Tableau Interview Questions

What is Tableau?
Tableau is a data visualization and business intelligence (BI) tool that helps to understand data. It
allows users to connect to a variety of data sources, analyze data, and create interactive and
shareable dashboards, charts, graphs, and maps.

What is data visualization in Tableau?

Data visualization in Tableau means turning raw data into visual formats like charts, graphs, and
maps. This helps users quickly spot trends, patterns, and outliers. Tableau makes this easy with its
drag-and-drop interface, so you can create visuals, these visuals can be combined into interactive
dashboards, making it easier for others to understand and explore the data too.

What are the advantages of Tableau?

Some of the key advantages of using Tableau:
Data Visualization: Tableau helps turn complex data into clear, visually appealing charts,
dashboards, and infographics, making it easier to understand patterns and insights.
Interactive Dashboards: Users can explore data using filters, tooltips, and other interactive
elements through a simple drag-and-drop interface.
Pre-built Templates: Tableau offers a gallery of templates and visual styles that can be customized,
allowing users to quickly build professional dashboards.
Ease of Use: No coding is required to use Tableau effectively. Even beginners without a technical
background can start creating dashboards quickly.
Handles Large Datasets: Tableau can process millions of rows of data efficiently without slowing
down dashboard performance.
Integration with Scripting Languages: Advanced users can integrate R or Python to perform
complex calculations or generate statistical models.
Strong Data Connectivity: It connects seamlessly to various data sources like Excel, SQL, cloud
services (e.g., AWS, Google BigQuery), and more.
Real-Time Data Analysis: Tableau supports live connections and scheduled data refreshes,
ensuring dashboards show up-to-date information.
Collaboration and Sharing: Dashboards can be shared securely through Tableau Server, Tableau
Online, or Tableau Public.

Difference Between Tableau and Other BI Tools

Tableau
●​ Great for advanced, interactive visualizations
●​ Very user-friendly with drag-and-drop interface
●​ Handles large datasets well
●​ Supports integration with Python, R
●​ More expensive than some other tools
●​ Best for: Data analysts, dashboard creators
Power BI
●​ Affordable, especially for Microsoft users
●​ Integrates well with Excel, Azure, and other Microsoft tools
●​ Good for basic to intermediate visualizations
●​ Easy to use for business users
●​ Best for: Organizations using Microsoft ecosystem
Qlik (QlikView / Qlik Sense)
●​ Strong data engine with in-memory processing
●​ Good at exploring complex data relationships
●​ Steeper learning curve
●​ Less focused on aesthetics, more on analytics depth
●​ Best for: Power users needing deep data exploration
Looker
●​ Cloud-based and modern BI tool
●​ Focuses on data modeling and governance
●​ Limited in visualization variety
●​ Works well with Google Cloud and BigQuery
●​ Best for: Cloud-native teams, embedded analytics

What are different Tableau products?

Tableau Desktop
Purpose: For individuals to create reports and visualizations locally on their computer.
Key Features: Drag-and-drop interface, flexible data analysis, and interactive dashboards.
Best For: Data analysts or anyone creating visualizations on their own.
Tableau Server
Purpose: For organizations to host Tableau dashboards and collaborate securely on a server within
the company’s infrastructure.
Key Features: Centralized management, user access control, data security, and sharing capabilities.
Best For: Companies that need internal sharing and collaboration on Tableau dashboards.
Tableau Online
Purpose: A cloud-based version of Tableau Server, offering similar features without the need for
on-premise infrastructure.
Key Features: Cloud hosting, easy sharing, and collaboration on interactive dashboards.
Best For: Teams or companies looking for a cloud solution to share and collaborate on dashboards.
Tableau Public
Purpose: A free version for creating and sharing visualizations publicly on the web.
Key Features: Public sharing, free access, limited to non-sensitive data.
Best For: Individuals or organizations wanting to showcase their data visualizations publicly.
Tableau Prep
Purpose: A tool for cleaning, transforming, and shaping data before analysis in Tableau.
Key Features: Drag-and-drop interface for data cleaning, data blending, and prepping data for
visualization.
Best For: Data analysts who need to prepare data for visualizations.

What is a parameter in Tableau?

