What are Annotations and Conversations?


Within an analysis, you can communicate in different ways. For example, you can

The visualizations below show the two options.

collaboration_annotation_vs_conversation.png

When to use Annotation, and when to use Collaboration, is described below.

Using annotations

Annotations are text messages that are added on top of visualizations. They are used for information and presentation purposes to, for example, explain what is visualized, point to interesting findings, or give instructions. In other words, the use of annotations is a one-way communication.

It is possible to display more than one annotation on top of a single visualization. Moreover, by adding subsequent annotations with instructions, a user can be guided through the analysis.

Using conversations

Adding conversations on top of visualizations is a two-way communication. In a conversation, you can collaborate on an analysis with others by exchanging comments. An on-going discussion can be held on a certain matter, and many users can contribute, also users with Spotfire web client subscriptions.  

Several conversations can be associated with a visualization, but only one can be visible at a time.

See also:

What are Visualization Annotations?

Collaboration using Conversations