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User Guide

Quick Start

This guide will help you get started with ToChart and create your first chart.

Launching the Application

After installation, double-click the ToChart icon to launch. On first launch, you’ll see the welcome screen.

Workspace Overview

ToChart’s workspace consists of the following main areas:

  • Left Navigation Bar: Switch between function modules (Data Sources, Chart Designer, Dashboard Designer, etc.)
  • Resource Explorer: Displays the resource list for the current module
  • Main Editor Area: Edit charts, dashboards, and other content
  • Right Properties Panel: Configure properties for the selected resource

Creating Your First Chart

Step 1: Add a Data Source

Before creating a chart, you need to add a data source first.

  1. Click the “Data Sources” icon in the left navigation bar
  2. Click “New Data Source” in the Resource Explorer
  3. Select the data source type (e.g., MySQL, PostgreSQL)
  4. Fill in the database connection details and click “Test Connection” to verify
  5. Click “Save” to save the data source

Step 2: Create a Chart

  1. Click the “Chart Designer” icon in the left navigation bar
  2. Click “New Chart” in the Resource Explorer
  3. Select a chart type (e.g., bar chart, line chart)
  4. Click “OK” to create the chart

Step 3: Configure Chart Data

  1. Switch to the “Data” tab in the right properties panel
  2. Select the data source you created earlier
  3. Write an SQL query
  4. Click “Preview Data” to view query results
  5. Configure data mapping - map query result fields to chart dimensions and metrics

Step 4: Configure Chart Style

  1. Switch to the “Style” tab in the right properties panel
  2. Adjust chart title, colors, fonts, and other style properties
  3. Configure axes, legend, tooltip, and other components
  4. Preview style changes in real-time

Step 5: Save the Chart

  1. Click the “Save” button in the top toolbar
  2. Enter a chart name and select a save location
  3. Click “OK” to save the chart

Creating a Dashboard

Step 1: Create a Dashboard

  1. Click the “Dashboard Designer” icon in the left navigation bar
  2. Click “New Dashboard” in the Resource Explorer
  3. Enter a dashboard name and click “OK”

Step 2: Add Charts to Dashboard

  1. Drag previously created charts from the Resource Explorer to the main editor area
  2. Adjust chart size and position
  3. Repeat to add more charts

Step 3: Configure Dashboard Layout

  1. Arrange charts to create an attractive layout
  2. Configure dashboard background color, grid lines, and other properties
  3. Preview the dashboard

Step 4: Save the Dashboard

  1. Click the “Save” button in the top toolbar
  2. Enter a dashboard name and select a save location
  3. Click “OK” to save the dashboard

Step 5: Preview the Dashboard

  1. Click the “Preview” button in the top toolbar
  2. ToChart opens an independent preview window (usually full-screen) to view the final result
  3. Close the preview window to return to the designer

Export & Share

Export Charts

  1. Select the chart to export
  2. Click the “Export” button in the top toolbar
  3. Choose to export as PNG image
  4. Select a save path and confirm (if the file already exists, you’ll be prompted to overwrite)

Export Dashboards

  1. Select the dashboard to export
  2. Click the “Export” button in the top toolbar
  3. Choose to export as PNG image
  4. Select a save path and confirm (if the file already exists, you’ll be prompted to overwrite)

Next Steps

Congratulations on creating your first chart and dashboard! Next, you can:

  • Explore more chart types and styles
  • Learn advanced data processing features
  • Discover how to create complex dashboards

Continue reading other chapters to learn more about ToChart’s features.