Unit 1

Unit 1

1. Defining Data Visualization (DV) and Its Advantages

Data Visualization (DV) is the method of presenting data in a visual format, such
as charts, graphs, maps, and dashboards, to make patterns, trends, and key
insights easily accessible. This graphical representation allows users to quickly
grasp information, unlike reading extensive tables of numerical data.

Key Advantages:

●​ Better Comparison: Facilitates rapid comparison of datasets or scenarios

without needing to analyze large tables.
●​ Enhanced Understanding: Uses pictorial forms (charts and graphs) for
simpler comprehension (e.g., as seen in Google Trends).
●​ Easy Data Sharing: Visual data is more compelling and simpler to
communicate than raw numbers.
●​ Accurate Analysis: Clearly highlights trends and patterns, leading to more
informed decision-making.
●​ Sales Analysis: Supports understanding of product performance, customer
behavior, and regional sales via charts and heat maps.

2. Data Visualization Structure

The structure of data visualization is based on the type of data being represented
graphically to easily identify patterns, trends, and comparisons. It is primarily
categorized into two types:
Data Type Description Sub-Types Examples Common
Charts

1. Numerical
Data Deals with Continuous Height, Line chart,
Visualization measurable or Data: Takes any weight, histogram
countable value within a temperature,
quantities and range; includes time
numbers. decimals.
 Discrete Data: Number of Bar chart
Takes fixed, students,
countable number of
values; no cars
decimals.

2. Categorical Represents Binary Data: Yes/No,

Data groups or Has only two Male/Female
Visualization categories distinct , Pass/Fail
rather than categories.
numerical
values.

Nominal Data: Blood group, Bar chart, pie

Categories colors, chart
without any country
inherent order or names
ranking.

Ordinal Data: Grades (A,

Categories that B, C),
have a specific satisfaction
order or ranking. level (High,
Medium,
Low)

Importance of This Structure:

●​ It is crucial for selecting the most appropriate chart types.

●​ It enhances the accuracy of data analysis.
●​ It makes data interpretation simpler.
●​ It prevents misrepresentation of data.
3. Tableau Application Suite

The Tableau Application Suite is a collection of tools designed to manage the entire
data visualization workflow, from data preparation to sharing finalized dashboards.
Component Primary Function Key Features

🔷 1. Tableau Desktop The core tool for creating Connects to various data
visualizations. sources (Excel, SQL,
CSV, etc.). Used to build
charts, dashboards, and
stories. Supports data
analysis with filters and
calculated fields.

🔷 2. Tableau Prep Tool for data cleaning and Helps in removing nulls,
Builder preprocessing. merging tables, and
standardizing data types to
prepare clean data for
Tableau Desktop.

🔷 3. Tableau Server Platform for publishing Enables collaboration and

and sharing dashboards access control. Allows
 within an organization. users to view and interact
with dashboards via a web
browser.

🔷 4. Tableau Online A cloud-based, hosted Eliminates the need for

(Tableau Cloud) version of Tableau Server. local server hardware
installation. Provides
access to dashboards from
any location with an
internet connection.

🔷 5. Tableau Public Free version for public Used to publish

dashboard sharing. visualizations publicly
online. Ideal for students
and portfolio
development; however,
data is not private.

🔷 6. Tableau Reader Tool for viewing Users can only view

dashboards offline. dashboards; editing or
creation of visualizations
is not possible. Useful for
users without Tableau
Desktop access.

4. Data Pre-Processing Steps

Data pre-processing is the essential process of transforming raw data into a clean,
usable, and suitable format for analysis or visualization.
The Main Steps Are:

1.​ Data Cleaning:

●​ Focuses on removing errors and 'noise' from the data.
●​ This involves handling missing values, eliminating duplicates, and
correcting inconsistent or inaccurate data
●​ e.g., removing blank cells, fixing spelling errors .
2.​ Data Integration:
●​ This is the second phase of pre-processing after Data Cleaning
●​ Combines data from disparate sources into a single, cohesive dataset,
preventing conflicts and data duplication
●​ e.g., merging sales data from different company branches.
3.​ Data Transformation:
●​ This is the third step after Interagrating the data .
●​ Converts the data into an appropriate format for analysis.
●​ This includes techniques like normalization, aggregation, and encoding
●​ e.g., converting text fields to numerical values, grouping records
4.​ Data Reduction:
●​ This is the fourth step in Pre- processing , after the data is transformed
into business insights .
●​ Aims to decrease the volume of the data while preserving critical
information.
●​ This improves processing speed
●​ e.g., removing columns or records that are not essential
5.​ Data Validation:
●​ This is the last step in Pre - Processing
●​ Ensures that the data conforms to defined rules and constraints,
verifying correctness before visualization
●​ e.g., checking that an 'age' field is not a negative number.
5. The Tableau Workspace Components

The Tableau Workspace is the primary interface where users connect to data, create
visualisations, and assemble dashboards and stories.
Component Location/Description Function

1. Menu Bar
Located at the top. Contains core options:
File, Data, Worksheet,
Dashboard, Help. Used
for managing and
exporting worksheets.

2. Toolbar Below the Menu Bar. Provides quick-access

buttons for common
operations like Save,
Undo, Redo, Export, and
Swap.

3. Data Pane Located on the left side. Displays data sources,

tables, fields, Dimensions,
and Measures. Used to
drag fields onto the
worksheet.

4. Rows and Columns Above the View Area. Used for placing fields to
Shelves structure the chart,
controlling the X-axis and
Y-axis.

5. Marks Card Below the Data Pane. Controls the visual

encoding of data: Color,
Size, Label, Detail,
Tooltip, and Shape.
6. Filters Shelf Next to the Marks Card. Used to apply filters to the
data, showing only
specific subsets of records
in the visualization.

7. View Area (Canvas) The central area. Where the final chart or
visualization is displayed.

8. Show Me Panel Available on the right Suggests different chart

side. types, assisting beginners
in selecting suitable
visualizations.

9. Sheet Tabs Located at the bottom. Includes tabs for

Worksheet, Dashboard,
and Story, used for
navigation and creation.

6. Data Quality and the Necessity of Data Remediation

Data quality defines the reliability, accuracy, completeness, and consistency of data

for effective analysis and decision-making. High-quality data ensures correct

analytical outcomes, whereas poor-quality data leads to faulty conclusions.

