Quick table calculations for ranking

1. Quick table calculations for ranking

You had a first exposure to quick table calculations in the first chapter. Let's spend a bit more time on this feature.

2. Table calculations

A table calculation is a calculation that you can apply to the values in a visualization. Examples include running total, difference, percent of total, and many more. These predefined calculations are calculated based on what is currently in the visualization. They do not consider any measures or dimensions that are filtered out of the view.

3. Table calculations

Table calculations are defined by their scope and direction.

4. Table calculations - scope

The scope defines the group on which the calculation is performed. In the example on the slide, the table calculation is performed separately for each continent.

5. Table calculations - direction

The direction defines how the table calculation moves within the scope. Options are across, down, down then across and so on. In the example we are moving across.

6. Table calculations - example

So if we would calculate a running total for the scope and direction that we just defined, it would look like this. Each year, we sum the value from the year before with the current value.

7. Quick table calculations

Now that we've defined table calculations, let's take a look at quick table calculations. Quick table calculations are table calculations that you can apply quickly to your visualization in Tableau. They are applied to the visualization with the most typical scope and direction settings for the calculation type. In other words, when the menu is accessed, only the calculations that Tableau believes are possible with your data are available, and others are grayed out.

8. How you will use quick table calculations

You will need to leverage the power of quick table calculations to rank station or get metrics on the stations' userbase, such as the percentage of male vs female, or subscribers vs customers.

9. Let's practice!

Let's practice!

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