In Tableau, a parameter is a dynamic input that allows users to control and customize their
visualizations. It's like a placeholder or a variable that can be used in various calculations, filters,
or references to make your dashboard interactive.
Key Points about Parameters in Tableau:
Customizable: Users can define the parameter values (e.g., a range of numbers, a list of categories,
or specific dates).
Interactive: A parameter can be linked to a filter, calculated field, or reference line. For example,
you could create a parameter to allow users to select different measures (e.g., sales, profit, quantity)
in a chart or control what data is shown.
Flexible: Unlike filters, parameters can work with multiple dimensions and measures. You can use
them for things like:
Dynamic calculations: Modify how a calculation is performed based on the parameter’s value.
Custom Filters: Allow users to filter data based on their input.
Reference Lines: Set dynamic reference lines based on user input.
Example Use Case:
You create a parameter that lets the user select a date range (e.g., last 30 days, last quarter, custom
date range). This parameter can then control which data is displayed on the dashboard.
You could also use a parameter to allow users to toggle between different metrics (e.g., "Sales" vs
"Profit") in a bar chart.
In Summary:
A parameter in Tableau gives users control over the data they view by providing a customizable
and interactive input that can be used across various calculations, filters, and visuals.

Tell me something about measures and dimensions?

In Tableau, when you connect to a data source, each field is automatically categorized as either a
measure or a dimension, based on its data type and role.
Dimensions are qualitative fields — they contain descriptive values like names, dates, or
geographic data.
They are used to categorize, segment, and group data.
Examples: Customer Name, Order Date, Region.
Measures are quantitative fields — they contain numeric values that can be aggregated (like
summed, averaged, or counted).
Examples: Sales, Profit, Quantity.
Dimensions are usually discrete (separate categories), while measures are typically continuous
(can be measured and plotted along a scale).
Simple Analogy:
Think of dimensions as labels (like "Region" or "Product"), and measures as the numbers you
analyze for those labels (like "Total Sales" or "Profit").
What are Continuous and Discrete Field Types in Tableau?
In Tableau, fields can be either continuous or discrete, and this affects how the data is displayed in
visualizations.
Discrete fields are separate and distinct values. They are shown as labels or categories (like Region
or Product Name).
Tableau displays them with a blue color.
They create headers in charts and can be sorted.
Continuous means without interruptions ,Continuous fields are unbroken ranges of values (like
Sales or Dates used as a timeline).
Tableau displays them with a green color.
They create axes in graphs and show data as a flow or scale — and they cannot be sorted like
categories.
🧠 Simple Example:
Discrete: "Region" → East, West, North, South (individual categories)
Continuous: "Sales" → $0 to $10,000 (a continuous number line)
So in short:
Blue = Discrete = Categories
Green = Continuous = Range/Axis

What is aggregation and disaggregation of data?

✅ Aggregation
Definition: Combining many data values into a single summary value.
Common aggregations: SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT, MIN, MAX.
Default behavior in Tableau: Tableau automatically aggregates measures in views (e.g., shows total
sales, average profit).
Example: If you have 100 rows of sales data, Tableau might show the sum of all sales.
✅ Disaggregation
Definition: Viewing each individual data row without summarizing it.
Use case: When you want to analyze raw data or identify patterns between individual records.
In Tableau: You can turn off aggregation by going to the Analysis menu and unchecking
“Aggregate Measures.”
Example: Instead of showing total sales for each region, Tableau would show each sale transaction
separately.
🧠 Simple Difference:
Aggregation = Summary (e.g., total sales)
Disaggregation = Detailed (e.g., every individual sale)

What Are the Different Types of Joins in Tableau?

In Tableau, joins are used to combine data from two or more tables using a common field. The
types of joins are similar to those in SQL:
Inner Join
Returns only the matching rows from both tables.
Useful when you need data that exists in both tables.
Left Join (Left Outer Join)
Returns all rows from the left table, and matching rows from the right table.
If there’s no match, Tableau fills in with NULLs from the right table.
Right Join (Right Outer Join)
Returns all rows from the right table, and matching rows from the left table.
If there’s no match, Tableau fills in with NULLs from the left table.
Full Outer Join
Returns all rows from both tables.
If there’s no match, Tableau shows NULLs in place of missing data from either side.

Tell me the different connections to make with a dataset?