Characteristics of Good Data Quality:

●​ Absence of missing values.

●​ No duplicate records.
●​ Data is correct and valid.
●​ Consistent data formats.
✅ Why Data Remediation is Needed
Data remediation is the process required to correct errors and improve data
quality before any analysis or visualization takes place.

Necessity of Remediation:

●​ To eliminate duplicate and inaccurate data entries.

●​ To correctly fill or adjust missing values.
●​ To ensure and maintain consistent data formats across the dataset.
●​ To improve the overall accuracy of the final analysis.
●​ To prevent misleading visualizations and poor business decisions.

7. Importance of Data Visualization

Data visualization is crucial for understanding and analyzing data by presenting it
in accessible graphical forms such as charts, graphs, and dashboards.

Key Importance Factors:

●​ Easy Data Comprehension: Complex data sets can be quickly understood

using visual formats.
●​ Identification of Trends and Patterns: Helps in detecting growth, decline,
and underlying relationships within the data.
●​ Supports Quick Decision Making: Visual insights enable managers to make
faster, more informed decisions.
●​ Improves Data Communication: Information is more easily shared and
explained to stakeholders.
●​ Saves Analysis Time: Reduces the effort required compared to manually
reviewing large tables of numbers.
●​ Business Performance Monitoring: Facilitates tracking of sales, profit, and
customer behavior metrics.
●​ Detection of Errors and Outliers: Abnormal data points (outliers) are easily
noticed within visual charts.
2 marks
​
1. Define Data Visualization.​
Data Visualization is the graphical representation of data using charts, graphs, maps
and dashboards to understand patterns, trends and insights easily.​
​

2. Write two advantages of Data Visualization.

●​ Easy understanding of large data

●​ Quick decision making​
​

3. Write two disadvantages of Data Visualization.

●​ Wrong visualization can mislead users

●​ Requires good data quality​
​

4. What is Big Data?​

Big Data refers to extremely large and complex datasets that cannot be processed
using traditional data processing tools.​
​

5. Write two roles of Data Visualization in Big Data

●​ Helps in identifying patterns

●​ Supports faster decision making​
​

6. Give two examples of Data Visualization.

●​ Bar Chart
●​ Line Chart​
​
7. What is structured data?​
Structured data is data organized in rows and columns such as tables and
spreadsheets.​

8. Define data quality.

Data quality refers to the accuracy, completeness and consistency of data.​

9. What is data remediation?

Data remediation is the process of correcting errors and improving the quality of data.​

10. What is data pre-processing?​

Data pre-processing is the process of cleaning and preparing raw data before analysis
or visualization.

11. Write any two steps in data pre-processing.

●​ Data Cleaning
●​ Data Integration
●​ Data Transformation
●​ Data Reduction
●​ Data Validation​
​

12. What is Tableau?​

Tableau is a data visualization tool used to create interactive charts and dashboards.​
​

13. Write any two Tableau products.

●​ Tableau Desktop
●​ Tableau Server​
​

14. What is Tableau workspace?​

Tableau workspace is the main interface where users create visualizations and
dashboards.​
​

15. What are dimensions?​

Dimensions are categorical fields used to group data, such as region or category.​

16. What are measures?​

Measures are numerical fields used for calculations, such as sales or profit.​
​

17. Give two examples for dimensions and measures.

●​ Dimensions: Country, Product

●​ Measures: Sales, Quantity​
​

18. What is a sheet in Tableau?​

A sheet is a workspace where visualizations are created, such as worksheet,
dashboard or story.​
​
Unit 2
 Unit 2
Start Page in Tableau

Start Page: The Start Page in Tableau is the central location to Connect or
Extract Data for your report, and Opens recently used Workbooks.
Start Page
The start page in Tableau Desktop could also be a central location from which
you'll do the following:

Connect to your data

Open your last used workbooks, and
Discover and explore content produced by the Tableau community.
The start page consists of three panes: Connect, Open, and Discover.​

Connect
1.​ Connect to data and open saved data sources.
2.​ On the Connect pane, you'll do the following:
3.​ Connect to data:
4.​ Under To a File, attach with data stored in Microsoft Excel files, text
files, Access files, Tableau extract files, and statistical files, like SAS,
SPSS, and R.
5.​ Under To a Server, attach with data stored in databases like Microsoft
SQL Server or Oracle.
6.​ The server names listed during this section change supported which
servers you attach with and therefore the way often.
7.​ Open saved data sources:
8.​ Quickly open data sources that you simply have previously saved to
your My Tableau Repository directory.
9.​ Also, Tableau provides sample saved data sources that you simply can
use to explore Tableau Desktop functionality.
10.​ To follow in conjunction with examples within the Tableau Desktop
documentation, you'll usually use the Sample – Superstore data source.
​
Open
1.​ Open recent workbooks, pin workbooks to the start page, and explore
sample workbooks.
2.​ On the Open pane, you'll do the following:
3.​ Open recently opened workbooks:
4.​ Once you open Tableau Desktop for the primary time, this pane is
empty.
5.​ As you create and save new workbooks, the foremost recently opened
workbooks appear here.
6.​ Click the workbook thumbnail to open a workbook, or if you are doing
not see a workbook thumbnail, click the Open a Workbook link to hunt
out other workbooks that are saved to your computer.
7.​ Pin workbooks:
8.​ You'll pin workbooks to the beginning page by clicking the pin icon that
appears within the top-left corner of the workbook thumbnail.
9.​ Pinned workbooks always appear on the start page, albeit they weren't
opened recently. to get rid of a recently opened or pinned workbook,
hover over the workbook thumbnail, then click the "x" that appears.
10.​ The workbook thumbnail is removed immediately but will show again
alongside your last used workbooks subsequent time you open Tableau
Desktop.
11.​Explore sample workbooks:
12.​ Open and explore sample workbooks.
 ​

Hierarchy of Tableau

A hierarchy in Tableau is used to arrange related dimensions into

different levels so users can easily drill down from summarised data to
more detailed views, making analysis more structured and interactive. It
allows analysts to explore data step by step, such as moving from a
country level to a state and then to a city, without creating multiple
separate charts.

