Vega-Lite

A Flourish template based on Vega-Lite capable of creating all kinds of charts, and transforming data on the fly

Updated 2 months ago to v3.4.2 by Flourish team

How to use this template

Vega-Lite

A template to unlock the power of Vega-Lite visualisations in Flourish.

Vega-Lite lets you concisely specify interactive visualisations in JSON syntax, and has a wide range of chart types.

To build your own Vega-Lite charts in Flourish:

  • Upload your data, and update the Data binding to point to the columns for use in the visualisation.
  • Choose an example from the Vega-Lite examples gallery. Copy the JSON used in the example, and paste it into the Vega-lite code setting field.
  • Delete the $schema, description, height, width and data fields.
  • In the encoding field, update the field names to point at the names of your bound columns.

For example, if you were building a Vega-lite simple bar chart, and you had CSV data like this:

customer,sales
robin,17825
duncan,78124
tim,98724

You would need to bind columns A-B in your data, then use the following JSON:

{
  "mark": "bar",
  "encoding": {
    "x": {"field": "customer", "type": "ordinal"},
    "y": {"field": "sales", "type": "quantitative"}
  }
}

For more advanced options, see the blog post and the Vega-lite documentation.

This section documents API usage specific to this template, so for an introduction we suggest you refer to the generic API documentation instead.

template: @flourish/vega-lite

version: 3

Template data

There are three different formats in which you can supply data to this template. The most convenient for you to use likely depends on the source of your data, as described below.

1. Array of arrays, and a bindings object

You can supply arrays of arrays to opts.data, which might look like:

{
    data: {
        values: [
            [ "ValuesColumn1Value1", "ValuesColumn2Value1",
            [ "ValuesColumn1Value2", "ValuesColumn2Value2",
            [ "ValuesColumn1Value3", "ValuesColumn2Value3",
            ...
        ]
    }
}

where each array of arrays represents the rows in a data sheet.

To tell the API how the values from each column should be associated with the keys that the template is expecting, you must also supply an object attached to opts.bindings. (The meanings of the keys in the bindings object are documented below.) The minimal bindings you can supply for this template are as shown in this example:

{
    template: "@flourish/vega-lite",
    version: "3",
    bindings: {
        values: {
            
        }
    },
    data: {
        values: [
            [ "ValuesColumn1Value1", "ValuesColumn2Value1",
            [ "ValuesColumn1Value2", "ValuesColumn2Value2",
            [ "ValuesColumn1Value3", "ValuesColumn2Value3",
            ...
        ]
    }
}

All possible bindings that you can supply are shown in this example:

{
    template: "@flourish/vega-lite",
    version: "3",
    bindings: {
        values: {
            cols: [0, 1, ...], // index(es) of column(s) in your data
        }
    },
    data: {
        values: [
            [ "ValuesColumn1Value1", "ValuesColumn2Value1",
            [ "ValuesColumn1Value2", "ValuesColumn2Value2",
            [ "ValuesColumn1Value3", "ValuesColumn2Value3",
            ...
        ]
    }
}

2. Array of objects with arbitrary keys, and a bindings object

This format is most likely useful when you have data from an external source, such as CSV data loaded from d3-dsv. You should supply this attached to the opts.data, which might look like:

{
        values: [
            { "ValuesHeader1": ..., "ValuesHeader2": ..., ... },
            { "ValuesHeader1": ..., "ValuesHeader2": ..., ... },
            { "ValuesHeader1": ..., "ValuesHeader2": ..., ... },
            ...
        ]
    }

... but with the keys being the column headers from your source data instead. You must also supply an object attached to opts.bindings. The minimal bindings you can supply for this template are as shown in this example:

{
    template: "@flourish/vega-lite",
    version: "3",
    bindings: {
        values: {
            
        }
    },
    data: {
        values: [
            { "ValuesHeader1": ..., "ValuesHeader2": ..., ... },
            { "ValuesHeader1": ..., "ValuesHeader2": ..., ... },
            { "ValuesHeader1": ..., "ValuesHeader2": ..., ... },
            ...
        ]
    }
}

All possible bindings that you can supply are shown in this example:

{
    template: "@flourish/vega-lite",
    version: "3",
    bindings: {
        values: {
            cols: ["ValuesHeader1", "ValuesHeader2", ...],
        }
    },
    data: {
        values: [
            { "ValuesHeader1": ..., "ValuesHeader2": ..., ... },
            { "ValuesHeader1": ..., "ValuesHeader2": ..., ... },
            { "ValuesHeader1": ..., "ValuesHeader2": ..., ... },
            ...
        ]
    }
}

(As before, the keys containing "Header" would be replaced by column names from your data source.)

