INCLUDE LOD expression in Tableau - Dashboard Guide

Dashboard Mode - FIXED LOD expression

Business Question

How can we see total sales by each product category including the sales details for each region, even when the view is filtered by region?

Sample Data

Order ID	Product Category	Region	Sales
1001	Furniture	East	300
1002	Furniture	West	200
1003	Technology	East	400
1004	Technology	West	500
1005	Office Supplies	East	150
1006	Office Supplies	West	100

Dashboard Components

• KPI Card: Total Sales
  Formula: {FIXED : SUM([Sales])}
  Result: 1650
• Table: Sales by Product Category and Region
  Columns: Product Category, Region, Sales (SUM)
  Shows sales split by category and region.
• Calculated Field: Category Sales Including All Regions
  Formula: {FIXED [Product Category] : SUM([Sales])}
  This calculation shows total sales per product category including all regions, ignoring any region filter applied in the view.
  Example results:
  • Furniture: 500 (300 + 200)
  • Technology: 900 (400 + 500)
  • Office Supplies: 250 (150 + 100)
• Bar Chart: Category Sales Including All Regions
  Displays total sales per product category using the FIXED LOD calculation.
  Bars show:
  • Furniture: 500
  • Technology: 900
  • Office Supplies: 250

Dashboard Layout

+----------------------+-----------------------+
|      Total Sales      |  Bar Chart: Category   |
|      (KPI Card)       |  Sales Including All   |
|        1650           |       Regions          |
+----------------------+-----------------------+
|          Table: Sales by Product Category and Region          |
+--------------------------------------------------------------+

Interactivity

A filter for Region is added.

• The Table updates to show sales only for the selected region.
• The Bar Chart and KPI Card using the FIXED LOD calculation do NOT change because the calculation includes all regions regardless of the filter.

This helps compare filtered regional sales with total category sales across all regions.

Self Check

If you add a filter for Region = East, which components update?

• The Table updates to show only sales from the East region.
• The KPI Card and Bar Chart remain the same, showing total sales including all regions.

Key Result

Dashboard shows total sales by product category including all regions using FIXED LOD, alongside regional sales details.

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