●​ Organises data into logical levels

●​ Enables drill-down and roll-up analysis
●​ Makes large datasets easier to explore
●​ Improves dashboard interactivity
●​ Supports clearer and more meaningful insights

Creating Hierarchy
 1.​ Open Tableau.
2.​ In the Data Pane, right-click on the desired dimension (e.g., Country).
3.​ Select Create and then Hierarchy.
4.​ Provide a suitable name for the hierarchy (e.g., Location).
5.​ Drag the remaining fields into the newly created hierarchy (e.g., State,
City).

Removing Hierarchy
1.​ Right-click on the hierarchy
2.​ Click Remove Hierarchy
SET in tableau
Set: Tableau Sets are custom fields wont to hold the subset of knowledge
supported by a given condition. In real-time, you'll create a group by selecting
members from the list or a visualization. You can also do the same by writing
custom Conditions or Selecting Top/Bottom few records in a Measure.

1.​ Open Tableau

2.​ Connect to a dataset
3.​ In the Data Pane (left side), right-click a Dimension
4.​ Example: State or Customer Name
5.​ Click Create → Set
6.​ A Create Set dialog box opens
7.​ Choose one option:
8.​ General → manually select members
9.​ Condition → based on a rule (e.g., Sales > 50000)
10.​Top → Top N by Sales or Profit
11.​Click OK

Combined set

A Combined Set is created by combining two existing sets using logical operations.

📌 Operations:
Union (OR) – Members in either set

Intersection (AND) – Members common in both sets

Difference (EXCEPT) – Members in one set but not the other

Steps

Ensure two sets already exist

Example: Top 10 States and High Profit States

1.​ In the Data Pane, right-click on one set

2.​ Click Create Combined Set
3.​ Select the second set
4.​ Choose a Set Operation:
 ●​ Union
●​ Intersection
●​ Difference
5.​ Click OK

Tableau Bins

Bins in Tableau are containers of equal size that group data values into intervals. They
are often used with numeric measures to create histograms or distributions, allowing
analysts to understand better how data points are spread across ranges.

For example, if we have sales values ranging from 0 to 10,000, we can create bins of
size 1,000. This will categorize sales into intervals like 0–999, 1,000–1,999 and so on.

Use of Bins in Tableau

●​ To create distributions of continuous numeric data.

●​ To convert measures into discrete groups (intervals).
●​ To enable histogram visualizations.
●​ Creating Bins in Tableau
●​ To create bins in tableau follow the given instructions

Steps

1.​ Open Tableau and connect to our dataset.

 2.​ Drag a sheet from the connected dataset.
3.​ Open a worksheet (e.g., Sheet1).
4.​ On the left panel, we’ll see all dataset attributes.
5.​ Right-click a numeric field (measure).
6.​ Select Create → Bins.
7.​ Modify the suggested bin size (optional).
8.​ Click OK.

Tableau - Data Joining

Data joining is a very common requirement in any data analysis. You may need to join
data from multiple sources or join data from different tables in a single source.
Tableau provides the feature to join the table by using the data pane available under
Edit Data Source in the Data menu.

Creating a Join

1.​ Open Tableau Desktop.

2.​ On the Start Page, click Sample – Superstore under Saved Data Sources.
3.​ After the workbook opens, go to the top menu and click Data → Edit Data
Source.
4.​ In the Data Source page, you will see the list of available tables on the left side
such as Orders, Returns, and People.
5.​ Drag the Orders table into the canvas (center area).
6.​ Then drag the Returns table next to the Orders table in the canvas.
7.​ Tableau will automatically create a join between the two tables based on a
 common field (usually Order ID) if the field names and data types match.
8.​ To check or modify the join, click on the join icon between the two tables.
9.​ In the Join dialog box, you can change the join type (Inner, Left, Right, or Full
Outer) and confirm that the join condition is [Link] ID = [Link]
ID.
10.​The join between Orders and Returns is now successfully created.​

The following screenshot shows the creation of an inner join between Orders and
Returns using the Field Order ID.

Data Blending in Tableau

Tableau is a commercially available software used in business intelligence to visualize
data interactively and understand and deal with it better. It is used for data analysis to
finally help draft plans or inferences a company may need to understand themselves.

Data blending is a powerful tool supported by Tableau which allows visualizing data
sets from separate data sources together in one picture. This article is dedicated to
provide a step-by-step procedure for the same.

Steps

1.​ Open Tableau Desktop.

2.​ Load the primary data source by clicking Connect to Data and selecting your
 first data file (for example, Excel or Sample Superstore).
3.​ Load the secondary data source by again clicking Data → New Data Source,
and select the second data file.
4.​ Go to a worksheet. Use fields from the primary data source to start creating a
view (for example, drag a dimension to Columns and a measure to Rows).
5.​ To blend the data, ensure both data sources have at least one common
dimension (for example, Order ID or Customer Name).
6.​ In the Data pane, click the secondary data source. The common field between
the two data sources will show a small link icon, indicating a relationship.
7.​ If the link is not active, click the chain/link icon next to the common field to
activate blending.
8.​ Drag fields from the secondary data source into the worksheet for further
analysis or computation. Tableau will blend the data automatically based on the
common dimension.
9.​ Choose the required chart type from the Show Me panel (such as Bar Chart,
Line Chart, Pie Chart, etc.).
10.​Adjust filters, labels, colors, and formatting as required.

Grouping in Tableau

Definition:

Grouping in Tableau means combining multiple dimension values into a single

category. It helps simplify data and organize similar members together.

Example:

Suppose you have the states:

●​ Karnataka
●​ Kerala
●​ Tamil Nadu
●​ Maharashtra

You can group:

Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu → South India

Why We Use Grouping:

●​ To combine similar data values

●​ To reduce the number of categories
●​ To make analysis simple
●​ To create custom classifications

Steps to Create a Group (Method 1 – From View):

1.​ Open a worksheet.

2.​ Drag a dimension (for example, State) to Rows.
3.​ Select the members you want to group (Ctrl + Click).
4.​ Right-click on the selected values.
5.​ Click Group.
6.​ A new grouped field will be created in the Data pane.

Steps to Create a Group (Method 2 – From Data Pane):

1.​ Right-click on a dimension in the Data pane.

2.​ Click Create → Group.
3.​ In the dialog box, select members.
4.​ Click Group.
5.​ Rename the group if needed.
6.​ Click OK.

Editing a Group:

1.​ Right-click the grouped field.

