Add Additional Columns to A Crosstab when Every Row is a Measure

Answer

The size and structure of the data set, whether or not all the data displayed has the same number formatting, and the particular view being built will all affect the exact solution needed. All of the below options are demonstrated in the attached workbook. Please be aware, that each solution has its own limitations.

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OPTION 1: Add and customize a grand totals column

Note: It is only possible to add one extra column to a view with this method, and every measure in the view must be replaced with a calculated field.

Navigate to Analysis > Totals > check Show Row Grand Total
Create a calculated field with a name like "Sales or Difference" with a calculation similar to the following:
IF SIZE() > 1
THEN SUM([Sales])
ELSE
    SUM(
        IF YEAR([Order Date]) = 2015
        THEN [Sales]
        END
    )
    -
    SUM(
        IF YEAR([Order Date]) = 2014
        THEN [Sales]
        END
    )
END
Replace [Sales] with [Sales or Difference] on the Measure Values card
Repeat steps 2-3 for every measure in the view
OPTIONAL: FORMAT THE GRAND TOTAL COLUMN
1. Right-click "Grand Total" in the view and select Format…
2. Navigate to Format > Font…
3. In the left-hand Format Font pane, for Grand Total in the Pane dropdown select Tableau Book
4. At the top of the Format Font pane, in the Fields dropdown, select YEAR(Order Date)
5. For Grand Total enter the desired column name in the Label box. In this example, I renamed "Grand Total" to "Difference"
6. Click the Border icon, which looks like a square grid
7. For Total, for both Pane and Header select None
8. Click the x in the top right-hand corner of the Format pane to close it

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OPTION 2: Overwrite unused dates to create extra columns

Note: All numbers in the same row must have the same number format, and every measure in the view must be replaced with a calculated field.

Select Analysis > Create Calculated Field
In the Calculated Field dialog box that opens, do the following, and then click OK:
- Name the calculated field. In this example, the calculated field is named "Column Headers"
- In the formula field, create a calculation similar to the following:
  
  If YEAR([Order Date]) <= 2015
  AND YEAR([Order Date]) >= 2014
  THEN STR(YEAR([Order Date]))
  ELSEIF YEAR([Order Date]) = 2013
  THEN "Difference"
  ELSE "% Difference"
  END
Replace YEAR(Order Date) on the Columns shelf with [Column Headers]
Remove [Order Date] from the Filters shelf
Create a calculated field with a name like "New Sales" with a calculation similar to the following:

If YEAR(MIN([Order Date])) <= 2015
AND YEAR(MIN([Order Date])) >= 2014
THEN SUM([Sales])
ELSEIF YEAR(MIN([Order Date])) = 2013
THEN LOOKUP(ZN(SUM([Sales])), -1) - LOOKUP(ZN(SUM([Sales])), -2)
ELSE (LOOKUP(ZN(SUM([Sales])), -1) - LOOKUP(ZN(SUM([Sales])), -2)) / ABS(LOOKUP(ZN(SUM([Sales])), -2))
END
Replace [Sales] with [New Sales] on the Measure Values card
Repeat steps 4-5 for all measures to be included in the view
Right-click "Column Headers" in the view and select Hide Field Labels

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OPTION 3: Pivot Measures

Note: All number values in the same column must have the same number formatting. Pivoting measures may cause issues creating additional views. If using this method, consider making a data source just for this view.

PIVOT ALL OF THE DESIRED MEASURES

For some data sources, it is possible to pivot the data in Tableau Desktop. For directions, please see Quick Start: Pivot Data from Columns to Rows. For all other data sources, it will be necessary to pivot the data in the data source itself.

CREATE A CALCULATED FIELD FOR EACH COLUMN IN THE FINAL VIEW

Select Analysis > Create Calculated Field
In the Calculated Field dialog box that opens, do the following, and then click OK:
- Name the calculated field. In this example, the calculated field is named "2014 Values"
- In the formula field, create a calculation similar to the following:
  IF YEAR([Order Date]) = 2014
  
  THEN [Pivot Field Values]
  
  END
Create a calculated field with a name like "2015 Values" with a calculation similar to the following:
IF YEAR([Order Date]) = 2015 THEN [Pivot Field Values] END
Create a calculated field with a name like "Difference" with a calculation similar to the following:
SUM([2015 Values ]) - SUM([2014 Values])
Create a calculated field with a name like "% Difference" with a calculation similar to the following:
( SUM([2015 Values ]) - SUM([2014 Values]) ) / SUM([2015 Values ])

BUILD THE VIEW

Drag [Pivot Field Names] onto the Rows shelf.
Drag [2014 Values] to Text on the Marks card.
Double-click each calculated field to add them to the view.
Right-click "Pivot Field Names" in the view and select Hide Field Labels for Rows.

CLICK TO EXPAND SOLUTION

OPTION 4: Create separate worksheets for each column and combine them on a dashboard

Note: Worksheets will scroll independently on the dashboard if there are enough rows to need scroll bars. Also formatting on the dashboard can be tricky. However, this method allows for rows and columns to have different number formats, there is no limit on the number of additional columns, and minimal calculated fields are required.

FORMATTING TIPS:

Set dashboard to the resolution of the audience's screen
Hide titles for all but the first worksheet added to the view
Right-click [Measure Names] and uncheck Show Header
Add column titles with Text objects
Set all of the worksheets to fit width
Use blank objects to add space where needed
In Tableau Desktop 10.4+, set padding on the Layout pane to 0 for all worksheets