Intermediate Totals and Sub Totals
Intermediate totals and subtotals play crucial roles in breaking down and summarizing complex data within a running total waterfall chart. While intermediate totals provide high-level summaries of major categories, subtotals offer a more detailed breakdown within these categories, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of each segment.
A total will be shown when you expand an element by clicking the Plus Icon below a category label:
You can control the totals display of the running totals waterfall with this option:
Intermediate Totals
Intermediate totals are summary values that represent the cumulative total of several preceding data points. They act as checkpoints within the chart, helping to segment and summarize different sections of the data. For instance, after listing all revenue items, an intermediate total like "Total Revenues" provides a clear summary before moving on to the next section of the income statement.
Intermediate totals are particularly useful for breaking down complex data into more manageable segments. They provide a high-level overview of major categories, such as total revenues or total costs and expenses, before delving into further details.
Sub sums / Subtotals
Subtotals, also known as sub sums, are more granular and represent the cumulative total of a subset of data points within a segment. They provide detailed insight into smaller groups of related data points, helping to understand how specific elements within a category contribute to the overall total. For example, within the "Total Costs and Expenses" section, subtotals might include operating expenses, administrative expenses, and R&D expenses.
Subtotals are nested within intermediate totals, offering a finer breakdown of the data. They are essential for gaining a deeper understanding of the components that make up each intermediate total, allowing for more detailed analysis and insights.
Difference Between Intermediate Totals and Subtotals
The main difference between intermediate totals and subtotals lies in their scope and level of detail. Intermediate totals cover larger segments or entire sections of the chart, providing a summary of major categories. In contrast, subtotals focus on smaller groups within these segments, offering a more detailed breakdown.
Intermediate totals act as high-level summaries, while subtotals provide detailed insights within those summaries. For example, multiple subtotals for different types of expenses can roll up into a single intermediate total for total costs and expenses.
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