University Institute of Engineering
Department of Computer Science & Engineering
`Experiment: 08
Date of Experiment: 09/09/2025
1. Aim of the practical: To provide hands-on experience in enhancing dashboard interactivity by
creating a parameter that dynamically switches between different measures or dimensions in a
single chart. This exercise will help students understand how to leverage Tableau’s parameter and
calculated field features to build dashboards that support interactive, data-driven decision-
making.
2.
3. Objective:
• Interactive Parameter Creation:
o Create a parameter that lists multiple measures (or dimensions) from which the user can
choose.
o Understand how parameters can replace static constants to build dynamic visualizations.
• Calculated Field Development:
o Build a calculated field using a CASE or IF statement that references the parameter to return
the chosen measure or dimension.
o Use this calculated field to drive the chart’s axis or color encoding.
• Dashboard Integration:
o Incorporate the parameter control into a dashboard.
o Demonstrate how switching the parameter affects the visualization in real time, offering the
user an interactive experience.
• Enhancing Data-Driven Insights:
o Explore how dynamic switching enables comparative analysis and flexible data representation
within a single view.
4. Tools Used/ Apparatus:
• Tableau Desktop: Primary software for connecting to data, creating parameters, calculated
fields, and building dashboards.
• Sample Dataset: For example, Tableau’s Superstore dataset, which includes measures like Sales,
Profit, Quantity, and dimensions such as Category and Region.
• Image Documentation: Screenshots or exported images to document the parameter creation,
calculated field configuration, and final dashboard (these images will be included as part of the
lab report).
University Institute of Engineering
Department of Computer Science & Engineering
5. Theory:
Data visualization is most effective when dashboards are interactive, allowing users to switch perspectives without
recreating multiple charts. Tableau provides this flexibility through parameters and calculated fields, which make
dynamic switching of measures and dimensions possible.
• Parameters
Parameters act as user-controlled variables that can accept values such as numbers, strings, or dates. Unlike filters,
they are not tied to a specific field, making them versatile. In dynamic switching, parameters contain a list of
measures (e.g., Sales, Profit, Quantity) or dimensions (e.g., Category, Region).
• Calculated Fields
Parameters alone don’t change the visualization — they must be connected to a calculated field. Using a CASE
or IF statement, the parameter is mapped to actual dataset fields. For example:
CASE [Select Measure]
WHEN "Sales" THEN [Sales]
WHEN "Profit" THEN [Profit]
WHEN "Quantity" THEN [Quantity]
END
This allows the chart to update dynamically when the user changes the parameter.
• Dynamic Measure Switching
Instead of building separate charts for Sales, Profit, and Quantity, a single visualization can be made interactive.
The parameter drop-down lets users switch measures, making the dashboard compact and efficient while still
offering multiple analytical perspectives.
• Dynamic Dimension Switching
Similarly, dimension switching allows users to analyze data by Region, Category, Segment, or Ship Mode from
the same chart. This enables pivot-like exploration and helps compare results across different categorical
breakdowns.
• Dashboard Integration
Once created, parameter controls can be added to dashboards. Users select their desired metric or dimension
from a simple drop-down, and the chart updates instantly. This improves usability and supports self-service
analytics, where business users can explore without editing the workbook.
• Benefits
o Reduces the need for multiple charts or dashboards.
o Makes dashboards interactive and user-friendly.
o Enhances comparative analysis by allowing quick switching between metrics and dimensions.
o Saves development time and improves scalability of Tableau solutions.
6. Procedure:
1. Introduction and Overview:
o Concept Discussion:
o Begin with an explanation of why dynamic dashboards enhance data storytelling.
o Discuss the concept of parameters in Tableau and how they empower end users to switch between
metrics or dimensions.
2. Connecting to the Data Source:
o Open Tableau Desktop and connect to the sample dataset (e.g., Superstore).
o Verify the available measures and dimensions that will be used in the subsequent steps.
