Core Workflow

Tables and Analysis

The canvas is the core analysis workspace. Build tables by dragging variables to rows and columns, layer on measures and statistical tests, use expressions for derived dimensions, and add formula cells for bespoke calculations.

Core Workflow

Building a table

1

Switch to the Canvas view.

The canvas is the main analysis workspace.

2

Create a new table from the toolbar or by dragging a variable onto the canvas.

Either method starts a new cross-tabulation.

3

Drag variables to the Rows and Columns drop zones.

Variables appear as dimensions of the table.

4

The cross-tabulation computes instantly.

Results appear as you drop — all computation happens in your browser.

Core Workflow

Measures

Use the Measures pill to choose what each cell shows. You can show multiple statistics at once — for example, counts and column percentages in different table bands.

Count
Weighted or unweighted frequency.
Column %
Percentage within each column.
Row %
Percentage within each row.
Index
Over/under-representation vs. the total.

Core Workflow

Weighting

  • Select a weight variable from the Weight pill.
  • All measures recalculate using the weighted base.
  • The unweighted base row shows the actual sample size for context.
  • Toggle between weighted and unweighted views.

Core Workflow

Filters

  • Apply a filter variable to restrict the base population.
  • Filters affect all measures in the table.
  • Combine filter conditions using expressions.

Core Workflow

Significance testing

When enabled via the Significance pill:

  • Column letter annotations appear on cells that differ significantly from other columns.
  • Tests available: chi-square, z-test, t-test.
  • Bonferroni correction available for multiple comparisons.
  • Significant values highlight in blue (the one accent colour in Recense).

How to read significance letters

Each column is assigned a letter (A, B, C...). A cell showing "AB" means that value is significantly higher than the values in columns A and B.

Core Workflow

Display options

Control how a variable's categories appear in the table:

  • All categories — every category gets its own row or column.
  • Top 2 Box / Bottom 2 Box — combine the top or bottom scale points into a single summary.
  • NET — aggregate all items into one summary row.
  • By dimension — show one entry per part of a multi-part variable (e.g. each item in a grid question).

Core Workflow

Expressions

For derived dimensions beyond what drag-and-drop provides:

  • Operators: OR, AND, NOT, parentheses.
  • Helpers: TOP_BOX(), BOTTOM_BOX(), NET(), MEAN(), COUNT().
  • Variable references: by name or group.
  • Implicit expansion: referencing a group expands all its member variables.
Expression example
NET(Q5_1 OR Q5_2 OR Q5_3)

Core Workflow

Sorting

  • Sort rows by any column's values (ascending or descending).
  • Sorting respects the current measure — sort by percentage, count, or index.

Core Workflow

Hiding categories

  • Hide individual row or column categories without removing them.
  • Hidden categories still contribute to totals and bases.

Core Workflow

Calculated rows and columns

You can add new rows or columns that are calculated from existing ones — useful for showing differences, ratios, or other comparisons that aren't in the raw data.

  • Difference: show the gap between two categories (e.g. Male minus Female).
  • Index: show the ratio between categories (e.g. how one segment compares to the total).
  • Calculated items appear alongside the original data in the table.

Core Workflow

Formula cells

  • Double-click an empty cell to enter a formula.
  • Formulas can reference cells in the same table or across tables by name.
  • Cell-reference mode lets you click to select target cells.
  • Formulas recompute automatically when source tables change.

Core Workflow

Canvas workspace

  • Arrange multiple tables on an infinite canvas.
  • Add markdown notes and anchor them to specific cells.
  • Group tables visually for organisation.
  • Tag tables for filtering and search.
  • Use presentation mode for a clean walkthrough view.