Understanding Tables in Looker Studio
Tables are a simple way to organize and display data in rows and columns, making it easy to see information at a glance. Each column represents a category or a numerical value, while each row is an individual data entry.
How Tables Group Data in Looker Studio
When you create a table in Looker Studio, it automatically groups your data. Each row in the table represents a unique combination of the characteristics (dimensions) you’ve included. Meanwhile, numerical values (metrics) are summarized according to selected aggregation methods such as summing up values, averaging them, or counting occurrences.
Example of Tables in Action
Let’s look at a sales dataset for a pet store. This store sells various products for birds, cats, and dogs. Below is a small portion of their sales data:
| Date | Item | Category | Qty Sold |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10/1/2016 | Happy Cat Catnip | Cat | 1 |
| 10/1/2016 | Healthy Dog Dog Food | Dog | 3 |
| 10/1/2016 | Pretty Bird Bird Seed | Bird | 5 |
When this data is displayed in Looker Studio, it can be grouped by category, summing up the total quantity of sales per category:
| Category | Qty Sold |
|---|---|
| Bird | 28 |
| Dog | 27 |
| Cat | 12 |
Now, if we want a more detailed breakdown that shows each individual product as well, the table would look like this:
| Category | Item | Qty Sold |
|---|---|---|
| Bird | Pretty Bird Bird Seed | 20 |
| Dog | Healthy Dog Dog Food | 17 |
| Dog | Playful Puppy Toy | 10 |
| Bird | Parrot Perch | 8 |
| Cat | Happy Cat Catnip | 4 |
| Cat | Hungry Kitty Cat Food | 3 |
Note: How the totals are calculated depends on how the data source has been set up. If you need to adjust how the values are combined, you can modify the aggregation type. Learn how to change a metric’s aggregation type.
How to Add a Table to Your Report
If you want to add a table to your Looker Studio report, follow these steps:
- Open your report in edit mode.
- Click Add a chart at the top of the screen.
- Choose a table style (standard, table with bars, or heatmap).
- Drag and resize the table to fit your page.
- Use the properties panel on the right side to add dimensions (categories) and metrics (numerical values) and adjust its appearance.
Adjusting Table Columns
To change the size of table columns:
- Click and drag the divider between columns.
- To resize multiple columns at once, hold down the Shift key while dragging.
- To automatically adjust column sizes, right-click the table and select:
- Fit to data (fits columns to match data width).
- Distribute evenly (makes all columns the same width).
Customizing the Table
You have several options to customize how the table looks:
- Pagination: Large tables can be split into multiple pages.
- Sorting: Viewers can click on column headers to sort the data.
- Filters: You can include filters to display only certain data.
- Heatmaps and Bars: Add color-coded elements to highlight values.
For a more detailed breakdown of formatting, including styling options like colors and fonts, refer to the Table Styling Options.
Understanding Limits
Tables have limits based on where your data comes from:
- Google Analytics, Google Ads, and similar sources: Up to 10 dimensions and 20 metrics.
- Google Sheets, BigQuery, and SQL databases: Up to 100 dimensions and 100 metrics.
Tables are a powerful way to analyze and present data effectively. Whether you’re summarizing sales, tracking trends, or simply organizing information in a structured way, Looker Studio provides various customization options to meet your needs.
For more details, refer to the original article on Looker Studio Table References.