3. Array of objects with template-defined keys

There is an alternative format you can use, which is likely to be easier to use if your data is not from a spreadsheet source. With this alternative format you supply your data to the template as an array of objects, attached to opts.data, where the keys must be those used by the template, as documented below. In this case there is no need to supply a bindings object, since the key names are already those expected by the template. The required properties in the data object are as follows (scroll down for a description of what each property is):

{
    template: "@flourish/vega-lite",
    version: "3",
    data: {
    values: [
        {
            cols: [...]
        },
        ...
    ]
},
    ...
}

And the full list of all possible properties is as follows:

{
    template: "@flourish/vega-lite",
    version: "3",
    data: {
    values: [
        {
            cols: [...]
        },
        ...
    ]
},
    ...
}

Meanings of the template data keys:

  • values.cols: Columns for use in the visualisation

Template settings

Options for opts.state.

Settings

spec code

Vega-Lite code. The Vega-Lite configuration code (in JSON format). To copy a example from the Vega-Lite gallery just paste in the code here, delete the “data”, “width” and “height” properties and update the “field” properties to match column names in your spreadsheet.

renderer string

Renderer. Canvas is recommended for online use as it is faster and can handle a larger numbers of data points. SVG is best if you want to download the visualisation to edit in a vector graphics application such as Illustrator.

Allowed values:

  • canvas (Canvas)
  • svg (SVG)

Multi-chart layout

multichart_margin_horizontal number

Horizontal space. How much horizontal space to leave for axes, legends, etc

multichart_margin_vertical number

Vertical space. How much vertical space to leave for axes, legends, etc;

Layout

Layout

layout.body_font font

Main font. This font will apply to the whole graphic by default. You can optionally change the font for the title, subtitle, footer, etc in the Header and Footer settings panels.

layout.font_color color

Text color. This color will apply to the whole graphic by default, You can optionally change the color for individual text elements, in other settings panels.

layout.background_color_enabled boolean

Color.

Allowed values:

  • true (On)
  • false (Off)

layout.background_image_enabled boolean

Image.

Allowed values:

  • true (On)
  • false (Off)

layout.background_color color

Background color.

layout.background_image_src url

Image URL.

layout.background_image_size string

Size.

Allowed values:

  • cover (Fill)
  • contain (Fit)
  • auto (Original)
  • 100% 100% (Stretch)

layout.background_image_position string

Position.

Allowed values:

  • top left (Top left)
  • top center (Top center)
  • top right (Top right)
  • center left (Center left)
  • center center (Center)
  • center right (Center right)
  • bottom left (Bottom left)
  • bottom center (Bottom center)
  • bottom right (Bottom right)

layout.max_width_target string

Maximum width. Apply a <a href="https://help.flourish.studio/article/270-how-to-embed-a-visualization-with-a-maximum-width">maximum width</a> to just the <b>main graphic</b> or <b>everything</b> (main graphic plus header, footer, etc).

Allowed values:

  • none (None)
  • wrapper (Everything)
  • primary (Main graphic)

layout.max_width number

Maximum width. Leave blank to stretch to container width

Min: 50

layout.max_width_align string

Align.

Allowed values:

  • left (fa-align-left)
  • center (fa-align-center)
  • right (fa-align-right)

layout.layout_order string

Layout order.

Allowed values:

  • stack-default (Header – controls – legend – primary graphic – footer)
  • stack-2 (Primary graphic – header – controls – legend – footer)
  • stack-3 (Header – primary graphic – controls – legend – footer)
  • stack-4 (Controls – primary graphic – header – controls – legend – footer)
  • grid-1 (Grid mode: Primary graphic on the right)

layout.space_between_sections string

Space between sections.

Allowed values:

  • 0.5 (▁)
  • 1 (▃)
  • 1.5 (▄)
  • custom (...)

layout.space_between_sections_custom number

Custom.

