# Dimensions A dimension splits a tile's data into categories, such as region, gift type, or year. The tile's [measure]() then gives a number for each category. On a column chart, the dimension's categories run along one axis and the measure sets the height of each column. Charts, tables, and cubes use dimensions: - A [single dimension chart]() has one dimension - A [table]() has one dimension, with a row for each category and a column for each measure - A [multi dimension chart]() has two, so you can compare categories within categories - A [cube]() has dimensions under **Rows** and **Columns** Other tile types split their data in their own way, such as sets on a Venn tile or columns on a data grid, and a number tile has no dimension at all. See [Sections of the Details tab](). ## What you can use as a dimension You choose a dimension in the same search dialogue you use across Orbit. See [Searching in Orbit](). | Dimension | How it splits your data | | --- | --- | | A selector or text variable | Into its categories, such as each region | | A date variable | Into date bands, such as years or months | | A numeric variable | Into bands of values, such as donation amounts of £0 to £10 and £10 to £50 | | A [behaviour]() | By its resolved recency, frequency, or value result | You can't use an audience as a dimension on a dashboard tile, but you can use one as a [measure]() or a [filter](). > [!NOTE] > > **Example** > > A fundraising dashboard has three charts of donations, each with a different kind of dimension: > > - **Region**, a selector variable > - **Donation Date**, banded by years > - **Donation Amount**, split into bands of values ## Band dates and numbers Date and numeric variables need bands to turn their values into categories. For a date variable, choose a **Banding**, such as **Years**, **Business Quarters**, **Business Years**, **Month of Year**, **Week of Year**, or **Day of Week**. For a numeric variable, set the **Number of Bands** and select **Generate Bands**. Orbit splits the range from the lowest to the highest value into equal bands. You can then adjust each band's **From** and **To** values. ## Dimensions and filtering A tile's dimensions also affect how filters reach it, and how viewers can filter from it: - **The table a tile counts through**: By default, a tile counts through its dimensions' parent table. Filters on other tables reach the tile through that table. To change it, see [Resolve tables](). - **Filtering from a tile**: Viewers can [select a dimension's categories]() on a tile to add them to their user filters. > **Note** > > This needs the **Allow Filter By Dimension** application setting, and doesn't work on tiles where the editor has turned on **Prevent Category Selection**. - **Pairs of categories**: On a multi dimension chart, each selection pairs a category from each dimension, so you can [filter on pairs of values](). ## Dimension settings Expand a dimension in the tile editor to change how it shows its categories, such as **Display Style**, **Category Limit**, and **Display Unclassified**. The settings depend on the type of variable. See [Dimension settings](). ## Dimensions in audience workbooks You also use dimensions in the cubes and charts in your audience workbooks. In a workbook cube, you can use an audience as a dimension. See [Working with dimensions]() and [Audience as a cube dimension]().