DATA VISUALIZATION FOR MANAGERS MODULE 4| Creating Calculations to Enhance Data| BUSINESS ANALYTICS PAPER 1 |MBA SEM 3| RTMNU NAGPUR UNIVERSITY| BY JAYANTI R PANDE MBA Notes by Jayanti Pande #JayantiPande #MBA #MBAnotes #BusinessAnalyticsNotes

1. Copyright © 2023 Jayanti Rajdevendra Pande. All rights reserved.
- Jayanti R Pande
DGICM College, Nagpur
Sales
RASHTRASANT TUKDOJI MAHARAJ NAGPUR UNIVERSITY
MBA
SEMESTER: 3
SPECIALIZATION
BUSINESS ANALYTICS (BA 1)
SUBJECT
DATA VISUALIZATION FOR MANAGERS
MODULE NO : 4
CREATING CALCULATIONS TO
ENHANCE DATA

2. Copyright © 2023 Jayanti Rajdevendra Pande. All rights reserved.
Q1. What is aggregation in Tableau?
AGGREGATION IN TABLEAU
It refers to the process of combining multiple data values into a single value, typically to perform calculations or create more
meaningful visualizations. There are several methods for aggregation in Tableau, including calculated fields, aggregation
functions, and the aggregation shelf.
Calculated Fields: Calculated fields in Tableau allow users to create new fields based on existing data, utilizing functions like
aggregation functions. For example, you can calculate the average sales by region using the AVG() function in a calculated
field.
Aggregation Functions: Tableau provides various aggregation functions like SUM(), AVG(), MIN(), MAX(), and COUNT() for
common tasks such as summing values, calculating averages, finding minimum or maximum values, or counting records.
These functions can be applied in calculated fields or directly on the visualization.
Aggregation Shelf: The aggregation shelf is a Tableau feature where users can specify how data should be aggregated in a
visualization. When a measure is dragged onto the aggregation shelf, Tableau automatically applies the default aggregation
function (e.g., SUM() for sales). Users can change the function by right-clicking the measure and selecting a different one.

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Q2. What are considerations while aggregating data in Tableau?
When aggregating data in Tableau, there are several important considerations to keep in mind to ensure accurate and
meaningful analysis. Here are the key considerations while aggregating data in Tableau:
1 Data Type (Discrete vs. Continuous):
Understand whether your data is discrete (categorical, countable, like product categories) or continuous (numeric, measurable,
like sales amounts).
Choose appropriate aggregation functions based on the data type (e.g., COUNT() for discrete data, SUM() or AVG() for
continuous data).
2 Level of Detail (LOD):
Determine the level of granularity required for your analysis (e.g., sales by region, sales by store within a region).
Aggregating data may result in loss of detail, so consider the level of granularity needed for your visualization or calculation.
3 Data Accuracy and Completeness:
Ensure that the data being aggregated is accurate, complete, and free of errors.
Handle missing or null values appropriately using functions like IFNULL(), ZN(), or ZN() to avoid distortion in aggregation results.
4 Context of Analysis:
Consider the context in which the data will be analyzed (e.g., historical trends, geographical comparisons).
Choose aggregation functions that align with the context of your analysis to derive meaningful insights.
5 Understanding of Aggregation Functions:
Familiarize yourself with Tableau's built-in aggregation functions (SUM(), AVG(), COUNT(), MIN(), MAX(), etc.) and their specific
use cases.
Use the appropriate function based on the nature of the data and the analysis being performed.

4. Copyright © 2023 Jayanti Rajdevendra Pande. All rights reserved.
Q3. Elaborate about the Calculated Values and Table Calculations in Tableau? What are Addressing and Partitioning values in table
calculations ?
CALCULATED VALUES IN TABLEAU
Calculated values in Tableau refer to new data fields created based on specific formulas or expressions. These calculated fields can be
generated using a variety of functions, operators, and references to other fields in the data source. Calculated values can be utilized in
different ways, such as creating new measures, dimensions, or sets.
To create a calculated value in Tableau:
• Go to the "Analysis" menu.
• Select "Create Calculated Field."
• Enter a name for the calculated value.
• Define the formula or expression to calculate the value, incorporating functions and field references.
• Click OK to create the calculated value.
Examples of calculated value usage include creating a new measure representing the difference between two existing measures or
generating a new dimension like the month name for a date field. Calculated values can also be employed in sets, which group data
values based on specific criteria.