2.​ Select Edit Group.
3.​ Add or remove members.
4.​ Click OK.
Types of Grouping:

●​ Manual Grouping – Manually selecting members.

●​ Automatic Grouping – Tableau suggests grouping based on similarity.

Result:

After grouping, Tableau creates a new field with grouped categories that can be used
in visualizations.

Sorting in Tableau
Definition

Sorting in Tableau is the process of arranging dimension members or measure values

in a specific order (ascending or descending) to make data analysis easier and more
meaningful.

Sorting helps in identifying:

●​ Highest and lowest values

●​ Top-performing products
●​ Least profitable regions
●​ Alphabetical arrangement of categories

Why Sorting is Important

●​ Makes reports more readable

●​ Helps in comparison
●​ Identifies trends quickly
●​ Useful in ranking analysis
●​ Essential for business decision-making

Example:

If sales are not sorted, it is difficult to identify the highest sales region.
Types of Sorting in Tableau

Tableau provides four main types of sorting:

[Link] Sort

Arranges values from smallest to largest.

Example:

100, 200, 500, 1000

Or alphabetically:

A→B→C→D

Used when:

●​ Finding minimum values

●​ Arranging names alphabetically

2. Descending Sort

Arranges values from largest to smallest.

Example:

1000, 500, 200, 100

Used when:

●​ Finding highest sales

●​ Identifying top customers
●​ Ranking analysis
[Link]

Definition:

Total is the aggregated value (like Sum, Average, etc.) of a measure in a worksheet.

Example:

If Sales are

5000

7000

3000

Total Sales = 15000

Steps:

●​ Create a worksheet (e.g., Region → Sales).

●​ Go to Analysis menu.
●​ Click Totals.
●​ Choose Show Row Grand Totals or Show Column Grand Totals.

Tableau calculates total automatically (by default using SUM).

2. Grand Total

Definition:

Grand Total shows the overall total of all rows or all columns in the entire worksheet.

Example:

Region​ Sales

East​ 5000

West​ 7000

South​ 3000

Grand Total​ 15000

It shows the final total of all regions.

Steps to Add Grand Total:

 ●​ Create a table (e.g., Region and Sales).
●​ Click Analysis.
●​ Click Totals.
●​ Select:​
A. Show Row Grand Totals (adds at bottom)

B. Show Column Grand Totals (adds at right side)

3. Subtotal
Definition:

Subtotal shows totals within a group or category.

Example:

Category → Subcategory

Furniture

●​ Chairs → 5000
●​ Tables → 3000
●​ Subtotal → 8000
Office Supplies

●​ Pens → 2000
●​ Paper → 1500
●​ Subtotal → 3500

Subtotal shows total inside each category.

Steps to Add Subtotal:

1.​ Create hierarchy (e.g., Category → Subcategory).

2.​ Go to Analysis.
3.​ Click Totals.
4.​ Select Add All Subtotals.
5.​ Subtotals will appear under each category.
Unit 3
 UNIT 3
Data visualization helps in understanding patterns, trends, comparisons, and
relationships in data using graphical representations.

Area Chart
Description

●​ Displays quantitative data over time.

●​ Similar to a line chart, but the area below the line is filled.
●​ Emphasizes magnitude and volume.

Applications

●​ Showing sales growth over years

●​ Population increase trends
●​ Website traffic over time

Advantages

●​ Highlights overall trends

●​ Easy to compare multiple datasets

Bar Chart
Description

●​ Represents data using rectangular bars.

●​ Length of the bar is proportional to the value.

Applications

●​ Comparing product sales

●​ Student marks comparison
●​ Category-wise data analysis

Advantages

●​ Simple and easy to understand

●​ Effective for categorical data

Box Plot
Description

●​ Displays data distribution using quartiles.

 ●​ Shows median, spread, and outliers.

Applications

●​ Exam score analysis

●​ Salary distribution
●​ Quality control

Advantages

●​ Identifies outliers clearly

●​ Summarizes large datasets

Dual Combination Chart

Description

●​ Combines bar and line charts.

●​ Uses dual axes.

Applications

●​ Sales vs profit analysis

●​ Revenue and growth comparison

Advantages

●​ Shows relationship between two measures

●​ Saves space

Heatmap
Description

●​ Uses color intensity to show values.

●​ Darker color → higher value.

Applications

●​ Website click analysis

●​ Correlation matrices
●​ Attendance patterns

Advantages

●​ Pattern recognition
●​ Compact data representation

Histogram
Description

●​ Shows frequency distribution.

●​ Data grouped into bins.

Applications

●​ Marks distribution
●​ Age group analysis

Advantages

●​ Identifies data spread

●​ Shows skewness

Line Chart
Description

●​ Displays trends over time using lines.

Applications

●​ Stock market analysis

●​ Climate data

Advantages

●​ Best for time-series data

●​ Simple interpretation

Lollipop Chart
Description

●​ Variation of bar chart.

●​ Uses lines and dots.

Applications

●​ Ranking analysis
●​ Comparison with minimal clutter

Advantages

●​ Clean visualization
●​ Modern appearance
Pie Chart
Description

●​ Circular chart showing proportions.

Applications

●​ Budget allocation
●​ Market share analysis

Advantages

●​ Easy percentage understanding

●​ Simple representation

Scatter Plot
Description

●​ Shows relationship between two variables.

Applications

●​ Correlation analysis
●​ Prediction models

Advantages

●​ Identifies patterns and clusters

●​ Outlier detection

Geographic Map
Description

●​ Plots data on maps using points.

Applications

●​ Store locations
●​ Disease spread analysis

Advantages

●​ Spatial understanding
●​ Location-based insights
Common Write- ups for all the Charts
Definition:

A ______ chart is used to represent data visually to analyze patterns, comparisons,

trends, or relationships.

Fields Used:

●​ Dimension → Used to categorize or group the data (e.g., Category, Region,

Date).
●​ Measure → Used to represent numerical values (e.g., Sales, Profit, Quantity).

Steps to Create in Tableau:

1.​ Open Tableau Desktop.

2.​ Connect to the dataset (e.g., Sample – Superstore).
3.​ Open a worksheet.
4.​ Drag the required Dimension to the Columns or Rows shelf.
5.​ Drag the required Measure to the Rows or Columns shelf.
6.​ From the Marks Card, select the required chart type (Bar/Line/Pie/etc.)​
OR use the Show Me panel.
7.​ Add additional fields to Color, Label, Size, or Tooltip if needed.
8.​ Format and customize the visualization.