Max: 100

layout.margin_top number

Top.

layout.margin_right number

Right.

layout.margin_bottom number

Bottom.

layout.margin_left number

Left.

layout.border.enabled boolean

Show borders around visualisation.

layout.border.top.width number

Top.

layout.border.top.style string

Style.

Allowed values:

  • solid (Solid)
  • dashed (Dashed)
  • dotted (Dotted)

layout.border.top.color color

Color.

layout.border.right.width number

Right.

layout.border.right.style string

Style.

Allowed values:

  • solid (Solid)
  • dashed (Dashed)
  • dotted (Dotted)

layout.border.right.color color

Color.

layout.border.bottom.width number

Bottom.

layout.border.bottom.style string

Style.

Allowed values:

  • solid (Solid)
  • dashed (Dashed)
  • dotted (Dotted)

layout.border.bottom.color color

Color.

layout.border.left.width number

Left.

layout.border.left.style string

Style.

Allowed values:

  • solid (Solid)
  • dashed (Dashed)
  • dotted (Dotted)

layout.border.left.color color

Color.

layout.read_direction string

Read direction. This will change the reading direction of the main text elements on the page. It's not possible to adjust this on all elements, such as axes. <br><br>Note that when direction is set to <b>right to left</b> any alignment icons will be reversed.

Allowed values:

  • ltr (Left to right)
  • rtl (Right to left)

layout.font_size_mobile_small number

layout.font_size_mobile_big number

layout.font_size_tablet number

layout.font_size_desktop number

layout.font_size_big_screen number

layout.breakpoint_mobile_small number

layout.breakpoint_mobile_big number

layout.breakpoint_tablet number

layout.breakpoint_desktop number

layout.breakpoint_big_screen number

layout.header_align string

Alignment.

Allowed values:

  • left (fa-align-left)
  • center (fa-align-center)
  • right (fa-align-right)

layout.title html

layout.title_styling boolean

Styling.

layout.title_font font

Title Font.

layout.title_size string

Size.

Allowed values:

  • 1.4 (ᴀ)
  • 1.6 (A)
  • 2 (fa-font)
  • custom (...)

layout.title_size_custom number

Custom. Specify a custom responsive font size in <a href="https://help.flourish.studio/article/192-how-sizing-with-rems-works-in-flourish">rems</a>. The best results will be with values between 1.2 and 3

layout.title_weight string

Weight.

Allowed values:

  • bold (Bold)
  • normal (Regular)

layout.title_color color

Color.

layout.title_line_height number

Line height.

Max: 3

layout.title_space_above string

Space above.

Allowed values:

  • 0 (▁)
  • 0.5 (▃)
  • 1 (▄)
  • custom (...)

layout.title_space_above_custom number

Custom.

Max: 100

layout.subtitle html

layout.subtitle_styling boolean

Styling.

layout.subtitle_font font

Subtitle Font.

layout.subtitle_size string

Size.

Allowed values:

  • 1.4 (ᴀ)
  • 1.6 (A)
  • 2 (fa-font)
  • custom (...)

layout.subtitle_size_custom number

Custom. Specify a custom responsive font size in <a href="https://help.flourish.studio/article/192-how-sizing-with-rems-works-in-flourish">rems</a>. The best results will be with values between 1.2 and 3

layout.subtitle_weight string

Weight.

Allowed values:

  • bold (Bold)
  • normal (Regular)

layout.subtitle_color color

Color.

layout.subtitle_line_height number

Line height.

Max: 3

layout.subtitle_space_above string

Space above.

Allowed values:

  • 0 (▁)
  • 0.5 (▃)
  • 1 (▄)
  • custom (...)

layout.subtitle_space_above_custom number

Custom.

Max: 100

layout.header_text html

layout.header_text_styling boolean

Styling.

layout.header_text_size string

Size.

Allowed values:

  • 1.2 (ᴀ)
  • 1.4 (A)
  • 1.6 (fa-font)
  • custom (...)

layout.header_text_size_custom number

Custom. Specify a custom responsive font size in <a href="https://help.flourish.studio/article/192-how-sizing-with-rems-works-in-flourish">rems</a>. The best results will be with values between 1.2 and 3

layout.header_text_weight string

Weight.

Allowed values:

  • bold (Bold)
  • normal (Regular)

layout.header_text_color color

Color.

layout.header_text_line_height number

Line height.

Max: 3

layout.header_text_space_above string

Space above.