University Institute of Engineering
Department of Computer Science & Engineering
3. Creating the Parameter:
o In the Data pane, create a new parameter (e.g., “Select Measure” or “Select Dimension”).
o Configuration Details:
▪ Data Type: String (or Number, based on the desired use).
▪ Allowable Values: List; for instance, list measure names such as “Sales”, “Profit”, “Quantity” (or
list dimension names for switching categories).
o Display:
▪ Make sure to show the parameter control in the worksheet so users can interact with it.
o (A sample screenshot would show the parameter control drop-down on the worksheet with the listed
options.)
4. Building a Calculated Field:
o Create a new calculated field (e.g., “Dynamic Measure”) with a formula that references the parameter.
For example:
CASE [Select Measure] WHEN "Sales" THEN [Sales] WHEN "Profit" THEN [Profit] WHEN
"Quantity" THEN [Quantity] END
o Click OK and verify the calculated field appears in the Data pane.
o (A sample image here would display the calculation editor with the above formula.)
5. Building the View:
o Drag the new calculated field (e.g., “Dynamic Measure”) onto the Rows shelf.
o Add a suitable dimension (e.g., Category or Region) to the Columns shelf.
o Create a chart (e.g., bar chart) that visualizes the dynamic measure.
o (A sample screenshot would show the chart updating according to the current parameter selection.)
6. Incorporating the Parameter into a Dashboard:
o Create a new dashboard and drag the sheet containing the dynamic chart onto it.
o Ensure the parameter control is visible on the dashboard.
o Optionally, include other dashboard elements (e.g., filters, legends) to support interactivity.
o (An image sample here would display an interactive dashboard with a parameter control clearly visible,
allowing the user to switch the view dynamically.)
7. Testing and Interactivity:
o Switch between different parameter values via the control and observe how the chart updates in real
time.
o Validate that the dynamic switching acts as intended and that the visualization reflects the chosen
measure/dimension accurately.
8. Documentation and Reporting:
• Document each step with descriptions and screenshots:
o Parameter creation and configuration.
o Calculated field development.
o Final interactive dashboard layout.
• Prepare a report highlighting how dynamic switching improves data exploration and decision-making.
• List any challenges encountered and how they were solved during the process.
University Institute of Engineering
Department of Computer Science & Engineering
7. Results:
Figure 1:Sales Dataset Preview in Tableau
Figure 2: Creating a new parameter in Tableau Figure 3: Editing the parameter “Select
from the Data Pane (right-click → Create → Measure” with String data type and a list of
Parameter). allowable values: Sales, Profit, Quantity.
University Institute of Engineering
Department of Computer Science & Engineering
Figure 4: Defining a calculated field called “Dynamic Measure” using a CASE statement to map the parameter
selection (Sales, Profit, Quantity) to actual measures.
Figure 6: Worksheet View (Profit) – Category vs.
Dynamic Measure with Profit selected.
Figure 5: Displaying the parameter control in the worksheet,
enabling the user to switch between measures dynamically.
University Institute of Engineering
Department of Computer Science & Engineering
Figure 7: Profit by Category (All Regions) – Dashboard updated to show Profit across all regions.
Figure 8: Sales by Category (All Regions) – Dashboard updated to show Sales across all regions.
University Institute of Engineering
Department of Computer Science & Engineering
Figure 9: Quantity by Category – Dashboard updated to show Quantity instead of Profit.
7. Conclusion:
The experiment showed that parameters and calculated fields in Tableau enable dynamic
switching between Sales, Profit, and Quantity. The dashboard updated interactively, reducing
the need for multiple charts and making analysis more flexible and user-friendly.
Learning outcomes (What I have learnt):
1. Created a parameter to switch dynamically between measures (Sales, Profit, Quantity).
2. Built a calculated field using a CASE statement to map parameter values to actual measures.
3. Designed an interactive dashboard where charts updated in real time based on parameter
selection.
4. Combined parameters with filters (e.g., Region) to enable flexible, comparative analysis.