Pareto analysis in Tableau - Cell-by-Cell Formula Trace

Sample Data

Sales data by category to perform Pareto analysis.

Cell	Value
A1	Category
B1	Sales
A2	A
B2	500
A3	B
B3	300
A4	C
B4	100
A5	D
B5	50
A6	E
B6	50

Formula Trace

RUNNING_SUM(SUM([Sales])) / TOTAL(SUM([Sales]))

Step 1: SUM([Sales]) for each category

Step 2: TOTAL(SUM([Sales]))

Step 3: RUNNING_SUM(SUM([Sales])) ordered by descending sales

Step 4: RUNNING_SUM(SUM([Sales])) / TOTAL(SUM([Sales]))

Cell Reference Map

    A       B
1 Category Sales
2 A        500
3 B        300
4 C        100
5 D        50
6 E        50

Arrows: Sales values feed into SUM([Sales]) and TOTAL(SUM([Sales])) calculations.

The formula uses sales values from column B for each category in column A.

Result

    A       B      C
1 Category Sales  Cumulative %
2 A        500    50%
3 B        300    80%
4 C        100    90%
5 D        50     95%
6 E        50     100%

The cumulative percentage column shows the Pareto cumulative contribution of sales by category.

Sheet Trace Quiz - 3 Questions

What is the total sales value used in the Pareto calculation?

A 1000

B 500

C 800

D 50

Key Result

Pareto analysis uses RUNNING_SUM(SUM([Measure])) divided by TOTAL(SUM([Measure])) to get cumulative percentage.

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