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Article Goal
Learn how to create a Pivot in Visualize, including assigning fields to Values, Columns, and Rows to group and analyze data interactively.
What Is a Pivot?
A Pivot is a data visualization tool that lets you cross-tabulate values, grouping them dynamically by multiple dimensions such as dates, employees, or locations.
Use Case: A Pivot makes it easy to compare totals across categories—for example, showing freight grouped first by EmployeeID, and then by City, all within the same view.
Why Create a Pivot?
Quickly summarize large datasets
Compare multiple dimensions side-by-side
Explore data interactively with collapsible groupings
Note: Pivots work best when the data source is set to Detail, as this provides the raw records needed for aggregation.
Where Are Pivots Created?
Pivots are created in the Visualize Designer within VDM. From here, you can add a Pivot element, configure rows and columns, and format grouped results.
Sample View Download
To follow along with this walkthrough, download our pre-built Northwinds Sample View (with data):
Open the view in VDM, then use it inside Visualize Designer to recreate the example below.
Steps to Create a Pivot
Step 1: Open Visualize Designer
Launch VDM and click on Visualize Designer from the main screen.
Step 2: Change Data Source
Set the Data Source as needed for record-level calculations.
Step 3: Add a Pivot
Click the Pivot icon to insert a Pivot element into the Visualize workspace.
Step 4: Assign Fields
Drag a field into Values (e.g., Freight)
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Drag a field into Columns (e.g., Order Date)
Adjust formatting if needed (e.g., set Order Date to Month-Year)
Drag a field into Rows (e.g., EmployeeID)
Optionally, drag a second field below the first row field (e.g., City under EmployeeID).
Tip: Click the arrow inside the Pivot to expand and display the second-level grouping (e.g., City within EmployeeID).
Example Output
This example displays Freight grouped by EmployeeID and City, with columns showing totals by Order Date (Month-Year). The expandable rows allow you to view employee freight totals at a high level, or drill into city-level details.
Article Summary
Pivots in Visualize give you a flexible way to summarize and compare values across multiple dimensions. By assigning fields to Values, Columns, and Rows, you can create dynamic, expandable tables that reveal deeper insights. With formatting and grouping options, Pivots make it easy to analyze raw data in a structured, interactive layout.
Use Case: A sales analyst can group order freight costs by employee, then expand each employee to view freight by city—helping identify which regions contribute most to freight expenses.
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