Application:

●​ Used for __________ analysis.

Advantage:

●​ Helps in clear visualization and easy interpretation of data.

Unit 4
1️⃣ RANK (Standard Rank)
Definition
RANK is a table calculation in Tableau used to assign a ranking number to values based on their
order.​
If two values are the same, they receive the same rank, and the next rank skips numbers.

Steps to Connect / Apply Rank

❖​Steps to Create Rank in Tableau

1.​ Open Tableau and connect to data.
2.​ Drag a Dimension (e.g., Category or Student Name) to Rows.
3.​ Drag a Measure (e.g., Sales or Marks) to Columns.
4.​ Click the measure pill in the view.
5.​ Select Quick Table Calculation.
6.​ Choose Rank.
7.​ To change ranking order:​

○​ Click the pill → Edit Table Calculation

○​ Choose Rank Ascending or Rank Descending.

Example
Product Sales

A 500

B 400

C 400

D 300
Output
Product Sales Rank

A 500 1

B 400 2

C 400 2

D 300 4

🔹 Rank 3 is skipped because B and C have the same value.

2️⃣ RANK_MODIFIED
Definition
RANK_MODIFIED assigns the same rank for duplicate values, but the next rank follows the
highest rank number in the tied group.

❖​ Steps to Create Modified Rank in Tableau

1.​ Open Tableau and connect to your dataset.
2.​ Drag a Dimension (e.g., Product, Student Name) to Rows.
3.​ Drag a Measure (e.g., Sales or Marks) to Columns.
4.​ Create a Calculated Field.
5.​ Write the formula:​
RANK_MODIFIED(SUM([Sales]))
6.​ Click OK.
7.​ Drag the calculated field to the table or view.
Example
Product Sales

A 500

B 400

C 400

D 300

Output
Product Sales Rank

A 500 1

B 400 2

C 400 2

D 300 3

🔹 After duplicate rank 2, the next rank becomes 3.

3️⃣ RANK_UNIQUE
Definition
RANK_UNIQUE assigns a different rank to every value, even if values are equal.

❖​Steps to Create Rank Unique in Tableau

1.​ Open Tableau and connect to your dataset.
2.​ Drag a Dimension (for example: Student Name or Product) to Rows.
3.​ Drag a Measure (for example: Sales or Marks) to Columns.
 4.​ Go to Analysis → Create Calculated Field.
5.​ Enter the formula:​
RANK_UNIQUE(SUM([Sales]))
6.​ Click OK.
7.​ Drag the calculated field to the view to see the ranking

Example
Product Sales

A 500

B 400

C 400

D 300

Output
Product Sales Rank

A 500 1

B 400 2

C 400 3

D 300 4

🔹 Even though B and C have the same value, they get different ranks.

4️⃣ RANK_DENSE
Definition
RANK_DENSE gives the same rank to duplicate values but does not skip the next rank.
 ❖​ Steps to Create Rank Dense in Tableau
1.​ Open Tableau and connect to the dataset.
2.​ Drag a Dimension (e.g., Student Name, Product) to Rows.
3.​ Drag a Measure (e.g., Marks or Sales) to Columns.
4.​ Go to Analysis → Create Calculated Field.
5.​ Enter the formula:​
RANK_DENSE(SUM([Sales]))
6.​ Click OK.
7.​ Drag the calculated field to the view to see the ranking.

Example
Product Sales

A 500

B 400

C 400

D 300

Output

Product Sales Rank

A 500 1

B 400 2

C 400 2

D 300 3

🔹 The next rank continues sequentially without skipping.

Quick Comparison Table

Filters in Tableau
Filters in Tableau help us restrict the data displayed in a visualization based on specific conditions
or selections.

Example dataset fields from your sheet:

●​ Sub Category​

●​ Sales​

●​ Profit​

●​ Quantity​

Example values in Sub Category:

Accessories, Chair, Laptop, Mobile, Notebook, Pen, Sofa, Table, Tablet, Wearable

Quick Filters

Definition
A General Filter allows users to manually select which values of a field should appear in the
visualization.

It is the most basic filter, where we simply check or uncheck values from a list.

Steps to Apply General Filter

1.​ Open Tableau Worksheet.(open the Sample superstore dataset)
2.​ Drag Sub Category → Columns.
3.​ Drag Sales → Rows.
4.​ Drag Sub Category → Filters Shelf.
5.​ Right click on the Filter (sub category and select Edit Filters for creating a new filters)
6.​ The Filter window opens.
7.​ Keep the General tab selected.
8.​ Select the required values.
 9.​ Click OK.

Example
Select only:

●​ Laptop
●​ Sofa
●​ Chair
●​ Table
●​ Wearable​

Output (Diagram Example)

●​ Other categories like Accessories, Pen, Notebook, Mobile, Tablet will not
appear

2. Wildcard Filter

Definition
A Wildcard Filter allows us to filter values based on text patterns or keywords using special
characters.

It is useful when we want to filter values that contain specific letters or patterns.
Steps to Apply Wildcard Filter
1.​ Drag Sub Category → Filters Shelf.
2.​ Open Edit Filter.
3.​ Go to the Wildcard Tab.
●​ Options available are ​
> Starts with​
> Ends With​
>Text Contains​
>Exact matches
4.​ Enter the pattern in Match Value.
5.​ Click OK.​

Example
Filter all Sub Categories starting with "T"

Output

Only categories starting with T will be displayed.(Here only the "Table" is shown from the
filter)

3. Conditional Filter
Definition
A Conditional Filter allows us to filter data based on specific conditions or calculations.

Instead of manually selecting values, Tableau filters data using rules or formulas.

Steps to Apply Conditional Filter

1.​ Drag Sub Category → Filters Shelf.
2.​ Right click the filter → Edit Filter.
3.​ Open the Condition Tab.
4.​ Select:
○​ By Field OR
○​ By Formula
5.​ Enter the condition.
6.​ Click OK.

Example 1 (By Field)

Show sub categories where:

SUM(Sales) > 20000

Output

Other categories will be filtered out.

