Pareto analysis in Tableau - Interactive Code Practice

Practice - 5 Tasks

1fill in blank

easy

Complete the code to create a calculated field that sums sales.

Tableau

SUM([1])

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

AProfit

BSales

CDiscount

DQuantity

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using Profit instead of Sales

Using Quantity which counts items, not money

Using Discount which reduces price

The SUM function adds up all values in the Sales field, which is essential for Pareto analysis.

2fill in blank

medium

Complete the code to calculate the running total of sales.

Tableau

RUNNING_SUM([1])

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

ASUM(Sales)

BMIN(Sales)

CAVG(Sales)

DMAX(Sales)

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using AVG(Sales) which averages instead of sums

Using MIN or MAX which do not accumulate

RUNNING_SUM needs the total sales at each step, so SUM(Sales) is correct.

3fill in blank

hard

Fix the error in the calculated field to compute the percent of total sales.

Tableau

RUNNING_SUM(SUM(Sales)) / [1]

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

ATOTAL(SUM(Sales))

BAVG(Sales)

CSUM(Sales)

DWINDOW_SUM(SUM(Sales))

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using SUM(Sales) which sums only current row

Using AVG(Sales) which averages instead of sums

Using TOTAL(SUM(Sales)) which is not valid in Tableau

WINDOW_SUM(SUM(Sales)) calculates the total sales over the window, needed for percent calculation.

4fill in blank

hard

Fill both blanks to create a calculated field that ranks products by sales.

Tableau

RANK_[1](SUM([2]))

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

ADESC

BSales

CASC

DProfit

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Ranking in ascending order which reverses the order

Ranking by Profit instead of Sales

RANK_DESC ranks products from highest to lowest sales, which is typical for Pareto analysis.

5fill in blank

hard

Fill all three blanks to create a calculated field for cumulative percent sales.

Tableau

(RUNNING_SUM(SUM([1]))) / (WINDOW_SUM(SUM([2]))) * [3]

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

ASales

BProfit

C100

DQuantity

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using Profit or Quantity instead of Sales

Forgetting to multiply by 100

This formula calculates the cumulative percent of sales by dividing running sum by total sum and multiplying by 100.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of Pareto analysis in Tableau?

easy

A. To identify the few key items that cause most of the effect

B. To create detailed pie charts for all categories

C. To calculate averages of all data points

D. To filter out all data except the top item

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Pareto analysis concept

   Pareto analysis focuses on the vital few items that contribute most to an outcome, often called the 80/20 rule.

2. Step 2: Relate to Tableau usage

   In Tableau, Pareto analysis helps highlight these key items by sorting and showing cumulative impact visually.

3. Final Answer:

   To identify the few key items that cause most of the effect -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Pareto analysis = Identify key items [OK]

Hint: Remember 80/20 rule means few items cause most effect [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking it calculates averages
• Assuming it filters to only one item
• Confusing it with pie chart creation

2. Which Tableau calculation is essential to create a Pareto chart showing cumulative impact?

easy

A. RANK(SUM([Quantity]))

B. SUM([Sales]) / COUNT([Orders])

C. AVG([Profit])

D. RUNNING_SUM(SUM([Sales]))

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify calculation for running total

   RUNNING_SUM(SUM([Sales])) computes a running total across sorted data, key for cumulative impact.

2. Step 2: Compare other options

   Other options calculate averages, ranks, or ratios, not cumulative sums needed for Pareto.

3. Final Answer:

   RUNNING_SUM(SUM([Sales])) -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Running total = RUNNING_SUM(SUM([Sales])) [OK]

Hint: Use RUNNING_SUM for running totals in Tableau [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using AVG instead of running sum
• Confusing rank with cumulative sum
• Dividing sums incorrectly

3. Given this Tableau calculation for cumulative percentage:
RUNNING_SUM(SUM([Sales])) / TOTAL(SUM([Sales]))
What is the output for the first sorted item with Sales = 100 and total Sales = 500?

medium

A. 100

B. 0.2

C. 1.0

D. 0.5

Solution

1. Step 1: Calculate running sum for first item

   Running sum for first item is SUM([Sales]) = 100.

2. Step 2: Calculate total sum and divide

   Total sum is 500, so cumulative percentage = 100 / 500 = 0.2 (20%).

3. Final Answer:

   0.2 -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   100/500 = 0.2 [OK]

Hint: Divide running sum by total sum for cumulative percent [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using total sum as numerator
• Confusing running sum with total sum
• Not converting to percentage

4. You created a Pareto chart but the cumulative percentage line is not showing correctly. Which fix is most likely needed?

medium

A. Remove sorting on the dimension and use default order

B. Replace RUNNING_SUM with SUM([Sales]) only

C. Change calculation to use RUNNING_SUM(SUM([Sales])) / TOTAL(SUM([Sales])) and set table calculation to compute along sorted dimension

D. Use AVG([Sales]) instead of SUM([Sales]) in calculation

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify correct cumulative percentage formula

   RUNNING_SUM(SUM([Sales])) / TOTAL(SUM([Sales])) is the correct formula for cumulative percent.

2. Step 2: Ensure table calculation computes along sorted dimension

   Sorting is essential so running sum accumulates in correct order; setting compute using sorted dimension fixes line.

3. Final Answer:

   Change calculation to use RUNNING_SUM(SUM([Sales])) / TOTAL(SUM([Sales])) and set table calculation to compute along sorted dimension -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Correct formula + sorting = proper Pareto line [OK]

Hint: Always set table calc direction along sorted dimension [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using SUM instead of RUNNING_SUM
• Ignoring sorting order
• Using average instead of sum

5. You want to create a Pareto chart in Tableau showing top products contributing to 80% of sales. Which steps should you follow?

hard

A. Sort products by sales descending, calculate running sum of sales, compute cumulative percent, then combine bar and line charts

B. Filter top 80% products by sales, then create a pie chart of sales

C. Calculate average sales per product and highlight those above average

D. Sort products alphabetically, then plot sales as bars without cumulative calculations

Solution

1. Step 1: Sort products by descending sales

   Sorting ensures the largest contributors appear first for cumulative calculation.

2. Step 2: Calculate running sum and cumulative percent

   Use RUNNING_SUM(SUM([Sales])) and divide by TOTAL(SUM([Sales])) to get cumulative percent.

3. Step 3: Combine bar chart for sales and line chart for cumulative percent

   This visual combination clearly shows which products contribute to 80% of sales.

4. Final Answer:

   Sort products by sales descending, calculate running sum of sales, compute cumulative percent, then combine bar and line charts -> Option A

5. Quick Check:

   Sort + running sum + combo chart = Pareto analysis [OK]

Hint: Sort descending, running sum, cumulative %, then combo chart [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Filtering before calculating cumulative percent
• Using average instead of cumulative sum
• Not combining bar and line charts