Tableau: Dimensions and Measures, Data Sources and Charting

Let’s explore some key concepts related to Tableau:

1. Dimensions and Measures:
   • Dimensions: These contain qualitative values (like names, dates, or geographical data). You can use dimensions to categorize, segment, and reveal details in your data. They affect the level of detail in your view.
   • Measures: These contain numeric, quantitative values that you can measure (e.g., sales, profit). Measures are aggregated by default. When you drag a measure into the view, Tableau applies an aggregation on the “pill.”
   • Visual Cue: Most dimensions appear in blue (often discrete), while most measures appear in green (often continuous) ¹².
2. Data Sources:
   • After connecting to your data, use the Data Source page to set up and prepare your data for analysis.
   • Optimize your data source by configuring settings such as joins, unions, and cleaning data with tools like Data Interpreter.
   • Consider using extracts instead of live connections for better performance ³⁴.
3. Charting:
   • Tableau allows you to create various visualizations (charts, graphs, maps) based on your data.
   • Explore different chart types (bar charts, line graphs, scatter plots) to represent your insights effectively.