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TABLE CALCULATIONS IN TABLEAU
Table calculations in Tableau enable advanced computations within visualizations, typically based on the data displayed in the
visualization rather than the raw data in the source. These calculations allow for various computations, such as running totals,
differences, percent differences, and ranking, enhancing the analysis of the displayed data.
To create a table calculation in Tableau:
• Go to the "Analysis" menu.
• Select "Table Calculation."
• Choose the type of calculation (e.g., running total, difference, percent difference, rank).
• Specify the fields and values to be used in the calculation.
• Set the addressing and partitioning options to define the calculation's scope within the visualization.
Examples of table calculation usage include creating a running total of sales over time, computing the difference in sales between
regions, ranking values in a field, or calculating the percentage change in a measure between two periods.
ADDRESSING & PARTITIONING
Addressing and partitioning options in table calculations determine the calculation's scope within the visualization. Addressing defines
which specific data points are included in the calculation, while partitioning divides the data into subsets for separate calculations.
Properly configuring addressing and partitioning ensures accurate and contextually relevant table calculations within Tableau
visualizations.

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Q4. Explain how the calculation Dialogue box is used?
The CALCULATION DIALOGUE BOX in Tableau is a versatile tool used to create and customize calculated fields and table
calculations. It plays a pivotal role in advanced data analysis tasks, allowing users to create complex calculations tailored to
their specific requirements. Here's how to effectively use the Calculation dialogue box:
ACCESSING THE CALCULATION DIALOGUE BOX
• Go to the "Analysis" menu in Tableau.
• Select "Create Calculated Field" or "Edit Calculated Field" options.
• The Calculation dialogue box will open, providing a platform to create or edit calculated fields and table calculations.
KEY ELEMENTS OF THE CALCULATION DIALOGUE BOX
 Formula Bar: This area allows you to enter the formula or expression for your calculated field or table calculation.
Functions, operators, and references to other fields can be included in the formula.
 Functions List: Displays all available functions in Tableau, covering tasks such as aggregation, mathematical operations,
and string manipulation. Functions can be inserted into the formula by selecting them from the list and clicking the
"Insert" button.
 Fields List: Lists all fields from the data source, enabling you to insert references to these fields into the formula. Fields can
be added to the formula by selecting them and clicking the "Insert" button.

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Creating Calculated Fields:
• Utilize functions like SUM(), AVG(), MIN(), MAX(), COUNT(), and arithmetic operators (+, -, *, /) to perform various
calculations on data fields.
• Understand the data types and structures in your data source to create meaningful calculated fields.
Creating Table Calculations:
• Customize table calculations using options like addressing and partitioning to define the scope of the calculation.
• Use "Compute Using" options to specify how the calculation should be applied to the data in the visualization.
EFFECTIVE USAGE TIPS
• Familiarize yourself with available functions, operators, and data types in Tableau.
• Understand the addressing and partitioning options to ensure accurate table calculations.
• Mastering the Calculation dialogue box enhances your ability to create powerful calculations tailored to your data analysis
needs in Tableau.

8. Copyright © 2023 Jayanti Rajdevendra Pande. All rights reserved.
Q5. Explain binding formulas using Table Calculations in Tableau?
Binding formulas using table calculations in Tableau is a powerful technique that allows users to perform advanced calculations on
their data within visualizations. Table calculations are applied to the data displayed in a visualization rather than the raw data in the
data source, enabling computations such as running totals, differences, ranks, and percent differences.
Here's how to effectively bind formulas using table calculations in Tableau:
1. Compute Using Options:
"Table (Across)": Applies the formula across the data in the visualization, calculating for each row or column.
"Table (Down)": Applies the formula down the data in the visualization, computing for each partition of the data.
"Specific Dimensions": Binds the formula to specific dimensions in the visualization. Select dimensions from the available list to which
the formula should be applied.
2. Addressing Options:
"Ignore Nulls": Excludes null values from the calculation, ensuring it is applied only to valid data.
"Restart Every": Specifies how the calculation should be reset when it reaches the end of a partition. For instance, you can set it to
restart for each region, rather than for the entire dataset.
Example: Let's consider a scenario where you want to calculate the running total of sales for each region.
Steps:
1 Access the Table Calculation dialogue box.
2 Choose the appropriate calculation type (e.g., running total) and define the calculation logic.
3 Use the "Compute Using" options:
• Select "Specific Dimensions.“
• Choose the "Region" dimension to bind the calculation to.
4 Optionally, modify addressing options based on your needs, such as ignoring null values or restarting the calculation for each region.

