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Totals & Subtotals Reference

Overview​

Configure total columns, base rows, and subtotals to provide context and summary information in your cross-tabulation tables.

total settings​

Total Columns​

Show Table Total Column​

Setting: Show Table Total Column
Type: Toggle
Default: On

Displays a total column that sums all values across the table.

Position: Appears as the first column (leftmost) in the table

Example:

Global totals

Use Cases:

  • Quick reference to overall totals
  • Comparing individual segments to total
  • Understanding proportional contribution

Show Level 1 Sub-Total​

Setting: Show Level 1 Sub-Total
Type: Toggle
Default: On

Displays subtotal columns for the first level of column hierarchy.

When It Appears: Only when you have hierarchical columns (multiple column levels)

Example:

Level 1 Sub Total

The blue "Total" columns show Level 1 subtotals.

Show Level 2 Sub-Total​

Setting: Show Level 2 Sub-Total
Type: Toggle
Default: On

Displays subtotal columns for the second level of column hierarchy.

When It Appears: Only when you have 3+ levels in column hierarchy

Example:

Level 2 Sub Total With Level 1

This example shows both Level 1 and Level 2 subtotal columns.

Level 2 Sub Total Without Level 1

This example shows Level 2 subtotal columns without Level 1.

Base Rows​

Base rows display the sample size or denominator used in calculations. Essential for understanding data reliability.

Base Rows

The example shows the three different base rows available.

Show Base Row​

Setting: Show Base Row
Type: Toggle
Default: On

Displays a row showing the "Base" series selected in the Percentage Series setting or Mean Series setting.

What It Shows:

  • For percentage tables: The denominator used to calculate percentages
  • For mean tables: The count of observations

Example:

Base Row Example

Why It Matters:

  • Small bases = less reliable percentages
  • Helps readers judge statistical significance
  • Required for proper interpretation

Show Unweighted Base Row​

Setting: Show Unweighted Base Row Type: Toggle Default: Off

Displays a row showing the unweighted (raw) sample size.

When to Use:

  • When your data is weighted in base series
  • For transparency in research reporting
  • To show actual number of obeservations/respondents

Example:

Unweighted Base Row Example

Difference from Base:

  • Base: Reflects weighting adjustments
  • Unweighted: Raw count of records/respondents

Show Signif Base Row​

Setting: Show Signif Base Row
Type: Toggle
Default: Off
Available in: Premium

Displays a separate base row used specifically for significance testing calculations.

warning

This setting cannot be enabled unless you have set one significance method in the Significance Testing settings.

When to Use:

  • When significance tests use different data than display values
  • Complex weighting scenarios
  • Specialized statistical testing

Example:

All Base Row Example

Row Labels​

Customize the text labels for base rows.

Base Row Label​

Setting: Base Row Label
Type: Text input
Default: "Base Row"

The label that appears for the weighted base row.

Common Labels:

  • "Base"
  • "Total N"
  • "Sample Size"
  • "Weighted Base"
  • "n="

Example:

Base Row labels Settings Base Row labels Example

Unweighted Base Row Label​

Setting: Unweighted Base Row Label
Type: Text input
Default: "Unweighted Base"

The label for the unweighted base row.

Common Labels:

  • "Unweighted n"
  • "Raw Base"
  • "Actual Count"
  • "Sample (unwtd)"

Signif Base Row Label​

Setting: Signif Base Row Label
Type: Text input
Default: "Signif Base"
Available in: Premium

The label for the significance testing base row.

Common Labels:

  • "Signif n"
  • "Test Base"
  • "Statistical Base"

Row Positioning​

Base Rows on Top of Table​

Setting: Base Rows on Top
Type: Toggle
Default: On

Controls whether base rows appear at the top or bottom of the table.

