Every IR Has a Chart View Built In
Interactive Reports include a Chart View that users activate through Actions, then Chart. This creates a chart from the current report data without any developer configuration. While it is not as polished as a dedicated APEX chart region, it provides quick visual analysis that users can configure themselves.
Chart Types Available
The IR Chart View supports Horizontal Bar, Vertical Bar, Pie, and Line charts. Users select the chart type, the label column (categories), the value column (the measure to chart), and optionally an aggregate function (Sum, Count, Average) when there are multiple values per category.
When Chart View Works Well
Chart View is ideal for quick ad-hoc visualization during data analysis. A user filtering orders by status can instantly switch to Chart View to see the distribution as a pie chart. A manager reviewing monthly sales can switch to a line chart to spot trends. The key advantage is zero development effort: the chart adapts automatically to whatever columns and filters the user has configured.
When to Use a Dedicated Chart Region Instead
The IR Chart View has limitations: only one series, limited formatting options, no drill-down, and no real-time updating. When you need multi-series charts, specific colors and formatting, interactive drill-downs, or charts that update via Dynamic Actions, create a separate APEX Chart region. Chart regions give you full control over appearance and behavior.
Developer Configuration
You can disable Chart View in the IR Attributes if it is not appropriate for the report. You can also pre-configure a default chart by saving a default report with the chart view active. Set the chart type, label, and value columns, save as Primary Default, and users will see the chart immediately when they switch to Chart View.
Combining Chart and Report Views
A useful pattern is placing an IR with its Chart View tab alongside the grid view. Users see the report by default and can toggle to chart view for visual analysis. Whatever filters they have applied in the grid view are automatically applied to the chart, maintaining consistency between the two views.