
Calculations in Tableau: A Road to Tableau Desktop Specialist Certification
Last Updated on May 16, 2022 by Editorial Team
Author(s): Daksh Trehan
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Tableau, Data Analytics, Business Intelligence, Dataย Science
Chapter 11: A comprehensive guide on Calculations in Tableau with free Udemyย Dumps.

Welcome to the eleventh chapter, In this piece, we are going to learn about Calculations inย Tableau.
If you want to navigate through other chapters, visit: Tableau: What it is? Why it is the best?; A road to Tableau Desktop Specialist Certification.
If you want to directly go on Tableau Desktop Specialist notes, access them here โ https://dakshtrehan.notion.site/Tableau-Notes-c13fceda97b94bda940edbf6751cf30
Use the link to get access to free Tableau certification dumps (Valid till 20 Mayย 2022):
Table ofย Content
- Why use Calculation?
- Types of Calculations
- Editing & Removing a Calculation
- Sample Certification Questions from thisย Topic
Why use Calculations?
Calculations are used when we want to add custom fields that are derived from generic fields in our dataset. In simple words, Calculations are used when we want our data to answer some indirect questions.
Consider our database contains two rows: Name & Age. We can get our data to answer some indirect questions like if the person is above 18, mention โEligible to voteโ. This is how calculations work, theyโre made to answer some indirect questions.
When we create a new calculated field, we are creating a new field in our dataset. The type of calculated field depends upon the type of fields used in our calculations i.e. if we are creating a calculated field on dimensions, the new field would represent a dimension and the same goes for aย measure.
The dimensions that define how to group calculations are called partitioning fields.
The dimensions upon which the table calculation is performed are called addressing fields.
Some of the scenarios where Calculations might be helpfulย are:
- Converting data types ofย fields.
- Categorizing data.
- Filter Results.
- Aggregate Data.
- Calculating Ratios.
- Creating new data for visualization.
A calculation, also known as a formula, includes some or all of these components:
- Fields
- Functions
- Operators
- Parameters
- Comments
Creating a Calculated Field
To create a calculated field, go to the data pane and click on the drop-down and choose โCreate Calculated Fieldโ.


As per the data type used, the calculation will be classified either as a dimension orย measure.

Types of Calculations
There are three types of calculations one can use inย Tableau:
Basic Calculations
A basic calculation allows users to transform data either on the data source level of detail or visualization level ofย detail.
e.g. Splitting the strings(Data source level of detail), Aggregating columns(visualization level ofย detail)
Level of Detail(LOD) Calculations
LOD calculations work on the same principle as Basic Calculation i.e. on data source level of detail or visualization level of detail but are moreย precise.
There are three types of LOD Calculations:
- INCLUDE(more granularย level)
- EXCLUDE(less granularย level)
- FIXED(independent level)
LOD Calculations arenโt part of Tableau Desktop Specialist Certification so we arenโt gonna dive deep intoย it.
Table Calculations
A table calculation is only valid for fields in visualization. They donโt consider any other field that is filtered out in visualization.
These calculations could help create ranks, show running totals, percent of total, percentile, moving average,ย etc.
There are two ways to create a Table Calculation:
From Analysis

From Column/Row Shelf
Add some dimensions and measures on rows and column shelves. Right-click on the measure and choose โQuick Table Calculationโ or โAdd Table Calculationโ.
Total table calculations supported by Tableauย are:

The scope of a table calculation couldย be:
Table(Across)

Table(Down)

Table(Across thenย Down)

Table(Down thenย Across)

Pane(Down)

Pane(Across thenย Down)

Pane(Down thenย Across)

Cell

Editing & Removing a Table Calculation
To edit a Calculation, simply right-click and chooseย โEditโ.

To remove a calculation, right click on the measure in the view(on which calculation is applied) and choose โClear Table Calculationโ.

Sample Certification Questions from thisย Topic
Which function can return absolute value of a givenย number?
a. Floor
b. Ceil
c. Round
d.ย Abs
Solution: Abs
Which is not a valid Table Calculation?
a. Difference From
b. Rank
c. Percentile
d. Difference ofย Total
Solution: Difference ofย Total
The average function treat null values as zeros?
a. True
b.ย False
Solution: False
Totals can be done either through? [Choose 2]
a. Analytics Pane
b. Worksheet Menu
c. Analysis Menu
d. Right clicking in theย view.
Solution: Analytics Pane, Analysisย Menu
Percentile is available both in aggregation and calculation?
a. True
b.ย False
Solution: True
Use the link to get access to free Tableau certification dumps (Valid till 20 Mayย 2022):
References:
[1] Tableau Help | Tableauย Software
[2] Personalย Notes
[3]Tableau Desktop Specialist Exam (New Patternโโโ2021)โโโApisero
Thanks forย Reading!
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