Tableau Training
Working with Metadata
Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
List and describe the various data types
Rename, hide, unhide, and sort the fields in Tableau
Analyze the default properties of fields
Explain the concept of aliases in Tableau
A Day in the Life of a Data Analyst
As a Data Analyst of an organization, you are asked to
identify the kind of data stored in the data source.
You are also asked to rename specific values within a
specific dimension.
To achieve these, you must learn a few concepts,
such as Data types, Dimensions, and Measures,
application of discrete and continuous fields, and
creation of aliases that will help find a solution to the
given scenario.
Data Types
Data Types
All fields in a data source have a data type.
Abc
The data type reflects the kind of information stored in a particular field.
Data Types
Tableau can store the following data types:
Text values Numerical values
Date values Boolean values
Date and time values Geographic values
Data Types
Tableau can store the following data types:
Text values
Strings and alphanumeric data are text data types.
Example: Books, CA-2013-151654
Date values
Strings matching a date format are considered dates.
Example: 01/23/2021, Jan 2022
Data Types
Tableau can store the following data types:
Date and time values
Fields that contain both date and time information are considered
the date and time data types.
Example: 01/23/2021 4:54:00 PM
Numerical values
Fields that contain numeric data are considered numerical data
types.
Example: 410, 34.56
Data Types
Tableau can store the following data types:
Boolean values
Fields that contain true or false, or 0 or 1 as sets are considered
0 1
Boolean.
Example: Current year 2021: True
Current year 2022: False
Geographic values
Fields that contain names of cities, states, countries, or latitude and
longitude information are considered geographic.
Example: Texas, USA
Data Roles
Data Roles
Every field in the tableau desktop has two important settings that determine how it
behaves when placed on a shelf.
Dimensions vs. Measures Discrete vs. Continuous
The visualization can vary depending on the role of the data.
Dimensions vs. Measures
Dimensions vs. Measures
Data comprises both textual and numerical values.
When data is loaded into Tableau, it automatically segregates the data into
dimensions and measures based on the data type.
Dimensions vs. Measures
Dimensions Measures
● Dimensions usually produce a ● Measures typically produce axes
header when added to a row or when added to a row or column
column shelves in the view. shelves in the view.
● Tableau treats any field ● Tableau treats any field
containing categorical data as a containing numeric information
dimension. as a measure.
Discrete vs. Continuous
Discrete vs. Continuous
In addition to dimensions and measures, every field in a tableau is categorized as either
discrete or continuous.
Discrete Continuous
Discrete vs. Continuous
The graph below illustrates a discrete data role:
The quantity field is blue on
the columns shelf.
Each distinct quantity appears as a header at
the bottom of the bar chart.
Quantity as a discrete measure
Discrete vs. Continuous
The graph below illustrates a continuous data role:
The quantity field is green on
the columns shelf.
The quantity values are shown in a continuous
axis along the bottom of the chart.
Quantity as a continuous measure
Application of Discrete and Continuous Fields
Application of Discrete and Continuous Fields
Discrete fields are used to categorize data, whereas continuous fields are used for aggregation.
When discrete values are added to the color card, the
visual shows individual colors.
When continuous values are added to the color card, the
visual shows a single gradient color.
Application of Discrete and Continuous Fields
Date dimensions, numeric dimensions, and measures can be discrete or continuous.
Discrete Continuous
Application of Discrete and Continuous Fields
To change a dimension to measure:
Step 01: Click on the field
Step 02: Select Measure
Application of Discrete and Continuous Fields
The continuous field in the Columns shelf displays an axis.
Application of Discrete and Continuous Fields
The discrete item in the Rows shelf creates a header.
Rename, Hide, Unhide, and Sort Columns
Metadata
Some of the most frequently used metadata options are:
Rename
Hide
Unhide
Sort
Metadata: Rename
To rename the name on the top:
Click on the field and enter
Employee Details
Metadata: Rename
The field named Sheet 1 is renamed to Employee Details.
Metadata: Rename
To rename Location to Country:
Double-click on Location
and type Country
Metadata: Rename
The field named Location is changed to Country.
Metadata: Rename
To rename the field Validated? to Is Applicable:
• Right-click on Validated?
• Select Rename and enter Is Applicable
Metadata: Rename
The field named Validated? is renamed to Is Applicable.
Metadata: Hide
The Hide option hides a column in the dataset.
To hide the column Is Applicable:
• Click on the dropdown list
• Select Hide
Metadata: Hide
The field Is Applicable is hidden from the dataset.
Metadata: Hide
To view all the hidden fields:
Click on the Show
hidden fields
Metadata: Hide
All the hidden fields appear on the screen.
Default Properties of Fields
Default Properties of Fields
The following are the default properties:
• To modify the aggregate field
• To add comments to the fields
• To modify the number type
• To modify the fiscal year
Properties are modified under a given condition.
Default Properties of Fields
Let’s perform the default properties using a Sample - Superstore dataset in Tableau.
Default Properties of Fields
To access default properties:
Step 01: Right-click on the field Sales
Step 02: Navigate to Default Properties
Default Properties of Fields
The default aggregation of a numerical column is SUM
Default Properties of Fields
To change the default aggregation:
Step 01: Right-click on Sales
Step 02: Select Default Properties
Step 03: Select Aggregation
Step 04: Select Average
Default Properties of Fields
The default aggregation is changed to AVG
Default Properties of Fields
The Comment option shows a notification about the Profit field.
