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.