User Interface in Tableau

• Tableau provides a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface designed for data visualization and analysis. Below is a breakdown of its key components.
• Tableau’s intuitive UI makes it easy to analyze data using Sheets, Dashboards, and Stories. The Menu, Toolbar, and Data Window help manage data and create impactful visualizations. Understanding data types and file formats ensures smooth data handling.

1. Tableau User Interface

• When we open Tableau, we are greeted with the Start Page, which includes:-
  • Connect – This option is used to connect to different data sources.
  • Open – This option is used to access recently used workbooks.
  • Discover – This option is used for learning resources, updates, and tutorials.

After selecting a data source, we enter the main workspace where visualizations are created.

2. Tableau Workspace

• The workspace is the main area where we work with data and visualizations.
• It consists of:-

• • Data Pane (Left Sidebar) – It contains connected data sources, dimensions, and measures.
  • Columns & Rows Shelves – It is used to define the layout of charts.
  • Marks Card – It controls the appearance of charts (Color, Size, Labels, etc.).
  • Filters & Pages Shelf – It is used for filtering and animation.
  • Visualization Area (Canvas) – It is the main space where charts and graphs appear.

3. Toolbar

• The toolbar provides quick access to essential actions, including:-
  • Undo/Redo – This option is used to reverse or repeat actions.
  • Save – This option is used to save the workbook.
  • Sort – This option is used to arrange data.
  • Filters – This option is used to apply quick filters.
  • Format – This option is used to adjust fonts, colors, and alignment.
  • Show Me Panel – This option is used to suggest the best visualizations for selected data.

4. Menu Bar

• The menu bar contains various options to manage data, formatting, and visualizations:
  • File – This option is used to create, open, save, or export workbooks.
  • Data – This option is used to manage data sources and refresh connections.
  • Worksheet – This option is used to modify sheet properties.
  • Dashboard – This option is used to create and customize dashboards.
  • Story – This option is used to build storyboards using multiple visualizations.
  • Analysis – This option is used to add calculations, reference lines, and forecasts.
  • Map – This option is used to customize geographic maps.
  • Format – This option is used to change text, borders, and background colors.
  • Server – This option is used to publish dashboards to Tableau Server or Tableau Online.

5. Sheets, Dashboards, and Stories

a) Sheets (Worksheets)

• • A sheet is where individual visualizations (charts, graphs, tables) are created.
  • Each sheet represents a single view.

b) Dashboards

• • Dashboards combine multiple sheets into one view.
  • We can drag and drop different visualizations, apply filters, and add interactive elements.

c) Stories

• • Stories allow us to create a sequence of visualizations to tell a data-driven story.
  • We can include multiple dashboards and highlight key insights.

6. Data Window (Data Pane)

• This user interface is found on the left sidebar of the workspace.
• It displays connected data sources and fields divided into:
  • Dimensions (Blue) – Categorical data (e.g., Customer Name, Country).
  • Measures (Green) – Numerical data (e.g., Sales, Profit).
• It supports drag-and-drop functionality to build charts.

7. Data Types in Tableau

• Tableau recognizes different data types, indicated by icons in the Data Pane:
  • String (Abc) – For Text values.
  • Number (123) – For Integer or decimal values.
  • Date (Calendar Icon) – For Date and time values.
  • Boolean (T/F) – For True/False values.
  • Geographic (Globe Icon) – For Location-based data (e.g., Country, City).

8. File Types in Tableau

a) Workbook Files

• • .twb (Tableau Workbook) – This file stores visualization but not data.
  • .twbx (Packaged Workbook) – This file contains both data and visualizations.

b) Data Files

• • .tde (Tableau Data Extract) – This file compressed data for performance improvement.
  • .hyper – This file is a newer format replacing .tde, optimized for fast queries.

c) Other File Types

• • .tds (Tableau Data Source) – This file saves connection details without data.
  • .tdsx (Packaged Data Source) – This file Includes data and connection details.
  • .tms (Tableau Map Source) – This file is used for custom maps.