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10.5 Combining Metrics

Often the figure you want is a calculation with two columns you already have: the margin as a percentage of turnover, the growth from last year to this year, the difference between actual and budget. Combine with adds that calculation as a new column in the visual – no new metric needed.

Combining Two Columns

In design mode, with at least two metric columns in the visual:

  1. Right-click a value in the first column (A) → Combine with, or right-click the metric in the Element Structure panel → Combine with....
  2. Choose the other column (B).
  3. Choose the calculation:
Choice Calculates Format
A + B, A - B, B - A, A * B As written Copied from A
A / B, B / A Division –
A as % of B 100 × A ÷ B Percentage
Growth A vs B 100 × (A − B) ÷ B Percentage
Custom expression... Your own formula with !Cx and !Cy –

The new column appears right after column A, titled after the calculation. You can also drag one metric onto another in the visual and choose the calculation from the Combine menu.

Example: a table with Turnover (!C1) and Turnover last year (!C2) – right-click Turnover → Combine with → Turnover last year → Growth A vs B gives the growth in percent.

Column References

A combined column is a calculation on column numbers, e.g. 100*!C1/!C2. The numbers are shown next to each value in the Element Structure panel. Click the column to see and edit the calculation in the formula bar – see 5.7 Formula Bar, Status Bar and Calculator.

When you move columns, the references are renumbered automatically.

Combined Column or New Metric?

Use Combine with when Create a metric when
The calculation is needed in this visual only Others need the same figure in other workbooks
It uses columns already in the visual, including transformed ones such as last year It should be explained with a title and description, and found by nikolAI

See 10.3 Creating and Editing Metrics.

Tips – Combining Metrics

  • Hide the helper columns you only need for the calculation: click the eye next to them in the Element Structure panel.
  • Totals of combined columns are calculated from the totals of the parts, so a percentage total is correct.

Common Issues – Combining Metrics

Problem: Combine with isn't in the menu. - Solution: The visual needs at least two metric columns, and the workbook must be in design mode.

Problem: The result shows an error or is empty. - Solution: Check the formula in the formula bar, and check for empty or zero values in the column you divide by.