Start with the question, then choose the view
A single KPI answers “how much?” A time-series chart answers “how has it changed?” A target comparison answers “how far from the plan?” Choose the view that supports the decision you are actually making. Putting every available metric on one chart usually makes relationships harder to interpret.
MetricBoard offers a monthly line chart for revenue, expenses, profit or conversion. Switch the metric to examine one series at a time. The month buttons expose exact values, and the monthly table provides a text alternative. This keeps the chart useful without making pointer hover the only way to access information.
Understand how dates shape the totals
The date filter includes rows whose ending date falls within the selected range, including both endpoints. Rows are grouped into calendar months based on that date. A row ending on June 30 contributes its entire amount to June, even if the underlying period spans several earlier weeks.
This is simple and predictable, but it does not allocate amounts across days. For accurate mid-month filtering, supply daily or otherwise appropriately granular, non-overlapping data. Filtering a monthly dataset through June 15 excludes a row dated June 30; it does not estimate half of that row.
Calculate growth with an honest baseline
For a positive prior-period value, percentage growth equals the current value minus the prior value, divided by the prior value, multiplied by 100. An illustrative increase from $10,000 to $12,000 is 20% growth. A decline from $12,000 to $10,000 is approximately 16.67%, not 20%, because the baseline changed.
The comparison panel uses revenue in the last populated month and the previous calendar month within the active filter. If the previous month is missing or its revenue is zero, percentage growth is unavailable. A transition from zero to a positive number is an absolute increase, but not a finite percentage increase.
Do not compare a fragment with a whole
A current month may be incomplete because time has not elapsed or because the source records have not been finalised. Comparing that fragment with a complete previous month can suggest a decline that disappears after the reporting close. MetricBoard cannot infer whether your submitted records are complete.
For a fair operational comparison, use matching elapsed periods where your source granularity permits it, or wait for both periods to close. Month lengths, working days and seasonality can still differ. A month-over-month change is a useful signal, not proof of an underlying business trend.
Treat gaps and scales as part of the message
Missing data is not the same as zero activity. MetricBoard leaves missing calendar months as gaps in the chart and identifies unavailable conversion rates where eligible visits are zero. Do not fill gaps with zeros merely to make a smooth report; investigate whether the business was inactive or the records were absent.
The chart includes zero in its numeric scale and accommodates negative profit. This preserves context, although small changes can become less visually prominent. For percentage metrics, read the exact values as well as the line. A dramatic-looking slope can reflect the selected time span rather than a material operating change.
Publish a chart with its limitations attached
When sharing a dashboard, include the date range, currency, reporting basis and any incomplete periods in the surrounding discussion. Explain one-time events separately instead of expecting the reader to infer them from the line. Avoid claiming causation from two values moving together.
The exported HTML snapshot includes the filtered totals, monthly table, chart and manual KPI values. It is a static record, not a live report. Export the CSV as well when a colleague needs to recalculate or investigate. Keeping the underlying data available makes a presentation easier to question, reproduce and improve.