Analysis: quick reference
For anyone with a table of numbers to understand: asset and facilities managers, planners, analysts, councils, schools and their parents. 7 lessons, 21 min. Full steps and pictures: getplotlay.com/learn/analysis/
| # | Lesson | How |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Add a table and read its numbers2 min | Analysis (Alt+5) › + Add a table › paste or Open a CSV or Excel file › Add the table. Click a heading to summarise it; Copy for a sentence. |
| 2 | Group and filter a summary3 min | Strip: by a column for a row per group › Only rows where… level = "Primary" › Count under or over › Copy numbers for a spreadsheet. |
| 3 | Summarise a data layer over time3 min | Analysis › a layer under Data layers: a row per key with its value › move the time slider: the strip follows › hover a row to light its shape. |
| 4 | Make a chart3 min | Make a chart › a type chip › Data: columns, Split by, Order › Words: Title, Credit › click a bar to pick it out › PNG. |
| 5 | Charts for a report or a slide3 min | Look › Size (16:9, 1:1, 9:16, A4) › Paper › Notes on the chart: + A line, + A callout › PNG, large or SVG. |
| 6 | A map picture and a video over time3 min | A layer › Map picture › Use the map as it is now › + A callout › Dots for each unit › PNG or Video (or Frames (zip)). |
| 7 | Snapshots and a one-page brief4 min | Snapshot a chart › + New board › One-page brief › drag and resize › Draw for this space › PDF, PNG or PowerPoint. |
Words: Workspace: Site, Building, Capture or Documents in the top bar. A workspace changes which tools come first; it never hides anything in the project. Quote and revision: An estimate turned into a numbered price for a client, on your letterhead, with terms and a payment schedule. A change after it is sent is a new revision (rev B), so the sent copy stays as it was. Layer: A group of things in a project, listed in the Layers tab. A hidden layer is left out of the plan, 3D and documents until you show it again. Saved document (preset): A document’s settings kept by name in the project, such as a room pack of the wet areas. Make again produces it from the project as it is now. Elevation and section: An elevation is a side of the house, or a wall from inside, drawn straight on. A section is a cut through the building along a line you place. Drawing set: One numbered PDF of sheets (cover, plans, elevations, sections, schedules) with the same title block on each.
Plotlay · app.plotlay.io · Search any tool with Ctrl+K (Cmd+K on a Mac). Checked in the app on 8 November 2026.