In Tableau, there are two main types of connections you can make with a dataset:
🔗 1. Live Connection
Connects directly to the data source in real time.
Any changes in the original data are immediately reflected in Tableau.
Best for real-time dashboards or frequently updated data.
May affect performance if the dataset is very large or the connection is slow.
Example: Connecting live to a SQL database or Google Sheets.
🗂️ 2. Extract Connection
Tableau takes a snapshot of the data and saves it as a .hyper file.
The dashboard uses this local copy instead of constantly querying the source.
Much faster performance, especially with large datasets.
Data does not update automatically — you need to refresh the extract.
Example: Creating an extract from a large Excel or database file for offline use.
✅ When to Use What:
Use Live when you need up-to-date data at all times.
Use Extract when you want speed, offline access, or to reduce load on your source system.

What Are the Supported File Extensions in Tableau?

Here are the main file types used in Tableau Desktop:
.twb (Tableau Workbook)
Stores worksheets, dashboards, and story points — but does not contain the actual data, just the
connection info.
.twbx (Tableau Packaged Workbook)
A zipped version of a TWB file that includes the workbook plus the data, images, and custom
calculations. Ideal for sharing.
.tds (Tableau Data Source)
Contains metadata like field definitions, calculated fields, and formatting — but no actual data.
.tdsx (Tableau Packaged Data Source)
A zipped version of a TDS file that includes the metadata and the data files.
.tde (Tableau Data Extract)
An older file format used to store extracted data. Being replaced by .hyper.
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.hyper (Tableau Hyper Data Extract)
The newer extract format that supports faster and more efficient data handling.
.tbm (Tableau Bookmark)
Saves a single worksheet which can be reused or shared with others.
.tms (Tableau Map Source) (optional)

What are the supported data types in Tableau?

Supported Data Types in Tableau
The following data types are supported in Tableau:
Boolean:
Possible values are True/False. Used for logical conditions.
Date:
Stores specific date values, like December 28, 2016.
Date & Time:
Stores both date and timestamp values, like December 28, 2016 06:00:00 PM.
Geographical Values:
Used for geographical mapping, like Beijing, Mumbai, or New York.
Text/String:
Stores text or string values, like product names or descriptions.
Number (Decimal):
Stores decimal numbers, such as 8.00 or 5.75.
Number (Whole):
Stores whole numbers (integers), like 5 or 100.

What Are Sets in Tableau?

Sets in Tableau are custom fields created as a subset of data based on certain conditions. They
allow you to define a specific group of data points (members) that can be used for analysis,
comparisons, or filtering.
Sets can be created in two ways:
Manually: Select specific data points or members to create a set.
Dynamically: Based on a condition or rule (e.g., customers who spent over $10,000).
For example, you could create a set of "High-Value Customers" who have earned revenue above a
specific threshold.
Key Points:
Dynamic Sets: Automatically update as data changes or when filters are applied.
Static Sets: Created manually and do not change unless updated by the user.
Use Cases:
Filtering: You can display or hide data belonging to a specific set.
Comparison: Compare members of a set (e.g., high-value customers) with those outside of the set.
Highlighting: Emphasize members of a set in visualizations.
What Are Groups in Tableau?
Groups in Tableau are used to combine multiple members of a dimension into a single category,
simplifying the visualization of larger or similar data sets. Groups allow you to create a custom
field that categorizes data values within a dimension into broader categories.

How Do Groups Work?

Creation: Groups are created by selecting dimension members (e.g., cities, products, or customers)
and categorizing them together.
Purpose: Groups are especially useful when you want to simplify complex data by grouping
individual values into more manageable categories.
Use Cases for Groups:
Simplifying Large Data: You can group smaller or less significant data points into an "Other"
category for a cleaner visualization.
Custom Categorization: Create groups based on your business logic. For example, you might group
cities into regions or products into categories like "High" or "Low" performing.
Better Visualization: By grouping data, you can focus on broader trends and reduce clutter in your
visualizations.
Example:
If you have a list of product categories, you can create a group that combines similar categories
like "Electronics," "Mobile Phones," and "Computers" into a broader category like "Technology".

What Are Shelves in Tableau?

