> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.grunt.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Gauges and value source

> Use Donut gauge, Bar gauge, and Value Source patterns in Grunt rules

This page covers the legacy gauge-style rule workflows and the Value Source property used by several data-driven rules.

## Donut (gauge) rule

Use Donut gauge when each cell should show a compact circular progress or proportion visual.

The legacy support article documents these property groups:

* **Type** for the gauge variant and label placement
* **Style** for ring color and outline
* **Appearance** for separator start, circle look, and label visibility
* **Label style**
* **Alignment**
* **Size**
* **Margin**
* **Value normalization**
* **Value Source**

The same article also notes that you can switch the visualization type from the same menu, including to bar-style output.

## Bar (gauge) rule

Use Bar gauge when the same kind of value should read better as a linear bar than as a donut.

Typical use cases:

* Progress tracking
* Capacity or completion views
* Compact in-cell data bars

Based on the legacy gauge documentation, the bar gauge workflow follows the same pattern as Donut gauge: choose the visual type, control style and appearance, then use normalization and optional value source settings.

## Value Source in Rules

Value Source is not a stand-alone visualization rule, but it is a key property in several data-driven rules.

The legacy support article explains that Value Source lets a rule use data from another row or column than the cell where the rule is applied.

Use it when:

* The trigger value is stored in a different column
* The visual should appear offset from the source data
* Hidden rows or columns contain the values driving the output
* One cell's data should control formatting for a larger area

The article's example applies an **Icon conditional** rule in one column while using values from another column to decide which icon to show.

## When to use normalization

For gauge-style rules, normalization decides what Grunt should treat as the low and high bounds for the visual scale.

Use a thoughtful normalization strategy when:

* Values should be compared to a shared fixed scale
* A percentage should always mean the same thing across rows
* Different objects should remain visually comparable

## Choosing the right pattern

* Use **Donut gauge** when radial shape makes the value easier to scan
* Use **Bar gauge** when you need simpler linear comparison
* Use **Value Source** when the trigger data is not stored in the display cell

For broader targeting strategy, return to [Rules](/powerpoint-add-in/user/rules) or continue to [Visual Grids](/powerpoint-add-in/user/visual-grids).