I was recently analyzing our company’s sales data and wanted to know the total sales by product sub-category. In this, I need to identify which categories contribute the most to the revenue. It was required to visualize the sales data in such a way that it displays both sales numbers and the share of sales percentage for product subcategories.
For this data visualization, I created a Pareto chart in Tableau to display sub-category sales as bars and a sales share percentage line across all categories.
In this Tableau tutorial, I will explain the Pareto Chart in Tableau and how we can use it to show two data metrics in a single Tableau chart.
What is a Pareto Chart in Tableau?
In Tableau, a Pareto chart is created using a combination of a bar chart and a line chart. Using this chart, we can identify which items contribute the most to the total.
In this chart, the bars show the actual values, like total sales for each product sub-category, and the line shows the running total as a percentage.
This chart is named a Pareto Chart because its visualization applies to the Pareto principle, which suggests that roughly 80% of effects come from 20% of causes.
Create a Pareto Chart in Tableau
To create the Pareto chart, we will use the Tableau superstore dataset. Using this data, we will display the bars representing sales per sub-category, and the line represents the running total percentage of sales.
Connect the Tableau with the Superstore dataset and follow the steps below to create a Pareto chart in Tableau.
- Add the Sub-category to the Columns and Sales to the Rows. Create another axis for sales, and for this press “Ctrl” and drag Sales to Rows.
This will create two bar charts for Sales and Sales(2).
Check out: Radial Bar Chart in Tableau
- In the Marks section of Sales(2), change the type to Line. In the Rows, click on Sales(2) and select Dual Axis.
- After selecting the Dual Axis, the Marks type of the first Sales axis might change to Circle. Change its type to bar, then it will display a line bar chart.
- Now, arrange the sales in descending order, click on the Sub-category in the Columns, and select Sort.
Then, in the next window, select Sort by as Field, Sort Order as Descending, and Field Name as Sales.
- Click on the Sales(2) in the Rows and select Add Table Calculation. In the Table Calculation, select the Calculation Type as Running Total.