> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.omni.co/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Using Level of Detail functions for cohorting analysis
> Utilize Level of Detail fields to create a cohort analysis for determining how different cohorts of user perform over time.
export const categoryIcons = {
'administration': 'lock',
'api': 'terminal',
'connections': 'database',
'dashboards': 'table-columns',
'embed': 'code',
'errors': 'exclamation',
'modeling': 'wrench',
'patterns': 'plus',
'schedules & alerts': 'envelope',
'visualizations': 'chart-column',
'workbooks': 'book'
};
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container = container.parentElement;
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const icon = category ? categoryIcons[category.toLowerCase()] || 'book' : 'book';
return ;
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export const GuideTitle = ({title}) => {
return
{title}
;
};
You can use [Level of Detail](https://omni.co/demos/20250523#level-of-detail-fields) (LoD) calculations to perform cohort analysis without creating query views or complex joins. This guide shows you how to identify a user's first order date to track behavior and retention over time.
## Requirements
To follow the steps in this guide, you'll need:
* Access to a **dataset** with an `Order Date` and `User ID`.
* Restricted Querier or above connection permissions to build in the workbook.
First, define the aggregation that identifies the first order for each user.
1. In the field browser in a workbook, find the `Order Date` field.
2. Hover over the field and click the that displays, then **Modeling > New Level of Detail field**:
Set the scope of the calculation to ensure the date is fixed to the user regardless of other filters in your query.
1. In the editing pane, select **Fixed LoD Grouping**.
2. Under **Fixed Dimension(s)**, select `User ID` to isolate each individual user's activity. This sets the aggregation to find the minimum (first) `Order Date` for each `User ID`.
Once the field is defined, you can build your cohort grid to analyze user patterns.
1. Using the field browser, select the new LoD field to serve as your cohort date.
2. Select the original `Order Date` and `Order Count`.
3. [Pivot](/visualize-present/visualizations/types/table#working-with-pivots) the LoD field by clicking the icon next to the Level of Detail field header in the workbook, then select **Pivot**. This will allow you to see how these cohorts have purchased products over time.
## Video walkthrough
## Next steps
Now that you have built your cohort using LoD, you can further refine your analysis:
* [Learn more about table visualizations](/visualize-present/visualizations/types/table) to further customize your view.
* [Explore advanced querying](/analyze-explore/querying) to add filters or custom calculations to your cohort.
* Review [Cohort analysis using a thin spine](/guides/patterns/spine-cohort-analysis) for an alternative approach.
