As a data analyst, one of the most critical skills to pursue is effectively communicating your findings visually, and Tableau is an effective tool to make it possible. Let’s look at how to use Tableau to turn your data into beautiful, informative charts and graphs to understand your data better and make better decisions. We’ll also learn to use Tableau's more advanced features, like creating custom maps and table calculations.
Creating Custom Maps
One of the most powerful features of Tableau is its ability to create custom maps. With Tableau, you can take any data set with geographic information and turn it into a beautiful, interactive map. You can even use custom maps to create heat maps and choropleth maps, two of the most popular varieties of visualizations for data with geographic information.
To create a custom map in Tableau, you'll need to start by connecting to a data set that contains latitude and longitude information. Once connected to your data, drag the latitude and longitude fields onto the view. Tableau will automatically recognize these fields as geographic information and create a map.
If you want to create a choropleth map, you'll need to drag a field representing some geographic area onto the view. For example, if your data set contains information about US states, you would drag the "state" field onto the view. Tableau will automatically color each state based on the data in the field that you dragged onto the view.
You can also create heat maps in Tableau. To do this, simply drag a numeric field onto the Color shelf. Tableau will automatically assign colors to your data based on the values in the field. Heat maps are a great way to quickly see which areas have higher or lower values.
Table Calculations
Table calculations can be used to perform complex data analysis in Tableau. With table calculations, you can quickly and easily answer questions that would otherwise be difficult or time-consuming.
To use table calculations, you'll need to start by creating a view containing the data you want to analyze. Once you've made your view, click the drop-down arrow next to the field you want to calculate. From the menu that appears, select "Compute Using" and then choose the appropriate option from the list.
For example, let's say you have a view containing sales data by region. If you wanted to see what percentage of total sales each area represents, you would click the drop-down arrow next to the "Region" field and select "Compute Using > Percent of Total". Tableau will then calculate the percent of total sales for each region and display it in the view.
You can also use table calculations to create Running Sums, Differences, and Moving Averages. To do this, click the drop-down arrow next to the field you want to calculate and select the appropriate option from the list. For example, if you wanted to see a running sum of sales by region, you would select "Running Sum > Region".
Parameters
With parameters, you can create visualizations that change based on user input. In our previous sales by region example, with a parameter, you could allow the user to select a region from a list, and then the view would only show data for that region.
To create a parameter, click the drop-down arrow next to the field that you want to use as a parameter. From the menu that appears, select "Create Parameter." Tableau will then display the "Create Parameter" dialog box.
In the "Name" field, enter a name for your parameter. In the "Data Type" field, select the appropriate data type for your parameter. In the "Current Value" field, enter a default value for your parameter.
Finally, click "OK" to create your parameter. Tableau will then add a control to the view that you can use to change the parameter's value.
Calculated Fields
With calculated fields, you can create new fields based on the data in other fields. For example, let's say you have a field containing sales data by region. You could create a calculated field showing each region's sales per capita.
To create a calculated field, click the analysis from the menu bar from the top and click Create Calculated field you want to use as a basis for the calculation
In the "Name" field, enter a name for your calculated field. In the "Formula" field, enter the formula you want to use for the calculation.
Finally, click "OK" to create your calculated field. Tableau will then add the new field to the view.
Groups and Hierarchies
Groups and hierarchies are a great way to organize data in Tableau. With groups, you can combine multiple fields into a single area, which is pretty useful if you want to simplify a view or if you want to create a more granular view. In our sales by region data example, we could create a group that contains the fields for "North America" and "South America" and then use that group in your view.
To create a group, click the drop-down arrow next to the field you want to use as a basis for the group. From the menu that appears, select "Create Group." Tableau will then display the "Group" dialog box.
In the "Name" field, enter a name for your group. In the "Fields" section, select the fields you want to include in the group.
Finally, click "OK" to create your group. Tableau will then add the new group to the view.
Hierarchies are similar to groups, but they are typically used to organize hierarchical data. In the sales by region example, we could create a hierarchy that contains the fields for "Continent" and "Region." It would allow you to drill down from the continent to the regional level.
To create a hierarchy, click the drop-down arrow next to the field that you want to use as a basis for the hierarchy. From the menu that appears, select "Create Hierarchy." Tableau will then display the "Hierarchy" dialog box.
In the "Name" field, enter a name for your hierarchy. In the "Fields" section, select the fields you want to include in the hierarchy.
Finally, click "OK" to create your hierarchy. Tableau will then add the new hierarchy to the view.
Sets
Sets are a great way to filter data in Tableau. With sets, you can define a specific subset of data that you want to use in your view. For example, in our sales by region example, you could create a set that only includes data for the regions you are interested in.
To create a set, click the drop-down arrow next to the field that you want to use as a basis for the set. From the menu that appears, select "Create Set." Tableau will then display the "Set" dialog box.
In the "Name" field, enter a name for your set. In the "Field" drop-down list, select the field you want to use as a basis for the set. In the "Set Type" drop-down list, select whether you want to create a fixed or dynamic set.
If you want to create a fixed set, select the values you want to include. If you want to create a dynamic set, select the criteria you want to use to define the set.
Finally, click "OK" to create your set. Tableau will then add the new set to the view.