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.
Check out: Side By Side Bar Chart in Tableau
- To make the lines visible on the bars, change the color from the Color cards of both mark sections. Ideally, select a lighter color shade for bars and a darker shade for the lines.
To show the data point on the line, select the Markers in the color palette.
- The data points on the line will show the running sum of sales in numbers. To show the share of sales for each sub-category in percentage, again click on the Sales(2) in Rows and select Edit Table Calculation.
In the table calculation, select the checkbox Add secondary calculation. In the Secondary Calculation Type, select Percent of Total.
Check out: Butterfly Chart in Tableau
- In the chart, we can see that the line shows the running total of the sales as a percentage.
In the first bar chart, it will show the percentage of sales share for the first category, and in the second bar chart, it will show the cumulative percentage of sales for both categories.
As we keep moving to the next, it will show an add-on in the sales percentage.
- To add the sales values for each sub-category, click on the Label card in the Marks section in Sales(1) axis and select the check Show mark labels.
For better alignment, click on the Alignment and in the Direction, select the vertical option.
After this, remove the header from the Y-axis, and for that, right-click on the axis and uncheck Show header.
Check out: Map Chart in Tableau
With this, we have completed the Tableau Pareto Chart, which shows the product sub-categories that contribute the most to overall sales. The bar chart helps us compare individual sales amounts, while the line chart shows how much each sub-category adds to the sales percentage.
I hope, with the above example, you understand the Pareto chart in Tableau. By following the above steps, you can easily create a Pareto chart to identify the key contributors in the overall data, such as overall sales and profit.
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I am Bijay Kumar, the founder of SalesforceFAQs.com. Having over 10 years of experience working in salesforce technologies for clients across the world (Canada, Australia, United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand, etc.). I am a certified salesforce administrator and expert with experience in developing salesforce applications and projects. My goal is to make it easy for people to learn and use salesforce technologies by providing simple and easy-to-understand solutions. Check out the complete profile on About us.
