RATIO
Category: Math & numeric
End-Node Restriction. The RATIO function should be an end node. It should not be referenced by other nodes or used in further calculations. Doing so will cause the dynamic recalculation behavior to be lost, producing potentially incorrect results.
RATIO is designed for visualization and reporting purposes only. If you need a calculable ratio, see “Alternative: Division with Weighted-Average Aggregation” below.
Overview
The RATIO function divides one node by another while retaining only the dimensions shared by both nodes.
Unlike a standard division ('Node1' / 'Node2'), RATIO dynamically recalculates the ratio at every aggregation level displayed in the workspace. For example, when switching from a monthly to a quarterly view, the ratio is recomputed from the quarterly totals rather than averaging the monthly ratios.
Use this function when you need a ratio that stays correct across different aggregation levels in dashboards and reports.
Syntax
RATIO('Node1', 'Node2')
Example usage: RATIO('Revenue', 'Quantity')
Parameters
| Parameter | Description | Type | Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Node1 | Dividend. The node whose values are divided | Node reference | Yes |
| Node2 | Divisor. The node whose values divide Node1 | Node reference | Yes |
Output Shape
| Aspect | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Dimensionality | Only dimensions shared by both input nodes are kept |
| Values | Values are recalculated dynamically per aggregation level in the workspace |
| Row count | Depends on shared dimensional combinations |
Watch Out
- RATIO is not a standard calculation node.
- The function should not be referenced by other nodes.
- The result is recomputed dynamically when the aggregation level changes.
- Only shared dimensions between both nodes appear in the result.
Examples
Basic ratio
Input node: A
| Year | Value |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 15 |
| 2026 | 28 |
| 2027 | 126 |
Input node: B
| Year | Value |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 2 |
| 2027 | 3 |
Formula: RATIO('A', 'B')
| Year | → RATIO Result |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 7.5 |
| 2026 | 14 |
| 2027 | 42 |
At the individual year level, RATIO produces the same results as division. The difference appears when you aggregate:
| Plain division (incorrect) | RATIO (correct) | |
|---|---|---|
| Total | Average of ratios: (7.5 + 14 + 42) / 3 = 21.2 | Recalculated from totals: (15 + 28 + 126) / (2 + 2 + 3) = 169 / 7 ≈ 24.1 |
RATIO recomputes the division from the aggregated totals, giving the mathematically correct result.
Inputs with different dimensions
When Node1 and Node2 have different dimensions, only the shared dimensions appear in the result.
Input node: Revenue
| Year | Region | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | EMEA | 500 |
| 2025 | APAC | 300 |
| 2026 | EMEA | 600 |
| 2026 | APAC | 400 |
Input node: Headcount
| Year | Value |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 50 |
| 2026 | 55 |
Formula: RATIO('Revenue', 'Headcount')
| Year | → RATIO Result |
|---|---|
| 2025 | (500 + 300) / 50 = 16 |
| 2026 | (600 + 400) / 55 ≈ 18.2 |
Region is not shared by both nodes, so it is not present in the output. Revenue is aggregated across regions before dividing by headcount.
Alternative
Division with Weighted-Average Aggregation
If you need a ratio result that can be used in further calculations, do not use RATIO.
Instead:
- Create a regular division node:
'Node1' / 'Node2' - Set the node’s aggregation type to “weighted average” (with the divisor as the weight node).
This produces a similar weighted ratio across aggregation levels, but the result is a standard node that can be referenced by other calculations. Note that the aggregation behavior may not be identical to RATIO in all cases.
Related Functions
| Function | When to use instead |
|---|---|
| DIVISION (/) | When you want standard division that keeps the union of dimensions from both nodes. |
| DIVIDE | When you want division with validation for missing rows. |