This tutorial explores methods for custom sorting rows, columns, and axes in Looker Studio when direct access to the data source is unavailable. Initially, a previous tutorial demonstrated sorting by adding new columns to the data source. However, for users without data source access, this tutorial offers two alternative approaches: blending data with a separate Google Sheet containing custom sort orders, or creating calculated fields directly within Looker Studio. Both methods achieve the desired sorting functionality, with considerations for potential aggregation issues with uneven data.
The first method involves creating a separate Google Sheet with custom “category order” and “history order” columns. This sheet is then blended with the main data source in Looker Studio, allowing users to select these new order columns for sorting. The second method, and perhaps more streamlined, involves creating calculated fields within Looker Studio itself. These fields use IF or CASE statements to define custom sort orders. A crucial point emphasized is to use the MIN aggregation for these order fields to prevent incorrect sorting if data values are not evenly distributed. Finally, the tutorial also introduces a technique where the sort order is directly prepended to the column headers within a calculated field, enabling sorting directly from the visual’s sort menu if numeric prefixes are acceptable.
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