Tableau Descriptive Questions
Tableau Descriptive Questions
1. What is TABLEAU?
Tableau is the powerful and fastest visualizing tool that is used in the Business Intelligence(BI)
Industry. It simplifies the raw data into an understandable format. Analysis of the data becomes
faster with Tableau. The visualizations can be created in the form of dashboards. The visualizations
or diagrammatic representation of data can easily be understood by the employees of the
organizations who are at different levels.
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3. List out Tableau File Extensions.
Below ones are a few extensions in Tableau:
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7. Define TreeMap?
TreeMap is a visualization that organizes data hierarchically and shows them as a set of nested
rectangles. The size and colors of rectangles are respective to the values of the data points they
project. Parent rectangles will be tiled with their child elements.
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8. What is the difference between a Heat map and Treemap?
TreeMap Heat MapIt represents the data hierarchically and shows them as a set of nested
rectangles. It represents the data graphically which uses multiple colors to represent different
values. It is used for comparing the categories with colors, size, and it can also be used for
illustrating the hierarchical data and part to whole relationships. It is used for comparing the
categories based on color and size. And also it is great in spotting the patterns based on the density
of the information. The colors and size of rectangles are respective to the values of the data points
When their values are higher or the density of records, the data will represent in dark color.
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data that directly reflects in dashboards. It is the most efficient approach to visualize the data and
analyze it.
12. Define Page Shelf in Tableau?
Page shelf breaks the views into a series of pages. It displays an alternate view on each page. Due
to this feature, you can analyze the effect of each field on the rest of the data in the view.
13. Define the story in Tableau?
The story can be defined as a sheet which is a collection of series of worksheets and dashboards
used to convey the insights of data. A story can be used to show the connection between facts and
outcomes that impacts the decision-making process. A story can be published on the web or can
be presented to the audience.
14. Give an overview of the fact and dimensions of the table?
Facts are numeric measures of data. They are stored in fact tables. Fact tables store that type of
data that will be analyzed by dimension tables. Fact tables have foreign keys associating with
dimension tables.
Dimensions are descriptive attributes of data. Those will be stored in the dimensions table. For
example, customer’s information like name, number, and email will be stored in the dimension
table.
15. State some ways to improve the performance of Tableau
Use an Extract to make workbooks run faster
Reduce the scope of data to decrease the volume of data
Reduce the number of marks on the view to avoid information overload
Try to use integers or Booleans in calculations as they are much faster than strings
Hide unused fields
Use Context filters
Reduce filter usage and use some alternative way to achieve the same result
Use indexing in tables and use the same fields for filtering
Remove unnecessary calculations and sheets
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Full Outer Join
Inner Join
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20. Define blended axis?
Multiple measures can share in a single axis so that all the marks will be shown in a single pane.
We can blend measures by dragging the 1st measure on one axis and the 2nd on the existing axis.
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A histogram chart shows the distribution of continuous information over a certain period. This
chart helps us to find extreme points, gaps, unusual values, and more concentrated values.
31. What is the difference between published data and embedded data sources?
The published data source contains connection information that is independent of workbooks and
can be used by multiple workbooks.The embedded data source contains connection information
but it is associated with the workbooks.
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33. What is a Column chart?
A column chat visualizes the data as a set of rectangle columns, as their lengths are proportional
to values when they represent the data. The horizontal axis shows the category to which they
belong, and the vertical axis shows the values.
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34. What is the Bar Chart in Tableau?
The bar chart visualizes the data as a set of rectangle bars, as their values are proportional to lengths
when they represent the data. The vertical axis shows the category to which they belong to and the
horizontal axis shows the values. So, the bar chart is a vertical version of the Column chart.
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An area chart is nothing but line chat, the area between the x-axis and lines will be color or patterns.
These charts are typically used to represent accumulated totals over time and are the conventional
way to display stacked lines.
40. What is Context Filter and show the steps on how to create the Context Filter Tableau?
Context Filters are applied to the data rows before any other filters. They are limited to views, but
they can be applied on selected sheets. They define Aggregation and Disaggregation of data in
Tableau
Step 1: Drag the subcategory dimensions to the row shelf and measure sales to the column shelf.
Now choose the horizontal bar chart as chart type and again drag the sub-category dimensions to
the filter shelf. Then we will get the following chart.
