Using Tables to Display Results :: SAS(R) Visual Analytics 6.2: User's Guide

Overview of the Table Types

About List Tables

A list table is a two-dimensional representation of data in which the data values are arranged in unlabeled rows and labeled columns. List tables can use any data items from a data source. A list table cannot use a hierarchy or a percentage of total item.

By default, a list table contains aggregated data with one row for each distinct combination of category values. However, if the Show detail data check box has been selected, then all of the data is not aggregated.

You can add sparklines to a column (if the data source contains a date data item) when aggregated data is displayed in the list table.

A List Table

About Crosstabs

A crosstab (also known as a crosstabulation table) shows an aggregate metric for the intersections of two or more categories. Crosstabs often have two or more categories assigned to both the rows and columns, forming a matrix. Crosstabs can be easier to read than list tables because they often use less space, and they always collapse repeating values for outer category data items into one unique value, which is known as grouping. You can choose to show subtotals and totals by selecting the appropriate check box (or check boxes) on the Properties tab for the crosstab. A crosstab can use a hierarchy.

You cannot add a sparkline or display rules to a crosstab.

You should consider placing lower cardinality (fewer distinct values) categories on the columns and higher cardinality (more distinct values) categories on the rows. Crosstabs can help you improve readability especially when there are several category data items to include in your table.

A Crosstab

Note: By default, frequency is displayed only when there are no measures in the crosstab.

Insert a Table into a Report

To insert a table into a report, choose one of the following methods:

Drag the table icon from the Objects tab in the left pane and drop it onto the report canvas.
Select InsertTables, and then select the table object that you want to insert. The table is automatically placed in the report canvas. If you want the table to appear in a different location, then drag and drop it in a new location.

Note: For list tables only, you can press the Ctrl key to select multiple data items, and then drag and drop them onto the table in the report canvas.

The following table lists the available table objects:

Icon	Table Type
	List Table
	Crosstab

To insert the data items that you want to use in the table:
- Drag and drop data items onto the table.
- Use the Roles tab in the right pane, and then specify the Category and Frequency roles.

Specify Table Properties

To specify the properties for tables:

If it is not already selected, select the table in the report canvas that you want to update.
In the right pane, click the Properties tab.
Update the general properties for the table. You can update the Name, Title, Format, and Description.
Update the object-specific properties for the table.

For a list table, you can specify that you want to enable sorting and that you want to show detail data, headings, and totals.

For a crosstab, you can specify that you want an indented layout and totals and subtotals for columns, rows, or both. You can specify the placement of the totals and subtotals. For more information, see Add Percentage of Total or Percentage of Subtotals to a Crosstab.

Here is an example of the properties for crosstabs:

Properties for a Crosstab

Specify Table Styles

To specify styles for tables:

If it is not already selected, select the table in the report canvas that you want to update.
In the right pane, click the Styles tab.
Update the styles for the table.

For a list table, you can customize the colors of Cells, Column headings, and Totals.

For a crosstab, you can customize the colors of Cells, Row headings, Column headings, Measure headings, Totals, and Subtotals.

Add Sparklines to a List Table

A sparkline is a small line graph that presents a single trend over time. A sparkline is about the size of one or two words, so it fits in a single cell and repeats for each row in a column. A sparkline does not have axes or labels. They are frequently used to present stock trends or production rates over time. A sparkline is intended to be both succinct and noteworthy.

In the designer, you can add sparklines to a column in a list table. The data source for the list table must include a date, datetime, or time data item before you can add a sparkline.

To add sparklines:

If it is not already selected, select the list table in the report canvas that you want to update.
Right-click the list table and then select Add Sparkline. The Add Sparkline window is displayed.

Add Sparkline Window
Enter a Column label.
For Time Axis, select a date, datetime, or time data item in the current data source.
Select a Measure (line).
(Optional) Select the Set baseline check box. Enter a Value and select a Fill type. Your choices are Gradient or Solid.
Click OK. The sparkline is added to the last column in the list table. You can move the sparkline to another location in the table.

To edit a sparkline, right-click in the sparkline column in the list table, and then select Edit Sparkline. The Edit Sparkline window is displayed. Update the information, and then click OK to save your changes.

To delete a sparkline, right-click in the sparkline column in the list table, and then select Remove Sparkline.

Add Percentage of Total or Percentage of Subtotals to a Crosstab

You can add a percentage of total, a percentage of column total, a percentage of column subtotal, a percentage of row total, and a percentage of row subtotal to a crosstab in the designer. You can create these percentages only when the source data item has an aggregation of Sum or Count.

Note: The percentage of total or percentage of subtotals is relative to the subset of data that is selected by your filters and ranks.

For example, you might derive the percentage of total for a measure that contains revenue values.

To add a percentage of total to a crosstab:

If it is not already selected, select the crosstab in the report canvas that you want to update.
Right-click on a measure in the crosstab, and then select Add Percent of Total. The new percentage of total is added to right of the original measure in the crosstab.

To add a percentage of subtotals to a crosstab:

If it is not already selected, select the crosstab in the report canvas that you want to update.
Right-click on a measure in the crosstab, and then select Add Percent of Subtotals. The Add Percent of Subtotals window is displayed.

Add Percent of Subtotals Window
Select the check box (or check boxes) for the subtotal items.
- Percent of column subtotal
- Percent of column total
- Percent of row subtotal
- Percent of row total
The available check boxes depend on the number of categories on rows or categories on columns for the measure that you selected.
Click OK. The new percentage of subtotals is added to the right of the original measure the crosstab. The default names are as follows:
- <MeasureName> (Percent of Column Total) or <MeasureName> (Count Percent of Column Total), depending on whether the aggregation of the source measure was Sum or Count.
- <MeasureName> (Percent of Column Subtotal) or <MeasureName> (Count Percent of Column Subtotal), depending on whether the aggregation of the source measure was Sum or Count.
- <MeasureName> (Percent of Row Total) or <MeasureName> (Count Percent of Row Total), depending on whether the aggregation of the source measure was Sum or Count.
- <MeasureName> (Percent of Row Subtotal) or <MeasureName> (Count Percent of Row Subtotal), depending on whether the aggregation of the source measure was Sum or Count.