Compute using (table across, down) in Tableau - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does 'Compute Using: Table Across' mean in Tableau?

It means the calculation moves horizontally across the table, computing values from left to right across columns.

beginner

What does 'Compute Using: Table Down' do in Tableau?

It calculates values vertically down the table, moving from top to bottom through rows.

intermediate

Why is 'Compute Using' important for table calculations in Tableau?

It tells Tableau how to apply the calculation directionally, either across columns or down rows, affecting the result.

beginner

If you want to calculate a running total across months shown as columns, which 'Compute Using' option should you choose?

You should choose 'Table Across' because months are arranged horizontally as columns.

intermediate

How does changing 'Compute Using' from 'Table Across' to 'Table Down' affect a calculation?

It changes the direction of calculation from horizontal (across columns) to vertical (down rows), which can change the results significantly.

In Tableau, what does 'Compute Using: Table Down' do?

A Calculates values horizontally across columns

B Calculates values vertically down rows

C Calculates values diagonally

D Calculates values randomly

Table Down means the calculation moves vertically down the rows.

Which 'Compute Using' option should you use to calculate a running total across columns?

A Table Across

B Pane Down

C Table Down

D Pane Across

Table Across calculates horizontally across columns, perfect for running totals across months or categories.

What happens if you change 'Compute Using' from Table Across to Table Down?

A Calculation becomes invalid

B Calculation direction stays the same

C Calculation resets to zero

D Calculation direction changes from horizontal to vertical

Changing from Table Across to Table Down changes the calculation direction from left-right to top-bottom.

If your data is arranged with months as rows, which 'Compute Using' is best for a running total?

A Table Across

B Cell

C Table Down

D Pane Across

Table Down calculates vertically down rows, suitable when months are in rows.

Why do you need to set 'Compute Using' in Tableau table calculations?

A To define the direction of calculation

B To change data source

C To filter data

D To sort data alphabetically

'Compute Using' defines how Tableau moves through the data to perform calculations.

Explain in your own words what 'Compute Using: Table Across' and 'Table Down' mean in Tableau and when you would use each.

Think about how you read a table: left to right or top to bottom.

Describe how changing the 'Compute Using' direction affects the result of a running total calculation in Tableau.

Imagine adding numbers row-wise versus column-wise.

Practice

1. In Tableau, what does setting Compute Using: Table (Across) do to your calculation?

easy

A. Calculates values only for the first column in the table.

B. Calculates values moving top to bottom down rows in the table.

C. Calculates values moving left to right across columns in the table.

D. Calculates values based on the entire table without direction.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand 'Compute Using' concept

   'Compute Using' defines the direction Tableau uses to perform calculations across the data layout.

2. Step 2: Identify what 'Table (Across)' means

   'Table (Across)' means calculations move horizontally from left to right across columns.

3. Final Answer:

   Calculates values moving left to right across columns in the table. -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Table (Across) = left to right calculation [OK]

Hint: Table (Across) means calculation moves left to right [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing 'Table (Across)' with 'Table (Down)' direction
• Thinking it calculates vertically instead of horizontally
• Assuming it calculates over the entire table without direction

2. Which of the following is the correct way to set a table calculation to compute using 'Table (Down)' in Tableau?

easy

A. Drag measure to Rows shelf and select 'Table (Across)'.

B. Right-click measure > Edit Table Calculation > Select 'Table (Down)' in Compute Using.

C. Use the filter shelf to set Compute Using to 'Table (Down)'.

D. Double-click the dimension and choose 'Compute Using Table (Across)'.

Solution

1. Step 1: Locate how to edit table calculation

   Right-click the measure with the table calculation and choose 'Edit Table Calculation' to access Compute Using options.

2. Step 2: Select 'Table (Down)' option

   Within the dialog, select 'Table (Down)' to compute calculations moving top to bottom down rows.

3. Final Answer:

   Right-click measure > Edit Table Calculation > Select 'Table (Down)' in Compute Using. -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Edit Table Calculation > Choose Table (Down) [OK]

Hint: Edit Table Calculation to set Compute Using direction [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to set Compute Using from filter or dimension menus
• Confusing 'Table (Across)' with 'Table (Down)'
• Not right-clicking the measure to edit calculation

3. Given a table with sales data by Region (rows) and Month (columns), if you set a running total calculation with Compute Using: Table (Down), what will the running total do?

medium

A. Calculate running total down regions for each month vertically.

B. Calculate running total over the entire table ignoring layout.

C. Calculate running total across months for each region horizontally.

D. Calculate running total only for the first month.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand table layout and Compute Using

   Rows represent Regions, columns represent Months. 'Table (Down)' computes vertically down rows.

2. Step 2: Apply running total with 'Table (Down)'

   Running total sums values moving down each column (month) across regions.

3. Final Answer:

   Calculate running total down regions for each month vertically. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Table (Down) = vertical running total per column [OK]

Hint: Table (Down) runs calculation vertically down rows [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking running total moves across months horizontally
• Assuming calculation ignores table layout
• Confusing rows and columns in the table

4. You created a table calculation in Tableau but the running total is incorrect. You set Compute Using: Table (Across) but the total sums only the first row repeatedly. What is the likely issue?

medium

A. The table calculation is computing across columns but data is arranged in rows, causing repeated sums.

B. You forgot to add the measure to the view.

C. The filter shelf is blocking the calculation.

D. You need to use 'Pane (Down)' instead of 'Table (Across)'.

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze Compute Using direction vs data layout

   Compute Using 'Table (Across)' moves left to right across columns, but if data is arranged primarily in rows, calculation may repeat first row values.

2. Step 2: Identify mismatch causing repeated sums

   Because calculation moves across columns but data is in rows, it sums the same row repeatedly instead of progressing down rows.

3. Final Answer:

   The table calculation is computing across columns but data is arranged in rows, causing repeated sums. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Compute Using direction must match data layout [OK]

Hint: Match Compute Using direction to data layout orientation [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming filter shelf causes calculation error
• Thinking measure is missing from view
• Confusing 'Pane (Down)' with 'Table (Across)'

5. You have sales data by Product Category (rows) and Quarter (columns). You want a running total that restarts for each Product Category but sums across quarters left to right. Which Compute Using option should you choose and why?

hard

A. Use Cell because it calculates each cell independently.

B. Use Table (Down) because it calculates top to bottom down rows, restarting per column (Quarter).

C. Use Pane (Across) because it calculates across panes ignoring rows.

D. Use Table (Across) because it calculates left to right across quarters, restarting per row (Product Category).

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand desired calculation behavior

   Running total should sum quarters left to right and restart for each Product Category (row).

2. Step 2: Match Compute Using option to behavior

   'Table (Across)' computes left to right across columns (quarters) and restarts for each row (Product Category), matching the requirement.

3. Final Answer:

   Use Table (Across) because it calculates left to right across quarters, restarting per row (Product Category). -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Table (Across) = horizontal running total restarting per row [OK]

Hint: Use Table (Across) for left-to-right running totals per row [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Choosing Table (Down) which sums vertically, not horizontally
• Confusing Pane and Table options
• Using Cell which does not aggregate across data