KB46312: How to use the Depth feature to increase bar width for bar-type graphs when the Bar Width settings do not appear to apply properly in MicroStrategy Developer 9.x.

When creating graphs in Strategy Developer, it may be desired to adjust the width of the bars that display in bar-type graphs.  A manually set, fixed width option does not appear to be available by design, since an algorithm handles this, however there are some options that are available to adjust the size of the bars:

• In the Graph Options, <Bar Graph Type> Options, General section there exists a Gap Width slider.  This slider, or the text box to the right of it, can be used to adjust the width of bars that appear on a graph in most scenarios.
  

• In addition, a shortcut method exists by right clicking a bar on the graph, and selecting Bar Width, and one of the 5 options: Minimum, Small, Medium, Large, and Maximum.
  

In some situations, the Bar Width or the Gap Width settings may not appear to apply to a graph.  Usually, this is the result of limitations such as: not enough space for the bars to be adjusted, too much data being displayed, etc.  In situations such as these, the following workaround can be employed to try to achieve some more bulk to the bars so that they can be more pronounced for the audience that views the graph:
 
Vertical Bar Graphs:

• The Use Depth setting should be enabled in the Graph Options, Vertical Bar Graph Options, General section.
• Then, set the Direction setting to 180, and the Depth setting to a desired value.  The larger the value, the more pronounced the bar should appear.
  
  This workaround can be seen below after the graph's Bar Width setting was set to Minimum:
  

 
Horizontal Bar Graphs:

• For Horizontal bars, the Use Depth setting should be enabled in the Graph Options, Horizontal Bar Graph Options, General section.
• Then, set the Direction setting to 90, and the Depth setting to a desired value.  The larger the value, the more pronounced the bar should appear.
  
  This workaround can be seen below after the graph's Bar Width setting was set to Minimum: