book

Tableau Strategies

by Ann Jackson, Luke Stanke

August 2021

Intermediate to advanced

575 pages

13h 31m

English

O'Reilly Media, Inc.

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Preface
Who Should Read This BookWhy We Wrote This BookNavigating This BookConventions Used in This BookO’Reilly Online LearningHow to Contact UsAcknowledgments
1. Categorical Analysis
Bar Charts: Banco de Tableau Case StudyStrategy: Build a Bar Chart in TableauStrategy: Create a Top N Bar ChartStrategy: Dynamically Group Other DimensionsStrategy: Enhance Your Bar Chart with ColorStrategy: Left-align TextStrategy: Create Bars with Labels on TopStrategy: Create a Percent-of-Maximum Bar ChartBar-on-Bar Charts: Amplify Performance Case StudyStrategy: Create a Bar-on-Bar ChartTreemaps: Amplify Performance Case StudyStrategy: Create a Basic TreemapStrategy: Create Drillable TreemapsStrategy: Encode a Continuous Measure with ColorPie and Donut Charts: IT Employee Wellness Project Case StudyStrategy: Build a Basic Pie ChartStrategy: Build a Donut ChartStrategy: Create Small MultiplesConclusion
2. Quantitative Analysis
Histograms: Office Essentials Case StudyStrategy: Make a Simple Histogram of Purchasing BehaviorStrategy: Create a Histogram with a Continuous BinStrategy: Use LOD Expressions in HistogramsDot Plots and Jitterplots: Office Essentials Case StudyStrategy: Create a Basic Dot PlotStrategy: Create a JitterplotRanged Dot Plots: Office Essentials Case StudyStrategy: Create a Ranged Dot PlotStrategy: Use Median and Leveraged PercentilesBox Plots: Spear-Tukey Shipping Case StudyStrategy: Create a Basic Box PlotStrategy: Combine a Box Plot and HistogramLine Charts: Office Essentials Case StudyStrategy: Build a Line ChartStrategy: Add Reference Distributions to a Line ChartStrategy: Add a Standard Deviation to a Line ChartStrategy: Use Reference Distributions as an Alerting TacticCalculated Dimensions Based on Statistics: Banco de Tableau Case StudyStrategy: Assign a Summary Statistical Value to Data PointsPareto Charts: Amplify Performance (AP) Case StudyStrategy: Use Pareto Charts to Show Categorical DataConclusion
3. Making Comparisons
Bar Charts and Alternatives: Amplify Performance Case StudyStrategy: Compare with a Basic Bar ChartStrategy: Convert a Vertical Bar Chart to HorizontalStrategy: Create a Lollipop ChartStrategy: Create a Basic Cleveland Dot PlotBar Charts for Rank Changes: AP Case StudyStrategy: Show Rank and Change of Rank on a Bar ChartBump Charts for Rank Changes over Multiple Periods: AP Case StudyStrategy: Make a Bump ChartBarbell Plots for Hierarchical Data: Office Essentials Case StudyStrategy: Build a Barbell PlotTrellis Charts/Small Multiples: Office Essentials Case StudyStrategy: Create a Trellis Chart for a Single DimensionParallel Coordinates Plots for Multiple Measures: OE Case StudyStrategy: Build a Parallel Coordinates ChartConclusion
4. Working with Time
Understanding Dates and TimeDate Parts and Date ValuesDate CalculationsDate Hierarchies and Custom DatesDiscrete Versus Continuous DatesCall Frequency: Chips and Bolts Call Center Case StudyStrategy: Determine Total Call Time by HourStrategy: Create a Plot to Measure Total Call Time by MinuteStrategy: Create a Continuous Datetime Axis by the SecondStrategy: Create a Continuous Datetime Axis for 15-Second IntervalsStrategy: Create a Continuous Datetime Axis for 15-Minute IntervalsHeatmaps (Highlight Tables)Strategy: Build an Essential HeatmapStrategy: Create a More Detailed HeatmapComparing Values Year-to-Date: CaB Call Center Case StudyStrategy: Show Progress to the Total by Using Two Bar ChartsStrategy: Compare Similar Periods on a Line ChartAutomated ReportsAutomating Reports for Month-over-Month and Year-over-Year Change: CaB Call Center Case StudyStrategy: Automated Rolling TableNonstandard CalendarsStrategy: Build a Monthly Bar Chart with a June 1 Fiscal Year StartVisualizing the 4-5-4 Calendar: Office Essentials Case StudyStrategy: Build a Bar Chart Using the 4-5-4 Retail CalendarConclusion
5. Key Performance Indicators
Displaying KPIsDisplaying KPIs: Office Essentials Case StudyStrategy: Designing Clear KPIsStrategy: Create Single-Sheet KPIsStrategy: Automate Your KPIsStrategy: Create Year-over-Year CalculationsSparklinesSparklines: Office Essentials Case StudyStrategy: Create SparklinesStrategy: Create Year-to-Date SparklinesStrategy: Create Rolling 24-Month SparklinesStrategy: Build Delta Spark BarsStrategy: Progress to TargetMultiple KPIs as a ScorecardKPI Scorecard: Office Essentials Case StudyStrategy: Create Aggregate KPIsTracking Daily Changes: Office Essentials Case StudyStrategy: Create Month-to-Date SparklinesStrategy: Create Month-to-Date KPIsStrategy: Combine KPI Visualizations in a DashboardConclusion
6. Building Impactful Tables
Building Great TablesEnsure a Clear Purpose for Your TableFormat Your Table to Maximize ReadabilityUsing Color in Tables: Office Essentials Case StudyStrategy: Create a Table Using Limited ColorStrategy: Encode Color with DotsMoving Beyond Measure Names and Values: Office Essentials Case StudyStrategy: Create a Table Body Without Measure Names or Measure ValuesStrategy: Create Table Headers Without Measure Names or Measure ValuesStrategy: Use Measures as HeadersProblem-Solving with Subsets and Hiding the Dreaded Abc: Office Essentials Case StudyStrategy: Show the Top Products Within Sub-CategoriesStrategy: Hide the AbcConclusion
7. Working with Geospatial Data
Choropleth (Filled) MapsDisplaying Customer Penetration with Choropleth Maps: Office Essentials Case StudyStrategy: Create a Simple Choropleth MapStrategy: Normalize a Choropleth MapStrategy: Add a Custom Color PaletteStrategy: Make a Decile Choropleth MapSymbol MapsUsing Symbol Maps to Show Profitability and Channel Distribution: OE Case StudyStrategy: Create a Symbol MapStrategy: Create a Map with Donut ChartsTile Maps (Cartograms)Showing Education Level with a Tile Map: Aloft Educational Services Case StudyStrategy: Build a Square Tile MapStrategy: Compare Parts Against the Whole with a Tile MapBuilt-in Features and FunctionsUsing Built-in Features and Functions with Marketing Data: SAGE Digital Marketing Case StudyStrategy: Build Custom Polygons Using GroupsStrategy: Build Custom Polygons Using Underlying Geographic DataStrategy: Use the Distance Function to Show Zip Codes’ Distance from a Central LocationStrategy: Use the Buffer Function to Map a Trade Area Using Radial DistanceStrategy: Create Paths Between a Starting Point and Destinations with MakePoint and MakeLineConclusion
8. Advanced Mathematical Concepts
ForecastingUsing Forecasting to Predict Staffing Needs: CaB Call Center Case StudyStrategy: Create a Monthly ForecastRelationships Between Two Numerical ValuesUsing Scatter Plots to See Relationships Between Spend and Conversions: SAGE Digital Marketing Case StudyStrategy: Create a Scatter PlotStrategy: Create a Quadrant ChartStrategy: Add a Trend Line to a Scatter PlotCluster AnalysisCreating Segmentation Among Employees to Assess Differences in Attrition: Banco de Tableau Case StudyStrategy: Add Cluster Analysis to a Scatter Plot and Use Analysis in Another ChartAlternative Axis and Many MultiplesTracking Positive Cases of COVID-19 Globally: Logistics Case StudyStrategy: Use a Logarithmic Axis to Understand Rate of ChangeStrategy: Normalize a Date AxisStrategy: Create a Trellis ChartAdvanced Modeling Using Statistical Add-OnsUsing Python Analytics Extension for Web Page A/B Testing: Squeaks Pet Supply Case StudySentiment Analysis on Customer Reviews: Amazing Products Case StudyConclusion
9. Constructing Dynamic Analyses
ParametersUsing Parameters to Change Measures and Dimensions: Office Essentials Case StudyStrategy: Use a Parameter to Change a Measure in a Bar ChartStrategy: Use Regex Functions to Dynamically Format a Parameterized MetricStrategy: Use a Parameter to Change the Dimension in a Bar ChartUsing Parameters to Set Time Periods and Date Aggregations in Line Charts: Office Essentials Case StudyStrategy: Use a Parameter to Change the Date in a Line ChartStrategy: Add Hidden Date Filters to Prevent Truncated Time PartsUsing Parameter Actions to Change Trended Metrics: SAGE Digital Marketing Case StudyStrategy: Change a Metric Dynamically Using Parameter Actions and Measure NamesUsing Parameter Actions to View Daily and 7-Day Average Value: SAGE Digital Marketing Case StudyStrategy: Compute a 7-Day Moving Average Reference Line That Dynamically Changes with a Date SelectionSets and Set ActionsUsing Set Actions to Drill Down and Filter Data: Digital Marketing Case StudyStrategy: Drill from Week to Date in a Line ChartStrategy: Expand a Section of a Data TableAnimationCompetitor Analysis Study: Using Animations to Compare Ranking PerformanceStrategy: Build an Animated Bump ChartStrategy: Create a Racing Bar ChartConclusion

10. Advanced Data Modeling
Data ModelingStrategy: Create a Calendar with Data DensificationStrategy: Create Rounded Bar ChartsStrategy: Create an Accordion TableStrategy: Create a Sales FunnelMarket Basket AnalysisStrategy: Basket AnalysisStrategy: Build a Multidimension WaterfallStrategy: Layer Marks with Maps Without Making a MapConclusionFurther Reading
11. Advanced Interactivity
Sheet Swapping with Parameters and Parameter Actions: Superstore Case StudyStrategy: Use Parameter-Based Sheet SwappingStrategy: Use a Parameter-Action Sheet SwapStrategy: Automatically Deselect MarksUsing Parameters and Parameter Actions to Create Multiple Select Parameters: Superstore Case StudyStrategy: Create a Multiple-Select ParameterSwapping Metrics Using Parameter Actions: Office Essentials Case StudyStrategy: Use Sheets as ButtonsAdding Pagination to Tables with Parameters, Parameter Actions: Superstore Case StudyStrategy: Add Table PaginationCreating Dynamic, Single-Click Drill-Throughs: Superstore Case StudyStrategy: Build Drill-Through InteractivityConclusionFurther Reading
12. Building Dashboards and Data Products
Dashboard DesignKnow Your AudienceDashboard TypesMobile Dashboard DesignDesign DetailsStrategy: Display Different Visuals for Desktop and MobileAccessibilityDyslexiaColor and Visual ImpairmentFormatting ConsistencyRounding NumbersAxes Versus LabelsFont StylingConclusion
13. The Broader Tableau Ecosystem
Data Preparation: Where and WhenSpreadsheets: Microsoft ExcelTraditional Data Preparation: SQLModern Data Preparation: ELT ToolsReviewBuilding a Thriving Analytics PlatformFuture TrendsData Journalism and the Rise of Data StorytellingAnalytics Within Human WorkflowsAnalytics as a ProductConclusion
14. Industry Frameworks
HealthcareEducationElementary, Middle, and High SchoolCollege and UniversityLogisticsMarketingSalesRetailFinanceConclusion
Index

Overview

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

Become an O’Reilly member and get unlimited access to this title plus top books and audiobooks from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers, thousands of courses curated by job role, 150+ live events each month,
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