Discrepancies Between Line Chart and Metrics Chart Results Explained
Why do the results in the "Line" chart differ from those in the "Metrics" chart, even though they use the same data?
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The difference in results between the "Line" chart and the "Metrics" chart, despite using the same data, is primarily due to how these chart types calculate and display information over time. Let me explain the key reasons for this discrepancy: 1. Time-based calculation vs. Overall value: - The Line chart shows time-segmented data, displaying how metrics trend over time. - The Metrics chart typically shows an overall value or summary for the entire selected time period. Insights: Visualize trends and compositions within your data explains that line charts are used for time-segmented metrics, while metric charts calculate across the entire time period.2. Retention report specifics: In the context of Retention reports, the difference is even more pronounced: - The Line chart shows how a particular retention group rate trends over time. - The Metric view shows the overall value for the retention trend for the entire time period. Additionally, there's a 'Cohortize' option that affects the Metric view: - When disabled, it shows the overall value. - When enabled, it shows the last complete bucket for that retention trend. This is detailed in the Retention: Measure engagement over time documentation.3. Time interval considerations: For line charts, there are two time concepts: chart date range and time interval. The segmentation is based on the first/last segment for each time interval, not across all time intervals in the chart range. This can lead to different results compared to an overall metric calculation. Insights: Visualize trends and compositions within your data provides more details on this aspect.These differences in calculation methods and data presentation between Line and Metrics charts explain why you might see varying results even when using the same underlying data. It's important to understand these distinctions to interpret your data correctly and choose the most appropriate visualization for your analysis needs.
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Ina G.··so metric report calculates the data
- Ina G.··
how*
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The Metrics report in Mixpanel calculates data in a specific way, focusing on providing an overall value or summary for the entire selected time period. Here's how it works: 1. Overall Value Calculation: The Metric view in Mixpanel shows the overall value for the trend across the entire selected time period. This is different from time-segmented views like line charts that show trends over time. Retention: Measure engagement over time2. Cohortize Option: In the Retention Trends Report, there's a 'Cohortize' option under the 'Advanced' menu. When enabled, it shows the last complete bucket for that retention trend. This is often used to look at the most up-to-date data value. Retention: Measure engagement over time3. Measurement Types: Mixpanel offers various measurement types for metric calculations, including: - Total - Unique - Count users - Aggregate property values - Aggregate property values per user - Count sessions Each of these can be selected to calculate results based on events, users, event property value, event property value per user, and sessions. Insights: Visualize trends and compositions within your data4. Aggregation Options: For certain functions like "Frequency per User" and "Aggregate Property", Mixpanel provides additional aggregation options such as Sum, Average, Median, Distinct Count, Percentiles, Minimum, and Maximum. Insights: Visualize trends and compositions within your data5. Sampling: In cases of large datasets, Mixpanel may use query time sampling to speed up calculations. When sampling is enabled: - Mixpanel selects a uniformly random sample of 10% of the total user population. - The report is generated using this subset of users. - Results are then up-sampled by multiplying by the inverse of the sampling factor for functions like totals and uniques. - Functions that don't scale with users (e.g., average, min, max) are not up-sampled. Query Time Sampling Calculation and PresentationThese calculation methods allow Metrics reports to provide a comprehensive summary of data across the entire selected time period, making it easier to understand overall performance or trends at a glance.
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