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Q6. What are table calculations functions and how are they used?
TABLE calculation functions in Tableau are powerful tools that allow you to perform complex calculations on your data
within a visualization. These functions are applied to the data in your visualization, enabling you to create various
calculations based on the displayed data. Here's an overview of some common table calculation functions and how to use
them:
1 Running Total (RUNNING_SUM()):
Purpose: Computes a cumulative sum of values in a field over a dimension, providing a running total.
Usage: To create a running total, use the RUNNING_SUM([Field]) function. You can customize the computation by
adjusting the fields in the calculation.
Example : RUNNING_SUM(SUM([Sales]))
2 Difference (DIFFERENCE()):
Purpose: Computes the difference between the current value and a specified offset value in a field.
Usage: To calculate the difference, use the DIFFERENCE([Field], offset) function. The offset determines the number of
positions to look back.
Example: DIFFERENCE(SUM([Sales]), 1)

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3 Percent Difference (PERCENT_DIFFERENCE()):
Purpose: Computes the percentage change between the current value and a specified offset value in a field.
Usage: To calculate the percent difference, use the PERCENT_DIFFERENCE([Field], offset) function. The offset determines the
number of positions to look back.
Example: PERCENT_DIFFERENCE(SUM([Sales]), 1)
4 Rank (RANK()):
Purpose: Computes the rank of values in a field, either across the visualization or within a specific partition.
Usage: To create a rank, use the RANK() function. You can specify the addressing and partitioning options to customize the
calculation's scope.
Example (Simple Rank): RANK(SUM([Sales]))
5 Moving Calculation (WINDOW_ Functions):
Purpose: Computes a value based on a moving window of data points in the visualization.
Usage: Use various window functions like WINDOW_AVG(), WINDOW_MAX(), or WINDOW_MIN() to create moving
calculations. Specify the window size and type in the function parameters.
Example (Moving Average): WINDOW_AVG(SUM([Sales]), -2, 0)
This calculates the moving average of sales for the current point and the two previous points.

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Q7. Write about Flexibility to Calculation Parameters in tableau. Also give importance and applications of calculation parameters
in tableau.
The flexibility to adjust calculation parameters in Tableau is a pivotal feature that empowers users to tailor their analyses, enhance
interactivity, and gain deeper insights from their data. Calculation parameters act as dynamic variables that allow users to modify
aspects of calculations, filters, and visualizations in real-time. This flexibility plays a significant role in data analysis, visualization creation,
and storytelling.
IMPORTANCE OF CALCULATION PARAMETERS IN TABLEAU
1. Enhanced Interactivity: Calculation parameters enable users to create dynamic, interactive dashboards. Users can adjust parameters
in real-time, allowing for instant changes in calculations, filters, and visualizations. This interactivity fosters deeper engagement and
understanding of the data.
2. Customized Data Exploration: Parameters offer a way to customize data exploration. Users can set dynamic thresholds, compare
scenarios, and modify calculations on the fly. This adaptability empowers users to explore diverse data scenarios without the need
for extensive data manipulation.
3. Real-time Analysis: Calculation parameters facilitate real-time analysis by allowing users to model different scenarios without altering
the original data. This is particularly useful for businesses that need to analyze various strategies, pricing models, or market
scenarios without making permanent changes to the dataset.
4. Scenario Modeling: Businesses can use parameters to model different business scenarios. By adjusting parameters representing
variables like discount rates or growth percentages, users can visualize the impact on key metrics, aiding in strategic decision-
making.
5. Simplified User Interface: Parameters can streamline the user interface. Instead of cluttering dashboards with multiple filter controls,
a few well-designed parameters can control various aspects of the visualization. This simplifies the dashboard layout and improves
user experience.

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APPLICATIONS OF CALCULATION PARAMETERS IN TABLEAU
1. Dynamic Filters: Calculation parameters can be used to create dynamic filters that allow users to adjust filter criteria
interactively. For instance, users can set a parameter to represent a sales threshold and filter data points above or below
that threshold dynamically.
2. Variable Aggregations: Parameters can control aggregations in calculations. Users can adjust parameters to change
aggregation methods, enabling dynamic switching between sum, average, or other aggregation functions based on user
preference.
3. Comparative Analysis: Calculation parameters are invaluable for comparative analysis. Users can create parameters
representing different time periods or scenarios, allowing for easy comparison between historical data, forecasts, or
different business strategies.
4. Parameter Actions: Users can set up parameter actions, linking them to various dashboard elements. For example, clicking
on a data point can adjust a parameter, dynamically updating other visuals on the dashboard. This creates a seamless
interactive experience for users.
5. Threshold Monitoring: Parameters can be utilized to set thresholds for metrics like sales targets or customer satisfaction
scores. Visualizations can highlight when actual metrics fall below or exceed these thresholds, providing a quick visual cue
for performance monitoring.
6. Data Exploration and Experimentation: Parameters empower users to experiment with different data subsets. By adjusting
parameters, users can focus on specific segments of the data, enabling in-depth exploration without altering the original
dataset.
7. Predictive Modeling: Parameters can be integrated into predictive models. For example, in a financial model, users can
adjust parameters representing interest rates or inflation rates to visualize their impact on future financial projections.