fbpx Skip to content

8 tips for creating impactful tables in Qlik Sense

insightsoftware -
October 19, 2020

insightsoftware is a global provider of reporting, analytics, and performance management solutions, empowering organizations to unlock business data and transform the way finance and data teams operate.

23 11 Blog Beginnersguidetoembeddedanalyticsbi Website

In today’s digital world, we are constantly bombarded by bursts of bite-sized information, often in visual form. And perhaps because of this, our attention spans are not quite what they used to be. Oh sorry, did we lose you there?

 

In data analysis, grabbing and holding your audience’s attention is vital. Without the right hook, users are unlikely to dive into data and extract the insights they need to improve business processes.

 

So, let’s look at a few ways you can spruce up your data tables in Qlik Sense and keep your audience hooked!

1. Choose the best visual format for your data 

It’s vital to display data in a way that makes it easy to grasp the important bits. Sometimes the best format will be a chart, but other times, a table will steer the audience’s attention to the right insights.

 

Tables are a good choice for:

✅ exploring information specific to the user, such as locations or names

✅ displaying precise numbers, such as stock prices

✅ showing measures usually represented in number format, such as age

✅ comparing data both vertically and horizontally, such as sales by region against time

 

Get detailed insights from your table with added visual context at a row level

impactful tables in Qlik Sense

 

2. Arrange the data to suit the purpose

 

Order and structure data with the purpose in mind. If you’re showing a breakdown of monthly sales by sales rep in your table, put the metric showing the largest number of sales at the top of the table. This draws the audience’s attention to the right spot. And helps them digest the figures and uncover new insights.

 

Get sales insights at a glance with Vizlib Table’s mini-charts

Impactful sales tables in Qlik Sense

3. Use whitespace liberally

 

It’s a good idea to include whitespace between headings and titles, and rows and columns. Whitespace makes it easier for users to read and digest the data in the table.

 

And, whitespace is also one of the elements you need for creating effective data visualisations.

 

4. Round the numbers

 

According to statistician, Howard Wainer, the first rule for improving tabular displays is: “Round—a lot.” He suggests simplifying figures and rounding to two digits.  Even for data analysts, it’s easier to get the picture of $62.5M rather than $62 515 896.53!

 

5. StandardiZe the table elements

 

When you ensure a consistent look for your tables and pivot tables in Qlik Sense, users know what to expect and can enjoy more predictable data exploration.

 

With Vizlib Templates, you can establish visual governance, accelerate app development and drive consistency across your table designs. You can also save your configurations, colours and formatting for later, or for the rest of your team to re-use.

 

Speed up the development process and ensure consistent quality with Vizlib Templates

Out-of-the-box capabilities in Qlik Sense

 

6. Visualize data at-a-glance

 

Tables typically contain many rows and columns of dreary-looking figures. And when users try to review the data, they may lose interest and not follow through to the insights stage.

 

But when you add visual components to tables, you can steer the user’s attention to key data points. And bring your tables to life!

Tip: add visual cues like up and down arrows to your tables to make the insights pop!

 

Add visual cues to speed up the time to insights with Vizlib Pivot Table

Add visual cues to your Qlik Sense pivot table

 

  • ViztipsAnd with Vizlib, you get more than visual cues! Viztips enable you to add additional visual context on hover, such as icons, images and charts! Your end-users get granular level data on hover, without being overwhelmed by too much detail.Download our free Viztips demo app

 

  • Multi-line
    Including line charts in your tables at row level is a great way to display trends over time. With Vizlib’s Multi-line mini chart, you can display multiple lines in your mini line chart, so users gain more insights at a glance!

 

  • Stacked bar
    Mini bar charts help show comparisons in your tables. Vizlib’s new Stacked bar mini chart goes beyond a regular bar chart, providing more detail on the portions that make up a total.

 

Add mini-charts at row level in your Qlik Sense tables to make the insights pop

Creating impactful tables in Qlik Sense

7. Customise and personalise your tables

 

When you share data in a basic table format with your audience, you run the risk of losing their attention fast. They could miss out on the insights buried in the monochromatic design.

 

To hook the audience and steer them to interesting insights quickly, the table or pivot table needs a more visual touch. You can adjust row width, add icons, customize colors and headings, or add your company branding, for instance, with Vizlib Table and Pivot Table.

Add icons in Vizlib Table to speed up analysis with visual cues

Adding visual components to Qlik Sense tables

Bland data tables should be travelling down the same road as black and white televisions – long forgotten!

 

Download our free Vizlib Table Premier League demo app

 

8. Streamline common table actions

 

Users should be able to perform common table actions quickly and easily. And not have to hop onto a new page every time. Automating these repetitive actions can save them time and ensure seamless, hassle-free data exploration.

 

You can create and link shortcuts across your Qlik Sense apps for the ultimate smooth user experience with Vizlib Actions. Make seamless selections or create custom buttons that make it fun and easy to explore and analyse the data in tables and pivot tables.

Automate common table tasks in Qlik Sense with Vizlib Actions and save users time

Automated actions in Qlik Sense

 

Well, now you’ve got a few more tools to wow your audience. We hope you create tables and pivot tables that fuel their curiosity!

 

You can also take a look at these additional resources:

 

Easy-to-use Qlik Sense extensions