Compare and rank
Matrix visual
- Compare and rank
What it shows
A table grouped by rows and columns with subtotals.
When to use it
Use it when
Showing detailed figures with totals, such as sales by region and month.
Avoid it when
The goal is to reveal a trend quickly.
When to use it
Use a matrix when categories need hierarchical rows and columns with aggregated measures.
Worked example
Show sales by region and product family, expanding a region to inspect its products. A grand total must reconcile to the source at the agreed grain.
Data required
Rows, columns, aggregation rules, distinct dimension keys and explicit subtotal behaviour.
Checks and common mistakes
Check many-to-many joins, duplicated rows and weighted averages. The average of regional percentages is not usually the overall percentage.
More accessible alternative
Offer a flattened table with clear column headings and expanded hierarchy labels.