12. Formatting, sorting and top N

Formatting, sorting and top N

Data formats, sorting, grouping and top-N rules make large sets of results readable without changing the technical message.

Open Dashboard Designer on the desktop Administration.

Your goal

You can format numbers and dates, sort, group and limit dimensions to relevant top or bottom values.

Why this is crucial in the dashboard designer

A dashboard doesn't win through more data, but rather through a comprehensible order. When used correctly, Top N draws attention to the essential contributions and still shows that there are other values.

Elements and settings at a glance

• Format Type: Number, currency, percent, date or custom display format.
• Precision: Number of visible decimal places.
• Unit: None, Thousand, Million, Billion or Auto Scaling.
• Sort By: Sorting by dimension, measure or hidden data field.
• Ascending/Descending: Ascending or descending order.
• Top N / Bottom N: Limited to strongest or weakest values.
• Show Others: Groups hidden values as “Other” if necessary.
• Dimension Group Interval: Groups dates or numbers into meaningful classes.

Here's how to do it

1. Set the unit, precision and date format for each measure.
2. Sort by the information you want readers to see first.
3. Only use Top N if there is a clear question of rank.
4. Make conscious decisions about “other” and total.
5. Check for ties, zero values, and changing data sets.

Exercise

Create a top 10 item list by sales, show “Other” and compare sum of top values to total. Format sales in thousands of euros.

Check the result

• Unity and rounding are visible.
• Sorting remains useful even with negative values.
• Top N selection is visible in the title or subtitle.
• The overall message is not lost due to hidden values.

Typical errors and their solutions

• Automatic unit without notice: Readers confuse euros, thousands and millions.
• Alphabetical sorting of a ranking list: Hides the strongest or weakest posts.
• Top N before technical filter: May deliver a different selection than expected.

Your result

Even large amounts of data are presented in a compact, honest and immediately understandable way.

Further information / source

Related topics

1. For customizers – customize screens and forms › Dashboard designer › 07. Diagrams and time series
2. For customizers – customize screens and forms › Dashboard designer › 08. Grid and Pivot
3. For customizers – customize screens and forms › Dashboard designer › 17. Titles, labels, currencies and units

Frequently asked questions