Tableau Desktop Pocket Reference

Chapter 13. Sets

Sets are Boolean fields that classify dimension members as either In or Out. The ability to isolate dimension members into sets allows the author to treat them in different ways. This chapter shows you two ways to make sets. You’ll then learn how to use them as a filter, as a dimension, within calculated fields, and as a highlighter.

How to Create Sets

For a use case, let’s return to the scatter plot created in Chapter 9 that revealed we have 10 states that are generating below $0 in average profit. We can use sets to isolate these dimension members for further investigation.

In Figure 13-1, I have returned to the scatter plot worksheet, this time changing the mark type to Circle instead of Shape and began creating a set. The easiest way to create a set is to draw a box around any dimension members on a chart, hover over any of the selected dimension members, click the Set icon, and choose Create Set.

This will open a dialog where you can give the set a name and refine the dimension members included (or optionally excluded) in the set, as shown in Figure 13-2.

Figure 13-1. Creating a static set

Figure 13-2. Create Set dialog

After clicking the OK button, you will see a new field appear along with other dimensions on the Data pane. If you are using a version of ...