Calculate YoY and MoM Growth

Wyn’s Pivot Table visualization includes a powerful Quick Functions feature that lets you compute period-over-period comparisons—such as Month-over-Month (MoM) growth, Year-over-Year (YoY) growth, and other advanced time-based calculations—without writing expressions manually. This article explains the options available in Quick Functions, the conditions required for these features to appear, and a full step-by-step example using a real scenario.

Requirements for Using Time-Based Quick Calculations

Quick Calculations become available only when a few structural conditions are met:

1. Use a Pivot Table

   Quick Functions for time-based comparisons are only enabled when working with a Pivot Table visualization.

2. Bind a Hierarchical Date Attribute

   The Pivot Table must include a hierarchical date field—typically a single date data attribute that Wyn automatically expands into Year, Quarter, Month, and Day levels.

3. Place Date Levels in Rows or Columns

   Add at least Year and Month from the hierarchical date field to either:

   • the Rows data binding slot, or

   • the Columns data binding slot

     The order determines the layout of the Pivot Table but does not affect calculation availability.

4. Add the Same Value Field Twice

   Quick Calculations operate on a Value field.

   To compare a value to its prior period:

   • Add the same measure (e.g., Sales Amount) twice to the Values data binding slot.

     One instance will display the raw value, and the second instance will hold the computed comparison (MoM, YoY, difference, etc.).

5. Use the Gear Icon on the Second Value Field

   Time-based functions are applied only through the gear icon (⚙️) of a Value field.

   The first instance typically remains unchanged; the second is used for the calculation.

Overview of Quick Calculation Options

When you click the gear icon next to a field in the Values slot, you will find a Quick Functions dropdown containing a suite of commonly used analytical calculations.

1. Past Value

Retrieve the value from a previous period.

Options:

• Past Year

• Past Quarter

• Past Month

• Past Week

• Advanced…

  • Period Unit (Year, Quarter, Month, Week, Day)

  • Period Offset (e.g., 1 month back, 2 quarters back)

  • Calculation Type:

    • Value (shows the actual past value)

    • Difference

    • Percent Difference

    • Ratio

2. Change Over Time

Compute the change relative to another period.

Options:

• Growth Rate

• From Previous Period

• Same Period, YoY

• Same Period, MoM

• Same Period, WoW

• Advanced… (same configuration options as Past Value → Advanced)

3. % Change Over Time

Shows the percent change instead of the raw value difference.

Options:

• Growth Rate

• From Previous Period

• Same Period, YoY

• Same Period, MoM

• Same Period, WoW

• Advanced… (same configuration options as above)

4. Ranking Calculation…

Provides ranking options such as:

• Rank

• Dense Rank

• Percentage Rank

• Custom ranking behavior and sorting options

5. Percentile Calculation…

Calculates a percentile for the given value across the Pivot Table context.

You can specify the percentile (e.g., 90th percentile) and partition logic.

6. Running Calculation…

Creates cumulative results such as:

• Running Total

• Running Average

• Running Count

  Useful for YTD or cumulative monthly tracking.

7. Moving Calculation…

Adds rolling-window statistics, including:

• Moving Average

• Moving Sum

• Moving Count

  You can configure the number of periods included in the window.

8. Original Value

Resets the field to its unmodified, raw value (removing any Quick Function previously applied).

Example: Calculating Month-Over-Month % Change in a Pivot Table

The following example demonstrates a complete workflow for creating a Pivot Table that displays monthly sales along with the MoM percentage change.

Step 1: Add a Pivot Table to the Dashboard

Drag a Pivot Table visualization onto your canvas.

Step 2: Bind Your Data

In the Data Binding panel:

1. Add Sales Amount to Values twice.

2. Expand your hierarchical date field.

3. Add Year to the Rows slot.

4. Add Month to the Rows slot under Year.

Your Pivot Table now displays Sales Amount by Year → Month.

Step 3: Apply the Quick Function

1. In the Values slot, locate the second instance of Sales Amount.

2. Click the gear icon (⚙️) next to it.

3. Select Quick Functions → % Change Over Time → Same Period, MoM.

Wyn immediately computes the Month-over-Month percentage change for each month.

Step 4: Rename the Calculation Column (Optional)

1. Click the gear icon again on the calculated field.

2. Choose Rename…

3. Enter: Sales Increase/Decrease (%)

Your Pivot Table now shows:

• The raw monthly Sales Amount

• A second column displaying the MoM % change for each month

This layout provides an instant and clear insight into month-to-month performance trends.