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Peppearson's avatar
Peppearson
Helper I
3 years ago
Solved

Question Re Math Behind Conditional Formatting Rules

Hi 
I'm trying to understand the maths behind the cell elements condtinal formatting rules see below

This has colour codes my values in the following way:

509 - Green

397 - Green

353 - Yellow

250 - Yellow

94 - Red

80 Red

 

Note - The field is a generic sales measure


Can anyone clarify the maths that leads to this result?

Many thanks,

Need Help
  • OwenAuger's avatar
    OwenAuger
    3 years ago

    Hi Peppearson 

    My understanding is that percentages (in this dialog box) correspond to linear interpolations between the Min and Max values.

    So the Value corresponding to a given percentage p is Min + p/100 * (Max - Min).

     

    To put it the calculation in steps, using your figures as an example:

    1. Take Min = 80
    2. Take Max = 509
    3. Calculate Range = Max - Min = 509 - 80 = 429
    4. Then for any percentage p, the value V is:
      V = 80 + p/100 * 429
    5. So your values for each percentage are:
      1. V(0%) = 80 + 0/100 * 429 = 80
      2. V(33%) = 80 + 33/100 * 429 = 221.57
      3. V(67%) = 80 + 67/100 * 429 = 367.43
      4. V(100%) = 80 + 100/100 * 429 = 509

    The icons are then explained based on where the values fall relative to these threshold values.

     

    It might have been more intuitive if there was an option for percentiles, so that the smallest 33% of values could be given a certain format, and so on. You could still achieve this, but would need to write a measure to handle it.

     

    Regards

2 Replies

  • OwenAuger's avatar
    OwenAuger
    Super User
    3 years ago

    Hi Peppearson 

    My understanding is that percentages (in this dialog box) correspond to linear interpolations between the Min and Max values.

    So the Value corresponding to a given percentage p is Min + p/100 * (Max - Min).

     

    To put it the calculation in steps, using your figures as an example:

    1. Take Min = 80
    2. Take Max = 509
    3. Calculate Range = Max - Min = 509 - 80 = 429
    4. Then for any percentage p, the value V is:
      V = 80 + p/100 * 429
    5. So your values for each percentage are:
      1. V(0%) = 80 + 0/100 * 429 = 80
      2. V(33%) = 80 + 33/100 * 429 = 221.57
      3. V(67%) = 80 + 67/100 * 429 = 367.43
      4. V(100%) = 80 + 100/100 * 429 = 509

    The icons are then explained based on where the values fall relative to these threshold values.

     

    It might have been more intuitive if there was an option for percentiles, so that the smallest 33% of values could be given a certain format, and so on. You could still achieve this, but would need to write a measure to handle it.

     

    Regards