This article explains how to set up and use Box and Whisker Charts in Cohort Feedback Reports. Box and Whisker charts show the spread of responses across your cohort for each assessment element - displaying the minimum, median, and maximum scores, with an optional box highlighting the interquartile range.
Box and Whisker charts are designed for cohort reports where you want to visualise how scores are distributed across respondents. Each row shows a minimum bubble, a maximum bubble, a connector line (the "whisker"), and a median score. When the box is enabled, it highlights the middle 50% of responses (the interquartile range).
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1. How to Set Up a Box and Whisker Chart
Box and Whisker charts are only available in Cohort Feedback Reports and Cohort Results Dashboard. Follow these steps to add one to your report:
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In the Merge Manager, select "Box And Whisker" from the Charts list under the MergeType dropdown.
- Choose the elements you want to show (sections, subsections, questions, or segmentations). The chart will display one row per element.
- Set a Cohort Split Type. A split is required because the chart needs multiple data points to calculate a distribution. The most common option is SplitType=R (group by Respondent) so each respondent contributes one score to the distribution.
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Optional: Turn the box on. From "Options" in the Merge Manager, choose Show Box. Set it to ShowBox=Y to display the interquartile box, or leave it as ShowBox=N to show just the min, median, and max with a connector line.
Note: Without a Split Type the chart has only one value per element, so there is no distribution to display. Always set SplitType=R, SplitType=I, or another cohort split.
2. Understanding the Chart Elements
Each row of a Box and Whisker chart summarises the distribution of scores for a single assessment element (section, subsection, question, or segmentation) across your cohort.
| Element | What it represents |
| Minimum bubble | The lowest score in the cohort for that element. |
| Maximum bubble | The highest score in the cohort for that element. |
| Connector line (whisker) | The full range between the minimum and maximum scores. |
| Median badge | The middle value when all scores are sorted. This is the median, not the average (mean). Half of the responses fall at or below this value and half at or above. |
| Box (optional) | When ShowBox=Y is set, the edges of the box sit at the 25th and 75th percentiles (the lower and upper quartiles). The box represents the middle 50% of responses. |
Below is an example of a Box and Whisker chart without the box (ShowBox=N), showing just the minimum, median, and maximum with a connector line.
And here is the same chart with the box (ShowBox=Y) turned on. Notice how the box highlights the interquartile range around the median.
3. Customising Chart Colours
By default, the minimum and maximum bubbles use the rating colours that match their scores. A low score shows in the colour of its rating band (for example, red); a high score shows in the colour of its rating band (for example, green). This means the colours update automatically as the scores move between rating bands.
You can override these defaults using the ChartColors parameter. When set, it applies four colours in this order:
| Position | Applies to | Notes |
| 1st colour | Line colour | The connector line between the minimum and maximum bubbles. |
| 2nd colour | Minimum bubble | Overrides the rating colour for the minimum. |
| 3rd colour | Maximum bubble | Overrides the rating colour for the maximum. |
| 4th colour | Box colour | Only visible when ShowBox=Y. |
Tip: Use hex codes in the format #RRGGBB and separate them with commas. Example: ChartColors=#5BBFBA,#4B3F72,#5BBFBA,#D9ECEB.
4. Merge String Examples
Below are two example merge strings for a Box and Whisker chart. The first hides the box (just min, median, max with a connector line); the second shows the box. Both group the cohort by Respondents (SplitType=R).
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Without the box:
{BoxAndWhisker[SectionNo=ALL SubSectionNo=ALL SplitType=R ShowBox=N]} -
With the box:
{BoxAndWhisker[SectionNo=ALL SubSectionNo=ALL SplitType=R ShowBox=Y]}
5. Parameters Reference
The tables below list the parameters available for Box and Whisker charts. Use these when building your merge string in the Merge Manager or manually.
Display Options | |||
| How to show | Using the Merge Manager | Parameter | Notes |
| Results for all sections. |
From "Show" choose Sections From "Section" choose All Sections |
SectionNo=ALL | If the Subsections parameter is not used, there will be one row per section. |
| Result for one section. |
From "Show" choose Sections From "Section" choose the Section to display |
SectionNo=n | n = the section number. |
| Results for all subsections within the specified sections. |
From "Show" choose Subsections From "Section" choose All Sections or Section name From "Subsection" choose All Sub Sections |
SubSectionNo=ALL | The Section parameter must also be used. If the Questions parameter is not used, there will be one row per subsection. |
| Result for one subsection. |
From "Show" choose Subsections From "Section" choose Section name From "Subsection" choose Subsection to display |
SubSectionNo=n |
The Section parameter must also be used. n = the subsection number. |
| Results for all questions within the specified sections and subsections. |
From "Show" choose Questions From "Section" choose Section name From "Subsection" choose All Subsections or Subsection name From "Question" choose All Questions |
QuestionNo=ALL | Section and Subsection parameters must also be used. |
| Result for one question. |
From "Show" choose Questions From "Section" choose Section name From "Subsection" choose Subsection name From "Question" choose Question to display |
QuestionNo=n |
Section and Subsection parameters must also be used. n = the question number. |
| Results for all segmentations. |
From "Show" choose Segmentations From "Segmentation" choose All Segmentations |
SegmentationNo=ALL | Cannot be combined with Sections/Subsections. May be filtered by segmentation group or Top/Bottom. |