Step 2: Right-click on the Sub-Category field in the filter shelf and go to the Top fourth tab.
Choose the option field, from the next drop-down and choose the option Top 10 by Sales Sum as
shown in the following screenshot.
Step 3: Drag the dimension Category to the filter shelf. Give right-click on the general tab to edit
and under that choose Furniture from the list. As you can see the result shows three subcategories
of products.
Step 4: Right-click the Category: Furniture filter and select the option Add to Context. This
produces the final result, which shows the subcategory of products from the category Furniture
which is among the top 10 subcategories across all the products.
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42. Differentiate parameters and filters in Tableau
Filters are the simpler and straightforward feature in Tableau. It applies to dimensions or measures
directly. For example, to only show Gujarat or Karnataka in a State dimension, we can apply the
filter on that. In Tableau, there are multiple UI options available for filters like radio buttons, drop-
down lists, checkboxes, sliders, and more. Filters on sheets are also available in Tableau.
Parameters are like variables. They are complex and more powerful. Like a variable, a parameter
can be used in calculations. So, that means, it only allows a single value. Parameters have the same
UI options except for checkboxes because checkboxes don’t have a single value. For example, we
can create a parameter for interest rate and period, and then we can use these parameters to
calculate interest and principal payments.
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44. Differentiate between Tiled and Floating in dashboards?
In a tiled layout, items don’t overlap. The layout will be adjusted according to dashboard size. In
the floating layout, items can be placed on some other layers. Floating items can have fixed
positions and sizes.
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Disaggregation →The process of viewing each transaction for analyzing all the measures both
dependently and independently. Example – individual salary transactions for each employee.
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52. What is the difference between .twb and .twbx extensions?
.twb: .twb means Tableau workbook. .twb is an XML sheet, it stores the data about your
documents, stories, and dashboards. This file is a reference to the source file such as Excel or tde.
This file will be linked to your source file when you save the TWB file. If you want to share your
workbook you need to send both the workbook and data source file.
.twbx: It is a compressed file, where you have all files. It includes data source files, twb, and other
files to produce the workbook. TWBX is obsolete for sharing because it will share the copy of the
file instead of an original source file. .twbx is used for reports and we can view using the tableau
viewer.
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54. How to create a calculated field in Tableau?
Step 1: Select Analysis -> drop down will open -> Select create calculated field
Step 2: Calculation Editor Box will open, give the name to the calculated field.
Step 3: Enter a formula in the calculation editor.
Example: Sum(Profits)/Sum(Sales). (Calculation Editor validates the formula)
Step 4: Click, Ok.
Now, the new calculated field added to the data pane.
55. Are there any limitations of parameters in Tableau? If yes, give details.
Tableau dashboard allows the representation of parameters in four ways only. They don’t allow
any multiple values like a filter can do. They only allow a single value.
56. State some reasons for the low performance of Tableau? Explain in detail.
Following are the reason for low performance
Filters - filters need to create an extra query and if it is used in large numbers and
inefficiently then they can reduce the performance. So, it is advised to use filters whenever
it is mandatory
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Live connection - Tableau extract works much better in comparison with a live
connection.
Data sources - a wrong query to a wrong data source can reduce performance. Also, the
data source’s performance can also affect Tableau’s performance.
60. If the owner of the published workbook license expires, then can other users see those
workbooks?
If the owner of a published workbooks license expires then his/her role will change to
“Unlicensed”. He/She cannot access those workbooks, but others can. Only the site admin can
change the ownership of those workbooks.
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2. Select Customize.
3. Then we can visible a small dropbox under customize, uncheck the option for “ All” Value.
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65. How to add custom color to Tableau?
To add custom color in Tableau, we need to follow 3 steps
Generate custom color code and create it in “Preferences.tps”
Navigate to Documents→ My Table Repository→ Preferences.tps
Add a note for custom color code
67. How can we display the top and bottom 5 of records in a single Tableau view?
To achieve this, we need to create 2 views
View1 which contains the top 5 records
View2 which contains the bottom 5 records
View3 which is a join of View1 and View2
68. State a few charts which we should not use with valid reasons
Below here are a few charts which we should avoid.
3D Charts: Visual representation of numbers in 3D charts will be skewed and it makes it
difficult to compare and analyze.
