How to Sort Data in the Order of Parameter Values Specified

Published: 14 Mar 2024
Last Modified Date: 15 Mar 2024

Question

Assume that you have the following view. In this example, only data for the year specified by the parameters is displayed to compare sales for each year.

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In this case, even if the Year 1 parameter is specified to be greater than the Year 2 parameter as follows, the data will be displayed in ascending order by year. How can we sort the data in the order specified by the first and second parameters?

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Environment

Tableau Desktop

Answer

Follow along in the sample packaged workbook found in the Attachments section to review the steps below.

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1. Add YEAR(Order Date) to Rows.
2. Add SUM(Sales) to Text.
3. Create parameters and configure them as follows:
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4. Create a calculated field and name it Filter with the following formula:

YEAR([Order Date]) = [Year 1]
OR
YEAR([Order Date]) = [Year 2]

5. Add Filter to Filters shelf and select TRUE.
6. Create a calculated field and name it Sort with the following formula:

IF YEAR([Order Date]) = [Year 1] THEN 1 ELSE 2 END

7. Right-click YEAR(Order Date) in Rows and select Sort. Configure it as follows:
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