Unable to Turn on Grand Totals for Discrete Measures

Issue

When you try to turn on Column Grand Totals when there is a discrete measure on the Rows shelf, then the grand total for discrete measures will be blank.

OR

When you try to turn on Row Grand Totals when there is a discrete measure on the Rows shelf, then the following error occurs:

Cannot turn on Grand Totals for discrete measures.

Environment

Tableau Desktop

Resolution

Scenario 1: Grand totals are blank for the discrete measure

Recreate the view using [Measure Names] and [Measure Values]. The attached example workbook starts from the worksheet "Scenario 1" to demonstrate the following directions:

Remove [Profit Ratio] from the Rows shelf
Double-click [Profit Ratio] in the data pane
Tableau Desktop automatically moves both measures to the Measure Values card and adds [Measure Names] and [Measure Values] to the view

Scenario 2: Error "Cannot turn on Grand Totals for discrete measures"

Convert the discrete measure to the dimension. The attached example workbook starts from the worksheet "Scenario 2" to demonstrate the following directions:

Select Analysis > Create Calculated Field
In the Calculated Field dialog box that opens, do the following, and then click OK:
1. Name the calculated field. In this example, the calculated field is named "Profit Ratio (LOD)"
2. In the formula field, create a calculation similar to the following:
3. { FIXED [Segment] : [Profit Ratio] }
Right-click [Profit Ratio (LOD)] in the data pane and select Convert to Dimension
Replace [Profit Ratio (table calc)] with [Profit Ratio (LOD)] on the Rows shelf
Navigate to Analysis > Totals > Show Row Grand Totals

Cause

Grand Totals can only be shown for continuous measures

Additional Information

The following rules dictate whether you can turn on grand totals:

The view must have at least one header – Headers are displayed whenever you place a dimension on the Columns shelf or the Rows shelf. If column headers are displayed, you can calculate grand totals for columns. If row headers are displayed, you can calculate grand totals for rows.
Measures must be aggregated – The aggregation determines the values displayed for the totals. See Grand Totals and Aggregations for more information.
Grand Totals cannot be applied to continuous dimensions.

To voice your support for the inclusion of this feature request in a future product release, add your vote to the following Community Idea: Enable row and column totals for discrete values.

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