---
title: Power BI Custom Visuals - Steam Graph
description: In this blog, Devin shows how the Steam Graph Power BI Custom Visual is useful when displaying data across time.
---

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# [Power BI Custom Visuals - Steam Graph](https://pragmaticworks.com/blog/power-bi-custom-visuals-steam-graph)

 Written by [Devin Knight](https://pragmaticworks.com/blog/author/devin-knight) | Sep 29, 2016

In this module, you will learn how to use the Stream Graph chart Power BI Custom Visual.  The Stream Graph is similar to a Stacked Area Chart, but has more of a fluid look and feel to it. You’ll find this visual often useful when displaying data across time.

### Module 18 – Stream Graph

### Downloads

- Power BI Custom Visual – [Stream Graph](https://pragmaticworksonline.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/FileShare/Ejn3BZIKy-NHk0DHsQUqT5QBx8WaO5HCyu0Qo7pWOzaWmw?e=LVvQAo)
- Dataset – [Language in Movies.xlsx](https://pragmaticworksonline.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/FileShare/EpuSAYcTLpxJoiPuYaQjUq0BNo8YQgT72VkNVcgTjZCpcQ?e=SdzMju)
- Completed Example – [Module 18 – Stream Graph.pbix](https://pragmaticworksonline.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/FileShare/EpuSAYcTLpxJoiPuYaQjUq0BNo8YQgT72VkNVcgTjZCpcQ?e=SdzMju)

### Key Takeaways

- Works and looks similar to a Stacked Area Chart but with a wiggle feature that gives it a more fluid look and feel
- Great for displaying data that changes over time

<https://devinknightsql.files.wordpress.com/2016/09/image7.png>

*This shows a Stream Graph with a multiple series values, which are separated out by color.*

- Under the **Format** paintbrush there are quite a few customizations that can be made to the appearance of the Stream Graph.
- First under the **General** section of the Stream Graph you will find a property called **Wiggle**. This property is turned on by default but turning it off makes

<https://devinknightsql.files.wordpress.com/2016/09/image8.png>

<https://devinknightsql.files.wordpress.com/2016/09/image9.png>

*This shows the what the Stream Graph looks like with the Wiggle property turned off.*

- Using the **X-Axis **or **Y-Axis** properties you can turn on or off the ability to display a title on these areas of the graph or change the color as well.

<https://devinknightsql.files.wordpress.com/2016/09/image10.png><https://devinknightsql.files.wordpress.com/2016/09/image11.png>

- Under the **Legend** section you can change the **Position**,** Color** and **Text size** of the legend.  You are also able to add a title and customize the title text.

<https://devinknightsql.files.wordpress.com/2016/09/image12.png>

- Turning on the **Data Labels** property places a label on every data point on the graph. Once data labels are turned on you can change their color and text size. I have found that using these can sometimes be a little overwhelming.

<https://devinknightsql.files.wordpress.com/2016/09/image13.png>

- In addition to these properties you have a set of settings that appears on every visual to adjust the background color, add a border around the visual and lock the aspect ratio.

### Find Out More

You will always be able to find this video module and advanced viewing of future modules on the Pragmatic Works On-Demand Training platform or [view my previous blog posts](https://blog.pragmaticworks.com/topic/power-bi-custom-visuals).

[View full post](https://pragmaticworks.com/blog/power-bi-custom-visuals-steam-graph)

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