Configuration panel
The "Group by" drop down lists allow aggregating data into multiple level of hierarchy. By specifying one or more categorical variables, the resulting TreeMap view will be organized into nested areas, giving the possibility to visually assess how big is a group from one another. Therefore, the sequence of variables (from top to bottom) corresponds to groups, sub-groups, sub-sub groups, etc (e.g. Continent, Country, Region, ...).
The "The label shows" and the "The background shows" drop down lists are used to specify what should be displayed inside each area. Multiple labels can be specified and will be displayed line-by-line using a fixed font size. Only one background variable can be set, and the value will be displayed so that it fits the area (i.e. large area will be displayed with a large label). The labels will be cut or not displayed at all should the area be too small. Zooming in or drilling down will make them appear. Both categorical and numerical variables can be used for labeling.
The drop down list entitled "The size represents" gives you the list of categorical variables that you can use to control the size of the area. The areas will be proportional to the corresponding values, where high value resulting in large area and low values to small area. Having no variable selected will result in a TreeMap view composed of objects of equal areas. By default, TreeMap use the absolute value should the variable contains negative numbers.
The "The color represents" drop down list gives the possibility of selecting which variable should be used for coloring the areas. When a numerical variable is selected, TreeMap gives the possibility of setting the lowest and highest values that should be mapped to the selected colormap. When the variable contains negative values, the range is automatically made symetric. Should a caterical variable be selected, then colors are automatically assigned to each of the value.