Daily average based on an average metric

[Sophie_H]

Hello

I have a metric that is an average per day: number of page views per unique visitor (metrics A in the screenshot). 

The date range is the last 90 days. Is it possible to have a daily average of this metrics A for the period of time please?

So here instead of getting 83.2 (sum(page views)/sum(unique visitors)) I would like to get a figure around 3 that is the sum(metrics A)/90.

Thanks in advance for your feedback. Have a good day

[SSampsa]

It would work something like this: Sum of Metric A divided by approximate count distinct for dimension Day.

Example:

[Jennifer_Dungan · Accepted solution]

Why not just use the Mean function? If the data is already displayed by Day, the mean will automatically calculate the average daily value?

(Replace "Page Views" with the custom metric)

Now, this will end up with an entire column showing the average.... one of the tricks I do is to create a second table, with the mean calculation, then I use a Summary Number visualization in my report (hiding the second table)... I also then hide the "total" from the original table.

Deselect this on the duplicate table:

Hide the totals on the original table:

Display the Average in a separate visualization:

[MandyGeorge]

I agree with @Jennifer_Dungan, the mean function is exactly what I would do. The only thing I might suggest differently is the Median function instead, depending on what your data looks like. But generally, either of the measures of central tendency (mean or median) are going to be the simplest way to get what you want.

[Sophie_H]

Thanks a lot @Jennifer_Dungan, as you said "why you dont JUST use mean?" ahha yes totally right I was looking for too complicated and this mean gives the expected result. Report updated on my end

Sophie

[SSampsa]

That is a good question and I have no answer other than: You should

From technical perspective using row count would be beneficial when there are duplicate rows, but not really beneficial in this scenario.

[Jennifer_Dungan]

Oh, I should have mentioned, @SSampsa's solution is really good if you are using a breakdown other than Day, but need a Daily average...

For instance, the if the breakdown is "page" and you need a daily average per page... The Mean function will just create an average across the pages.. Getting the approximate count of Days, and doing the manual calculation would allow you more control... it's just a little overkill for this situation (but should still work to be fair)

[SSampsa]

Thank you, I fully agree; It is very versatile way, but that is not always the best way

[igupta]

Hi @Sophie_H ,

Let me try this one. Will a setup like below solve your use case?

Best,

Isha

[Nick_Walter]

If you are asking to change the column summary number to be average rather than total, no. there currently is not a way to change that. You can go into preferences to adjust the summary number but it will always be a sum total. To get your daily average you will need a calculated metric and pull that into a table.

[Jennifer_Dungan]

Yeah, it's sometimes a little random... if the metric is a calculated metric, like Page Views / Visits... then you often get the average in the column total... but other times, it gives you a total... I haven't fully figured out what logic is used to determine what behaviour is chosen... but as @Nick_Walter said, there is no way to change the behaviour manually.... 

I wish there was, that would make our lives easier... that on the column settings, where you can choose to show or hide totals, I wish there was an option for "total" or "average"... 

[dpswoosh]

hi @Nick_Walter and @Jennifer_Dungan 

Is this something that can be requested as a feature for future releases?

I'm running into a similar issue where I want to see a weekly average of a custom metric for a longer time period, for example Month or Quarter.

I am trying to get Visits Per Visitor but that metric at the weekly level, which is usually around 3-4, is more important to us than the monthly or quarterly level which is showing double or triple those values in our tables. The "total" at the top of the column is not very helpful when we are looking for an average.

In my screenshot is an example of the issue.

[Jennifer_Dungan]

Can it be requested? Sure (post an idea here: https://experienceleaguecommunities.adobe.com/t5/adobe-analytics-ideas/idb-p/adobe-analytics-ideas)

Will it get picked up by the product team? That is less guaranteed, lol 

However, as Champions, Nick and my voices have a little more weight and we will try to get such an idea pushed up in priority (honestly, this is something I have wanted for years.... I was sure I had either posted such an idea, or at least up-voted a similar one... but I can't find it right now) So please post, I will upvote it immediately.

To be honest, sometimes when I need such information, I will use Report Builder so that I have a little more control over my columns (the things we do to get what we need). I know it's not an ideal solution, and that being able to do something in Workspace would be better...

For your example, you are trying to get a weekly average right?

So in workspace, I would offer these suggestions:

1. Instead of using "Months" as the designation (since beginning and end of the months aren't generally "full" weeks, I would instead use something like "Last 4 Full Weeks" and "Previous 4 Full Weeks"
   

   and

   

2. Instead of using the date ranges in the columns, you can hide the column "totals" in your example, and make a duplicate table, and use Create metric from selection > Mean on each of the columns (to get the average. 
   
   Then, use the Visualize >  Summary Number to create two small panels with your "overall average"
   
   Then hide this second table.