Create Waterfall chart using index in Tableau for Data Visualization

Create a Custom Waterfall Chart using index calculation in tableau for better Data Visualization. A traditional waterfall chart does not need lot of calculation and time, but the custom waterfall chart need more.

Example

In the above image you can see the waterfall chart. Let us see how to develop this custom waterfall chart in detail.

For the above example the data used is Insurance Policy taken from one of the open source website.

The first step is to tweak the data. We need a “Null” value in the data, which helps create this chart. In the image below you can see the Null value is added in the Policy Type column.

Once it’s is done you can start working in tableau.

In tableau create the calculation shown below for partition of columns as required for the chart.

Along with above calculation create another calculation shown below for the partition names.

Now drag both the fields to the column shelf in tableau and do the necessary steps mentioned in the below.

Step 1: Right click on the waterfall field for more options and go the More→Custom.

In the custom date select Month / Day / Year option and click ok.

Step 2: Again right click waterfall field and select show missing values. Also deselect show header option for the same field.

After completion of Step 1 and Step 2 you can see the Partition of Columns and Names.

As a data analyst and tableau developer you would have understand the above data and view that we wanted to create. For each partition we need to create individual calculations and combine them in one single calculation.

For example, let see for first four partitions 2019, Auto, Health and Life.

Y2019

Auto:

Health:

Life:

After completing all the individual calculations, create the calculations shown below.

For index 5 and 9 we don’t need calculation, running sum will give values in the chart.

Drag the Running Sum field to the rows shelf and change the mark type to Gantt Bar.

Next we will create the following calculated fields required to complete the waterfall chart.

After that do the necessary formatting steps and the custom waterfall chart is done.

More information…

When you use field which has null value in filter make sure you select Null along other values.

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