Pie Charts: Pie charts are not that much accurate as bar charts. In Pie charts, we have areas
and angles to compare instead of length in a bar chart. Areas and angles cannot be analyzed
with ease.
Donut Charts: This is the same as Pie chart, but here, we have a hole in the middle to
make it look like a donut. Due to that hole, we need to compare arc length with other arcs
to analyze the values. Comparing arcs lengths is also a difficult task for our eyes.
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70. Do we have any data limitations in Tableau Public?
Yes, Tableau Public can only allow 10 million rows to users for data visualization.
71. Can we download views or workbooks from the server? If yes, in which data formats?
We can download views or workbooks from the server. But, data formats available to us depend
on the permissions granted by site administrators or content owners.
Image: .png format
Data: .csv file.
We can also download selected sheets into PDF format, but while generating PDF, web page
objects won’t be included.
72. Can we use unused columns (Columns that are not used in reports but data source has
columns) in Tableau Filters?
Yes, we can use unused columns in tableau filters.
Let us consider one example.
In data source, I have column like emp_id, emp_name, emp_sal, emp_dep, emp_designation. But,
in reports, I am using emp_name in columns and emp-sal in rows. I can use emp_designation on
filters.
73. What is the benefit of the Tableau extract file over the live connection?
Extract files can be used without any connections and you can build your own visualization without
connecting to the database.
75. Can we place an excel file in a shared location and use it to develop a report and refresh
it in regular intervals?
Yes, we can place an excel file in a shared location and we can use it to develop a report, but for
better performance, we need to extract the file.
77. Can you get values from two different sources as a single input into a parameter?
Tableau, currently not supporting the multi-valued parameters. As Tableau parameters are not
dynamic, we cannot filter the list of values at runtime.
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78. Design a view in a map such that if a user selects any state the cities under that state have
to show profit and sales.
If you want to show the profit and sales of each and every city under the state in the same
worksheet, then follow a few steps.
The data which you want to display under the state, must be in the same worksheet.
Double click on the state field.
Drag the city and drop it under the state(Mark Card).
Drag the Sales and drop into the size.
Drag the Profit and drop it into the color.
Click on the size legend and increase the size (75%).
Give a right-click on State filed and select show filter.
Select the state and check whether you got the required view or not.
In the View, Size indicates the Sales, and Color indicates the profit of the respective state (which
you have selected).
79. How can u set permissions or protect the data in tableau public?
Tableau does not have any security permissions or to protect the data in Tableau public. Whatever
we shared in Tableau public those files, workbooks can be viewed by all users. There is no security
option in Tableau public.
80. If I delete a workbook from tableau public and there are links to other blogs and other
web locations. What happens to them?
Tableau public is like a repository, if you delete anything in the Tableau public the data will be
lost, even if links are in other locations and blogs. We cannot access those links.
81. Mention whether you can create relational joins in Tableau without creating a new table?
Yes, we can create relational joins in Tableau without creating a new table
82. When publishing workbooks on Tableau online, sometimes an error about needing to
extract appears. Why does it happen occasionally?
It happens when the user is trying to publish the workbook which is connected to the internal or
local server that means the company’s network.
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3. Reduce the marks (data points) in your view( remove unneeded dimensions).
4. Reduce the number of filters.
5. Use an include filter.
6. Use a continuous data filter.
7. Use action filters and parameters.
8. Reduce the number of nested calculations.
9. Remove custom SQL.
10. Clean up your workbooks.
Option 2:
Create a set from the group, and use the set in the calculated field.
Step 1: Right-click on the Data Pane and then select Create Set.
Step 2: Create a set dialogue box that will open,
Enter the field name.
Select the group, on the general tab.
Step 3: Click Ok.
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When we are publishing the reports to Tableau Server, there we will find an option to schedule the
report, just select the time when you want to refresh the data.
88. Which databases give the best performance when connected live?
Native Database gives the best performance when connected live.
89. What are the challenges faced when working with huge volumes of data?
1. View running will be slow.
2. Data Extraction.
3. Alignment issues with data.
4. Testing Data.
94. Can we remove the “All” option from the auto-filter in Tableau?
Yes, we can. Navigate to filter→ Right-click on it→ select customize→ uncheck the option “Show
All”
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97. Define Histogram chart
A histogram chart shows the distribution of continuous information over a certain period of time.
This chart helps us to find extreme points, gaps, unusual values, and more concentrated values.
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