Creating Waffle Chart Multiples in Tableau

In a previous article, we showed how to create waffle chart from a single percentage, without extra data table and without table join. Also the labeling is automated instead of manual, comparing to other approaches.

Now we are going to apply the same method to creating waffle chart for multiple percentages as follows. Note that the percentages are calculated horizontally, showing the percentages in different regions per each category.

The steps are: (The 2nd step uses a different approach from the previous one for the same result.)

1.Union the data source with itself.

This will generate a new column Table Name with two different table names.

2.Use the two table names to define the first and 100th points

For each waffle chart, we need to have a 10x10 grid of 100 data points. In the video we created a set for one of the tables to define the first point. If outside the set, it is defined as the 100th point. This is a different approach from the one in the previous post. This way, the formula seems simpler.

3.Create Point Bins from 1 to 100
Thus we define the 100 points. Bin size = 1
The bins will allow us to create a 10x10 grid that is the essence of the Waffle chart. The 98 points are the result of data densification through the bins.

4.Create X and Y coordinates for the 10x10 Grid

• X = -First()%10
• Y = Int(-First()/10)

Both compute along Point Bin. BTW -First()=Index()-1, an equivalent way to index the points from 0 to 99.

5.Populate Percent to every point in the grid.
Percent Omni = Window_Max(Max(Percent))
We have only two real data records as data points. The other 98 points are the results of data densification. We need table calculation to assign data to them.

6.Color the grid
Use this formula to color: Index()/100<= Percent Omni 
Index()/100 will assign a percentage to each point from 1% to 100%.

7.Label the grid
We only need one label in the middle. Here it is:
If Index()=55 Then Percent Omni End

That is it. You can watch the video for further details.

The workbook can be downloaded here.