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Table Calculations

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Product(s):  Tableau Public, Tableau Desktop
Version(s):  7.0
Last Modified Date:  07 Feb 2012
Table calculations are computations that are applied to the values in the entire table and are often dependent on the table structure itself. For example, in a sales environment, you can use table calculations to compute the running total of sales across a specified date range, or to compute each product's contribution to the total sales in a quarter.

Step 1

To open the Table Calculation dialog box, right-click the measure you want to use in the computation and select Add Table Calculation.

Context menu for Sales with Add Table Calculation selected

Step 2

In the Table Calculation dialog box, select the type of calculation you want to compute:
  • Difference From: shows absolute change
  • Percent Difference From: shows the rate of change
  • Percent From: shows as a percentage of other specified values
  • Percent of Total: shows values as a percentage of the total
  • Running Total: shows a cumulative total
  • Moving Calculation: shows smooth, short fluctuations to identify long-term trends

Table Calculation dialog box with list of Calculation Types displayed

Step 3

In the bottom half of the Table Calculation dialog box, define the calculation using the drop-down lists. The calculation definition reads like a sentence.

Note that the definition parameters change based on the type of calculation you choose.

Table Calculation dialog box with calculation defined

Step 4

When you have finished defining the calculation, click OK. The measure turns into a new field and is marked as a table calculation.

To edit the table calculation, select Edit Table Calculation in the field's context menu.

Marks card with Table Calculation field 

Using Quick Table Calculations

Tableau offers common table calculations that you can apply to your view quickly without having to define the calculation. The following calculations are available on the Quick Table Calculation menu:

Running Total
Difference
Percent of Difference
Percent of Total
Moving Average
Year to Date Total*
Compound Growth Rate*
Year Over Year Growth*
Year to Date Growth*

* These date-based quick table calculations are available only if you have a date field in the view.
 


Right-click the measure you want to use in the computation and select Quick Table Calculations.

Quick Table Calculation menu
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