Tables and Matrices
Master table and matrix visuals for detailed data display
What You'll Learn
- Difference between tables and matrices
- Creating and formatting tables
- Working with matrix visuals
- Conditional formatting
- When to use each
Table vs Matrix
Table
Structure: Simple rows and columns (like Excel)
Features:
- Shows raw data
- No grouping
- Each row is one record
- Good for detail
Use when:
- Need exact values
- Listing transactions
- Export to Excel
- Supporting detail
Matrix
Structure: Cross-tab with row and column groupings
Features:
- Hierarchical rows
- Hierarchical columns
- Subtotals and totals
- Drill down capability
Use when:
- Need grouping
- Want subtotals
- Analyzing by categories
- Pivot table behavior
Creating a Table
Steps:
- Click Table icon in Visualizations
- Drag fields to Columns well
- Order matters - drag to reorder
- Table appears!
Example: Add: ProductName, Category, Price, Stock
Formatting Tables
Column Headers
Format > Column headers:
- Font size and color
- Background color
- Alignment
- Padding
Values
Format > Values:
- Font style
- Text color
- Background
- Number format
- Word wrap
Grid
Format > Grid:
- Gridlines on/off
- Row padding
- Border thickness
Total
Format > Total:
- Show/hide total row
- Label text
- Background color
Creating a Matrix
Steps:
- Click Matrix icon
- Drag fields to wells:
- Rows: Categories to group
- Columns: More groupings
- Values: Numbers to show
Example:
- Rows: Category, Product
- Columns: Year, Quarter
- Values: Sales
Result: Sales by category/product across time!
Matrix Features
Expand/Collapse
Drill down: Click + to expand category
Drill up: Click - to collapse
Expand all: Double-arrow icon
Subtotals
Per category: Automatic subtotals
Grand total: Overall total at bottom/right
Control: Format > Subtotals > On/Off
Stepped Layout
Makes hierarchy clear: Format > Row headers > Stepped layout
Child items indent under parents
Conditional Formatting
Make numbers visual!
Data Bars
Add bars behind numbers: Format > Values > Data bars > On
Like Excel data bars!
Customize:
- Min/max values
- Color
- Direction
- Positive/negative colors
Background Color
Color cells by value: Format > Values > Background color > Advanced
Rules:
- Gradient (low = red, high = green)
- By rules (if > 1000, green)
- By field
Font Color
Change text color: Format > Values > Font color > Advanced
Same rules as background
Icons
Add traffic lights, arrows, etc: Format > Values > Icons > On
Types:
- Traffic lights
- Flags
- Arrows
- Stars
- Custom
Advanced Formatting
Column Width
Auto-size: Double-click column border
Manual: Drag column border
Row Height
Compact: Format > Row headers > Text size: smaller
Comfortable: Larger padding
Totals Position
Top or bottom: Format > Row/Column headers > Totals position
Word Wrap
Long text: Format > Values > Word wrap > On
Text wraps to multiple lines
Sorting
Click column header: Sort ascending/descending
Multi-level sort: Hold Shift, click multiple headers
Sort by hidden column: ... menu > Sort by > Choose column
Filtering
Filter in visual: Click ... > Filter
Top N: Show only top 10 customers
Contains: Product names containing "Pro"
Exporting Data
Export to Excel:
- Click ... on visual
- Export data
- Summarized or Underlying
- Downloads .xlsx file!
Users love this feature!
When to Use Tables vs Matrix
Use Table for:
- Transaction lists
- Customer lists
- Order details
- Any flat data
- When grouping not needed
Use Matrix for:
- Summary reports
- Cross-tabulation
- Time-based analysis
- Hierarchical data
- When subtotals needed
Try This Exercise
Create a table:
- Add products with name, category, price
- Add conditional formatting:
- Data bars for price
- Icons for stock level
- Sort by price descending
Create a matrix:
- Rows: Category, ProductName
- Columns: Year
- Values: Sales
- Enable drill down
- Format with gradient colors
Common Issues
Too many rows: Use filters or Top N
Columns too narrow: Auto-size or increase manually
No totals showing: Enable in Format pane
Can't drill down: Make sure field is in Rows (not Columns for row drill)
Best Practices
Tables:
- Limit to 20-30 rows (use filters!)
- Sort meaningfully
- Add conditional formatting
- Use for supporting detail
Matrices:
- Start collapsed
- Use stepped layout
- Enable drill down
- Add subtotals
- Good for analysis
Both:
- Format numbers properly ($, %, etc.)
- Use consistent colors
- Add tooltips for context
- Consider mobile view
Next Steps
Now let's learn about Cards and KPIs for showing key metrics!
Tip: Matrix is like pivot table. Table is like raw data. Choose based on your need!