How do I make a heat map generator from my data?
Choose a local CSV, Excel, JSON or Parquet file, or paste CSV with a header row. Choose the fields in the controls to draw and edit your chart; xmetric processes the data in this browser.
No data loaded. Choose your own file or try the sample.
What does a heat map generator show?
A heat map encodes values as color at intersections of row and column categories.
Definition source: Heat map generator reference. xmetric uses its own native chart engine.
What does the heat map generator sample show?
Choose Period for columns, Category for rows and Value for color. The Before/A cell is 12 and the After/A cell is 18.
Source: the illustrative input rows below, also supplied by Try sample data. This is an example, not a result from your file.
| Period | Category | Value | Target | Other | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before | A | 12 | 20 | 3 | 2026-01-01 | 2026-01-04 |
| After | A | 18 | 20 | 6 | 2026-01-05 | 2026-01-09 |
| Before | B | 15 | 25 | 4 | 2026-01-03 | 2026-01-06 |
| After | B | 24 | 25 | 9 | 2026-01-08 | 2026-01-12 |
When should I choose a heat map generator instead of a bar chart?
Choose bars when comparing exact magnitudes is more important than scanning a matrix pattern.
| Chart | Use it for |
|---|---|
| Heat map generator | A heat map encodes values as color at intersections of row and column categories. |
| Bar chart | Choose bars when comparing exact magnitudes is more important than scanning a matrix pattern. |
What limits apply to my data?
These limits apply to tabular imports, not native Power BI or Tableau report compatibility. File size and browser memory limit what xmetric can open. Group large datasets before drawing a chart.
| Limit | Current behavior |
|---|---|
| File size | 32 MiB on constrained devices; 160 MiB otherwise |
| Imported rows | Up to 3,500,000 |
| Chart marks | Up to 10,000 |
| Download | SVG chart |
Source: xmetric limits and verification record, checked 2026-10-27. These are product limits, not file-format limits.
Can I chart a CSV without uploading my data?
Yes. xmetric reads the selected file or pasted CSV in your browser. Opening and editing this local chart does not upload the file.
Which columns does this heat map generator need?
Compare two category dimensions with numeric color, labels and square size. Start with Columns and Color value. Choose the additional series, target or date fields when the controls request them.
Can I export the chart and keep editing it?
Yes. Download SVG for a static chart, or choose Continue editing in xmetric to carry the data and selected chart into the app. Check the chart before sharing it.