, area charts, pie charts, doughnut charts, and scatter plots. Each type can be configured with multiple data series.

Can I export charts as images?

Yes, click the Export button in the chart toolbar to save as PNG image. You can also copy the chart to clipboard for pasting into documents and presentations.

How do I show multiple columns in one chart?

In the chart configuration, you can select multiple columns for the Y-axis. Each column becomes a separate data series with its own color. This works for bar, line, and area charts.

What data types work best for charts?

Numeric columns work best for Y-axis values. For X-axis, use categorical data (strings, dates) for bar charts, or numeric data for scatter plots. Pie charts need one numeric column for values and one column for labels.

Ready to Visualize Your Data?

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See Also