Shelves in Tableau are areas where you can drag and drop dimensions, measures, or fields to build
your visualizations. They act as containers that control how data is displayed and interacted with
in Tableau's interface.
Shelves allow you to organize and structure your visualizations by assigning dimensions and
measures to the right places, such as rows, columns, filters, or color.
Common Shelves in Tableau:
Rows Shelf
Place dimensions (such as categories or date fields) here to define the rows in your visualization.
Columns Shelf
Place dimensions or measures here to define the columns in your visualization.
Filters Shelf
Place fields here to filter the data that appears in your view. This is where you can apply filters
based on specific conditions (e.g., dates, products).
Pages Shelf
Used to create animations or separate views of data over a specific dimension (like time). For
example, you can place a date field here to see data for each time period in sequence.
Marks Shelf
Controls the appearance of marks (e.g., bars, lines, shapes) in your visualization. You can assign
dimensions and measures to control the color, size, detail, shape, and label of the marks.
How Shelves Are Used:
Building Visualizations: Shelves are used to place fields that control the structure and appearance
of your charts (e.g., placing a dimension on the Rows shelf and a measure on the Columns shelf).
Interactivity: Shelves allow for quick adjustments to the view, such as filtering, changing chart
types, or adding detail.
Example:
If you drag Product Category to the Rows shelf and Sales to the Columns shelf, you would get a bar
chart showing the sales for each product category.

What Is Data Blending in Tableau?

Data blending in Tableau is a method used to combine data from different data sources into a
single visualization. This is helpful when you want to analyze data from multiple sources that
don’t have a direct relationship or shared key fields (unlike joins, which combine tables based on a
common field).
Data blending allows you to combine data without merging the actual datasets. Instead, Tableau
blends them at the aggregate level to provide a unified view.

How Does Data Blending Work?

Primary Data Source:
The primary data source is the main source of data that holds the primary context (e.g., the data
you start your analysis with). Tableau automatically designates one data source as primary.
Secondary Data Source:
The secondary data source is another dataset that you want to blend with the primary data source.
It typically contains related but not identical fields (like information from different systems).
Blending Process:
Tableau matches data from the primary data source with corresponding fields in the secondary
data source based on a common field (like a shared dimension or key). Tableau performs an
aggregate-level join to combine the data at the level of granularity you’re using in your
visualization.

How Is Data Blending Different from Joins?

Joins combine data at the row level before aggregating, whereas data blending happens after data
is aggregated (at the view level).
Joins work when your datasets have a common field, whereas data blending works when datasets
don’t have a direct relationship, and you need to combine them based on related but separate
dimensions.
Steps to Perform Data Blending:
Connect to the Primary Data Source:
Drag a field to the view (e.g., Sales data).
Add the Secondary Data Source:
Drag a field from the secondary data source (e.g., Customer data) to the view.
Link the Fields:
Tableau will automatically attempt to find common dimensions between the two sources (like
Customer ID, Product ID, etc.).
Blend the Data:
Tableau will then blend the data based on the common field, aggregating the values.
When to Use Data Blending:
Multiple Data Sources: When your data resides in different sources that don’t have common fields
to join on.
Separate Business Systems: If you're pulling data from systems like Salesforce and Google
Analytics, which don’t share a common key field.
Complex Data Analysis: When you need to perform calculations or comparisons across multiple
data sources without altering the structure of the data.
Example:
Imagine you have Sales data from an SQL database (primary data source) and Customer
demographics from a CSV file (secondary data source). You can blend these two sources to analyze
sales performance based on customer segments (e.g., age group, region) by matching them on the
Customer ID field.
Limitations of Data Blending:
Performance: Blending can impact performance, especially when dealing with large datasets.
Aggregation: Data blending works at the aggregate level, so individual rows from the secondary
source are not directly visible.
One-to-Many Relationships: Data blending may not be effective in certain cases with complex
relationships, especially one-to-many.

How do you generally perform load testing in Tableau?

Load testing in Tableau is the process of evaluating how Tableau dashboards and workbooks
perform under different levels of usage. It involves simulating multiple users accessing
dashboards simultaneously, monitoring system performance, and measuring response times. The
goal is to ensure that Tableau can handle large data volumes, multiple concurrent users, and
complex queries without degrading performance. Tools like Tableau Server logs, JMeter, and
TabMon can help identify bottlenecks and optimize system performance.

What is a story in Tableau?

