INCLUDE LOD expression in Tableau - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

INCLUDE LOD expressions let you add extra detail to your calculations without changing the view. This helps when you want to see data at a finer level while keeping your main chart simple.

When you want to calculate sales per customer even if your view only shows sales per region.

When you need to count unique products sold per store but your dashboard shows total sales by month.

When you want to find average order size per product category while your chart groups by year.

When you want to add a detail like customer name to a calculation without adding it to the view.

When you want to compare detailed values inside a summary chart without changing the chart layout.

Steps

Step 1: Click

- Analysis menu > Create Calculated Field

A new calculation editor window opens

💡 Use a clear name for your calculation to remember its purpose

Step 2: Type

- Calculation editor

You enter the INCLUDE LOD expression syntax

💡 Start with curly braces and INCLUDE keyword, e.g., { INCLUDE [Customer ID] : SUM([Sales]) }

Step 3: Click

- OK button in the calculation editor

The new calculated field appears in the Data pane

💡 Drag this field into your view to see the detailed calculation

Step 4: Drag

- New calculated field to Rows or Columns shelf

The view updates showing the calculation at the included detail level

💡 You can combine this with other fields to compare different levels of detail

Before vs After

Before

View shows total sales by region only, no detail by customer

After

View shows sales including customer-level detail inside the region totals using INCLUDE LOD

Settings Reference

Calculation Editor

📍 Analysis menu > Create Calculated Field

To write and save custom calculations including INCLUDE LOD expressions

Default: Empty calculation

Data Pane

📍 Left side panel in Tableau workspace

To organize and access all data fields and calculations

Default: Shows all fields and calculations

Common Mistakes

Using INCLUDE without curly braces or colon

Tableau requires exact syntax with braces and colon for LOD expressions

Write INCLUDE LOD as { INCLUDE [Dimension] : AGGREGATION([Measure]) }

Adding fields in the view that conflict with the INCLUDE dimension

This can cause unexpected aggregation or duplicate rows

Keep the view fields separate from the INCLUDE dimension or adjust calculation accordingly

Summary

INCLUDE LOD expressions add extra detail to calculations without changing the view layout.

They help compare detailed data inside summary charts easily.

Remember to use correct syntax with curly braces and colon for INCLUDE expressions.

Practice

1. What does the INCLUDE LOD expression do in Tableau?

easy

A. Changes the data source connection

B. Removes all filters from the calculation

C. Aggregates data only at the highest level of detail

D. Calculates a measure at a more detailed level than the current view

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of INCLUDE LOD

   INCLUDE LOD lets you add extra detail to calculations without changing the main view's level of detail.

2. Step 2: Compare options to definition

   Calculates a measure at a more detailed level than the current view correctly states it calculates measures at a more detailed level than the current view, which matches the INCLUDE LOD purpose.

3. Final Answer:

   Calculates a measure at a more detailed level than the current view -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   INCLUDE LOD = More detailed calculation [OK]

Hint: INCLUDE adds detail inside calculation without changing view [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing INCLUDE with EXCLUDE or FIXED LOD
• Thinking it removes filters
• Assuming it changes data source

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax for an INCLUDE LOD expression to calculate average sales per customer in Tableau?

easy

A. { INCLUDE [Customer ID] : AVG([Sales]) }

B. { EXCLUDE [Customer ID] : AVG([Sales]) }

C. INCLUDE [Customer ID] AVG([Sales])

D. { FIXED [Customer ID] AVG([Sales]) }

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall correct INCLUDE LOD syntax

   The correct syntax uses curly braces, INCLUDE keyword, dimension in brackets, colon, then aggregation function.

2. Step 2: Check each option

   { INCLUDE [Customer ID] : AVG([Sales]) } matches syntax: { INCLUDE [Customer ID] : AVG([Sales]) }. Others have wrong keywords, missing braces, or missing colon.

3. Final Answer:

   { INCLUDE [Customer ID] : AVG([Sales]) } -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Syntax = { INCLUDE [Dimension] : Aggregation } [OK]

Hint: INCLUDE syntax always uses braces and colon [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Omitting curly braces or colon
• Using wrong LOD keyword (EXCLUDE or FIXED)
• Missing brackets around dimension

3. Given the data view shows total sales by Region, what will the following INCLUDE LOD expression calculate?

{ INCLUDE [Customer ID] : SUM([Sales]) }

Options:

medium

A. Sum of sales per customer then aggregated by region

B. Average sales per region

C. Sum of sales per region ignoring customers

D. Sum of sales ignoring region and customer

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the view and LOD expression

   The view is grouped by Region. The INCLUDE LOD adds Customer ID detail inside the calculation.

2. Step 2: Interpret the calculation result

   The expression sums sales per Customer ID first, then aggregates these sums by Region in the view.

3. Final Answer:

   Sum of sales per customer then aggregated by region -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   INCLUDE adds detail level inside aggregation [OK]

Hint: INCLUDE adds detail inside aggregation, then aggregates by view [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking it ignores customers
• Confusing sum with average
• Assuming it ignores region

4. Identify the error in this INCLUDE LOD expression:

{ INCLUDE Customer ID : SUM([Sales]) }

medium

A. Incorrect use of curly braces

B. Missing aggregation function

C. Missing square brackets around Customer ID

D. INCLUDE keyword should be EXCLUDE

Solution

1. Step 1: Check syntax for dimension references

   Dimension names must be enclosed in square brackets in LOD expressions.

2. Step 2: Identify missing brackets

   Customer ID is missing square brackets, causing syntax error.

3. Final Answer:

   Missing square brackets around Customer ID -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Dimensions need [brackets] in LOD [OK]

Hint: Always put dimension names in square brackets [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Omitting brackets around dimensions
• Confusing INCLUDE with EXCLUDE
• Missing curly braces

5. You want to calculate the average sales per product category but also include the customer-level detail in the calculation without changing the view's level of detail. Which INCLUDE LOD expression should you use?

hard

A. AVG([Sales])

B. { INCLUDE [Customer ID] : AVG([Sales]) }

C. { EXCLUDE [Customer ID] : AVG([Sales]) }

D. { FIXED [Product Category] : AVG([Sales]) }

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the requirement

   You want average sales per product category but with customer-level detail included in calculation without changing view level.

2. Step 2: Choose correct LOD expression

   INCLUDE adds customer detail inside calculation while keeping view level (product category). { INCLUDE [Customer ID] : AVG([Sales]) } matches this need.

3. Final Answer:

   { INCLUDE [Customer ID] : AVG([Sales]) } -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   INCLUDE adds detail without changing view [OK]

Hint: Use INCLUDE to add customer detail inside product category calc [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using FIXED which ignores view level
• Using EXCLUDE which removes detail
• Using simple AVG ignoring detail