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Unable to Turn on Grand Totals for Discrete Measures in Tableau

Publish Date: May 7, 2026
Description

When you try to turn on the Tableau column for Grand Totals when there is a discrete measure on the Rows shelf, then the grand total for discrete measures will be blank.

OR

When you try to turn on the Tableau row Grand Totals when there is a discrete measure on the Rows shelf, then the following error occurs:
 

Cannot turn on Grand Totals for discrete measures.

Cause

Grand Totals can only be shown for continuous measures.

Resolution

Whether receiving a Tableau error or the grand totals are blank for discrete measures, the following information will help with next steps.

Scenario 1: Grand totals are blank for the discrete measure

Recreate the view using Measure Names and Measure Values. The attached example workbook starts from the worksheet "Scenario 1" to demonstrate the following directions.  Find the sample packaged Tableau workbook in the Attachments section to follow along with these steps.
  1. Remove Profit Ratio from the Rows shelf.
  2. Double-click Profit Ratio in the data pane.
  3. Tableau Desktop automatically moves both measures to the Measure Values card and adds Measure Names and Measure Values to the view.

Scenario 2: Error "Cannot turn on Grand Totals for discrete measures"

Convert the discrete measure to a dimension. The sample Tableau packaged workbook found in the Attachments section, starts from the worksheet "Scenario 2" to demonstrate the following directions:
  1. Select Analysis > Create Calculated Field.
  2. In the Calculated Field dialog box that opens, do the following, and then click OK:
    1. Name the calculated field. In this example, the calculated field is named "Profit Ratio (LOD)"
    2. In the formula field, create a calculation similar to the following:
    3. { FIXED [Segment] : [Profit Ratio] }
  3. Right-click Profit Ratio (LOD) in the data pane and select Convert to Dimension.
  4. Replace Profit Ratio (table calc) with Profit Ratio (LOD) on the Rows shelf.
  5. Navigate to Analysis > Totals > Show Row Grand Totals.
Additional Resources
The following rules dictate whether you can turn on grand totals in Tableau:
  • The view must have at least one header – Headers are displayed whenever you place a dimension on the Columns shelf or the Rows shelf. If column headers are displayed, you can calculate grand totals for columns. If row headers are displayed, you can calculate grand totals for rows.
  • Measures must be aggregated – The aggregation determines the values displayed for the totals. See Grand Totals and Aggregations for more information.
  • Grand Totals cannot be applied to continuous dimensions.


Vote and discuss this Tableau Idea for Enabling row and column totals for discrete values.
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Knowledge Article Number

001473781

Attachments

discrete measure totals_v2018.1.twbx

2393 KB

 
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