How a pivot is configured
Core concepts
Columns
Select one or multiple events. Each definition becomes a column, and the system treats each column as an independent query. Per column you can apply event-level filters, rename the column, and duplicate it.What the table looks like
Single event, no breakdown
Single event, no breakdown
Column →
PurchaseMultiple events, no breakdown
Multiple events, no breakdown
Columns →
Signup, PurchaseSingle event with breakdown
Single event with breakdown
Column →
Purchase, Breakdown → CountryMultiple events with breakdown
Multiple events with breakdown
Columns →
Signup, Purchase, Breakdown → CountryMultiple events with multiple breakdowns
Multiple events with multiple breakdowns
Columns →
Signup, Purchase, Breakdown → Country → CityBreakdowns
Breakdowns define the rows of the pivot table, and show user properties only. Multiple breakdowns are supported and nest hierarchically, such asCountry → City.
The first breakdown is the primary grouping; subsequent breakdowns are nested levels. Breakdowns apply to all columns, so rows are generated uniformly.
Grouped and ungrouped views
WithCountry → City, the same data renders either way:
- Ungrouped
- Grouped
Global filters
Global filters apply to the entire pivot table. The dataset is filtered before aggregation, so all columns reflect the filtered dataset. Global filters support user properties, event properties, and cohorts only.Compare
Compare the current period against a past one. When you enable compare and select a comparison period, the system computes past values and adds an adjacent column.Sorting
Sorting behaves differently depending on whether group segments are enabled.- Without group segments
- With group segments
A single sort is applied across all rows.The sort dropdown includes all event columns and all breakdown levels. With breakdown Choose a field and a direction, Ascending or Descending.
Country → City and events Event A, Event B, the options are:The entire table reorders based on the selected field, and all rows shift globally.
Cell actions
Four actions are available on cells, and availability depends on the table’s structure.View Events is a planned capability and is currently disabled in all scenarios.
Availability rules
The logic resolves in four steps.1
Is a breakdown present?
No — Filter and Exclude are unavailable. View Users and View Events operate at column level.Yes — Filter and Exclude are available on both event columns and breakdown columns.
2
Evaluate each event column
A column containing one event allows View Users and View Events.A column containing multiple events does not.
3
Evaluate the breakdown column
With multiple columns, the breakdown column never allows View Users or View Events.With one column containing one event, it allows both.With one column containing multiple events, it allows neither.
4
Apply the special case
If there is only one column and it has multiple events, View Users and View Events are disabled everywhere.
Worked cases
One column with multiple events
One column with multiple events
Definition → multiple events, with a breakdown.
Rule: a single column with multiple events disables View Users and View Events everywhere.
Multiple columns, all single events
Multiple columns, all single events
Def A →
Signup, Def B → Purchase, Breakdown → Country.Filter and Exclude are available on all of them.Rule: with multiple columns, the breakdown column never allows View Users or View Events.
Multiple columns, mixed single and multi-event
Multiple columns, mixed single and multi-event
Def A →
Signup (1 event), Def B → Purchase + Cart (multi-event), Breakdown → Country.Rule: event columns behave independently; the breakdown column is always restricted.
Row visibility
Three options control how many rows are shown: Top N, Custom, and View All. Rows are trimmed after sorting. By default the table shows the top 12 or bottom 12 rows depending on the sort direction — ascending shows bottom values, otherwise top values.Totals
Segment subtotals are shown at the n−1 level. With three breakdowns configured, subtotals appear down to the second breakdown.
Totals are computed after aggregation and rendered separately.
Processing order
Understanding the execution order explains why filters and sorting behave the way they do.Next steps
- Chart Analysis to visualize a single dimension as a chart
- User Sessions for session-level breakdowns
- Cohorts to build the user groups you filter by