Tableau Data Analyst flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Live vs extract connection

Live queries the source on each view load; an extract copies data into a .hyper file that can be refreshed on a schedule and queried locally.

Inner join

A join that returns only rows where the join keys match in both tables; unmatched rows from either side are excluded from the result.

Relationship vs join

Relationships are logical and lazy, keeping each table at its own level of detail; joins are physical and merge tables into a single flat result.

Blend linking fields

Blends require a primary and secondary source with matching linking fields; the primary source's dimensions filter the view by default.

Pivot Columns to Rows

A data preparation step that converts wide crosstab columns into rows, producing a tall table suitable for analysis in Tableau.

Data Interpreter

A Data Source page option that cleans up crosstabs by removing titles, footnotes, and merged headers before Tableau reads the table.

Geographic role

A field role such as Country, State, or ZIP that tells Tableau the field contains location data and enables automatic mapping.

Default aggregation SUM

When a measure is placed on a shelf, Tableau aggregates it with SUM by default; the aggregation can be changed per field.

Discrete vs continuous

Discrete (blue) fields create headers and separate marks; continuous (green) fields create axes and a continuous range of values.

COUNTD function

COUNTD([field]) returns the number of distinct non-null values in a group; COUNT counts rows including duplicates.

FIXED LOD expression

A level-of-detail expression like {FIXED [Region] : SUM([Sales])} that computes the aggregate at the specified dimension regardless of the view.

Table calculation

A calculation such as RUNNING_SUM or WINDOW_AVG that is computed after aggregation and depends on addressing and partitioning set via Compute Using.

Context filter

A filter added to context that is evaluated before other dimension filters, changing the underlying data that later filters and calculations see.

Reference line

A line added from the Analytics pane that marks a constant, average, median, or other value on an axis for comparison.

Show Me

A panel that appears when fields are selected and recommends chart types; it is a shortcut for building views, not a requirement.

ATTR function

ATTR([field]) returns the field's value only when all rows in the group share it; otherwise it returns an asterisk.

Filter order of operations

Filters execute as: extract, data source, context, dimension, measure, then table calculation filters, with context filters evaluated early.

Fixed dashboard size

A dashboard sizing option that sets exact pixel dimensions; the layout stays the same regardless of the browser or device window size.

Floating vs tiled objects

Tiled objects fill available space in layout containers; floating objects are positioned freely and can overlap other objects on the dashboard.

Filter action

A dashboard action that filters target sheets based on a selection or hover, configurable to run on hover, select, or menu.

Go to Sheet action

A dashboard action that navigates the user to a target sheet or dashboard when a mark is selected.

Parameter scope

Parameters are workbook-level objects not tied to a data source; they can drive calculated fields, filters, bins, and reference lines.

Viz in Tooltip

A feature that embeds a miniature sheet inside a tooltip so users see detail on hover without adding the sheet to the dashboard.

Story points

A story is a sequence of points, each capturing a sheet or dashboard snapshot; blank points can be added and filled later.

Device preview layouts

Optional phone and tablet layouts designed separately from the desktop layout; they do not change the desktop dashboard.

User Filters

A row-level security technique that filters data by user, often combined with USERNAME() or ISMEMBEROF() to restrict visible rows.

Data source filter

A filter applied at the data source level that propagates to every sheet using that source, unlike sheet-level filters.

Embed credentials

A publishing option that stores source credentials in the published workbook or data source so refresh works without prompting users.

Include external files

A publishing option that bundles referenced files such as images and local extracts with the workbook when published.

Subscriptions

Scheduled deliveries of a view snapshot; they run with the subscriber's permissions, so users lacking access see no data.

Workbook version compatibility

Newer Tableau versions open older workbooks, but older versions may not open newer ones; Save As can target an older version.

Performance tuning tips

Aggregate early to reduce marks, use extracts for large sources, avoid overly wide tables, and prefer context filters when filter order matters.