Layers allow you to color-code and style your organizational chart nodes based on data in your spreadsheet. This feature helps you instantly visualize patterns and groupings in your organization—such as departments, locations, reporting structures, or any other categorical data you have in your Google Sheet.
How Layers Work
A layer maps values from a spreadsheet column to visual styling. For example:
- Department column: Map “Engineering” → Blue, “Marketing” → Green, “Sales” → Red
- Location column: Map “New York” → Dark Border color, “San Francisco” → Light Border color
- Status column: Map “Full Time” → Solid Profile Image border, “Temp” → Dashed border
When you create a layer, every node in the chart displays the corresponding style based on the value in that row’s column.
Creating a Layer
Layers are configured in the Project Setup page. Click the Layers section under Appearance to open the Layers panel.
Step 1: Add a Layer
Click Add Layer to create a new layer.
Step 2: Select a Column
Choose which spreadsheet column contains the data you want to visualize. All columns that are in the data range will be available. You don’t have to use the column in your mapping to use it in a layer.
Step 3: Name Your Layer
Give your layer a descriptive name, such as “Department” or “Reporting Line”. This helps you manage multiple layers.
Step 4: Select an Appearance Property
Choose what visual property to control:
- Background Color: Color the node background based on the data value
- Node Border Color: Color the node border based on the data value
- Node Border Style: Apply different border styles (solid, dashed, dotted, etc.) based on the data value
- Profile Image Border Color: Color employee image borders based on the data value (if images are enabled)
- Profile Image Border Style: Apply different border styles to employee image borders based on the data value (if images are enabled)
Step 5: Configure Value Mappings
For each unique value in your selected column, specify what visual style to apply:
For Colors: Click to open the color picker and select a color For Border Styles: Select from the available styles (solid, dashed, dotted, double, groove, ridge, inset, outset, none). You can also specify the border width. For Border Color: Specify the border color for each value. You can also specify the border width.
Note:
- Leaving the value blank will match any empty or missing value.
- Mapping to Others will match any value not explicitly mapped (except blank values)
Step 6: Preview and Save
Use the preview chart to see how your layer looks. Once satisfied, the layer is automatically saved.
Note - you can deselect Activate by default if you wish to set up the layer but not apply it by default
Managing Layers
Layer Validation
Any validation issues with a layer are shown next to the layer name in the Appearance section. However over the validation icon to see a tooltip of issues. If all is good it woll show a green check.
Delete a Layer
Click the delete button (trash icon) to remove a layer and its configuration.
Layer Priority
When multiple layers are configured, they apply additively. If two layers configure different properties (e.g., one sets background color and another sets border color), both styles appear on the node. If two layers configure the same property, the last one in the list takes priority.
Using Layers in Chart Viewer
Once you have configured layers in your project setup, you can use the Layers toggle button in the Chart Viewer to control which layers are visible.
Accessing the Layers Panel
In the Chart Viewer toolbar (top of the chart), look for the Layers button (stacked layers icon). Click it to open the Layers panel on the right side of the screen.
Layer Controls in Chart Viewer
The Layers panel shows all configured layers for your chart:
Toggle Layers On/Off
- Each layer has a checkbox next to it
- Check the box to enable a layer and apply its styling to the chart
- Uncheck the box to disable a layer and remove its styling
- Changes take effect immediately
View Layer Details
- Click the chevron next to a layer name to expand and see what values map to which styles
- The legend shows a preview of the colors and styles being applied
- This helps you understand how your data is being visualized
Layer Naming
- Layers are labeled with the name you gave them during configuration (e.g., “Department”, “Location”)
- This makes it easy to identify and toggle different aspects of your visualization
Tips for Using Layers
- Experiment: Toggle layers on and off to see how they affect your chart and gain insights
- Multiple Layers: When multiple layers are enabled, they work together to create a rich multi-dimensional visualization
- Export: You can export your chart with specific layers enabled or disabled to create different views for different audiences
Tips for Effective Layers
Use Consistent Colors: Keep color meanings consistent across your organization. Use the same color for the same category in all charts.
Limit Layers: While you can create many layers, using 2-4 layers typically provides the best clarity without overwhelming the visual design.
Combine with Themes: Layers work alongside appearance themes. You can set a color theme and then add layers on top for category-specific styling.
Missing Values: If a row has a blank or missing value in the mapped column, it displays with default styling (no special coloring). You can explicitly map it to a blank value to style such nodes.
Profile Images: Profile image border styling is only visible when employee images are enabled in your chart configuration. The layer configuration is retained even if images are disabled, so you can enable them later without losing your layer setup.
Examples
Example 1: Department Color Coding
Create a layer called “Department” that maps your department column to colors:
- Engineering → Blue (#0066CC)
- Marketing → Orange (#FF9900)
- Sales → Green (#00CC33)
- HR → Purple (#9933FF)
Result: Nodes are instantly color-coded by department, making organizational structure by function immediately obvious.
Example 2: Reporting Line Styles
Create a layer called “Reporting Line” that maps management levels to border styles:
- Executive → Solid border
- Manager → Dashed border
- Individual Contributor → No border
Result: You can visually identify reporting hierarchies with just a glance.
Example 3: Location Borders
Create a layer called “Location” that maps office locations to image border colors (if using employee images):
- New York → Dark Blue
- San Francisco → Light Blue
- Remote → Gray
Result: When viewing employee images, you instantly see who’s in each office location.