| Result for one segmentation. |
From "Show" choose Segmentations From "Segmentation" choose the Segmentation to display |
SegmentationNo=n | n = the Segmentation Number from the Segmentations function. |
Cohort Splits (required) | |||
| How to | Using the Merge Manager | Parameter | Notes |
| Group responses by Respondent (First name/Last name). |
From "Options" choose Set the Cohort Splits. From "Cohort Splits" select Group by Respondent. |
SplitType=R | The most common choice. Each respondent contributes one score to the distribution. |
| Group responses by Reporting Identifier (or Role if using Cohort Initiations). |
From "Options" choose Set the Cohort Splits. From "Cohort Splits" select Group by Report Identifier. |
SplitType=I | Each Reporting Identifier (e.g. Role) contributes one average score to the distribution. |
| Group responses by Classifier. |
From "Options" choose Set the Cohort Splits. From "Cohort Splits" select Group by Classifier. From "Options" choose Set the Select Classifier. From "Classifier" select Classifier to use. |
SplitType=C Class=n |
n = the classifier Number from the Classifier list. |
| Group responses by Iteration. |
From "Options" choose Set the Cohort Splits. From "Cohort Splits" select Group by Iteration. |
SplitType=T | Each iteration contributes one point to the distribution. |
Box and Whisker Options | |||
| How to | Using the Merge Manager | Parameter | Notes |
| Show the interquartile box around the median. |
From "Options" choose Show Box. From "Show Box" select Yes. |
ShowBox=Y | The box edges sit at the 25th and 75th percentiles (lower and upper quartiles). The default is ShowBox=N (box hidden). |
| Specify the colours for the line, minimum bubble, maximum bubble, and box. |
From "Options" choose Set the chart colors. In "Set the chart colors" enter four Hex codes, separated by commas. |
ChartColors=#HEX1,#HEX2,#HEX3,#HEX4 | Order: 1st = Line, 2nd = Minimum bubble, 3rd = Maximum bubble, 4th = Box. If omitted, the bubbles use the rating colours for their min/max scores. |
| Use ratings from an Advanced rating type. | From "Rating Type" choose the Rating Type to be used. | RatingType=n | n = Rating Type ID from the Advanced ratings screen. |
| Show scores as average values (Likert style) rather than percentages. | From "Display" select Average Score (Likert Style). | ShowActual=Y | Percentage scores are displayed by default. |
| Show labels (min, median, max values) next to each marker. |
From "Options" choose Display Labels. From "Display Labels" select Labels. |
Label=Y | Displays the score values in the Display Format (percentages or actual scores). |
| Show decimals on the score labels and axis. |
From "Options" choose Set the Decimals. In "Decimals" enter the number of decimal places. |
Decimals=n | The number of decimal places for the Axis and labels. |
Sizing & Formatting | |||
| How to | Using the Merge Manager | Parameter | Notes |
| Set the height of the chart. |
From "Options" choose Set the Height. In "Height" enter the height required in pixels. |
Height=nnn | If Width is not specified the system will calculate it proportionately. |
| Set the width of the chart. |
From "Options" choose Set the Width. In "Width" enter the width required in pixels. |
Width=nnn | If Height is not specified the system will use the default height. |
| Set the bar (box) thickness. |
From "Options" choose Bar Thickness. In "Bar Thickness" enter the thickness in pixels. |
BarSize=n | n = thickness of the box in pixels. Between 20 and 40 is typical. Only visible when ShowBox=Y. |
| Select the Font for the legends and labels. |
From "Options" choose Font. From "Font" select the required font. |
Font=[name] | Replace any spaces in the font name with an underscore. |
| Select the Font Size for legends and labels. |
From "Options" choose Font Size. In "Font Size" enter the required size in points. |
FontSize=n | n = the font size in points. |
| Set the Background colour for the chart. |
From "Options" choose Background. In "Background" enter the colour code (#nnnnnn) or "null" for transparent. |
Background=#CCCCCC | e.g. #FFFFFF = white. Use "null" for a transparent background. |
| Set the Label colour. |
From "Options" choose Label color. In "Specify Label Color" enter the colour code in the format #nnnnnn. |
LabelColor=#CCCCCC | Colour for the score label text. |
| Set the Axis colour. |
From "Options" choose Axis Color. In "Axis Color" enter the hex code for the colour. |
AxisColor=#FFFFFF | |
| Hide the Title (element names). |
From "Options" choose Title Rules. From "Title Rules" select None. |
Title=N | Hides the section / subsection / question / segmentation name shown beside each row. |
| Hide the Y-Axis. |
From "Options" choose Y-Axis Rules. From "Y-Axis Rules" select None. |
YAxis=N | |
| Set the Y-Axis minimum / maximum / increment. |
From "Options" choose Set the Y-Axis Minimum / Maximum / Increment. Enter the required value. |
YAxisMin=n YAxisMax=n YAxisInc=n |
Controls the scale of the axis. If not specified, the system will base it on the data. |
| Set the margins. |
From "Options" choose Left / Right / Top / Bottom Margin. Enter the width in pixels. |
MarginLeft=n MarginRight=n MarginTop=n MarginBottom=n |
Overrides the default spacing. Useful for allowing more room for axis text or reducing whitespace. |
Filters | |||
| How to | Using the Merge Manager | Parameter | Notes |
| Filter the data to only use the specified Identifier. |
From "Options" choose Filter by Identifier. In "Identifier" enter the Reporting Identifier to use. |
Identifier=nnnnnn | Replace any spaces in the Reporting Identifier with an underscore. |
| Filter the data to only use the first iteration. |
From "Options" choose Filter by Iteration. In "Iteration" select "First Iteration". |
Iteration=First | |
| Filter the data to only use the last iteration. |
From "Options" choose Filter by Iteration. In "Iteration" select "Last Iteration". |
Iteration=Last | The most recent iteration. |
| Filter the data to only use the previous iteration. |
From "Options" choose Filter by Iteration. In "Iteration" select "Previous Iteration". |
Iteration=Previous | The second-to-last iteration. |
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