Creating a time-based scatter plot using chart.js

Question

Creating a time-based scatter plot using chart.js

As I attempt to visualize a scatter plot using chart.js with (x,y) data where x represents a date string, I have noticed that most tutorials and examples available online utilize a function to generate a timestamp for demonstration purposes. However, I am yet to come across examples that demonstrate the use of actual collected data.

The dataset I possess is as follows (obtained from cron):

2017-07-08T06:15:02-0600,23.375
2017-07-08T06:20:02-0600,23.312
2017-07-08T06:25:02-0600,23.312
2017-07-08T06:30:02-0600,23.25

When attempting to input this data into chart.js (both with and without placing quotes around the data string), I used the following format:

data: [{
  x: 2017-07-08T06:15:02-0600,
  y: 23.375
},{
  x: 2017-07-08T06:20:02-0600,
  y: 23.312
},{
  x: 2017-07-08T06:25:02-0600,
  y: 23.312
},{
  x: 2017-07-08T06:30:02-0600,
  y: 23.25
}],

Unfortunately, nothing seems to render. Can anyone point out what mistake I might be making?

javascript time chart.js scatter-plot

Answer 1

Answer №1

As stated in the scatter chart documentation:

While a line chart accepts data in different formats, scatter charts only accept point format data.

This means that date values like 2017-07-08T06:15:02-0600 cannot be used directly. Instead, dates need to be converted into numbers for use in the data.

In the scenario provided:

data: [{
        x: 1499516102000,
        y: 23.375
    }, {
        x: 1499516402000,
        y: 23.312
    }, {
        x: 1499516702000,
        y: 23.312
    }, {
        x: 1499517002000,
        y: 23.25
    }
]

By converting dates to numbers for the xAxes, it becomes possible to utilize a callback function to adjust xAxes labels accordingly.

Answer 2

As stated in the scatter chart documentation:

While a line chart accepts data in different formats, scatter charts only accept point format data.

This means that date values like 2017-07-08T06:15:02-0600 cannot be used directly. Instead, dates need to be converted into numbers for use in the data.

In the scenario provided:

data: [{
        x: 1499516102000,
        y: 23.375
    }, {
        x: 1499516402000,
        y: 23.312
    }, {
        x: 1499516702000,
        y: 23.312
    }, {
        x: 1499517002000,
        y: 23.25
    }
]

By converting dates to numbers for the xAxes, it becomes possible to utilize a callback function to adjust xAxes labels accordingly.

Answer 3

Answer №2

That tip is a game-changer. By using the Javascript library moment.js, I was able to successfully plot scatter data with dates on the x-axis. Surprisingly, the built-in version in Chart.bundle.js wasn't functioning for me, so I opted to directly download moment.js. Here's how I set it up:

<script src="js/moment.js"></script>
<script src="js/Chart.min.js"></script>

For my chart.js data specifics, I used the following code:

data: [
  {x: moment("2017-07-08T06:15:02-0600"), y: 23.375},
  {x: moment("2017-07-08T06:20:02-0600"),y: 23.312},
  {x: moment("2017-07-08T06:25:02-0600"),y: 23.312},
  {x: moment("2017-07-08T06:30:02-0600"),y: 23.25}
],

The results are beyond satisfactory!

Answer 4

That tip is a game-changer. By using the Javascript library moment.js, I was able to successfully plot scatter data with dates on the x-axis. Surprisingly, the built-in version in Chart.bundle.js wasn't functioning for me, so I opted to directly download moment.js. Here's how I set it up:

<script src="js/moment.js"></script>
<script src="js/Chart.min.js"></script>

For my chart.js data specifics, I used the following code:

data: [
  {x: moment("2017-07-08T06:15:02-0600"), y: 23.375},
  {x: moment("2017-07-08T06:20:02-0600"),y: 23.312},
  {x: moment("2017-07-08T06:25:02-0600"),y: 23.312},
  {x: moment("2017-07-08T06:30:02-0600"),y: 23.25}
],

The results are beyond satisfactory!

