# FIXED, INCLUDE, EXCLUDE and nested LOD expressions

*Tableau Data Analyst Study Guide · Explore and Analyze Data · Last updated October 29, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/tableau-data-analyst/explore-and-analyze-data/fixed-include-exclude-and-nested-lod-expressions*

Write FIXED, INCLUDE, EXCLUDE and nested level of detail expressions, predict whether their values are aggregated or replicated in a view, whether they land as dimensions or measures, and which filters they respect.

- Certification: Salesforce Tableau Data Analyst
- Exam section: Explore and Analyze Data
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/tableau-data-analyst

**Official exam objective:**

> Create Level of Detail calculations: Write FIXED LOD calculations; Write INCLUDE LOD calculations; Write EXCLUDE LOD calculations; Write nested LOD calculations.

## What the exam expects

- Write a FIXED expression for a value that must not change with the view, such as a cohort date.
- Write an INCLUDE expression to compute at a finer grain than the view and re-aggregate it on the shelf.
- Write an EXCLUDE expression to remove a view dimension, such as a total per column repeated in each cell.
- Read and write nested LOD expressions, and spot invalid aggregate expressions.
- Predict dimension or measure, aggregated or replicated, and which filters apply.

Key terms:
- **View level of detail:** the dimensions in the view that decide how many marks there are.
- **Dimension declaration:** the dimensions after the keyword that scope the expression.
- **Aggregate expression:** the aggregated calculation after the colon.
- **Replicated value:** a coarser result repeated across several marks.
- **Nested LOD:** an LOD expression inside another LOD's aggregate expression.

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Syntax | `{KEYWORD dimensions : aggregate}` in curly braces | [Create LOD Expressions](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/calculations_calculatedfields_lod.htm) |
| FIXED and filters | Ignores all view filters except context, data source and extract | [Create LOD Expressions](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/calculations_calculatedfields_lod.htm) |
| INCLUDE and EXCLUDE timing | After dimension filters | [How LOD Expressions Work](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/calculations_calculatedfields_lod_overview.htm) |
| INCLUDE and EXCLUDE type | Always measures | [How LOD Expressions Work](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/calculations_calculatedfields_lod_overview.htm) |
| EXCLUDE on a shelf | Defaults to ATTR; aggregation change has no effect | [How LOD Expressions Work](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/calculations_calculatedfields_lod_overview.htm) |
| Aggregate expression rules | Must be aggregated; no ATTR; no table calculations | [Create LOD Expressions](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/calculations_calculatedfields_lod.htm) |
| Table-scoped LOD | `{MIN([Date])}` equals `{FIXED : MIN([Date])}` | [Create LOD Expressions](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/calculations_calculatedfields_lod.htm) |
| Unsupported sources | Cubes, Microsoft Access, legacy Jet connections, Splunk, among others | [How LOD Expressions Work](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/calculations_calculatedfields_lod_overview.htm) |

## Check yourself

- What is the table-scoped expression {MIN([Order Date])} equivalent to?
- When does Tableau wrap an LOD expression in an aggregation on a shelf?
- How do you create a quick FIXED LOD in the Data pane?
- Why is ATTR not allowed around an inner LOD in a nested expression?

## Sources

- [Create Level of Detail Expressions in Tableau](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/calculations_calculatedfields_lod.htm)
- [How Level of Detail Expressions Work in Tableau](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/calculations_calculatedfields_lod_overview.htm)
- [FIXED Level of Detail Expressions](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/calculations_calculatedfields_lod_fixed.htm)
- [Tableau's Order of Operations](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/order_of_operations.htm)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 9 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Tableau Data Analyst pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams