Tableau Strategies

Tableau Strategies

by Ann Jackson, Luke Stanke
Released August 2021
Publisher(s): O'Reilly Media, Inc.
ISBN: 9781492080084

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Book description

If you want to increase Tableau's value to your organization, this practical book has your back. Authors Ann Jackson and Luke Stanke guide data analysts through strategies for solving real-world analytics problems using Tableau. Starting with the basics and building toward advanced topics such as multidimensional analysis and user experience, you'll explore pragmatic and creative examples that you can apply to your own data.

Staying competitive today requires the ability to quickly analyze and visualize data and make data-driven decisions. With this guide, data practitioners and leaders alike will learn strategies for building compelling and purposeful visualizations, dashboards, and data products. Every chapter contains the why behind the solution and the technical knowledge you need to make it work.

  • Use this book as a high-value on-the-job reference guide to Tableau
  • Visualize different data types and tackle specific data challenges
  • Create compelling data visualizations, dashboards, and data products
  • Learn how to generate industry-specific analytics
  • Explore categorical and quantitative analysis and comparisons
  • Understand geospatial, dynamic, statistical, and multivariate analysis
  • Communicate the value of the Tableau platform to your team and to stakeholders

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Table of contents

  1. Preface
    1. Who Should Read This Book
    2. Why We Wrote This Book
    3. Navigating This Book
    4. Conventions Used in This Book
    5. O’Reilly Online Learning
    6. How to Contact Us
    7. Acknowledgments
  2. 1. Categorical Analysis
    1. Bar Charts: Banco de Tableau Case Study
      1. Strategy: Build a Bar Chart in Tableau
      2. Strategy: Create a Top N Bar Chart
      3. Strategy: Dynamically Group Other Dimensions
      4. Strategy: Enhance Your Bar Chart with Color
      5. Strategy: Left-align Text
      6. Strategy: Create Bars with Labels on Top
      7. Strategy: Create a Percent-of-Maximum Bar Chart
    2. Bar-on-Bar Charts: Amplify Performance Case Study
      1. Strategy: Create a Bar-on-Bar Chart
    3. Treemaps: Amplify Performance Case Study
      1. Strategy: Create a Basic Treemap
      2. Strategy: Create Drillable Treemaps
      3. Strategy: Encode a Continuous Measure with Color
    4. Pie and Donut Charts: IT Employee Wellness Project Case Study
      1. Strategy: Build a Basic Pie Chart
      2. Strategy: Build a Donut Chart
      3. Strategy: Create Small Multiples
    5. Conclusion
  3. 2. Quantitative Analysis
    1. Histograms: Office Essentials Case Study
      1. Strategy: Make a Simple Histogram of Purchasing Behavior
      2. Strategy: Create a Histogram with a Continuous Bin
      3. Strategy: Use LOD Expressions in Histograms
    2. Dot Plots and Jitterplots: Office Essentials Case Study
      1. Strategy: Create a Basic Dot Plot
      2. Strategy: Create a Jitterplot
    3. Ranged Dot Plots: Office Essentials Case Study
      1. Strategy: Create a Ranged Dot Plot
      2. Strategy: Use Median and Leveraged Percentiles
    4. Box Plots: Spear-Tukey Shipping Case Study
      1. Strategy: Create a Basic Box Plot
      2. Strategy: Combine a Box Plot and Histogram
    5. Line Charts: Office Essentials Case Study
      1. Strategy: Build a Line Chart
      2. Strategy: Add Reference Distributions to a Line Chart
      3. Strategy: Add a Standard Deviation to a Line Chart
      4. Strategy: Use Reference Distributions as an Alerting Tactic
    6. Calculated Dimensions Based on Statistics: Banco de Tableau Case Study
      1. Strategy: Assign a Summary Statistical Value to Data Points
    7. Pareto Charts: Amplify Performance (AP) Case Study
      1. Strategy: Use Pareto Charts to Show Categorical Data
    8. Conclusion
  4. 3. Making Comparisons
    1. Bar Charts and Alternatives: Amplify Performance Case Study
      1. Strategy: Compare with a Basic Bar Chart
      2. Strategy: Convert a Vertical Bar Chart to Horizontal
      3. Strategy: Create a Lollipop Chart
      4. Strategy: Create a Basic Cleveland Dot Plot
    2. Bar Charts for Rank Changes: AP Case Study
      1. Strategy: Show Rank and Change of Rank on a Bar Chart
    3. Bump Charts for Rank Changes over Multiple Periods: AP Case Study
      1. Strategy: Make a Bump Chart
    4. Barbell Plots for Hierarchical Data: Office Essentials Case Study
      1. Strategy: Build a Barbell Plot
    5. Trellis Charts/Small Multiples: Office Essentials Case Study
      1. Strategy: Create a Trellis Chart for a Single Dimension
    6. Parallel Coordinates Plots for Multiple Measures: OE Case Study
      1. Strategy: Build a Parallel Coordinates Chart
    7. Conclusion
  5. 4. Working with Time
    1. Understanding Dates and Time
      1. Date Parts and Date Values
      2. Date Calculations
    2. Date Hierarchies and Custom Dates
      1. Discrete Versus Continuous Dates
    3. Call Frequency: Chips and Bolts Call Center Case Study
      1. Strategy: Determine Total Call Time by Hour
      2. Strategy: Create a Plot to Measure Total Call Time by Minute
      3. Strategy: Create a Continuous Datetime Axis by the Second
      4. Strategy: Create a Continuous Datetime Axis for 15-Second Intervals
      5. Strategy: Create a Continuous Datetime Axis for 15-Minute Intervals
    4. Heatmaps (Highlight Tables)
      1. Strategy: Build an Essential Heatmap
      2. Strategy: Create a More Detailed Heatmap
    5. Comparing Values Year-to-Date: CaB Call Center Case Study
      1. Strategy: Show Progress to the Total by Using Two Bar Charts
      2. Strategy: Compare Similar Periods on a Line Chart
    6. Automated Reports
    7. Automating Reports for Month-over-Month and Year-over-Year Change: CaB Call Center Case Study
      1. Strategy: Automated Rolling Table
    8. Nonstandard Calendars
      1. Strategy: Build a Monthly Bar Chart with a June 1 Fiscal Year Start
    9. Visualizing the 4-5-4 Calendar: Office Essentials Case Study
      1. Strategy: Build a Bar Chart Using the 4-5-4 Retail Calendar
    10. Conclusion
  6. 5. Key Performance Indicators
    1. Displaying KPIs
    2. Displaying KPIs: Office Essentials Case Study
      1. Strategy: Designing Clear KPIs
      2. Strategy: Create Single-Sheet KPIs
      3. Strategy: Automate Your KPIs
      4. Strategy: Create Year-over-Year Calculations
    3. Sparklines
    4. Sparklines: Office Essentials Case Study
      1. Strategy: Create Sparklines
      2. Strategy: Create Year-to-Date Sparklines
      3. Strategy: Create Rolling 24-Month Sparklines
      4. Strategy: Build Delta Spark Bars
      5. Strategy: Progress to Target
    5. Multiple KPIs as a Scorecard
    6. KPI Scorecard: Office Essentials Case Study
      1. Strategy: Create Aggregate KPIs
    7. Tracking Daily Changes: Office Essentials Case Study
      1. Strategy: Create Month-to-Date Sparklines
      2. Strategy: Create Month-to-Date KPIs
      3. Strategy: Combine KPI Visualizations in a Dashboard
    8. Conclusion
  7. 6. Building Impactful Tables
    1. Building Great Tables
      1. Ensure a Clear Purpose for Your Table
      2. Format Your Table to Maximize Readability
    2. Using Color in Tables: Office Essentials Case Study
      1. Strategy: Create a Table Using Limited Color
      2. Strategy: Encode Color with Dots
    3. Moving Beyond Measure Names and Values: Office Essentials Case Study
      1. Strategy: Create a Table Body Without Measure Names or Measure Values
      2. Strategy: Create Table Headers Without Measure Names or Measure Values
      3. Strategy: Use Measures as Headers
    4. Problem-Solving with Subsets and Hiding the Dreaded Abc: Office Essentials Case Study
      1. Strategy: Show the Top Products Within Sub-Categories
      2. Strategy: Hide the Abc
    5. Conclusion
  8. 7. Working with Geospatial Data
    1. Choropleth (Filled) Maps
    2. Displaying Customer Penetration with Choropleth Maps: Office Essentials Case Study
      1. Strategy: Create a Simple Choropleth Map
      2. Strategy: Normalize a Choropleth Map
      3. Strategy: Add a Custom Color Palette
      4. Strategy: Make a Decile Choropleth Map
    3. Symbol Maps
    4. Using Symbol Maps to Show Profitability and Channel Distribution: OE Case Study
      1. Strategy: Create a Symbol Map
      2. Strategy: Create a Map with Donut Charts
    5. Tile Maps (Cartograms)
    6. Showing Education Level with a Tile Map: Aloft Educational Services Case Study
      1. Strategy: Build a Square Tile Map
      2. Strategy: Compare Parts Against the Whole with a Tile Map
    7. Built-in Features and Functions
    8. Using Built-in Features and Functions with Marketing Data: SAGE Digital Marketing Case Study
      1. Strategy: Build Custom Polygons Using Groups
      2. Strategy: Build Custom Polygons Using Underlying Geographic Data
      3. Strategy: Use the Distance Function to Show Zip Codes’ Distance from a Central Location
      4. Strategy: Use the Buffer Function to Map a Trade Area Using Radial Distance
      5. Strategy: Create Paths Between a Starting Point and Destinations with MakePoint and MakeLine
    9. Conclusion
  9. 8. Advanced Mathematical Concepts
    1. Forecasting
    2. Using Forecasting to Predict Staffing Needs: CaB Call Center Case Study
      1. Strategy: Create a Monthly Forecast
    3. Relationships Between Two Numerical Values
    4. Using Scatter Plots to See Relationships Between Spend and Conversions: SAGE Digital Marketing Case Study
      1. Strategy: Create a Scatter Plot
      2. Strategy: Create a Quadrant Chart
      3. Strategy: Add a Trend Line to a Scatter Plot
    5. Cluster Analysis
    6. Creating Segmentation Among Employees to Assess Differences in Attrition: Banco de Tableau Case Study
      1. Strategy: Add Cluster Analysis to a Scatter Plot and Use Analysis in Another Chart
    7. Alternative Axis and Many Multiples
    8. Tracking Positive Cases of COVID-19 Globally: Logistics Case Study
      1. Strategy: Use a Logarithmic Axis to Understand Rate of Change
      2. Strategy: Normalize a Date Axis
      3. Strategy: Create a Trellis Chart
    9. Advanced Modeling Using Statistical Add-Ons
    10. Using Python Analytics Extension for Web Page A/B Testing: Squeaks Pet Supply Case Study
    11. Sentiment Analysis on Customer Reviews: Amazing Products Case Study
    12. Conclusion
  10. 9. Constructing Dynamic Analyses
    1. Parameters
    2. Using Parameters to Change Measures and Dimensions: Office Essentials Case Study
      1. Strategy: Use a Parameter to Change a Measure in a Bar Chart
      2. Strategy: Use Regex Functions to Dynamically Format a Parameterized Metric
      3. Strategy: Use a Parameter to Change the Dimension in a Bar Chart
