Compute using (table across, down) in Tableau - Interactive Code Practice

Practice - 5 Tasks

1fill in blank

easy

Complete the code to compute the running total across the table.

Tableau

RUNNING_SUM(SUM([Sales])) [1] 'Table Across'

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

ACOMPUTE USING

BCOMPUTE

CWINDOW_SUM

DTOTAL

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using WINDOW_SUM instead of COMPUTE USING

Omitting the direction phrase

Using TOTAL which is an aggregation, not a direction

In Tableau, COMPUTE USING specifies the direction for table calculations like running total.

2fill in blank

medium

Complete the code to compute the percent difference down the table.

Tableau

ZN(SUM([Profit])) [1] 'Table Down'

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

AWINDOW_AVG

BTOTAL

CWINDOW_SUM

DCOMPUTE USING

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using WINDOW_AVG instead of COMPUTE USING

Not specifying the direction

Using TOTAL which is not for direction

COMPUTE USING is used to specify the direction for table calculations like percent difference.

3fill in blank

hard

Fix the error in the code to compute the moving average across the table.

Tableau

WINDOW_AVG(SUM([Sales])) [1] 'Table Across'

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

ACOMPUTE

BCOMPUTE USING

CWINDOW_SUM

DTOTAL

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using COMPUTE without USING

Using WINDOW_SUM instead of WINDOW_AVG

Omitting the direction phrase

The correct syntax uses COMPUTE USING to specify the direction for the window average.

4fill in blank

hard

Fill both blanks to compute the running total down the table with correct syntax.

Tableau

RUNNING_SUM(SUM([Sales])) [1] [2]

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

ACOMPUTE USING

B'Table Down'

C'Table Across'

DWINDOW_SUM

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Swapping 'Table Across' and 'Table Down'

Using WINDOW_SUM instead of COMPUTE USING

Omitting one of the phrases

Use COMPUTE USING followed by 'Table Down' to specify the direction for running total down the table.

5fill in blank

hard

Fill all three blanks to compute percent difference across the table with correct syntax.

Tableau

ZN(SUM([Profit])) [1] [2] [3]

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

ACOMPUTE USING

B'Table Across'

CPERCENT_DIFFERENCE

D'Table Down'

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Mixing up 'Table Across' and 'Table Down'

Omitting the calculation type

Using WINDOW_SUM instead of PERCENT_DIFFERENCE

The syntax requires COMPUTE USING to specify direction, 'Table Across' for direction, and PERCENT_DIFFERENCE as the calculation type.

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