Explore the Basics in Tableau (For the Beginners)

Import files and use joins either inner, left, right or full outer. If the data fields are from different source, you can combine it in the same worksheet by using the joins for visualization. There are three different working sheets in Tableau: Worksheet, Dashboard and Story. To start with visualization, we need to take a tour and know about available tools, tabs / bars, charts, marks and its uses. Data is segregated automatically as dimension and measures. Dimension are categorical items and measures are numerical values that can be calculated.

To practice using charts, drag categories in columns and rows and see the available charts for the visualization. As per the categories, the “Show Me” button shows the charts that can be used for certain measures and dimension as shown in figure 1. Try using these charts and look at each of them. With same dimension and measures, we can create multiple types of graphs

Figure 1: Selecting Bar chart from “Show Me”Using Filters

We can either include or exclude the categories and showcase only the necessary one using filter field. Drag the category in “Filters” and select only the values you want to show. Using the drop down you can show the filters and sliders as shown in the filter as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2: Appearance of selection of Filter

Marks The categories can be directly dragged in the fields of marks. The charts are also available in the drop down. Pick the field and drop in color, size, text, detail or/and tooltip as show in the figure 3. You can choose the color as you want and change the font, size and color in label. Size is used to increase/decrease the size of the graph.

Figure 3: Dragged the measure and dimension in marks

Dashboard For dashboard, there are two options, tiled and floating. With floating, you have an option to place the chart and its legends as you want. You can change the layout, use the background color, choose device for preview and use the objects to showcase the data more informatively. In dashboard, several charts or images can be combined for information visualization as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 4: Combined Charts in Dashboard

Story In story, you can drag both worksheets and dashboards and use the layout accordingly. Story can be viewed in a presentation mode. In Tableau, stories can be created to convey the data narrative and concept of the outcome. In story, data are arranged in the form of sequence or presentation.

Overall, the more you explore the tableau, the more information you can find out. Be curious and keep on learning. Thank you for reading.