MODULE 5
Create a Dashboard in Tableau
A dashboard in Tableau is a collection of multiple visualizations (sheets) that are displayed
together in a single view. It helps compare and analyze different aspects of data at once
without switching between worksheets. Dashboards are interactive, meaning changes in
filters or parameters can update all related visualizations simultaneously.
They are widely used in business intelligence to monitor KPIs, track performance and
identify trends quickly.
Steps to Create a Dashboard
Let's see the 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.
How to Create a Story in Tableau?
A story is a very powerful thing. It can influence its viewers and make them change their
minds. It can take them through a journey that moves from various highs and lows and ends
at a point that the storyteller wants. A story can also shock and surprise its viewers and
provide them all the information they need to make the necessary decisions.
The various steps required to create a Story in Tableau. This story uses the Superstore data
set that is available as a sample on Tableau Desktop.
Step 1: Click on the new Story tab to create a new story. You can then add various sheets and
dashboards to create a story point.
Step 2: You can double-click on the sheets and dashboards on the left to add them to a story point.
You can also drag the sheets into your story point on the Tableau desktop. All the sheets
and dashboards that are added to a story are connected to their original forms. So any
changes made to the original sheets or dashboards are reflected in the story. For
example, let’s add a dashboard containing the relation between Discounted Sales and
Profit by Category to the story.
Step 3: We can also add a caption to summarize the story point by clicking on “Add
a caption” and then writing it. Let’s add the caption “Relation between
Discounted Sales and Profit by Category and Subcategory” to our example.
Step 4: It is possible to add another story point by 2 methods. You can either click on the Blank
tab to use a blank sheet for the next story point or click on the Duplicate tab to obtain
a duplicate sheet as the current story point. Let’s click on the blank option.
Step 5: You can change the size of your story by clicking on the Size option in the lower-left
corner. You can choose from one of the predefined sizes or set your custom size in
pixels. You can also change the name of your story by right-clicking on your Story
tab and choosing rename.
Step 6: Now, let’s see a complete story on the relationship between the discounted sales and
profit
Creating an Animation with Tableau, Story Points Dashboards for
Presentation.
Step 1: Prepare Your Data
Before building anything:
Clean and structure your data (in Excel, SQL, or Tableau Prep).
Connect the data source to Tableau.
Ensure each field has the correct data type (date, string, number, etc.).
Step 2: Build the Base Visualizations
Create Sheets with different charts (bar, line, map, etc.).
Use filters, calculated fields, and parameters to make visuals dynamic.
Add animations:
Tableau animates transitions automatically when marks, filters, or parameters change.
To enable this:
Go to Format → Animations → On.
Choose Duration and Style (e.g., Simultaneous or Sequential).
Example:
Create a line chart showing sales over time, then add a parameter that allows users to move
through years. When the parameter changes, Tableau will animate the line chart
update.
Step 3: Combine Visuals into Dashboards
Click New Dashboard.
Drag your worksheets and arrange them logically.
Add:
Interactive filters (drop-downs, sliders).
Buttons or navigation (use “Dashboard → Actions → Go to Sheet/Filter/Parameter Change”).
Text boxes, images, or titles for context.
Adjust the layout for presentation (fixed size, readable fonts, color consistency).
Step 4: Create a Tableau Story (Story Points)
Click New Story (next to the Dashboard tab).
Drag in Dashboards or Sheets as story points (these are like presentation slides).
For each story point:
Add a caption explaining what viewers are seeing.
Optionally duplicate a story point and modify it slightly (e.g., different filter or time period) to
show progression.
You can animate the story by transitioning through these points manually or via an embedded
navigation button.
Pro Tip:
Use a sequence like:
Story Point 1: Overview Dashboard
Story Point 2: Key Trend Focus
Story Point 3: Geographic Analysis
Story Point 4: Conclusions & Recommendations
Step 5: Export or Present
Present directly in Tableau (press F7 for full screen).
Export to Tableau Public, Tableau Server, or as a PDF.
For animations:
Record using screen capture software (like OBS or PowerPoint screen recorder).
You can then embed the video in presentations.