To add a Comment:
Step 01: Right-click on Profit
Step 02: Select Default Properties
Step 03: Select Comment
Default Properties of Fields
The Comment option shows a notification about the field.
Step 04: Add the comment
Step 05: Click OK
When the cursor is placed on Profit, it displays a tooltip giving information about the field.
Default Properties of Fields
The Number Format option is used to change a number from a decimal to a whole number.
To change the format:
Step 01: Drag Sub-Category into Rows
Step 02: Drag Profit into Text
Default Properties of Fields
Steps to change a number from a decimal to a whole number:
Step 03: Right-click on Profit
Step 04: Select Default Properties
Step 05: Select Number Format
Default Properties of Fields
Steps to change a number from a decimal to a whole number:
Step 06: Select Number (Custom)
Step 07: Set Decimal Place to zero
Step 08: Click OK
Default Properties of Fields
Decimals are changed to whole numbers.
Default Properties of Fields
The Fiscal Year Start option changes the fiscal year.
Steps to change the fiscal year:
Step 01: Drag Order Date into Rows
Step 02: Click on + to get a quarter of
the Order Date
Step 03: Click on + again to get a month
of the Order Date
Default Properties of Fields
Here, quarter 1 starts in January and quarter 2 in April.
Default Properties of Fields
To change the fiscal year from January to April:
Step 04: Right-click on Order Date
Step 05: Select Default Properties
Step 06: Select Fiscal Year Start
Step 07: Select April
Default Properties of Fields
FY 2015 Q1, FY 2016 Q1, and FY 2017 Q1 start in April.
Assisted Practice: Using Measure Names and Measure Values
Duration: 20 minutes
Problem statement:
A multinational retail chain is planning to launch its retail store. The chairman needs to
analyze products currently being sold by the company. He should be able to quickly filter the
data to examine various aspects of Product sales. Create a highlight table with the year,
subcategory, and all the measures.
Assisted Practice Guidelines
Steps to follow:
Step 1: Create a highlight table with year, subcategory, and all the measures
Step 2: Enable color legends per measure
Step 3: Apply a quick filter on measure names
Creating Aliases
Aliases
Aliases are alternate names provided to the values and headers to display in
visualizations.
Creating Aliases
Steps to create alias for values:
Step 01
Right-click on any column
and select Aliases
Creating Aliases
Steps to create alias for values:
Step 02
Update the alias name and
click OK
No two values can have the same aliases.
Key Takeaways
The data type reflects the kind of information stored in a
particular field.
Dimensions and measures produce headers and axes when
added to a row or column shelves in the view.
Discrete fields are used to categorize data, whereas continuous
fields are used for aggregation.
Aliases are alternate names provided to the values and
headers to display in visualizations.
Knowledge Check
Knowledge
Check
Which of the following is true about dimensions and measures?
1
A. Dimensions are quantitative, and measures are qualitative
B. Dimensions are qualitative, and measures are quantitative
C. Both A and B
D. None of these
Knowledge
Check
Which of the following is true about dimensions and measures?
1
A. Dimensions are quantitative, and measures are qualitative
B. Dimensions are qualitative, and measures are quantitative
C. Both A and B
D. None of these
The correct answer is B
Dimensions contain qualitative information, such as names, dates, or geographical coordinates, whereas measures
contain numerical information.
Knowledge
Check
Which of the following is NOT a data type in Tableau?
2
A. Text
B. Date
C. Geographic
D. Statistic
Knowledge
Check
Which of the following is NOT a data type in Tableau?
2
A. Text
B. Date
C. Geographic
D. Statistic
The correct answer is D
Statistic is not a data type in Tableau.
Knowledge
Check
Which of the following happens when a dimension is dropped in rows?
3
A. Create headers in a single column
B. Create headers in a single row
C. Create a vertical bar
D. Create a horizontal bar
Knowledge
Check
Which of the following happens when a dimension is dropped in rows?
3
A. Create headers in a single column
B. Create headers in a single row
C. Create a vertical bar
D. Create a horizontal bar
The correct answer is A
Dimensions, by default, create headers in a single column.
Knowledge
Check
Which of the following are the most frequently used metadata options?
4
A. Rename, hide, and sort
B. Hide and sort
C. Rename, hide, unhide, and sort
D. Unhide, hide, and sort
Knowledge
Check
Which of the following are the most frequently used metadata options?
4
A. Rename, hide, and sort
B. Hide and sort
C. Rename, hide, unhide, and sort
D. Unhide, hide, and sort
The correct answer is C
The most frequently used metadata options are rename, hide, unhide, and sort.
Knowledge
Check
Which of the following is NOT recognized by the geographic data type in Tableau?
5
A. Pin code
B. Country name
C. Airport code
D. Street name
Knowledge
Check
Which of the following is NOT recognized by the geographic data type in Tableau?
5
A. Pin code
B. Country name
C. Airport code
D. Street name
The correct answer is D
Street names usually don’t have specific latitudes and longitudes and are not readily recognizable by Tableau.
