Using refinement widgets for data fields referenced by natural language expressions in a data visualization user interface

A method executes at a computing device that includes a display, one or more processors, and memory. The device displays a data visualization based on a dataset retrieved from a database. The device also displays one or more first phrases in a first region. The first phrases define the data visualization. The device receives a first user input in a second region to specify a natural language command related to the displayed data visualization. In response to the first user input, the device displays one or more proposed actions. The device receives user selection of a first proposed action of the proposed actions. In response to the user selection, the device generates an updated data visualization. The device displays the updated data visualization and displays a plurality of second phrases in the first region. The second phrases define the updated data visualization.