Compute using (table across, down) in Tableau - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

This feature lets you control how Tableau calculates values across your table. It helps you decide if calculations go across rows or down columns, which changes how totals and percentages appear. This is useful when you want to analyze data in a specific direction.

When you want to calculate running totals across months shown as columns

When you need to find percent of total sales down each product category column

When your table shows regions in rows and you want to sum values across those rows

When you want to compare each row’s value to the total of that row

When you want to reset calculations at each row or column boundary

Steps

Step 1: Right-click

- the measure field in the view

A menu appears with calculation options

Step 2: Select

- Quick Table Calculation

The measure changes to show a default table calculation

Step 3: Right-click

- the measure field again

The menu appears again

Step 4: Select

- Edit Table Calculation

The Table Calculation dialog opens

Step 5: Click

- Compute Using dropdown

Options like Table (Across), Table (Down), Table (Across then Down), Table (Down then Across) appear

Step 6: Select

- Table (Across) or Table (Down)

The calculation updates to compute across rows or down columns accordingly

💡 Choose Table (Across) to calculate row-wise, Table (Down) to calculate column-wise

Step 7: Click

- OK button

The dialog closes and the view updates with the new calculation direction

Before vs After

Before

A sales table shows monthly sales by product with running total calculated down columns, but totals do not reset per row

After

After setting Compute Using to Table (Across), running totals calculate across each row, showing cumulative sales month by month per product

Settings Reference

Compute Using

📍 Edit Table Calculation dialog

Controls the direction Tableau uses to perform the calculation across the table

Default: Table (Down)

Common Mistakes

Choosing the wrong Compute Using direction

It causes calculations to aggregate in an unexpected direction, confusing the results

Understand your table layout and select Table (Across) to calculate row-wise or Table (Down) to calculate column-wise

Not editing the table calculation after applying Quick Table Calculation

The default direction may not match your analysis needs

Always open Edit Table Calculation to verify and adjust the Compute Using setting

Summary

Compute Using controls the direction of table calculations in Tableau.

Use Table (Across) to calculate across rows and Table (Down) to calculate down columns.

Always check and adjust this setting to ensure your calculations match your analysis goals.