A story in Tableau is a sheet that combines multiple visualizations (charts, dashboards, or
worksheets) to tell a data-driven narrative. It helps guide viewers through an analysis step by step,
making insights easier to understand.
How to create a story in Tableau:
●​ Click "New Story" on the dashboard.
●​ Choose a story size from the bottom-left corner or set a custom one.
●​ Add sheets by double-clicking them to create story points.
●​ Click "Add a caption" to explain each story point.
●​ Use the "Update" button to refresh highlights or visuals.
●​ Customize the layout, format, or fit the story to your dashboard.
What is a TDE file in Tableau?
A TDE (Tableau Data Extract) file is a type of file used by Tableau to store a snapshot of data from
sources like Excel, Access, or CSV. It helps Tableau run faster by allowing users to analyze data
offline without needing a live connection.
Key points:
Has the .tde extension.
Used to improve performance when working with large datasets.
Supports fast filtering, sorting, and calculations.
Created from external sources and saved locally in Tableau.
Note: TDE has been replaced by the more advanced .hyper format in newer versions of Tableau, but
it’s still recognized by older versions.

What are the components in a Tableau dashboard?

A dashboard in Tableau is a collection of views and objects arranged on a single screen for
interactive analysis. The main components are:
Sheets – Worksheets, dashboards, or stories that display charts, maps, or tables.
Horizontal and Vertical Containers – Help organize layout by arranging items side by side
(horizontal) or top to bottom (vertical). They allow flexible resizing.
Text – Adds titles, instructions, or any explanatory content to make dashboards more informative.
Image – Lets you insert pictures like logos or icons into the dashboard.
Web Page (URL) – Embeds a live web page or links to external resources inside the dashboard.
Filters – Allow users to interactively control what data is shown in the views.
Legends – Explain the meaning of colors, sizes, or shapes used in charts.
Parameters – Add dynamic controls to change values, calculations, or views.
Dashboard Actions – Enable interactivity like filtering, highlighting, or navigating to other sheets
when a user clicks or hovers.

What are Extracts in Tableau Server?

Extracts are snapshots of data from a data source that are saved in Tableau’s optimized format
(like .hyper files).
They allow faster performance compared to live connections and can be refreshed on a schedule.
Extracts are especially useful when connecting to slow databases or when data doesn't need
real-time updates.

What are Schedules in Tableau Server?

Schedules are predefined time settings in Tableau Server or Tableau Online that control when
tasks like extract refreshes or subscriptions run.
Common uses:
Refreshing extracts daily, weekly, or hourly.
Sending automated email updates with dashboards.
Admins or users can assign schedules to keep dashboards up-to-date automatically.
What is the difference between a tree and heat map?
Difference Between a Tree Map and a Heat Map
Heat Map:
A heat map visualizes data in a matrix format, using colors to represent values.
It is useful for comparing different categories or dimensions by showing the intensity of values
using colors.
Use case: Ideal for spotting patterns or correlations between two variables, like performance across
time or regions. It’s similar to a text table but with color-coded values.
Treemap:
A treemap displays hierarchical data using nested rectangles.
The size of each rectangle represents the proportion of the category it represents, with larger
rectangles showing higher values.
Use case: Best for visualizing part-to-whole relationships and understanding the relative size of
items within a category.
Key Differences:
Structure:
Heat Map shows data in a grid with colored cells to represent values.
Treemap shows data in nested rectangles to depict a hierarchy.
Purpose:
Heat Map is used to compare values and identify patterns.
Treemap is used to visualize proportions within hierarchical data.

What are Dual Axes in Tableau?

