Show mean and a distribution chart for a matrix question in one table

Note: This feature is currently available only in Dashboard builder and requires an Expert user account with the Dashboard Extension.

Combining the mean value and a distribution chart in one table makes it easier to compare matrix results at a glance. The mean gives you a quick numerical summary for each matrix statement, while the distribution chart shows how responses are spread across the scale.

This guide shows how to create a table for a six-point matrix scale. The final table displays:

• Each matrix statement as a separate row.
• The mean value.
• A 100% stacked distribution chart.

Step 1: Create the Matrix table with Table wizard

Use the Table Wizard to create the starting pivot table. In the Question step of the wizard select your matrix question and configure it as follows:

• Aggregators: Count and Percent
• Rows: Question variables
• Column groups: All value labels

With this configuration, Table Wizard creates Count and Percentage columns for each value on the matrix scale. These columns will serve as a data source for the chart.

Step 2: Add and configure the chart column

Add one additional column group and configure it to display the distribution chart.

1. Select Add column group.

2. Add one column to the column group. Rename it to Distribution.

3. Remove the column group label if you don’t want an additional heading above the column.

4. Expand the Distribution column settings and configure the following:

• Create chart in column: Checked
• Chart type: Stacked horizontal bar (middle option)
• Value labels: Enabled (do not disable)
• Legend: Show legend
• Stacking: Stacked to 100%

The chart combines the automatically created series into one 100% stacked bar for each matrix row.

Step 3: Remove the Count series

For each scale value, Table wizard creates a series based on:

• Count
• in %

To display the correct percentage distribution, remove all series that use a Count column as their value source. Keep only the in % series, one for each point on the scale.

For a six-point scale, the remaining series should correspond to:

• Fully disagree – in %
• Disagree – in %
• Rather disagree – in %
• Rather agree – in %
• Agree – in %
• Fully agree – in %

Step 4: Set a Custom color for each series

Use a consistent negative-to-positive color scale so users can interpret the chart quickly.

For each series:

1. Select Custom color for series.
2. Select one of the available report colors or choose Pick custom color.
3. Enter or select the required color.
4. Repeat the process for all six series.

The example shown in this walkthrough uses the following colors:

Step 5: Hide the scale columns

The Count and Percentage columns created by Table wizard are required as data sources for the distribution chart, but they don’t need to appear in the final report.

1. Open the Count column settings under each scale-value column group.
2. Select Hide column on load.
3. Open the in % column settings and select Hide column on load as well.

Repeat this for every scale-value column.

Step 6: Create and configure the Mean column

Configure the Mean column to calculate the mean value for the matrix item in each row.

For the Mean column, set:

• Calculated column: Selected
• Aggregator: Mean
• Base variable: Take from row

The table now displays the mean value for each matrix statement.

What’s next?

Once your table is configured, you can further customize the presentation, for example by highlighting mean values with conditional formatting. You can then export the report or embed it in a dashboard. See Report pages for more information.

Related Resources

Table wizard

Understanding Pivot table calculations logic

General settings of tables

Getting started with Dashboards: Tutorials level 1