    3. Using Parameters to Set Time Periods and Date Aggregations in Line Charts: Office Essentials Case Study
      1. Strategy: Use a Parameter to Change the Date in a Line Chart
      2. Strategy: Add Hidden Date Filters to Prevent Truncated Time Parts
    4. Using Parameter Actions to Change Trended Metrics: SAGE Digital Marketing Case Study
      1. Strategy: Change a Metric Dynamically Using Parameter Actions and Measure Names
    5. Using Parameter Actions to View Daily and 7-Day Average Value: SAGE Digital Marketing Case Study
      1. Strategy: Compute a 7-Day Moving Average Reference Line That Dynamically Changes with a Date Selection
    6. Sets and Set Actions
    7. Using Set Actions to Drill Down and Filter Data: Digital Marketing Case Study
      1. Strategy: Drill from Week to Date in a Line Chart
      2. Strategy: Expand a Section of a Data Table
    8. Animation
    9. Competitor Analysis Study: Using Animations to Compare Ranking Performance
      1. Strategy: Build an Animated Bump Chart
      2. Strategy: Create a Racing Bar Chart
    10. Conclusion
  11. 10. Advanced Data Modeling
    1. Data Modeling
      1. Strategy: Create a Calendar with Data Densification
      2. Strategy: Create Rounded Bar Charts
      3. Strategy: Create an Accordion Table
      4. Strategy: Create a Sales Funnel
    2. Market Basket Analysis
      1. Strategy: Basket Analysis
      2. Strategy: Build a Multidimension Waterfall
      3. Strategy: Layer Marks with Maps Without Making a Map
    3. Conclusion
    4. Further Reading
  12. 11. Advanced Interactivity
    1. Sheet Swapping with Parameters and Parameter Actions: Superstore Case Study
      1. Strategy: Use Parameter-Based Sheet Swapping
      2. Strategy: Use a Parameter-Action Sheet Swap
      3. Strategy: Automatically Deselect Marks
    2. Using Parameters and Parameter Actions to Create Multiple Select Parameters: Superstore Case Study
      1. Strategy: Create a Multiple-Select Parameter
    3. Swapping Metrics Using Parameter Actions: Office Essentials Case Study
      1. Strategy: Use Sheets as Buttons
    4. Adding Pagination to Tables with Parameters, Parameter Actions: Superstore Case Study
      1. Strategy: Add Table Pagination
    5. Creating Dynamic, Single-Click Drill-Throughs: Superstore Case Study
      1. Strategy: Build Drill-Through Interactivity
    6. Conclusion
    7. Further Reading
  13. 12. Building Dashboards and Data Products
    1. Dashboard Design
      1. Know Your Audience
      2. Dashboard Types
    2. Mobile Dashboard Design
      1. Design Details
      2. Strategy: Display Different Visuals for Desktop and Mobile
    3. Accessibility
      1. Dyslexia
      2. Color and Visual Impairment
    4. Formatting Consistency
      1. Rounding Numbers
      2. Axes Versus Labels
      3. Font Styling
    5. Conclusion
  14. 13. The Broader Tableau Ecosystem
    1. Data Preparation: Where and When
      1. Spreadsheets: Microsoft Excel
      2. Traditional Data Preparation: SQL
      3. Modern Data Preparation: ELT Tools
      4. Review
    2. Building a Thriving Analytics Platform
    3. Future Trends
      1. Data Journalism and the Rise of Data Storytelling
      2. Analytics Within Human Workflows
      3. Analytics as a Product
    4. Conclusion
  15. 14. Industry Frameworks
    1. Healthcare
    2. Education
      1. Elementary, Middle, and High School
      2. College and University
    3. Logistics
    4. Marketing
    5. Sales
    6. Retail
    7. Finance
    8. Conclusion
  16. Index

Product information

  • Title: Tableau Strategies
  • Author(s): Ann Jackson, Luke Stanke
  • Release date: August 2021
  • Publisher(s): O'Reilly Media, Inc.
  • ISBN: 9781492080084