Tableau dashboard basics

Dashboard

• A tool that organizes information from multiple datasets into one central location for tracking, analysis, and simple visualizatio through tables, charts and graphs

Sharing dashboards with others likely means that you'll lose control of the narrative; in other words, you won't be there to tell the story of your data and share your key messages. Dashboards put storytelling power in the hands of the viewer. That means they'll craft their own narrative and draw their own conclusions, but don't let that scare you away from being collaborative and open.

Question

In Tableau, tiled items can be layered over other objects.

• True
• False

Correct. In Tableau, tiled items can't be layered over other objects. They are part of a single-layer grid that automatically resizes based on the overall dashboard size. You can layer floating items over other objects.

Dashboards and static insights

In this reading, you will explore the importance of using dashboards and static insights to make your data even clearer.

Dashboards and static insights allow the client or user to be able to have control of their narrative. With dashboards, anyone can use the data and make their own determinations. A dashboard can be built on top of static insights or static data, which is data that doesn’t change once it has been recorded. This allows you to tightly control the narrative and the way that your data is presented visually, whether via graphs, charts, etc.

Live versus static

Identifying whether data is live or static depends on certain factors:

• How old is the data?
• How long until the insights are stale or no longer valid to make decisions?
• Does this data or analysis need updating on a regular basis to remain valuable?

Static data involves providing screenshots or snapshots in presentations or building dashboards using snapshots of data. There are pros and cons to static data.

PROS

• Can tightly control a point-in-time narrative of the data and insight
• Allows for complex analysis to be explained in-depth to a larger audience

CONS

• Insight immediately begins to lose value and continues to do so the longer the data remains in a static state
• Snapshots can't keep up with the pace of data change

Live data means that you can build dashboards, reports, and views connected to automatically updated data.

PROS

• Dashboards can be built to be more dynamic and scalable
• Gives the most up-to-date data to the people who need it at the time when they need it
• Allows for up-to-date curated views into data with the ability to build a scalable “single source of truth” for various use cases
• Allows for immediate action to be taken on data that changes frequently
• Alleviates time/resources spent on processes for every analysis

CONS

• Can take engineering resources to keep pipelines live and scalable, which may be outside the scope of some companies' data resource allocation
• Without the ability to interpret data, you can lose control of the narrative, which can cause data chaos (i.e. teams coming to conflicting conclusions based on the same data)
• Can potentially cause a lack of trust if the data isn’t handled properly

Key takeaways

Analysts need to familiarize themselves with the business and data so they can recommend when an updated static analysis is needed or should be refreshed. Also, this data insight will help you make the case for what sorts of analyses, visualizations, and additional data are recommended for the types of decisions that the business needs to make.

From filters to charts

Question

Filters in Tableau can be used for which of the following tasks? Select all that apply.

• To limit information
• To highlight a data point
• To organize data into a meaningful order
• To customize information

Correct. Filters in Tableau can be used to limit information, customize information, or highlight a data point.

Additional resources

Here are a few more resources you can reference as you learn more about charts in spreadsheets:

• Graphs in Google Sheets: Not only does this resource contain a detailed example of chart creation in spreadsheets, but it also provides you with downloadable sample data you can use to practice. As you have learned throughout this course, practicing these skills helps you learn more about the tools you are using. This example data is a great way to start!
• Add and edit a chart or graph in Google Sheets: This article includes steps for creating, editing, and changing charts in Google Sheets with how-to videos. It also has a more in-depth guide to editing and customizing your chart after you have created it.
• Create a Microsoft Excel chart from start to finish: This how-to guide from Microsoft’s support site includes instructions and a video tutorial for adding charts to Excel spreadsheets. This is a useful resource if you are working specifically with Excel spreadsheets. It also links to other useful articles about creating charts in Excel.
• Microsoft Excel: Creating and modifying charts: This is an explanation of Excel charts with downloadable handouts. This resource is especially useful because it has downloadable content that you can save to reference later when you start creating charts in your own spreadsheets.

Question

Which changes can you make to customize a chart in a spreadsheet? Select all that apply.

• Change the chart colors by using the Series drop-down
• Change the chart type by using the Chart type drop-down
• Animate the chart by using the Multimedia drop-down
• Change the chart’s data by updating relevant cells

Correct. To customize a chart in a spreadsheet, you can change the colors, data, and type of chart. Going forward, you can apply your knowledge of charts to future lessons about data visualization. This will help you prepare for future lessons about data visualization.

Test your knowledge on using dashboards

TOTAL POINTS 3

Question 1

Fill in the blank: A dashboard organizes information from multiple datasets into one central location. This enables the information to be _____. Select all that apply.

• visualized
• protected
• analyzed
• tracked

Correct. A dashboard is used to track, analyze, and visualize information.

Question 2

A data analyst is choosing their dashboard layout. They want the layout to automatically resize itself based on the dashboard size. They should use a tiled layout.

• True
• False

Correct. To automatically resize the layout based on the dashboard size, the analyst should use a tiled layout.

Question 3

What are some reasons why you might choose to use filters when creating a dashboard view? Select all that apply.

• To zero in on what's important to your stakeholders
• To remove outliers that don't conform to your hypothesis
• To highlight individual data points
• To put the data in chronological order

Correct. You might choose to use filters in order to highlight individual data points or to zero in on what's important to your stakeholders.

Sharing data stories

Question

An effective data narrative includes characters, a setting, a plot, a big reveal, and an aha moment. Describe the difference between the big reveal and the aha moment.

• The big reveal creates tension in the current situation. The aha moment describes what’s going on, how often it’s happening, and other background information.
• The big reveal describes what’s going on, how often it’s happening, and other background information. The aha moment  creates tension in the current situation.
• The big reveal involves how the data has shown that the problem can be solved. The aha moment is when recommendations are shared.
• The big reveal is when recommendations are shared. The aha moment involves how the data has shown that the problem can be solved.

Correct. The big reveal involves how the data has shown that the problem can be solved. The aha moment is when recommendations are shared.

Test your knowledge on communicating data stories

TOTAL POINTS 3

Question 1

A new challenge from a competitor, an inefficient process that needs to be improved, or a potential business opportunity could all represent which aspect of data storytelling?

• Setting
• Plot
• Aha moment
• Big reveal

Correct. A new challenge from a competitor, an inefficient process that needs to be improved, or a potential business opportunity could all be a plot in the data story. The plot reveals the problem and compels the characters to act.

Question 2

Fill in the blank: When designing a presentation, a slideshow tool called _____ can be used to control the color, font types and sizes, formating, and positioning of text and visuals.

• themes
• motives
• schemes
• patterns

Correct. When designing a presentation, themes can be used to control the color, font types and sizes, formating, and positioning of text and visuals.

Question 3

A data analyst includes a visual in their presentation to represent information from a dataset. It’s important that the visual reflect the latest information, so the analyst wants it to update automatically if the original dataset changes. The analyst should copy and paste the visual into the presentation.

• True
• False

Correct. They should link the visual to its original file. Copying and pasting a visual into a presentation means it won’t be updated if the original dataset changes. This means the visual might not reflect the latest information.