How to subtract two totals from different layouts?

Question

Hi all,

I am currently working on a report/dashboard and need help with a calculation.I want to subtract a total value found in one layout from a total value in a completely different layout. Could you please guide me on how to achieve this?

Kind regards,

Adam

Robert Barkaway · Answer

Hi Adam, there is actually a way to do what you describe using a fairly advanced Nexel technique called Crossview, the syntax is described here

https://help.board.com/docs/nexel-formula-editor#crossview

and it allows you to use a Nexel formula in one data view to reference cells in another data view. It's not something which gets used very often but you might find it gives you what you're after.

Kind Regards,

Rob

Hamza Mesbahi · Answer

Hi @Adam ,

Do you have a specific way you would like to display the calculated value? For example, do you want to show it on a separate object such as a label/KPI, or within one of the two layouts you mentioned?

Also, where are the two total values coming from? Are they stored in cubes shown in the layouts, or are they calculated using algorithms?

Assuming you want to show the third value in a separate object, such as a KPI label, I would suggest creating a Label object and configuring its layout with the same data components used in the other two layouts. You can then add an algorithm block to subtract one value from the other.

After that, within the Label object’s layout settings, go to the Object settings and update the visibility option so that only the block containing the calculated value is displayed. See the screenshots below for reference:

Layout configuration:

Object settings configuration:

Output:

Let me know if you have any questions.

Kind regards,

Hamza