Example 2 (By Formula)
Formula:

SUM([Sales]) / SUM([Quantity]) > 100

Output

Only products with high sales per quantity will appear.

4. Top Filter

Definition
A Top Filter displays only the top or bottom values based on a measure like Sales, Profit, or
Quantity.

It is useful for identifying best performing or worst performing categories.

Steps to Apply Top Filter

1.​ Drag Sub Category → Filters Shelf.
2.​ Open Edit Filter.
3.​ Go to the Top Tab.
 4.​ Choose:​
Top N by Field
5.​ Set:
●​ Top 5
●​ By SUM(Sales)
6.​ Click OK.​

Example
Show Top 3 Sub Categories by Sales.

Output (Bar Chart Example)

Only the Top 3 categories with highest sales will appear.

Extract Filters in Tableau
❖​ Introduction to Extract Filters
●​ In Tableau, an Extract Filter is used to limit the amount of data that
is stored in a data extract (.hyper file). Instead of loading the entire
dataset, only selected data is extracted, which improves
performance and reduces file size.
●​ Extract filters are applied before the data is stored, unlike normal
filters that work after data is loaded.
❖​Purpose of Extract Filters

Extract filters are used to:

●​ Reduce data size

●​ Improve dashboard performance
●​ Focus on relevant data only
●​ Optimize large datasets
❖​How Extract Filters Work

When you apply an extract filter:

1.​ Tableau reads the original data source

2.​ Applies the filter conditions
3.​ Extracts only filtered data
4.​ Stores it in the extract file
❖​Steps to Apply Extract Filters in Tableau

Step 1: Connect to Data

●​ Open Tableau
●​ Connect to any data source (Excel, SQL, etc.)
Step 2: Go to Data Source Tab

●​ Click on Data Source at the bottom

Step 3: Choose Extract Option

●​ On top-right, select Live Extract

Step 4: Click on “Edit” (next to Extract)

●​ Opens Extract dialog box

Step 5: Add Filter

●​ Click Add
●​ Choose field (e.g., Region, Date, Category)

Step 6: Set Filter Conditions

●​ Example:
○​ Region = "India"
○​ Sales > 1000

Step 7: Apply and Save

●​ Click OK → Extract is created with filtered data

Types of Extract Filters

a) Dimension Filters

●​ Based on categorical fields

●​ Example: Country = India

b) Measure Filters

●​ Based on numeric values

●​ Example: Sales > 500

c) Date Filters

●​ Filter based on time

●​ Example: Year = 2024

Example

Suppose you have a dataset with 1 million rows.

If you apply an extract filter:

●​ Region = "Asia"
●​ Sales > 1000

Only relevant rows are stored, maybe reducing to 200,000 rows.

Advantages of Extract Filters

●​ Improves performance significantly

●​ Reduces memory usage
●​ Faster dashboard loading
●​ Efficient for large datasets
●​ Reduces server load

Limitations of Extract Filters

●​ Data is not real-time (static snapshot)

●​ Needs refresh for updated data
●​ Extra storage required
Unit 5
 Unit 5
A dashboard in Tableau is a collection of multiple visualizations in a single view. It allows users
to compare and analyze different aspects of data without switching between worksheets. To
understand its use more clearly:

●​ Multiple Visuals : Combines different charts in one place

●​ Interactive : Filters and parameters update all visuals together
●​ Better Analysis : Helps compare data easily
●​ Business Use : Used to track KPIs, performance and trends

Steps to Create a Dashboard

Step 1: Open Tableau Desktop / Public

Launch Tableau and we will land on the Start Page.

Step 2: Locate the Connect Menu

●​ On the left-hand panel, we can see various data sources to connect.

●​ We can see options and Sample Workbooks too which can be used to access the
inbuilt data sources.
●​ Tableau comes with preloaded datasets that can be directly used.

Step 3: Choose Database

Here we will be using inbuilt data source for illustration,

●​ Select a dataset like Sample: Superstore, World Indicators or others (depending on our
Tableau version).
●​ Click to open → Tableau will automatically load the data into the workbook.

Step 4: Open a Worksheet

●​ Click Sheet 1 to start building a visualization.

●​ On the left side, we’ll see dataset attributes (dimensions & measures) that we can use
to create views.
Step 5: Create Sheet 1 of Profit by Category

●​ Drag Category and Sub-Category to Rows and Profit to Columns.

●​ From the Show Me panel, choose a suitable visualization (e.g., bar chart).
●​ Drag Profit to Color for better representation.
Step 6: Create Sheet 2 of Profit by State

●​ Drag State and Country to the view.

●​ Place Longitude on Columns and Latitude on Rows to create a map.
●​ Add Profit to Color.
●​ Tableau will generate a map visualization.

Step 7: Create Sheet 3 of Profit by Product Name

 ●​ Drag Product Name to Rows and Profit & Quantity to Columns.
●​ From Show Me, pick a visualization (e.g., bar chart or tree map).
●​ Use Color for additional insights.

Step 8: Build the Dashboard

Click the Dashboard tab at the bottom or "New Dashboard" from the dashboard menu.

●​ Drag and drop all three sheets into the dashboard area.
●​ Adjust the layout according to our needs.
●​ Add filters to make the dashboard interactive (e.g., filter by category or region).
●​ We can also add text objects, images and highlight actions to make it more
user-friendly.
Format Dashboard Layout in Tableau
In Tableau, dashboard layout formatting helps create clear, professional and
user-friendly dashboards by controlling size, background, borders and element
positioning. This improves the dashboard in the following ways:
●​ Better Design : Makes dashboards visually appealing
●​ Easy to Read : Improves clarity and structure
●​ Control Layout : Adjust size, background, borders and positions
●​ Consistent Experience : Ensures uniform and user-friendly dashboards

Steps to Format Dashboard Layout

Step 1: Open Tableau and connect to a dataset.
Step 2: Drag and drop one sheet from the dataset to create a worksheet.

Step 3: Open Sheet to view dataset attributes on the left panel and the worksheet area in the
center.
Step 4: Create at least one visualization (crosstab, chart, map or graph).

Step 5: To build a dashboard:Click the New Dashboard button (square + icon at the bottom).
●​ Drag and drop the prepared sheets into the dashboard.
●​ Add optional modifications.
Step 6: Use the formatting options to customize the layout, size, background, borders and
floating behavior of dashboard elements.

