What is the Pareto Chart in Tableau?
A Pareto Chart is a data visualization tool in Tableau that enables users to study cause-effect analysis using the dataset. It is represented in a combination of bars and a line graph where the individual values are displayed using the descending order by bars. In contrast, the line represents the cumulative totals displayed in ascending order. The Pareto chart is based on the Pareto principle, which was formulated by an Italian engineer, sociologist, economist, political scientist, and philosopher. The Pareto principle is based on the assumption that nearly 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes.
This principle can be extended to various events to study the analysis. For example, you can create a Pareto chart to analyze the percentage of the total revenue derived from top business lines in an organization. This can help you determine the key business segments that contribute to an organization’s topline growth. A typical Pareto chart in Tableau looks like the one highlighted below.
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Key Takeaways
- A Pareto chart helps users to perform analysis on cause-effect based on the dataset.
- It is a combination of bar charts and a line chart where the individual values are displayed using the descending order by bars. In contrast, the line represents the cumulative totals displayed in ascending order.
- The Pareto chart is based on the Pareto principle that assumes nearly 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes.
- Tableau does not support a built-in Pareto chart. However, you can create it using a workaround.
- You can customize the appearance of a Pareto chart and perform data filters and drill-downs in Tableau.
- Consider the limitations of the Pareto chart before you recommend it for use in Tableau.
How to create a Pareto Chart in Tableau?
To create a Pareto chart in Tableau, follow the instructions below:
Step 1: Connect your dataset to the Tableau interface using File – Open. The imported dataset can be viewed in the Data Source tab.
Step 2: From the Data pane, drag and drop the Product dimension to the Columns shelf and Total Sales to the Rows shelf.
Tableau will automatically create a bar chart, as shown below.
Step 3: Click on the Sort descending icon to sort the bar chart in descending order based on the Total Sales.
Step 4: Now, drag the Total Sales measure from the Data pane to the far right of the view, till you see a dotted line and a green bar in the view.
Once you drop the Total Sales to the view, Tableau will add a dual axis to the view, and the chart type will change, as shown below.
On the SUM(Total Sales) in the Marks card, select the Marks Type as Bar.
Tableau will change the chart type to Bar. Now select the 
and select the Marks Type as Line.
Tableau will change the view as per the one shown below.
Step 5: Click on the second copy of SUM(Total Sales) on the Rows shelf and select Add Table Calculation… from the context menu.
Step 6: In the Table Calculation screen, select Calculation Type as Running Total.
Step 7: Now tick the Add secondary calculation checkbox. It will change the contents in the Table Calculation screen. In the Secondary Calculation Type, choose Percent of Total.
Once the changes are done, click on the X in the upper right corner of the Table Calculation screen to close the dialog box.
Step 8: Click on Color in the Marks card on the to change the default color of the line.
Now, your Pareto chart is ready for user visualization.
Examples
In this section, we will demonstrate different scenarios where you can use the Pareto chart in Tableau.
Example #1 – Isolate the top performing quantile in a Tableau Pareto chart
In this example, we will demonstrate creating a Pareto chart on the Tableau desktop to isolate the top-performing quantile using the Apparel Store Sales dataset. The Apparel Store Sales dataset contains apparel sales information such as Order ID, Purchase Date, Product, Category, order status, and others.
To create a Pareto chart in Tableau Desktop, follow the steps outlined below:
Step 1: Connect the Apparel Store Sales to the Tableau interface using the File Navigator.
Step 2: In a new worksheet, drag and drop the Order ID to the Columns shelf and Revenue to the Rows shelf.
Step 3: Drag and drop the Order ID to the Detail in the Marks card.
Step 4: In the Tableau view, right-click on the Order ID in the Columns shelf and choose Measure – Count (Distinct).
Tableau will automatically change the view as shown below.
Step 5: Right-click on the CNTD(Order ID) and choose Quick Table Calculation – Running Total.
This will change the view in Tableau, as shown below.
Step 6: Right-click on CNTD(Order ID) and select Compute Using 🡪 Order ID
Tableau will automatically change the visual as per below.
Step 7: Right-click on the SUM(Revenue) and choose Quick Table Calculation – Running Total.
Step 8: Again, right-click on SUM(Revenue) and select Compute Using – Order ID.
This will change the view to the below visual.
Step 9: In the Marks pane, right-click on the Order ID and select Sort from the context menu.
Step 10: In the Sort dialog box, choose Sort By as Field, Sort Order as Descending, and Field Name as Revenue. Once changes are specified, click on the X button in the right-side top corner.
Step 11: In the view, right-click on the CNTD(Order ID) and choose Edit Table Calculation.
Step 12: In the Table Calculation dialog box, select Add secondary calculation. In the Primary Calculation Type, choose Running Total and Compute Using Specific Dimensions in the Secondary Calculation Type as Percent of Total. Click on X to close the dialog box.
Step 13: Similarly, right-click on the SUM(Revenue) and choose Edit Table Calculation from the context menu.
