As a retail analyst, I was working with the marketing team to help identify which product categories were performing well in sales. We had the sales data in table format, but only using the raw data wasn’t enough to analyze the sales performance.
To visualize this data, I created a radial chart in Tableau to show the sales in segments distributed by category. Using the radial chart, we were able to analyse the product sales into High, Medium, and Low sales segments within each category.
In this tutorial, I will explain the Radial bar chart in Tableau and how we can use it to compare the data metrics.
What is a Radial Bar Chart in Tableau?
In Tableau, a radial bar chart is a circular version of a bar chart, where the bars extend outward from the center of a circle instead of being aligned along a straight axis.
Each bar represents a data category, and its length shows the value of the selected measure, such as sales or profit. The radial chart is useful for visualizing cyclical patterns, like sales trends across months, as it shows the repetitive time-based data.
Create a Radial Bar Chart in Tableau
In this example, we will create a radial bar chart to show the sales distribution across different product categories.
For this radial bar chart, connect the data with the Tableau superstore data and follow the steps below to create a radial chart in Tableau.
- To create the radial bar chart, we need to union the data for the selected data source.
In this example, we are using the Orders data from the Superstore dataset. To create a union, drag the Orders below the Orders. This will create a union table, Orders, and Orders1.
- Now, select a new sheet and view the duplicate data table by dragging the Table Name to the Rows. In the sheet, we can see the tables Orders and Orders1.
- Now, we need to create the calculated fields required for a radial bar chart. In the Data tab, click on the dropdown near the search bar and select Create Calculated Field.
After this, create the following calculative fields.
- Radial Points: To create the data points on the ring of the radial chart with a 270-degree circle.
IF CONTAINS([Table Name],"1")THEN 0 ELSE 270 END
Check out: Create a Map Chart in Tableau
- Radial Points (bin): To create this field, we will create a bin field using the above formula field, Radial Points. Now, click on the Radial Points and select Create > Bins. In the Edit Bins window, keep the Size of bins as one and click OK.
- Radial – LOD: To ensure that the sum of sales is calculated specifically for each category, we will create this calculated field. In this, we will use the LOD or level of detail function.
{FIXES [Category]: SUM([Sales])}
- Radial Rank: When creating a Radial bar chart, we need to rank the values so that the category with the highest value is displayed in the outer ring.
RANK_UNIQUE(-SUM([Radial LOD]))- X and Y axes: To plot the points we have created, we need to create the X and Y axes. Use the formulas below to create the X and Y axes.
//X- axis
SIN((INDEX()-1)*WINDOW_MAX(MAX(PI()))/180)*WINDOW_MAX([Rank Radial])
//Y-axis
COS((INDEX()-1)*WINDOW_MAX(MAX(PI()))/180)*WINDOW_MAX([Rank Radial])- After creating the calculated fields, add the X-axes to the Columns and Y-axes to the Rows.
- In the Marks section, set the chart type to Line and then add the calculated field Radial-Points (bin) to the Marks. To make the points bin determine the path of line change it to Path from Detail.
Check out: Create a Tree Map in Tableau
- To show the circle of the radial bar chart, click on the X-axis in the columns and select Compute using > Radial -Point(bins).
After this, repeat the same on the Y-axis.
- Add the Category to the Marks section so that we can get rings for each category in the radial chart.
- Click on the X-axis in the Columns and select Edit Table Calculation. In the table calculation, select the Nested Calculations as Radial Rank. In the section Compute Using, choose Category.
On the Y-axis, select the Nested Calculations as Radial Rank and Compute Using as Category.
- Now, we will see circular rings for each product category. To increase the thickness of rings, click the Size card in the Marks section and adjust the slider.
Check out: Create Heat Map in Tableau
- To assign a different color to each category, change the type of Category in the Marks section to Colors.
- To display the category labels, add the category to the Label card in the Marks section. To show the labels at the start of the radial bar chart, click on the Label card and select the checkbox Label start of line.
- To display the sales percentage for each category, add the Radial LOD field to the details cards and then change its type to Text.
It will display the sales in numbers. To change the format to percentage, click on the Radial LOD in the Marks section and select Quick Table Calculation > Percent of Total.
Now, the sales total of each category will be displayed as a percentage. To remove decimals from percentages, click on the Radial LOD and select Format.
In the Default section, go to Numbers > Percentage and select Decimal places as 0.
Now, we can see the Product category arranged in descending order in the Radial bar chart, displaying the Sales percentage for each category.
This way, we can create a radial bar chart in Tableau by using the custom calculated fields.
Check out: Tableau Bubble Chart
Conclusion
In this Tableau tutorial, we have learned how to create a radial bar chart in Tableau that visualizes the sales segments by product category. In the above example, by using calculated fields and adding customization, we visualized sales data into a radial bar chart that shows the sales performance of each category.
You may also like to read:
- Create Area Chart in Tableau
- Sankey Chart in Tableau
- Line Chart in Tableau
- Butterfly Chart in Tableau
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.