On (Default): Base rows appear immediately below headers

All Base Row Example

Off: Base rows appear at the bottom

All Base Bottom Example

Best Practices:

  • Top: Better for reports where base size is critical (research, surveys)
  • Bottom: Cleaner look for executive dashboards
  • Top: Standard in market research industry

Practical Examples​

Example 1: Basic Survey Table​

Configuration:
- Show Table Total Column: Yes
- Show Base Row: Yes
- Base Row Label: "Total Respondents"
- Base Rows on Top: Yes

Result:

Totals Sample 1

Example 2: Weighted Research Study​

Configuration:
- Show Table Total Column: Yes
- Show Base Row: Yes
- Show Unweighted Base Row: Yes
- Base Row Label: "Weighted Base"
- Unweighted Label: "Unweighted Base"
- Base Rows on Top: Yes

Result:

Totals Sample 2

Example 3: Multiple Row/Columns Analysis​

Configuration:
- Show Table Total Column: Yes
- Show Level 1 Sub-Total: Yes
- Show Level 2 Sub-Total: Yes
- Show Base Row: Yes
- Base Rows on Top: Yes

Totals Sample 3

Example 4: Clean Dashboard Style​

Configuration:
- Show Table Total Column: No
- Show Base Row: Yes
- Base Row Label: "n="
- Base Rows on Top: No
- Table Style: Market research

Totals Sample 4

Best Practices​

1. Always Show Base Rows​

Base rows are critical for proper interpretation. Only hide them if:

  • Space is extremely limited
  • Audience is very familiar with the data
  • Bases are identical across all columns

2. Unweighted Bases for Research​

When reporting weighted data:

  • Always show both weighted and unweighted bases
  • Label them clearly to avoid confusion
  • Place unweighted base directly below weighted base

3. Label Clarity​

Use industry-standard labels:

  • Market Research: "Base", "Unweighted Base"
  • Academic: "N", "n (unweighted)"
  • Business: "Total", "Sample Size"

4. Position Based on Audience​

  • Research/Technical: Bases on top
  • Executive/Business: Consider bases on bottom
  • Reports with many rows: Bases on top for reference

5. Subtotals in Hierarchies​

Enable Level 1 and Level 2 subtotals when:

  • You have 2+ levels of column grouping
  • Subtotals provide meaningful insights
  • Table isn't too wide already

Common Configurations​

Standard Market Research​

- Show Table Total: Yes
- Show Base Row: Yes
- Show Unweighted Base: Yes
- Base Label: "Weighted Base"
- Unweighted Label: "Unweighted Base"
- Position: Top

Business Dashboard​

- Show Table Total: No (or Yes, depends)
- Show Base Row: Yes
- Base Label: "Total"
- Position: Top or Bottom
- Level 1 Subtotals: As needed

Academic/Scientific​

- Show Base Row: Yes
- Show Unweighted Base: No (unless weighted)
- Base Label: "N"
- Position: Top
- Include significance testing base if relevant

Executive Summary​

- Show Table Total: Yes
- Show Base Row: Yes
- Base Label: "Sample"
- Position: Bottom
- Minimal detail, clean look

Data Series Configuration​

For base rows to display correctly, ensure proper series mapping:

For Percentage Tables​

  • Base Series: Set in "% series usage" settings
  • Unweighted Base Series: Set in "% series usage"
  • Signif Base Series: Set in "% series usage" (if using significance)

For Mean Tables​

  • Count Series: Set in "Mean series usage" (acts as base)
  • Unweighted Base Series: Set in "Mean series usage"

See Percentage Series and Mean Series for detailed configuration.

Statistical Context​

Why Base Sizes Matter​

Small Bases (<30):

  • Percentages are unreliable
  • Use thresholds to mask or warn
  • Consider combining categories

Medium Bases (30-100):

  • Percentages acceptable but note limitations
  • Significance tests may not detect real differences

Large Bases (100+):

  • Reliable percentages
  • Significance tests have good power

Weighted vs Unweighted​

Weighted Base:

  • Adjusted to match population proportions
  • Use for percentage calculations
  • May differ significantly from raw count

Unweighted Base:

  • Actual number of records/respondents
  • Use to judge reliability
  • Important for transparency

Rule of Thumb: Show both when weighting is applied.

Troubleshooting​

Q: Base row doesn't appear
A: Ensure you've mapped the Base Series in percentage/mean series settings

Q: Unweighted base is identical to weighted base
A: Your data likely isn't weighted; consider hiding unweighted row

Q: Base values look wrong
A: Check series mapping; ensure you're using the correct measure

Q: Subtotals don't appear
A: Subtotals only show with hierarchical column structures (2+ levels)

Q: Can I show bases in cells instead of rows?
A: No, bases are always shown as separate rows; consider custom formatting

Q: Base rows break my table layout
A: Try positioning them at bottom, or reduce font size in formatting

For more help, see the Quick Start Guide or contact support.