Examples
Let's see examples to understand better,

Example 1: Adjusting Dashboard Size

●​ Change the overall dashboard size (fixed, automatic or range).

●​ This ensures the dashboard fits different screen sizes or display requirements
Steps to Apply Filters in a Dashboard
Step 1: Open Tableau and connect to a dataset.

Step 2: Drag and drop one sheet from the dataset to create a worksheet.

Step 3: Open Sheet1 to view attributes on the left panel and the
worksheet area in the center.
Step 4: Create at least one visualization (e.g., crosstab, map, chart or
graph).

Step 5: To build a dashboard:

●​ Click the New Dashboard button or select "New Dashboard" from

the dashboard menu.

●​ Drag and drop the prepared sheets onto the dashboard.

●​ Add modifications if required.

Step 6: To apply filters:

●​ Select a sheet in the dashboard.

●​ Use the filter option and apply it either to a single visualization or

across the entire dashboard.

●​ Use the filter option and apply it either to a single visualization or

across the entire dashboard.

Methods to Apply Filters:

●​ Using Funnel Icon: Click the funnel symbol to activate filtering.

●​ Using Drop-Down Menu: Click the down arrow on the sheet and

choose Use as Filter.

Examples
Let's see few examples to understand better:

Example 1: Applying Filter Across All Visualizations

●​ Select a region in a pie chart and apply it as a filter.

 ●​ The entire dashboard updates so that only data for the selected

region is displayed.

●​ Can be done using either the Funnel Icon (Method 1) or Use as

Filter option (Method 2).

Method 1:

Method 2:
Example 2: Applying a Filter Across the Entire Dashboard

●​ A filter is applied at the dashboard level, impacting all

visualizations simultaneously.

●​ When a user selects or modifies a filter (such as Region or

Market), each sheet updates accordingly.

●​ Useful for maintaining consistency across multiple views.

●​ Ensures all charts reflect the same filtered subset of data.

Aggregate Functions in Tableau
In Tableau, an aggregate function is a function that combines multiple
values from different rows and returns a single summarized value. This
is useful when we want to calculate totals, averages, counts,
minimums, maximums and other statistical measures across our
dataset.

For example, instead of looking at sales for each transaction, we can

use an aggregate function to calculate the total sales, average sales or
highest sales in our data.

Importance of Aggregate Functions

Aggregate function helps us to:

●​ Summarize large amounts of data quickly.

●​ Identify trends and patterns (e.g., average sales by region).

●​ Perform statistical calculations like variance or standard

deviation.
 ●​ Simplify reporting by condensing detailed data into meaningful

insights.

Aggregate Functions
The most commonly used functions in tableau are listed below:

●​ SUM: Returns the total of all values.

●​ AVG: Returns the average of values.

●​ MIN: Returns the minimum value.

●​ MAX: Returns the maximum value.

●​ VAR: Returns the variance of a sample population.

●​ VARP: Returns the variance of the entire population.

●​ STDEV: Returns the standard deviation of a sample population.

●​ STDEVP: Returns the standard deviation of the entire

population.

●​ COUNT: Counts the number of non-null values.

●​ COUNTD: Counts distinct values.

Syntax with Examples

Let's see the various aggregate functions with syntax and examples:

1. Sum Function

The Tableau Sum function calculates the total of values in a column.

Syntax:

SUM(Expression)
Use cases:

●​ Find total sales across all transactions.

●​ Calculate total profit for each category.

●​ Aggregate revenue by month or region.

Example: Create a calculated field → SUM([Sales]) to get the total

sales.

2. Avg Function

The AVG function calculates the average of values.

Syntax:

AVG(Expression)

Use cases:

●​ Find the average sales per customer.

●​ Calculate average profit per product.

●​ Show the average order value in dashboards.

Example: Create a calculated field → AVG([Sales]) to find average
sales.

3. MIN Function

The MIN function returns the smallest value.

Syntax:

MIN(Expression1, Expression2)

Use cases:

●​ Find the lowest sales value in a dataset.

●​ Identify the earliest date in a timeline.

●​ Compare two values (e.g., MIN([Profit], [Sales])).

Example: MIN([Profit], [Sales]) will return the smaller value between

profit and sales.
4. MAX Function

The MAX function returns the largest value.

Syntax:

MAX(Expression 1, Expression 2)

Use cases:

●​ Find the highest sales value.

●​ Identify the latest date in a dataset.

●​ Compare two measures to return the larger one.

Example: MAX([Profit], [Sales]) will return the larger value between

profit and sales.
5. VAR Function

The VAR function calculates the variance of a sample population.

Syntax:

VAR(Expression)

Use cases:

●​ Measure how much sales values fluctuate around the average.

●​ Compare variation in customer spending across regions.

Example:
7. STDEV Function

The STDEV function calculates the standard deviation of a sample

population

Syntax:

STDEV(Expression)

Use cases:

●​ Determine how spread out customer sales values are.

●​ Evaluate consistency in order sizes across regions.

Example:
9. COUNT Function

The COUNT function counts the number of non-null values.

Syntax:

COUNT(Expression)

Use cases:

●​ Count the number of orders placed.

●​ Count the number of products sold.

●​ Exclude null values automatically.

Note: We can use COUNTD function to find a definite count.

Example:
pyq
 SECTION A (2 MARKS) – MEMORIZE THESE
You must know these definitions perfectly:

1. Define Data Visualization

Graphical representation of data using charts, graphs, maps and dashboards to identify
patterns and trends.

2. Data Quality

Accuracy, completeness and consistency of data.

3. Data Remediation

Process of correcting errors and improving data quality.

4. Structured Data

Data organized in rows and columns.

5. Dimension

Categorical field used to group data (e.g., Region, Category).

6. Measure

Numerical field used for calculations (e.g., Sales, Profit).

7. Data Blending

Combining data from different data sources.

8. Data Joining

Combining tables within the same data source.

9. Two Advantages of DV

●​ Easy understanding​

●​ Quick decision making​

10. Types of Visualization

Bar chart, Line chart, Pie chart, Histogram.

👉 These alone cover 80% of Section A.

SECTION B – MUST PREPARE THESE 6

1️⃣ Groups and Sets

Write:

Definition of Group​
Definition of Set

Steps to create Group​

Steps to create Set

Mention:

●​ Manual grouping​

●​ Condition​

●​ Top/Bottom​

Conclusion line.