Dual axes in Tableau allow you to combine two different measures in a single view by placing
them on two separate axes — one on the left and one on the right. This technique helps in
visualizing data with different scales or units together, making comparisons easier.
Key Points about Dual Axes:
Multiple Measures: You can plot two different measures, like sales and profit, on the same chart
but with different scales.
Independent Axes: Each axis is independent, allowing different ranges and units of measurement
for each measure.
Visualization: You can combine different types of charts (e.g., a line chart on one axis and a bar
chart on the other) for better comparison.
Synced or Unsynced Axes: You can choose to synchronize both axes if they share the same scale
or keep them unsynced to show them independently.
How to use Dual Axes:
You can drag a measure to the same axis in the view. Tableau will automatically create a dual-axis
chart.
Afterward, you can customize it by changing chart types, adjusting axis ranges, or syncing the
axes.
Example Use Case:
Sales and Profit: You might have sales in dollars and profit as a percentage. By using dual axes, you
can compare both on the same chart, even though they have different scales.
Types of Filters in Tableau
Extract Filter:
Used when creating an extract from the data source. It allows you to limit the data that gets
extracted, reducing the size of the data for better performance.
Example: Extract data for the last 5 years only.
Dimension Filter:
Applied to discrete data (categorical data) such as products, regions, or customer names. This filter
limits the data by specific categories or values.
Example: Filter data to show only products from a specific region.
Data Source Filter:
Applied at the data source level to limit the data available across all visualizations. Often used to
filter out sensitive or irrelevant data.
Example: Hide data from a certain department to prevent users from accessing sensitive
information.
Context Filter:
Creates a context for other filters. It is applied first and acts as a primary filter, and subsequent
filters are applied based on it. It helps improve performance when there are multiple filters.
Example: Use a context filter to filter by year, and then apply other filters like region or product
category within that year.
Measure Filter:
Applied to numerical data (measures) like sales, profit, or quantity. It lets you filter the data based
on certain conditions like sum, average, or range.
Example: Filter data to show only records where sales are greater than $100,000.
Table Calculation Filter:
Applied after the view has been created and works on data that has already been processed. It
filters data based on table calculations like running totals or moving averages.
Example: Filter to show only rows where the running total of sales exceeds a certain threshold.

What is Tableau Data Engine?

The Tableau Data Engine (also known as Hyper) is a high-performance analytical database
designed to process large datasets quickly and efficiently within Tableau. It is used primarily for
extracts and in-memory data processing, enabling fast querying, predictive analytics, and
integrated data analysis.
Key Functions of the Tableau Data Engine:
Instant Query Responses:
The Data Engine processes queries quickly by storing data in memory and utilizing parallel
processing, allowing for instant responses even when working with large volumes of data.
Predictive Analytics:
The Data Engine supports advanced analytics and complex calculations, including predictive
models, aggregations, and statistical analysis.
Extract Creation and Refreshing:
The Data Engine is central to the creation of Tableau extracts (like .hyper files), allowing users to
store subsets of data locally. This helps improve performance by reducing the load on the original
data source and enabling fast data refreshes.
Cross-Database Joins:
The Data Engine supports cross-database joins, enabling you to combine data from different
sources in a single Tableau workbook or dashboard, which would otherwise be difficult with
traditional database structures.
Advantages of the Tableau Data Engine:
Performance: It can handle large datasets efficiently due to its use of memory-based storage and
high-speed query processing.
Data Compression: The engine compresses data to reduce memory usage while still maintaining
high performance.
Scalability: It allows for seamless scaling, from small datasets to large ones with millions of rows,
ensuring performance is maintained.
In essence, the Tableau Data Engine optimizes data analysis and enhances Tableau's ability to
handle large datasets with high performance, enabling fast, interactive, and efficient visualization
creation.

