power bi desktop "decomposition tree" visual "explain by" does the column order matter

[garythomannCoGC]

Summary

power bi desktop "decomposition tree" visual "explain by" does the column order matter

Details

noticed that the 'pick' from the visual always displays the "explain by" columns in alphabetical order regardless of the order in the explain by section

[v-yangliu-msft · Accepted solution]

Thanks for the reply from Uzi2019  and Abhijeet_40 , please allow me to add some more information:
Hi  @garythomannCoGC ,

As far as I know, the default sorting rule of Power BI Desktop is to sort based on alphabetical order, this is due to the design of Power BI, if you want to customize the sorting rule, you can create a new table and [Index] column to achieve it.

I created some sample data:

Power Query -- Add Column – Index Column – From 1.

If each Group has only one index, then you can just Sort by column

If your data is the same as my sample data, and each Group has more than one Index, then you will get the error

You can create a table with a distinct [Group] column and a grouped minimum [Index], and join the new table with the old table to implement the sort.

1. Create calculated table：

Table 2 =
SUMMARIZE('Table',[Group1],"Index",MINX(FILTER(ALL('Table'),[Group1]=EARLIER([Group1])),[Index]))

2. Select [Group1] – Column tools – Sort by column – [Index].

3. Joins the relationship between two tables:

4. Result：

Best Regards,

Liu Yang

If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

[garythomannCoGC]

Thank you both for your answers and help, much appreciated.

[Uzi2019]

Hi @garythomannCoGC 

Yes. you are right. the order in which you are putting your fileds in Explain by section is random order. but when you open your expand your explain by fileds it shows Alphabetical order. That's actually a very useful when you want to find something. 

when you want something which start from Z , you will find it at the bottom of the list. that's how actually list/ filters/slicers works in power bi

I hope I answered your question!

[Uzi2019]

Hi @garythomannCoGC 

Column order does not matter when you add it in Explain by section. it completely upto you how to know it to drill down when your displaying decomposotion tree.

Order of columns does not matter in Decomposition tree.

I hope I answered your question!

[Abhijeet_40]

Hello!

The order presented in the "explain by" section might not hold significant importance, as the insights a user seeks on a dashboard can vary based on individual needs. The ability to change the order within the visual is highly valuable in such cases.

However, if we consider a report designed to present specific findings, the flexibility of changing the order may not be as relevant, since options won’t be visible to others during a presentation.