Introduction to Exploring Data in Liven Insights
In Liven Insights, data exploration is achieved through Explores—starting points for queries that let you investigate specific subject areas. This guide covers how to locate, configure, and refine Explores to suit your data analysis needs.
Key concepts include:
Finding and filtering Explores
Adding, removing, sorting, and pivoting fields
Customising column order and displaying totals
Finding and Opening Explores
To start, select the Explore option in the left navigation panel. The Explore menu lists available models or groups alphabetically, each containing Explores for various data categories. Expand any model or group to display associated Explores, and click an Explore to open it.
For instance, the Liven Brandollar (B$) data model contains Explores such as B$ Community (user-level transaction data) and B$ Summary (company-level transaction data).
Structure of Explores: Views, Dimensions, and Measures
Within each Explore, data is organised into views, which group relevant dimensions and measures:
Dimensions: Data groupings, represented as blue columns in the data table.
Measures: Quantitative information about dimensions, shown as orange columns.
For example, to track daily orders, select the Created Date dimension and the Count measure in the Orders view.
Filtering in Explores
Filters are additive, meaning multiple filters narrow down data further. If you select an analysis with conflicting filter values, you’ll need to choose which filter to apply.
Example:
Current Explore filters:
First Purchase Date: "2024"
Credit Purchases: "1"
Selecting an analysis like B$ package purchases transaction will prompt you to align filters.
Field Picker Overview
The field picker on the left side of the Explore page helps you search and select fields for your query. Its elements include:
Explore Name: Displays the name of the active Explore.
Find a Field: A search bar to find fields that match specific terms.
All Fields Tab: Displays all available fields for the Explore.
In Use Tab: Shows fields currently active in your query.
View Level Summary: Shows the count of selected fields in a view.
Field-Specific Information and Actions: Displays icons for field functions and more details.
Explore Summary: Shows the total field count in the Explore, including custom fields and calculations.
Field-Specific Icons and Actions
Field icons, accessible by hovering over a field, enable specific actions:
Pivot Data: Pivot or unpivot a field horizontally.
Filter by Field: Set a field as a filter.
Info: Access field details, including data type and LookML field name.
Icons appear on both the All Fields and In Use tabs, with bold icons indicating active functions.
Using the All Fields Tab
The All Fields tab is the default view in an Explore, listing all dimensions and measures. Selected fields appear highlighted, with action icons (pivot, filter) shown in bold.
To add/remove a field from your query, click the field name. Users with permissions can create custom fields and table calculations by clicking the Add button.
In Use Tab and Managing Active Fields
The In Use tab lists active fields in the query. Here, you can:
Remove Fields: Click the field name or use Clear all to remove all fields except active filters.
Perform Field-Specific Actions: Pivot, filter, or modify fields directly from the In Use tab.
Permissions are required to create custom fields, accessible via the three-dot More menu.
Sorting Data in Explores
Data in Explores is sorted by default based on priority (date dimensions, measures, or added dimensions). Customize sort order by clicking a field name:
One Click: Sorts in descending order.
Two Clicks: Sorts in ascending order.
To sort by multiple fields, hold Shift and click additional headers.
Pivoting Dimensions
Pivoting a dimension displays each value in separate columns, enhancing readability:
Hover over a dimension in the field picker.
Select the Pivot Data icon and click Run.
To unpivot, choose Un-pivot from the column’s menu or click the Pivot Data icon again.
Reordering Columns
To reorder columns in the data table, drag the column header to a new position. Columns are grouped by field type:
Dimensions
Dimension Table Calculations
Measures
Measure Table Calculations
Row Totals
Pivoted dimensions can be rearranged by sort order but not manually.
Displaying Totals
Add column totals by selecting the Totals checkbox in the Explore data table. If your query includes multiple dimensions, you can add Subtotals for each level.
Row Totals are available for pivoted data, but note that sorting is not possible if row limits are exceeded.
Totals are only applicable for certain measures or table calculations and may be unavailable in some cases due to data limitations.
Considerations for Totals
Keep in mind the following about totals:
Unique counts may not sum as expected.
Totals may appear high if filters or limits are applied.
Row totals are capped at 5,000 rows; exceeding this limit may affect displayed totals.
For precise totals on visible data only, use table calculations:
Column Total:
sum(${view_name.field_name})Row Total:
sum(pivot_row(${view_name.field_name}))
This guide serves as an introduction to essential Explore functionality in Liven Insights, from basic field selection to advanced pivoting and sorting. With these tools, you can gain deeper insights from your data, tailored to specific analysis requirements.