Allowed values:

  • 0 (▁)
  • 0.5 (▃)
  • 1 (▄)
  • custom (...)

layout.header_text_space_above_custom number

Custom.

Max: 100

layout.header_border string

Allowed values:

  • top (Top)
  • bottom (Bottom)
  • top_and_bottom (Top & bottom)
  • none (None)

layout.header_border_width number

Width.

layout.header_border_color color

Color.

layout.header_border_style string

Style.

Allowed values:

  • solid (Solid)
  • dashed (Dashed)
  • dotted (Dotted)

layout.header_border_space number

Space. Space between border and header text

layout.header_logo_enabled boolean

Allowed values:

  • true (Enabled)
  • false (Disabled)

layout.header_logo_src url

Image.

layout.header_logo_alt string

Alt text.

Link.

layout.header_logo_height number

Height.

layout.header_logo_align string

Align. Align logo inside either the header or the main visualization container

Allowed values:

  • inside (Header)
  • outside (Main container)

layout.header_logo_position_inside string

Position.

Allowed values:

  • top (Top)
  • left (Left)
  • right (Right)

layout.header_logo_position_outside string

Position.

Allowed values:

  • left (Left)
  • right (Right)

layout.header_logo_margin_top number

Top.

layout.header_logo_margin_right number

Right.

layout.header_logo_margin_bottom number

Bottom.

layout.header_logo_margin_left number

Left.

layout.footer_align string

Alignment.

Allowed values:

  • left (fa-align-left)
  • center (fa-align-center)
  • right (fa-align-right)
  • justify (fa-align-justify)

layout.footer_text_size number

Size.

layout.footer_text_color color

Color.

layout.footer_styling boolean

Advanced footer styles.

layout.footer_font font

Font.

layout.footer_text_weight string

Weight.

Allowed values:

  • bold (Bold)
  • normal (Regular)

layout.source_name string

Source name.

layout.source_url string

Source url.

layout.multiple_sources boolean

Multiple sources.

layout.source_name_2 string

Source name.

layout.source_url_2 string

Source url.

layout.source_name_3 string

Source name.

layout.source_url_3 string

Source url.

layout.source_label string

Source label.

layout.footer_note html

Note.

layout.footer_note_secondary html

Note (secondary). The secondary note is placed below the source and primary note

layout.footer_logo_enabled boolean

Image.

Allowed values:

  • true (Enabled)
  • false (Disabled)

layout.footer_logo_src url

Image.

layout.footer_logo_src_light hidden

Image (light version). If provided this version will be used whenever the background color is dark

layout.footer_logo_alt string

Alt text.

Link.

layout.footer_logo_height number

Height.

layout.footer_logo_margin number

Margin.

layout.footer_logo_order string

Position.

Allowed values:

  • left (Left)
  • right (Right)

layout.footer_align_vertical string

V. align.

Allowed values:

  • flex-start (Top)
  • center (Center)
  • flex-end (Bottom)

layout.footer_border string

Allowed values:

  • top (Top)
  • bottom (Bottom)
  • top_and_bottom (Top & bottom)
  • none (None)

layout.footer_border_width number

Width.

layout.footer_border_color color

Color.

layout.footer_border_style string

Style.

Allowed values:

  • solid (Solid)
  • dashed (Dashed)
  • dotted (Dotted)

layout.footer_border_space number

Space. Space between border and footer text

Accessibility

layout.screenreader_text_primary text

Screenreader description. A text alternative to the visual content that will only be visible to <a href="https://help.flourish.studio/article/230-how-to-add-a-screenreader-description">screenreaders</a>, e.g. “The line chart shows China consistently higher than the other countries since 1990”. <br><br>Do not replicate your title, since that will also be read by screenreaders.

layout.screenreader_label string

Screenreader label. A short text label given to the main Flourish embed wrapper to provide an accessible name that is only visible to <a href="https://help.flourish.studio/article/230-how-to-add-a-screenreader-description">screenreaders</a>. Added in the form of an "aria-label".

layout.screenreader_hide_primary boolean

Screenreader mode for main visual container. Whether the main visual container is visible to <a href="https://help.flourish.studio/article/230-how-to-add-a-screenreader-description">screenreaders</a>. (Text in the header and footer are always available to screenreaders.)

Allowed values:

  • true (Hidden)
  • false (Readable)