Introduction
A marimekko chart, also known as a mekko chart, is a type of data visualization that combines the features of a stacked bar chart and a treemap. It is used to display categorical data across two dimensions. The key characteristics of a marimekko chart are:
The vertical axis represents one categorical variable, such as product category or market segment. The height of each bar corresponds to the percentage or proportion of the total for that category.
The horizontal axis represents another categorical variable, such as brand or region. The width of each bar corresponds to the percentage or proportion of the total for that category.
The area of each rectangle (the product of the height and width) represents the overall contribution or share of that combination of the two categorical variables.
This allows the chart to display the relationship between the two categorical variables, as well as the overall composition and proportions. Marimekko charts are commonly used for analyzing market share, sales, and other business data across multiple dimensions.
Step by step guide on how to create a marimekko chart in Tableau.
Using the sample-superstore data set, I am going to demonstrate how to create a Marimekko chart visualizing the proportion of Sales for two dimensions namely, Category and Region.
To create a Marimekko chart.
Drag the dimensions Region and Category to the detail shelf.
Next, add the measure Sales to the text/label shelf.
Next, add a table calculation ‘Percent of Total’ on the field SUM([Sales]), make sure the calculation is computed using a specific dimension, in this case ‘Category’.
Next, let’s create a calculated field ‘% of regional sales’ computing the proportion of regional sales.
Next, lets create another calculation ‘Running % Total’ – computing the running total of ‘% of regional sales’ as shown below.
Next,
Drag ‘Running % Total’ to the columns shelf.
Add SUM([Sales]) which we have applied a table calculation to the rows shelf.
Change marks type to Bar chart.
Next, add the calculated field ‘% of regional sales’ to the size shelf, and choose Fixed option with alignment to the right.
Next, set the table calculation ‘Running % Total’ to be computed using Region.
Format the axis of the ‘Running % Total’ to percentage.
Add the dimensions, Category and Region to color and label respectively.
Format and customize the tooltip.
Conclusion
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