Tableau Interview Questions For Experienced

1. How do you embed views into webpages?
You can easily integrate interactive views from your Tableau Server or Tableau online onto
webpages, blogs, web applications, or internet portals. But to have a look at the views, the
permissions demand the viewer to create an account on the Tableau Server. To embed views, click
the Share button on the top of the view and copy the embed code to paste it on the web page.
You can also customize the embedded code or Tableau Javascript APIs to embed views.
2. What is the maximum no. of rows Tableau can utilize at one time?
The maximum number of rows or columns is indefinite because even though Tableau contains
petabytes of data, it intelligently uses only those rows and columns which you need to extract for
your purpose.
3. Mention what is the difference between published data sources and embedded data sources in
Tableau?
Connection information is the details of data that you want to bring into Tableau. Before
publishing it, you can create an extract of the same.
Published Data Source: It contains connection information that is independent of any workbook.
Embedded Data Source: It contains connection information which is connected to a workbook
4. What is the DRIVE Program Methodology?
DRIVE program methodology creates a structure around data analytics derived from enterprise
deployments. The drive methodology is iterative in nature and includes agile methods that are
faster and effective.
5. How to use groups in a calculated field?
Add the ‘GroupBy’ clause to SQL queries or create a calculated field in the data window to group
fields.
Using groups in a calculation. You cannot reference ad-hoc groups in a calculation.
Blend data using groups created in the secondary data source: Only calculated groups can be used
in data blending if the group was created in the secondary data source.
Use a group in another workbook. You can easily replicate a group in another workbook by copy
and pasting a calculation.
6. Explain when would you use Joins vs. Blending in Tableau?
While the two terms may sound similar, there is a difference in their meaning and use in Tableau:
While Join is used to combine two or more tables within the same data source.
Blending is used to combine data from multiple data sources such as Oracle, Excel, SQL server, etc.
7. What is Assume referential integrity?
In some cases, you can improve query performance by selecting the option to Assume Referential
Integrity from the Data menu. When you use this option, Tableau will include the joined table in
the query only if it is specifically referenced by fields in the view.
8. What is a Calculated Field, and How Will You Create One?
Calculated fields are created using formulas based on other fields. These fields do not exist but are
created by you.
You can create these fields to:
Segment data
Convert the data type of a field, such as converting a string to a date.
Aggregate data
Filter results
Calculate ratios
There are three main types of calculations that you can create:
Basic Calculations: Transform values of the data fields at the source level
Level of Detail (LOD) Expressions: Transform values of the data fields at the source level like basic
calculations but with more granular access
Table Calculations: Transform values of the data fields only at the visualization level
To create calculate fields:
In Tableau, navigate to Analysis>Create a calculated field. Input details in the calculation editor.
And, done!
9. What is the Rank Function in Tableau?
Rank function is used to give positions (rank) to any measure in the data set. Tableau can rank
measure in the following ways:
Rank: The rank function in Tableau accepts two arguments: aggregated measure and ranking
order (optional) with a default value of desc.
Rank_dense: The rank_dense also accepts the two arguments: aggregated measure and ranking
order. This assigns the same rank to the same values but doesn’t stop there and keeps
incrementing with the other values. For instance, if you have values 10, 20, 20, 30, then ranks will
be 1, 2, 2, 3.
Rank_modified: The rank_modified assigns the same rank to similar values.
Rank_unique: The rank_unique assigns a unique rank to each and every value. For example, If the
values are 10, 20, 20, 30 then the assigned ranks will be 1,2,3,4 respectively.
10. How Can You Display the Top Five and Bottom Five Sales in the Same View?
You can see top five and bottom five sales with the help of these functions:
Drag ‘customer name’ to row and sales to the column.
Sort Sum(sales) in descending order.
Create a calculated field ‘Rank of Sales’.
11. What is the difference between Tableau and other similar tools like QlikView or IBM Cognos?
Tableau is different than QlikView or IBM Cognos for various reasons:
Tableau is an intuitive data visualization tool simplifying the story creation by simple drag and
drop techniques. On the other hand, BI tools like QlikView or Cognos convert data into metadata to
let the users explore data relations. If your presentation runs around presenting data in aesthetic
visualizations then opt for Tableau. If not, and might need a full BI platform then go for
Cognos/QlikView
The ease of use or extracting data details is easier in Tableau than compared to extensive BI tools
like Cognos. With Tableau, your team members, be it a guy from sales can easily read the data and
give insights. But with Cognos, only members with extensive tool knowledge are appreciated and
welcomed.
Tips to clear an interview
To clear interview for Tableau, follow these tips:
Focus on the fundamentals: What is Tableau and its working. How calculations work or how a
query is processed when visualization is created.
Thoroughly know about Dimensions and Measures because that is one of the important concepts
in Tableau.
Get acquainted with the best practices of creating dashboards and visualizations and also discrete
and continuous views.
Explain why you like Tableau or how it differs from other similar tools like QlikView or IBM
Cognos. Your interest in BI tools will put you ahead in the competition.
What are the scenarios where you’ll use Live connection or Data extract in Tableau?
How dashboards are deployed on the Server.
What was the maximum amount of data you have handled in Tableau? If you are learning Tableau,
while practicing, check the size of your visualization or the TDE file.
Create some visualization stories for sample work.
How you will take requirements before creating a dashboarding application.
What was your development methodology: Waterfall or Agile?
How much time it takes you to create a dashboard.