Answer 5

Answer №3

One clever approach that proved effective for me was utilizing the line type for the chart. By configuring it to use dates on the x-axis and disabling lines, we can achieve a scatterplot-like appearance.

new Chart(ctx, {
        type: 'line',
        data: {
            datasets: [{
                x: 2017-07-08T06:15:02-0600,
                y: 23.375
              },{
                x: 2017-07-08T06:20:02-0600,
                y: 23.312
              },{
                x: 2017-07-08T06:25:02-0600,
                y: 23.312
              },{
                x: 2017-07-08T06:30:02-0600,
                y: 23.25
            }]
          },
          options: {
            showLine: false,
            scales: {
              x:{
                type: 'time',
                display: true,
                title: {
                  display: true,
                  text: 'Date'
                },
              },
            }
          }
       }
    );

This solution strikes me as particularly elegant. The documentation further clarifies:

The scatter chart supports all of the same properties as the line chart. By default, the scatter chart will override the showLine property of the line chart to false.

Answer 6

One clever approach that proved effective for me was utilizing the line type for the chart. By configuring it to use dates on the x-axis and disabling lines, we can achieve a scatterplot-like appearance.

new Chart(ctx, {
        type: 'line',
        data: {
            datasets: [{
                x: 2017-07-08T06:15:02-0600,
                y: 23.375
              },{
                x: 2017-07-08T06:20:02-0600,
                y: 23.312
              },{
                x: 2017-07-08T06:25:02-0600,
                y: 23.312
              },{
                x: 2017-07-08T06:30:02-0600,
                y: 23.25
            }]
          },
          options: {
            showLine: false,
            scales: {
              x:{
                type: 'time',
                display: true,
                title: {
                  display: true,
                  text: 'Date'
                },
              },
            }
          }
       }
    );

This solution strikes me as particularly elegant. The documentation further clarifies:

The scatter chart supports all of the same properties as the line chart. By default, the scatter chart will override the showLine property of the line chart to false.

Answer 7

Answer №4

After searching through various solutions, I decided to create my own working example.

new Chart(document.getElementById("chart"), {
    type: "line",
    data: {
      datasets: [
        {
          showLine: false,
          fill: false,
          data: [
            {
              x: new Date(Date.now()),
              y: 100,
            },
            {
              x: new Date(Date.now() + 1000 * 60 * 60),
              y: 200,
            },
            {
              x: new Date(Date.now() + 2000 * 60 * 60),
              y: 300,
            },
            {
              x: new Date(Date.now() + 3000 * 60 * 60),
              y: 400,
            },
          ],
        },
      ],
    },
    options: {
      plugins: {
        legend: {
          display: false,
        },
        title: {
          text: "Chart.js Time Scale",
          display: true,
        },
      },
      scales: {
        x: {
          type: "time",
          time: {
            unit: "hour",
            // Luxon format string
            // tooltipFormat: "DD T",
          },
          title: {
            display: true,
            text: "Hour",
          },
        },
        y: {
          title: {
            display: true,
            text: "value",
          },
        },
      },
    },
 });

The inspiration for this code came from: https://www.chartjs.org/docs/latest/samples/scales/time-line.html

To make it work, you will need to install momentjs and its adapter:

npm install moment chartjs-adapter-moment --save

Then import all libraries like this:

import Chart from "chart.js/auto";
import "chartjs-adapter-moment";

Answer 8

After searching through various solutions, I decided to create my own working example.

new Chart(document.getElementById("chart"), {
    type: "line",
    data: {
      datasets: [
        {
          showLine: false,
          fill: false,
          data: [
            {
              x: new Date(Date.now()),
              y: 100,
            },
            {
              x: new Date(Date.now() + 1000 * 60 * 60),
              y: 200,
            },
            {
              x: new Date(Date.now() + 2000 * 60 * 60),
              y: 300,
            },
            {
              x: new Date(Date.now() + 3000 * 60 * 60),
              y: 400,
            },
          ],
        },
      ],
    },
    options: {
      plugins: {
        legend: {
          display: false,
        },
        title: {
          text: "Chart.js Time Scale",
          display: true,
        },
      },
      scales: {
        x: {
          type: "time",
          time: {
            unit: "hour",
            // Luxon format string
            // tooltipFormat: "DD T",
          },
          title: {
            display: true,
            text: "Hour",
          },
        },
        y: {
          title: {
            display: true,
            text: "value",
          },
        },
      },
    },
 });

The inspiration for this code came from: https://www.chartjs.org/docs/latest/samples/scales/time-line.html

To make it work, you will need to install momentjs and its adapter:

npm install moment chartjs-adapter-moment --save

Then import all libraries like this:

import Chart from "chart.js/auto";
import "chartjs-adapter-moment";

Creating a time-based scatter plot using chart.js

Answer №1

Answer №2

Answer №3

Answer №4

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