Datama compare extension interface contains 2 setting panels: General Settings and Waterfall Settings.


General Settings: lets you quickly configure the analysis: edit the market equation, choose the comparison dimension (or add a secondary one), control sorting, adjust modeling options, set language preferences, and enable/disable comments or charts. (see below)

You can access the general setting as shown below:


Waterfall settings: allows formatting waterfall bars, labels, text size …(see below)

You can access the waterfall setting as shown below:


Let’s explain option by option.


General Settings

1. General Settings

1.1. Comparison Definition

Choose the scope of your comparison and optionally add a second comparison to enrich the analysis.

Defining what you want to compare is the first step of the analysis. In the waterfall, you can either compare dates (start period vs. end period) or compare segments from any dimension. For example:

You can start your comparison as suggested below. For a quick step‑by‑step demo, see: Looker Studio, Tableau, Power BI, Qlik.

  • First, add Datama light compare extension into your platform. See the example in looker studio shown as below:
  • Second, add the dimension(s) and metric(s) used by Datama Compare. For example, to compare the “Sessions” metric between “This Year” and “Last Year” (segments of the “Period” dimension), proceed as below:
  • Third, in General Settings, you can choose any other dimension available in your visualization tool’s “Dimension” field as the comparison dimension.

If a dimension includes more than two segments — e.g., “Country” — start by adding “Country” and the metric (e.g., “Sessions”). Then select the two segments you want to compare (e.g. UK vs. Spain).

You can also add more metrics to visualize the variation across different KPIs. To do this, make sure to add the metrics in an order that follows the logic used by Datama Compare, as shown below:

1.2. Secondary Comparison

Add a second comparison to display a side‑by‑side waterfall focused on another scope. For example, while comparing USA vs. UK, you can also add a Mobile vs. Tablet comparison within the “Device” dimension.

Then you can choose how to display this second waterfall, one above the other, side by side or even overlapped. Click right: Display > Secondary comparison > Right, below or overlay.


1.3. Use indices instead of values

Choose between relative (dynamic) or absolute comparisons:

  • When enabled (default): Uses dynamic indices that update with the latest data in the source
  • When disabled: Uses fixed absolute values based on your initial selection (static baseline)

1.4. Order for relative values

Control which reference the dynamic comparison uses:

  • Descending (default): Uses the most recent value as reference
  • Ascending: Uses the oldest value as reference


1.5. Modelling

1.5.1. Aggregation in %

Sets the model’s aggregation level. If set to X%, segments within a dimension that represent less than X% of the Primary Numerator (e.g., Revenue) are grouped into an “Other” segment. Default is 2%. This parameter can significantly impact the computed mix effects.

1.5.2. KPI

Choose the metric used as the “Primary Numerator” for the grouping rule above. The system calculates X% (Main KPI of the market equation by default: e.g.: Revenue) against this metric to decide grouping.

1.5.3. Comment depth

Adjust the level of detail provided in comments and explanations. (With Max details, each of the variation will be explained)

1.5.4. Mix & Performance effects

Control how the mix effect is attributed. Default is “Never”. Select “Auto” to let the tool split Mix vs. Performance when the mix contribution exceeds a threshold.


2. Market Equation

Edit the KPI definition and market equation so the analysis matches your business logic.

Market relation defines how metrics from your datasource combine to compute the KPI you want to explain. Here, you can modify the equation, choose units, rename steps, set thresholds, and exclude or focus dimensions.

  • By default, Datama uses a product of ratios (prod) across all steps in the market equation. You can switch to a “sum” when your KPI is additive (e.g., Revenue = Revenue_France + Revenue_UK + Revenue_US).
  • Changing the unit to ‘%’ multiplies values by 100 and displays percentages. Selecting a currency unit will display values with the chosen currency symbol.



3. Preferences

Customize the application behavior, language, and visible widgets to match your needs.

3.1 Global

3.1.1 Language

Currently, French, Deutsch and English are available. Contact us if you need additional languages.

3.1.2 Smart title

Taggle to display or hide the Title of the graph. Some element might need stay as for example definition of the Comparison (e.g. Last Year vs This Year)

3.1.3 Plot (waterfall graph)

Taggle to display or hide the Waterfall from the graph if for example you only need to display the comment.