2️⃣ Hierarchy
Write:

Definition​
Purpose​
Steps to create​
Steps to remove

Example: Country → State → City

3️⃣ Box Plot
Definition​
Shows quartiles, median, outliers

Steps:

●​ Drag Category → Columns​

●​ Drag Sales → Rows​

●​ Show Me → Box Plot​

Applications:

●​ Distribution analysis​

●​ Outlier detection​

4️⃣ Tableau Products

Write about:

●​ Tableau Desktop​

●​ Tableau Server​

●​ Tableau Online​

●​ Tableau Public​

●​ Tableau Prep​

●​ Tableau Reader​

Just 2-4 lines each.

5️⃣ Data Preprocessing (Very safe question)
Write:

●​ Cleaning​

●​ Integration​

●​ Transformation​

●​ Reduction​

●​ Validation​

6️⃣ Join vs Data Blending (Difference Table)

This is guaranteed 5 marks if asked.

Join Blending

Same source Different source

Happens in data source page Happens in worksheet

Row-level merge Aggregated merge

IMPORTANT DIFFERENCES TO PREPARE

(short write - up )
●​ Dimension vs Measure​

●​ Join vs Blending​

●​ Histogram vs Bar Chart​

●​ Grand Total vs Subtotal​

 ●​ Continuous vs Discrete​

1️⃣ Define Data Visualization.

Data Visualization is the graphical representation of data using charts, graphs, maps, and
dashboards. It helps in identifying patterns, trends, and relationships quickly and supports
better decision-making.

2️⃣ Write two advantages of Data Visualization.

1.​ Makes complex data easy to understand through visual representation.​

2.​ Helps in quick comparison and faster business decision-making.​

3️⃣ What is Data Pre-processing?

Data Pre-processing is the process of cleaning, organizing, and transforming raw data into a
structured and suitable format before analysis or visualization. It improves data quality and
accuracy.

4️⃣ Define Data Quality.

Data Quality refers to the accuracy, completeness, consistency, and reliability of data used for
analysis. High-quality data ensures correct insights and prevents misleading results.

5️⃣ What is Data Remediation?

Data Remediation is the process of identifying and correcting errors, missing values, and
inconsistencies in a dataset to improve its overall quality.
6️⃣ What is Structured Data?

Structured data is data that is organized in rows and columns, such as tables or spreadsheets,
making it easy to store, query, and analyze.

7️⃣ Define Dimension in Tableau.

A Dimension is a categorical field used to group and categorize data in Tableau, such as
Region, Category, or Customer Name. It usually appears in blue color in the Data Pane.

8️⃣ Define Measure in Tableau.

A Measure is a numerical field used for calculations and aggregation, such as Sales, Profit, or
Quantity. It is usually displayed in green color in Tableau.

9️⃣ What is Hierarchy in Tableau?

Hierarchy in Tableau is used to organize related dimensions into levels, allowing users to drill
down or roll up data for detailed or summarized analysis.

🔟 What is Sorting in Tableau?

Sorting is the process of arranging data in ascending or descending order to improve
readability and identify highest or lowest values easily.

1️⃣1️⃣What is Group in Tableau?

Grouping in Tableau combines multiple dimension values into a single category to simplify
analysis and reduce the number of categories.

1️⃣2️⃣What is a Set in Tableau?

A Set in Tableau is a custom field that contains a subset of data based on specific conditions,
manual selection, or top/bottom rules.
1️⃣3️⃣What is Data Joining?

Data Joining combines two or more tables from the same data source using a common field
such as Order ID.

1️⃣4️⃣What is Data Blending?

Data Blending combines data from different data sources in a single worksheet based on a
common dimension.

1️⃣5️⃣Define Grand Total.

Grand Total shows the overall aggregated total of all rows or columns in a worksheet,
representing the final summary value.

1️⃣6️⃣What is Subtotal?

Subtotal shows the total value within a specific group or category inside the dataset.

1️⃣7️⃣What is a Bar Chart?

A Bar Chart represents categorical data using rectangular bars, where the length of the bar
indicates the value of the measure.

1️⃣8️⃣What is a Histogram?

A Histogram shows the frequency distribution of continuous numerical data by grouping

values into intervals called bins.

1️⃣9️⃣What is a Scatter Plot?

A Scatter Plot displays the relationship between two numerical variables using points plotted
on X and Y axes.

2️⃣0️⃣What is an Area Chart?

An Area Chart displays quantitative data over time and highlights the magnitude of change
by filling the area below the line.

1️⃣ Differentiate between Dimension and Measure.

Dimension:

●​ Categorical field​

●​ Used for grouping (e.g., Region)​

Measure:

●​ Numerical field​

●​ Used for calculations (e.g., Sales)​

2️⃣ Differentiate between Join and Data Blending.

Join:

●​ Combines tables from same data source​

●​ Done in Data Source page​

Blending:

●​ Combines data from different sources​

●​ Done in Worksheet​
3️⃣ Continuous vs Discrete Data.

Continuous:

●​ Can take any value within a range​

●​ Example: Height, Temperature​

Discrete:

●​ Fixed countable values​

●​ Example: Number of students​

4️⃣ Difference between Histogram and Bar Chart.

Histogram:

●​ Used for continuous data​

●​ Bars touch each other​

●​ Shows frequency distribution​

Bar Chart:

●​ Used for categorical data​

●​ Bars do not touch​

●​ Used for comparison​

5️⃣ What is Drill Down in Tableau?

Drill Down is the process of moving from summarized data to detailed data using hierarchy
levels.
Example:​
Country → State → City

6️⃣ What is Roll Up?

Roll Up is the process of moving from detailed data to summarized data within a hierarchy.

7️⃣ What is a Bin in Tableau?

A Bin groups continuous numerical values into equal intervals to create histograms and
distribution charts.

8️⃣ What is the purpose of Show Me panel?

The Show Me panel suggests suitable chart types based on selected dimensions and
measures.

9️⃣ What is the difference between Grand Total and Subtotal?

Grand Total:

●​ Overall total of entire dataset​

Subtotal:

●​ Total within a specific category​

🔟 What is the purpose of Data Preprocessing?

Data preprocessing ensures data is clean, consistent, and ready for analysis by removing
errors and improving quality.