Step 14: In the Table Calculation dialog box, select Add secondary calculation. In the Primary Calculation Type, choose Running Total and Compute Using Specific Dimensions. In the Secondary Calculation Type as Percent of Total. Click on X to close the dialog box.
Step 15: Drag Order ID to the Filters pane.
Step 16: In the Filter dialog box, navigate to the Condition tab. Click on the By field option and specify the condition as per the below choice.
Step 17: Now, navigate to the Analytics tab. Drag the Constant Line under the Summarize section to the Tableau view and drop it to the horizontal axis, i.e., CNTD(Order ID).
Step 18: Specify the value as 0.2.
Step 19: Repeat step 17 to drag the constant line to the vertical axis.
Step 20: Define the value as 0.8.
Now, your Pareto chart is ready for visualization.
Step 21: Navigate to Analysis – Create Calculated Field.
Step 22: In the Calculation Editor, specify the logic to create a calculated field.
Step 23: Drag the newly created calculated field to the Color in the Marks card.
Step 24: Right-click on the calculated field and choose Compute Using = Order ID.
Tableau will add color to the chart, as shown below.
Step 25: Right-click on the True color legend and select Keep Only.
It will change the visualization in the view as per below.
Step 26: Click on Ctrl+A to select all the marks in the view, right-click on the marks and choose Create Set option.
Step 27: In the Create Set screen, provide a meaningful name for the set.
Now your top-performing quantile set is ready for viewing in Tableau.
Example #2 – Export the top-performing segment for further action
In this example, we will show how to export the top-performing segment for further action, expanding the previous example.
Follow the step-by-step guidance outlined below for this demo:
Step 1: Drag and drop the fields Product, Order ID, and Customer Name to the Rows shelf and the Revenue to the Columns shelf.
Step 2: Drag the Top Revenue Contributor Orders to the Filters pane.
Step 3: Create a calculated field, Revenue Rank, by specifying the logic as provided below.
Step 4: Now, drag and drop the calculated field to the Columns shelf.
Step 5: Click on the Sort Descending order icon to sort the data as per the Revenue Rank, as shown below.
Step 6: Now navigate to Worksheet – Export to export the top-performing segments for further action.
Example #3
In this example, we have demonstrated creating a Pareto chart using the Austalia Sales dataset, which contains the sales details across all groups, i.e., kids., women, men, and seniors.
To create a simple Pareto chart, follow the instructions below:
Step 1: Connect the Austalia Sales dataset to the Tableau public.
Step 2: Drag and drop the field Group to the Columns shelf and Sales to the Rows shelf.
Step 3: Sort the visual in the descending order as shown below.
Step 4: Drag the Sales field from the Data pane to the view.
Step 5: Change the Marks Type to Bar for SUM(Sales).
Step 6: Change the Marks Type to Line for SUM(Sales)(2).
Step 7: Specify the choices in the Table Calculation screen.
Step 8: Select the color for your Pareto chart from the Color in Marks card. Now, your Pareto chart is ready for visualization.
Important Things to Note
- Tableau Pareto charts are not natively supported in Tableau as a built-in feature and hence require a workaround such as Table calculation steps to create them.
- While the Pareto chart works around the Pareto principle that 80% of the effects (For example, Sales) come from 20% of the causes (For example, business lines), for practical purposes, that may not hold..
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, you can customize the appearance of a Pareto Chart in Tableau. Tableau offers many options in terms of formatting the Size, Color, Label, Detail, and Tooltips for the bar and line charts. Additionally, you can also format the axes along with formatting the grid lines, zero lines, and other details in the chart.
Some of the common uses of the Pareto chart in Tableau include:
• Performing Sales analysis to figure out which products or business lines are the key contributors to overall sales or revenues.
• Analyzing inventory turnover analysis to identify the key stocks contributing to quick inventory turnover requires a replenishment strategy.
• Quality checks analysis is used to determine what key data quality issues contribute to the significant issues and hence require additional attention.
• Customer service analysis to analyze the key customer issues that amount to the highest service durations.
Yes, you can filter and drill down into data on a Pareto chart in Tableau. You can use the data filters by dragging the fields into the Filters pane. Similarly, you can right-click on the chart and select the view data to drill down the datasets. You can also select a bar chart and select the explain data option.
Some of the key limitations or pitfalls to be aware of when using Pareto Charts in Tableau include:
• By identifying the key questions you need to address based on this, you can decide which dimensions and measures to include in your analysis. Otherwise, your Pareto chart may need to be more useful.
• While the Pareto chart is based on Pareto principles, for practical purposes, it may only hold in some of the scenarios. It means you may be excluding the other key causes, i.e., data contributors, which may significantly add effects to the key indicators.
• Too many uses of categorical variables or dimensions may make the Pareto chart clearer.
Download Template
This article must be helpful to understand the Pareto Chart in Tableau, with its formula and examples. You can download the template here to use it instantly.
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