How to format indicators so people read them correctly
Good indicator formatting is what stops a dashboard number from being misread. In Jestor, each indicator carries its own title, subtitle, number format and decimal setting, so the same panel can show a currency value and a percentage without confusion.
Why an unformatted number invites the wrong conclusion
A figure on a dashboard with no unit and no label is an invitation to guess. Is that revenue or cost? Reais or dollars? This month or this year?
People guess correctly most of the time, which is exactly the problem: the occasional wrong guess is invisible until a decision has already been made on it.
What formatting prevents:
- A currency value mistaken for a count
- Percentages shown with misleading precision
- Two indicators on one panel implying the same unit
- Titles too vague to identify what is being measured
What to configure on each indicator
| Setting | What it controls | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Title | The name displayed | Identifies the metric unambiguously |
| Subtitle | An explanatory line | Says how it is calculated |
| Number format | Currency, percentage or abbreviated | Establishes the unit |
| Currency symbol | Which currency is shown | Avoids cross currency confusion |
| Decimal places | Precision displayed | Precision implies accuracy |
| Conditional color | Color tied to the value | Signals a problem without reading |
Step by step to set them
- Create the indicator with its filters, as usual.
- Write a specific title, such as payables total rather than payables.
- Add a subtitle explaining the calculation, for example the sum of open payables.
- Select the number format, choosing currency, percentage or abbreviated.
- Pick the currency symbol when the format is currency.
- Set the decimal places, often zero for large figures.
- Apply a conditional color rule where a threshold has meaning.
Why decimals deserve a decision
Two decimal places on a figure in the millions adds noise and implies a precision the underlying data does not have. Zero decimals on a conversion rate hides the movement you are trying to track. The right answer differs per indicator, which is why it is configured per indicator.
- Per indicator settings: each one formatted on its own terms
- Custom title and subtitle: the metric explains itself
- Currency chosen explicitly: no assumption about the unit
- Color as an alert: attention drawn before the number is read
Frequently Asked Questions
Can each indicator have a different currency?
Yes. The currency symbol is set per indicator. See jestor.com.
Can I hide decimal places?
Yes. Decimal precision is configurable on each indicator.
What is the subtitle for?
Explaining how the number is calculated, so the reader does not have to ask.
Video Tutorial: Step by Step
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