Analysis Workspace and Derived Data
What you must understand
Workspace is the analysis surface: freeform tables, visualizations, segments, calculated metrics, and derived fields. Know how calculated metrics differ from derived fields (calculated metrics operate on metrics; derived fields transform dimension values at query time). Understand attribution IQ, segment IQ, and anomaly detection, and how panels (e.g., attribution, journey) change interpretation.
Be able to explain derived data concepts: creating new dimensions or metrics from existing data without changing the source schema, and how these appear as components. Know that calculated metrics and derived fields are query-time constructs-they do not alter ingested data.
Traps to watch
- Confusing calculated metrics (metric math) with derived fields (dimension transformation).
- Assuming a Workspace change modifies the underlying dataset; it does not.
- Misreading attribution panels as raw data rather than modeled views.
- Forgetting that segment definitions can be shared and reused across projects.
Worked example
To group page URLs into categories, use a derived field (dimension transformation). To compute revenue per order, use a calculated metric (metric math). Both are query-time and reusable across projects.