What are table calculations?
- Special types of calculated fields performed on the local data in Tableau, based on what is currently visible in the visualisation
- They ignore all other measures and dimensions
What are they for?
- Perform quick, context-based calculations
- Transforms measures without altering the dataset
- Performs post-aggregation computations such as running totals and moving averages
- Performs comparative analysis such as percent difference and index
1. Build your chart as you normally would
This chart currently shows the daily trend of gross income – which is fine if you want to investigate if some days have higher or lower incomes. However, this chart doesn’t let you track the cumulative progress of income, which is what you’d want to do if you have sales target to achieve.
2. On your measure card, apply Running Total table calculation
3. Add reference line for sales target
Now your line chart is showing the cumulative total of daily sales. You can also add a reference line with sales target, which allows you to track progress and set up alerts.
Direction of table calculation
You can customise the calculation’s direction on the table based on the goal of your task. To do this, click your measure card and select Edit Table Calculation.
1. Table across
In this chart, choosing Table across direction will calculate the percentage of sales of each drink category across the years.
2. Table down
In this chart, choosing Table down direction will calculate the percentage of yearly sales of every drink category.
Conclusion
Table calculations quickly transform measures on current visualisation without changing the dataset.