3.1.4 Smart comment

Taggle to display or hide the comment if for example you only need to display the watefall.


3.2 Global

You can customize colors for application environment and for the Waterfall itself.

3.2.1 Application

3.2.2 Waterfall



Waterfall Settings

1. General


1.1.1. Segment text complement

Choose what to display after the Segment name in waterfall labels:

  • Variation relative to average (e.g., “x2.43”) - default value to easily spot “abnormal” variations above average
  • Percentage Variation (e.g., “-46%”) - percentage difference between start and end values
  • Variation absolute change (e.g., “-3pts”) - absolute difference between start and end values in the KPI’s unit
  • Nothing

1.1.2. Number of bars before aggregation

Number of elements to display in an opening step (default is 4). Whatever this option, you can click the remaining bar to display more elements.

1.1.3. Exploration Method (Tree view only)

In the Tree chart, display only the main segments across the dimension to focus on the most informative elements.

1.1.4. Number of bars included in Top exploration method (Tree view only)

Choose how many cards to display when zooming into a KPI.

1.1.5. Y axis auto scaling

Start the Y scale at zero, or let Datama auto‑scale to better visualize small variations.

1.1.6. Open biggest/focused element by default

Automatically open the step with the largest variation when loading the graph or keep the waterfall close when loading the graph.

Display connectors between steps to highlight transitions.

1.1.8. Reverse axis

Rotate the graph 90 degrees. And icon is also available top right of the graph to make this rotation.

1.1.9. Share scales between primary and secondary comparison

Keep the same scale for the two waterfall plots.


2. Fonts

2.1. Family

Choose from available fonts to match your dashboard (currently Montserrat and Arial).

2.2. Module Title

Adjust module title size. Default value is Auto and automatically scale the size of the font according to the size of the screen. When choosing Manual, define in the input below a fixed font size.

2.3. Comments

Adjust comments size.

2.4. Plot Title

Adjust plot title font size. Default value is Auto and automatically scale the size of the font according to the size of the screen. When choosing Manual, define in the input below a fixed font size.

2.5. Subtitle Title

Manually adjust subtitle size. (Automatical scale is WIP)

2.6. Tree view cards name

Adjust tree view card name size. (Automatical scale is WIP)

2.7. Main values

Adjust main values size. (Automatical scale is WIP)

2.8. Additional values

Adjust additional values size. (Automatical scale is WIP)


3. Labels & Indicators

These settings allow you to customize how information is displayed on the waterfall chart.

For each element, you can choose what information to display:

  • First row is representing how to compare your evolution
    • By default volume will display the evolution in volume from Start to End
    • Impact in points will explain the variation from 0pts to xxpts from the left to the right, each step will be displayed with his impact in point.
    • Percent change will explain the variation from 0% to xx% from the left to the right, each step will be displayed with his contribution in percentage.
  • Second row will (default is Percent change) change the display of the row of percentage change on the top of the graph.
    • When displayed in volume, this will display the impact on the main KPI (e.g.: Revenue)
    • …


3.1. Impact in points (pts)

Variation in percentage points instead of Percent change.

Example: 1% variation is 1pt% to explain, which could be explained by +0.3pt% by the first step and +0.7pt% by the second step.

3.2. Impact in volume

Contribution to the main KPI (e.g. impact on Revenue)

3.3. Percent change

Evolution in %

3.4. Start

Initial value (blue bar on the left)

3.5. End

Final value (blue bar on the right)


For each configuration, you can customize the display format:

3.6. Gauge

Show a gauge visualization

3.7. Arrows

Display directional arrows indicating positive/negative variations

3.8. Colors

Color-code values in green (increase) or red (decrease)

3.9. Hover Only

Only show values when hovering with the mouse

3.10. Hide

Hide the element completely


Save customized setting

For premium users on Looker Studio and Power BI: once you customize your chart, click the Save button at the top right, then paste the JSON automatically copied to your clipboard into the Config JSON field in the style panel. Otherwise, your settings will be lost when you refresh the BI report.



Get more information about extension interface or theoretical concepts of Datama.