Unexpected Results of New and Repeat Counts in a Tableau View

Issue

When counting the number of new and repeat customers by date, the results are different from what was expected.

For example, assume that you have the following data.

User-added image

When displaying the number of distinct new and repeat customers by date, one new and one repeat customer are counted on the first purchase date.

Environment

Tableau Desktop

Resolution

Create calculated fields to find the first purchase date and repeat counts. Follow along in the sample packaged workbook found in the Attachments section to count new and repeat customers at the granularity of year, month and day.

User-added image

1. Create a calculated field and name it First Purchase Date.

{ FIXED [Customer] : MIN(DATE([Date])) }

2. Create a calculated field and name it New / Repeat.

IF DATE([Date]) = [First Purchase Date] THEN "New"
ELSE "Repeat"
END

3. Create views using the calculated fields above as you need.

Cause

Due to the different granularity of the data, the results can be unexpected.

Additional Information

How to calculate the number of repeat and new customers

Click here to return to our Support page.

Open a new case

Click here to go to our Support page.

Get detailed answers and how-to step-by-step instructions for your issues and technical questions.

Find and share solutions with our active community through forums, user groups and ideas.

Browse a complete list of product manuals and guides. Available online, offline and PDF formats.

Learn how to master Tableau’s products with our on-demand, live or class room training.