Some types of table calculations allow the end user to define what the calculation is relative to. For instance, if you are calculating a ‘Difference From’ you can specify if this should be calculated relative to the first, last, previous or next value of your Table Calculation.
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This choice can be done from the Table Calculation pop-up, or by right clicking on the specific measure pill. But how can you make this choice dynamic? perhaps controllable from a drop-down menu?
It is possible to do so using a Parameter. To find more details about the set-up of parameter check my blog post on that topic.
The parameter should be set-up in this way:
Data type: String
Allowable values: List
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Populate the list using the relative values you wish to display. In this example I have used all 4 standard values: First, Last, Previous and Next.
Now drag the measure onto which you want to apply the Table Calculation onto either the Rows or Column shelves.
Right-click onto the measure pill, add and set-up the Table Calculation.
Holding CTRL (or CMD) drag and drop the measure back to the Measures section of the side bar. This will create a calculated field containing the syntax of the Table Calculation.
Right-click onto this new calculated field and press Edit…
Locate the offset of the LOOKUP function of this calculation, it would be either: 1, -1, FIRST() or LAST().
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Now edit the offset using the following formula:
(IF [Your Parameter Name]= ‘First’ THEN FIRST()
ELSEIF [Your Parameter Name] = ‘Last’ THEN LAST()
ELSEIF [Your Parameter Name] = ‘Previous’ THEN -1
ELSEIF [Your Parameter Name] = ‘Next’ THEN 1 END)
Should you only wish to use 2 or 3 values, adjust the formula accordingly, make sure that your first value part of the formula starts with an IF rather than ELSEIF.
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That’s it. Now the parameter control will allow to dynamically change the Table Calculation relative value.
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