What is Tableau?

analyze dynamic data, when the Velocity is

Tableau is the fastly growing and powerful high, and real-time analysis of data is
data visualization tool. Tableau is a business complicated. Tableau can help extract valuable
intelligence tool which helps us to analyze the information from fast moving data with
raw data in the form of the visual interactive analytics.
manner; it may be a graph, report, etc. o The Collaboration of data: Data analysis is
Example: - If you have any data like Big Data, not isolating task. That's why Tableau is
Hadoop, SQL, or any cloud data and if built for collaboration. Team members can
you want to analyze that given data in the form share data, make follow up queries, and
of pictorial representation of data, you forward easy-to-digest visualizations to others
can use Tableau. who could gain value from the data.
Data analysis is very fast with Tableau, and
the visualizations created are in the form
of worksheets and dashboards. Any Making sure everyone understands the data
professional can understand the data created and can make informed decisions is critical
using Tableau. to success.
Tableau software doesn't require any technical
or any programming skills to operate. Tableau filters
Tableau is easy and fast for creating visual Tableau filters allow their users to perform
dashboards. simple filtering using available metrics, as
well as perform advanced filtering using
Why use Tableau? complex calculations. While developing
Here are some reasons to use Tableau: dashboards, Tableau offers the flexibility to
 Ultimate skill for Data Science view different types of filters such as drop-
 User-Friendly down filters, wildcard filters, list filters and
 Apply to any Business many more. To enhance dashboard
 Fast and Easy interactivity, Tableau has provided “Filter
 You don't need to do any Coding Actions” which allow users to filter an entire
 Community is Huge dashboard as per the value selected by the user
 Hold the power of data in a particular visualization.
 It makes it easier to understand and To create a filter that suits the user’s
explain the Data Reports requirements, Tableau engages several
 Features of Tableau filtering techniques which also enhance data
 Data Blending: Data blending is the processing efficiency Each filter is designed
most important feature in Tableau. It for a specific function, and the order in which
is used when we combine related data they are run can significantly impact
from multiple data sources, which you performance.
want to analyze together in a single 6 Types of Filters in Tableau
view, and represent in the form of a Tableau employs six different types of filters,
graph. which are listed in the sequence of execution:
Example: Assume, we have Sales data in 1. Extract Filters
relational database and Sales Target data in 2. Data Source Filters
an Excel sheet. Now, we have to compare 3. Context Filters
actual sales with target sales, and blend the 4. Dimension Filters
data based on common dimensions to get 5. Measure Filters
access. The two sources which are involved 6. Table Calculation Filters
in data blending referred to as primary data 1. Extract Filters
and secondary data sources. A left join Extract filters are utilised during the initial
will be created between the primary data stage of data filtering. When datasets are
source and the secondary data source with uploaded to Tableau, we can utilise the extract
all the data rows from primary and matching filter to minimize the number of Tableau
data rows from secondary data source to queries for the data source. By applying filters
blend the data. to the extract, we can further decrease the size
o Real-time analysis: Real-Time Analysis of the data.
makes users able to quickly understand and 2. Data Source Filters
Data Source filters sort out any crucial or 1. Range: To select the range of values to
sensitive information while putting data into include in the result.
Tableau. It is compatible with both the Live 2. At least: Select the minimum value of
and Extract connections. a measure to filter the data.
We can add the data source filter to any 3. At most: To select the maximum value
column by selecting the ADD option. After of a measure to filter the data.
selecting the ADD option, the ADD Filter 4. Special: To select null or non-null
dialogue box will appear, displaying all the values.
fields. We can then select the field to which 6. Table Calculation Filter
we wish to apply the filter and it is possible to Table Calculation Filters, being the last type of
change or delete data source filters as needed. filters to be executed in the sequence of
3. Context Filters execution, do not filter out the underlying data.
A context filter is generally used when we It is mostly used to filter out contents in the
require this filter to be applied before any current view. Table Calculations are functions
other filter. It has the potential to enhance the that are utilised for building Calculated Fields
performance of massive data sources. They are like LOOKUP, WINDOW SUM, WINDOW
made by dragging the dimension to the filter AVG, and so on.
section box and selecting the Add to context
option. This will make the dimension pill What Are Parameters in Tableau?
change its colour to “Grey”, indicating it is a Parameters in Tableau are dynamic values that
context filter. Similarly, by clicking “Remove can be used to change the behavior of a
from Context”, the filter becomes a simple visualization. They allow users to interact with
dimension filter. A common use case for this their data by choosing from a list of predefined
filter would be when a user would like to find values or by entering specific values
the top N products in any category. themselves.
4. Dimension Filters
Dimension fields include discrete categorical
data, and we can remove or add the values we
want to investigate. The process is simple as
outlined below:
Step 1: Drag the dimensions from the
dimension list to the filter section box.
Step 2: From the Filter Dialog box, select the
values that we want to analyze.
The Filter dialogue box contains four tabs:
1. General: To select the members
present in the dimension to either
include or exclude
2. Wildcard: To filter the result based on
a particular pattern
3. Condition: To filter the result based on
a particular condition
4. Top: To filter the Top N products
belonging to a particular category. Parameters can be used in calculations, filters,
5. Measure Filters and reference lines, making them incredibly
Measure filters are applied to the measure versatile for creating customized
fields, which have quantitative data. It can be visualizations.
used as follows:
1. Drag the measured field from the Parameters vs Filters: What's the
Measure box to the Filter area Difference?
2. Filter dialogue box with several Filters are used to limit the data that is
functions will appear. included in a visualization. For example, you
3. Select the operation that needs to be may filter your data only to show sales from a
performed and click Next. certain region or time period.
In the subsequent dialog box, there are 4 Parameters, on the other hand, allow users to
types of filters: dynamically change certain aspects of a
visualization, such as the color scheme or the
level of detail shown.
While filters are fixed and set before a
visualization is created, parameters can be
changed on the fly while viewing the data.
Even though parameters and filters can control
what data is shown in your visualizations, they
5. Type in “1” in the first row, press
work differently.
"Enter" and type in “2” in the second
Step-by-step Guide on How to Create
row. Press "Enter" again. These are
Tableau Parameters. values that will be linked to your
Prerequisites
calculated field later on.
 Tableau Desktop/Public
 Superstore dataset (comes with
Tableau Desktop/Public)

