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How to Create a Rolling Average on Tables and Visualizations

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Sometimes you may want to show a rolling average of data to see more general trends in values over time. You can either 1) set this up for a variable set directly so it is analyzed this way in tables and visualizations, see Rolling Averages for Tables, or 2) use a Table rule to roll to create the rolling average values for the individual table or visualization. This article covers the second method which describes how to apply a table rule to go from a crosstab with a Date/Time variable set...

NoRollingAverage.png

...to a table or visualization with a lagged rolling (aka smoothing or moving) average:

WithRollingAverage.png

Requirements

  • A table or visualization with a Date/Time variable.
  • You may not have a NET in the variable containing the dates.

Note: You must apply the rule directly to the input table if you see a table icon in the Data > Data Source > Data field in the Properties 26UI_ObjectInspector.png of a visualization.

TableInput.png

You will also see a warning in the Rules section of Properties 26UI_ObjectInspector.png if you have applied a rule directly to a non-compatible visualization, and you will need to apply it to the input table instead. For example:

RuleCannotBeApplied.png

Method

  1. Select your table or visualization.
  2. Go to Data > Rules in Properties26UI_ObjectInspector.png.
  3. Select Plus (+) > Cell Content > Replace Value with Rolling Average.
  4. Set the Number of periods to roll.
  5. OPTIONAL: Tick Dates are in the rows if applicable.
  6. Press OK.

Technical details

  • The statistical testing results in the table are NOT changed by this rule. That is, they reflect the results for the original, unrolled statistics.
  • A lagged rolling average is computed. For example, if January has a score of 3, February 4, and March 6, the 3-period rolling average for March is (3 + 4 + 6) / 3 = 4.33333333.
  • Where values cannot be computed due to insufficient data, the value is shown as NaN. For example, if January has a score of 3, February 4, and March 6, the 3-period rolling average for the three months, respectively, are NaN, NaN, and 4.33333333.
  • This rule is only applied to the first statistic selected in each of Statistics > Cells and whichever is appropriate of Statistics > Below and Statistics > Right.

Next

How to Use Rules in Displayr

Rolling Averages for Tables

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