How to Exclude Values in Tableau Calculated Field
In Tableau, calculated fields are a powerful tool that allows users to create custom calculations and calculations on the fly. However, there may be instances where you want to exclude certain values from being included in your calculations. This can be particularly useful when you want to focus on specific subsets of data or when you want to exclude outliers that could skew your results. In this article, we will explore how to exclude values in a Tableau calculated field.
Understanding Calculated Fields
Before diving into how to exclude values in a calculated field, it’s important to have a basic understanding of what a calculated field is. A calculated field is a custom field that you create using calculations. These calculations can be as simple as adding two numbers or as complex as using advanced functions and formulas. Calculated fields can be used to perform a wide range of tasks, such as filtering data, creating new fields, and performing calculations on existing fields.
Creating a Calculated Field
To exclude values in a calculated field, you first need to create a new calculated field. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Open your Tableau workbook and navigate to the worksheet where you want to create the calculated field.
2. Click on the “Analysis” tab in the toolbar.
3. Select “Create Calculated Field” from the dropdown menu.
4. In the “Name” field, enter a name for your calculated field.
5. In the “Expression” field, enter the calculation you want to perform. You can use Tableau’s functions and formulas to create your calculation.
Excluding Values in the Calculation
Once you have created your calculated field, you can exclude specific values by using the IF function. The IF function allows you to perform a calculation based on a condition. To exclude values, you can use the following formula:
“`
IF [Your Field] = [Value to Exclude], 0, [Your Calculation]
“`
In this formula, replace `[Your Field]` with the field you want to check, `[Value to Exclude]` with the value you want to exclude, and `[Your Calculation]` with the calculation you want to perform if the value is not excluded.
Example
Let’s say you have a field called “Sales” and you want to exclude any sales values below $1000 from your calculation. You can create a calculated field called “Adjusted Sales” using the following formula:
“`
IF [Sales] < 1000, 0, [Sales]
```
This formula will exclude any sales values below $1000 and will only include the sales values that are $1000 or higher in the calculation.
Conclusion
Excluding values in a Tableau calculated field is a straightforward process that can be achieved using the IF function. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can create calculated fields that focus on specific subsets of data and exclude outliers that could impact your results. Calculated fields are a powerful tool in Tableau, and understanding how to use them effectively can greatly enhance your data analysis capabilities.