Let's now run through a simple example of

how to create parameters in Tableau:
Step 1: Create a Parameter
First, you'll have to create a parameter using
the built-in function in Tableau.
Here's how to do it:
1. In the data pane on the left, Select
“Create Parameter” from the drop-
down list. A popup window will
appear.

6. In the “Display As” column in the

table, rename the fields to "Profit" and
2. Give your parameter a name like "Sales" respectively as shown in the
“Choose Sum of Profit or Sales.” This the image below.
makes it more readable for your users.

7. Click OK to save the parameter.

Step 2: Show the Parameter
Next, you’ll want to show the parameter
you’ve just created in your view. This action
will be similar to adding a filter to a view.
1. Right-click on the newly created
parameter “Choose Sum of Profit or
Sales.”
2. Click on "Show Parameter". A new
parameter control selection box will
appear on the right-hand side of the
view.
3. Leave your data type as Float. 3. Place the parameter control in a
4. Select “List” from the "Allowable convenient location in your dashboard
values" option. In the value table that or worksheet.
appears, click on the table that reads Step 3: Create a Calculated Field
“Click to Add.”
This step helps build the logic behind the What are Tableau Sets?
parameter. It also helps link the user's selection  Custom Fields:
to the right measure shown in the view. Sets are custom fields that store a subset of
1. In the dropdown arrow in the "Data" data based on conditions you define.
pane, select "Create Calculated Field."  Data Subsets:
2. Name your calculated field (e.g., They allow you to isolate and focus on specific
"Choose Profit or Sales"). In the editor parts of your data, making it easier to find
field, use a CASE statement to switch insights.
between measures based on the  Dynamic vs. Fixed:
parameter's value.  Dynamic sets: Members
For example: change when the underlying
CASE [Choose Sum of Profit or Sales] data changes.
WHEN 1 THEN [Profit]  Fixed sets: Members do not
WHEN 2 THEN [Sales] change, even if the underlying
END data changes.
1. Click on "OK."  Use Cases:
Step 4: Build Your Visualization  Filtering: Use sets to filter
1. Drag the newly created calculated your view and show only
field to the "Rows" shelf. specific data points.
2. Add the "Location" field to the  Coloring: Use sets to color
"Columns" shelf. A bar chart should different data points based on
appear automatically. membership.
 Calculated Fields: Create
Step 6: Customize and Refine calculated fields that use set
The last step is to customize and refine your membership to perform
visualization as desired, using any formatting, calculations on specific
filters, or other options available in Tableau. subsets.
This creates a better user experience for your  Top N: Create sets for the top
dashboard viewers, which can make a big N customers or products based
difference in data storytelling. on a specific measure.
Let's look at some of the things you can refine: How to Create Sets:
1. Customize the look and feel: Adjust 1. Right-Click a Dimension: In the Data
colors, fonts, and labels to make your pane, right-click a dimension and
visualization more informative and select "Create > Set".
appealing. 2. Configure the Set: In the "Create Set"
2. Hide the y-axis to make the chart more dialog box, configure your set by
clean and intuitive. defining the conditions or selecting
3. Enhance Interactivity: Consider members.
adding tooltips, filters, or additional 3. Select Members: You can select
parameters to make your visualization members from a list or visualization to
more interactive. include in the set.
4. Create Dashboards: Combine multiple 4. Create Combined Sets: You can
visualizations into a dashboard for a create combined sets by selecting
comprehensive view of your data, multiple sets and right-clicking to
adding actions for interactivity create a combined set.
between components. Examples:
 Top 10 Customers: Create a set of
Sets your top 10 customers based on sales.
In Tableau, sets are custom fields that hold a  Outliers: Create a set of outliers in a
subset of data based on specific conditions, visualization.
allowing you to isolate and analyze specific  Specific Product Categories: Create
segments of your data. You can create sets by a set of specific product categories for
selecting members from a list or visualization, analysis.
and they can be used for filtering, coloring, or
creating calculated fields. Heatmaps & Treemaps
Here's a more detailed explanation:
 In Tableau, a heatmap displays data values in a
matrix format, using color to represent
variations across two dimensions, while a
treemap visualizes hierarchical data with
nested rectangles, where size and color
represent different measures.
Heatmaps are useful for:
 Identifying patterns and variations across
two dimensions .
 Comparing categories with color and size .
 Visualizing trends in dimensions with
multiple variables .
 Comparing two different measures
together .
 Example: Showing sales performance across
different regions over time.
Treemaps are useful for:
 Illustrating hierarchical relationships and
size comparisons within a structured
layout .
 Displaying hierarchical data using nested
rectangles .
 Visualizing part-to-whole relationships .
 Example: Representing the total sales of
different product categories and their sub-
categories.
Here's a table summarizing the key
differences:
Feature Heatmap Treemap

Data Type Two continuous variables (or one dimension Hierarchical data
and one measure)

Visualization Matrix format with color representing values Nested rectangles, where size and color
represent different measures

Purpose Identifying patterns and variations across two Illustrating hierarchical relationships,
dimensions, comparing categories with color visualizing part-to-whole relationships,
and size, visualizing trends in dimensions comparing proportions within a
with multiple variables hierarchical structure