How to create custom charts in Retool?

 

Creating Custom Charts in Retool

 

Creating custom charts in Retool is an empowering way to visualize data according to your specific needs. This guide provides a step-by-step approach to develop custom charts in Retool, utilizing its robust data and visualization capabilities.

 

Prerequisites

 

• Create a Retool account and have access to Retool apps.
• Basic understanding of Retool UI components and Data Source configurations.
• Familiarity with JavaScript, as custom charts will require coding for customization.

 

Setting Up Your Retool Environment

 

• Log in to your Retool account and open or create a new app.
• Ensure your data source is connected and fetch the desired data using queries. For example, connect to a PostgreSQL database and write a query to retrieve data.

 

Adding a Chart Component

 

• In your Retool application editor, click on Components on the right sidebar.
• Drag and drop the Chart component onto your canvas where you would like the chart to appear.

 

Configuring the Chart with Data

 

• Select the chart component on your canvas and open its configuration panel on the right.
• Set the data source for the chart by referring to the query you have embedded, for example, {{query.data}}.
• Define the data mapping for the x and y axes, selecting relevant fields from your query's response data to plot on the chart.

 

Creating Custom Chart Configurations

 

• Retool charts are powered by Plotly. Navigate to the "Plotly" configuration panel in the chart settings.
• Utilize the Plotly format to customize your chart. Write JavaScript code within the custom configuration field to fine-tune chart properties like colors, labels, and axes.
• Example code to set custom colors:

  <pre>
  {
    "data": [
      {
        "type": "bar",
        "x": {{query.data.map(d => d.category)}},
        "y": {{query.data.map(d => d.value)}},
        "marker": {"color": "rgba(55, 128, 191, 0.7)"}
      }
    ],
    "layout": {
      "title": "Custom Chart",
      "xaxis": {"title": "Category"},
      "yaxis": {"title": "Value"}
    }
  }
  </pre>
  

 

Enhancements and Interactions

 

• Add interactive features by updating the Plotly configuration. For example, enable hover text to display data when hovering over chart elements.
• Implement event handlers in the JavaScript editor to respond to user actions on the chart, such as clicking on a bar to trigger specific queries or interface updates.

 

Testing and Debugging

 

• Preview the changes to your chart by enabling Preview Mode in Retool. Ensure data is displayed as expected and interactions work smoothly.
• Check for errors in the console output and iterate over your chart configuration code for any logical issues or bugs.

 

Deploying Your Retool App

 

• Once your custom chart is configured and working correctly, deploy your Retool application. Save all your configurations and click the Deploy button.
• Ensure that the deployed app is tested across different devices and browsers for compatibility and performance.

 

By following this detailed guide, you can create custom charts in Retool to effectively visualize your data. Remember, the flexibility offered by the JavaScript customization and Plotly integration allows for a wide range of visual possibilities.