Tableau Data Analyst key terms

A saved connection in Tableau that points to underlying data, such as a file, database, or server, and stores connection details plus any joins, unions, and filters applied before analysis.

A connection mode where every view queries the original data source in real time, so results always reflect current data but depend on source speed and availability.

A local snapshot of source data saved in a compressed format that can be refreshed on a schedule, trading real-time freshness for faster performance and offline access.

A configured cadence that tells Tableau Server or Cloud when to regenerate an extract from its source so published data stays current without manual intervention.

A logical connection between two tables that matches rows on shared fields, combining their columns into one wider result set for analysis.

A flexible logical link between tables in the data model that keeps each table at its own level of detail and only combines rows when fields from both are used.

An operation that stacks rows from two or more tables with matching columns into one longer table, often used to combine monthly files or regional exports.

The part of the Tableau data model where tables are added as objects and linked by relationships, defining structure without forcing row-level joins.

The part of the Tableau data model where joins and unions between tables are defined, determining the exact rows and columns Tableau queries.

A Tableau feature that detects and removes extraneous header rows, titles, and formatting from spreadsheet files so the actual data table is read correctly.

A data shaping step that converts multiple columns, such as one per year, into two columns holding the header name and its value, producing a taller tidy table.

The classification of a field, such as string, integer, date, or boolean, that determines which operations and aggregations Tableau allows on it.

A categorical or qualitative field used to slice and group data, such as region or product category, and typically placed on rows, columns, or color.

A numeric field that is aggregated, such as sales or quantity, and typically placed on an axis or label to produce sums, averages, or other summarized values.

A field treated as separate, distinct values shown as headers or labels, producing panes and rows rather than a continuous axis.

A field treated as an unbroken numeric range shown on an axis, allowing smooth scales, trend lines, and reference lines.

The process of summarizing many rows into a single value per group, such as SUM, AVG, or COUNT, controlled by the aggregation setting on a measure.

The combination of dimensions that defines how finely data is grouped in a view, determining the granularity at which measures are aggregated.

A new field created from a formula that can reference existing fields, constants, and functions to derive values such as ratios, flags, or conversions.

A computation performed on the values already returned in a view, such as percent of total or running sum, whose result depends on how dimensions are laid out.

The setting that tells a table calculation which dimensions define its partitions and direction of movement, such as across a table or down a pane.

A calculation that sets its own grouping level using fixed, include, or exclude keywords, letting a view mix aggregates computed at different granularities.

A condition that limits which rows or marks appear in a view, applied at the data source, context, dimension, measure, or table calculation stage.

A filter marked as context that runs first and defines the subset of data all other filters and top-N calculations operate against.

An interactive control, such as a dropdown or slider, that lets viewers change which data appears without editing the underlying worksheet.

A user-defined constant value, such as a target or threshold, that can drive calculations, filters, and reference lines but is not tied to any data field.

A single visual element in a view, such as a bar, point, or line segment, whose appearance is controlled by mark type, color, size, label, and tooltip.

The control panel that sets the mark type and assigns fields to color, size, label, detail, and tooltip for the marks in a view.

The text shown when a viewer hovers over a mark, which can include fields, formatted values, and inserted worksheets for extra context.

A single canvas that combines multiple worksheets, filters, and objects so viewers can monitor related views together and interact with them.

A layout object that groups and arranges other dashboard items horizontally or vertically, controlling how they resize and position on the canvas.

A rule that responds to viewer interaction, such as clicking a mark, by filtering, highlighting, or navigating to a related target sheet or dashboard.

An interactive rule that changes a parameter's value when a viewer selects marks, commonly used to swap measures or drive conditional logic.

A setting that shows or hides a dashboard zone based on a parameter or boolean field, enabling view switching without separate dashboards.

A sequence of captioned story points, each capturing a worksheet or dashboard state, used to present an ordered narrative of findings.

A single step in a story that holds a captured view plus an optional caption describing the insight it demonstrates.

The act of uploading a workbook or data source to Tableau Server or Cloud so others can view, interact with, or subscribe to it.

A folder-like container on Tableau Server or Cloud that groups related workbooks and data sources and carries its own permission settings.

Rules that determine who can view, filter, connect to, download, or edit content, set at the site, project, workbook, or data source level.

A technique using user filters or entitlement tables so each viewer sees only the rows they are allowed to access, enforced on published data sources.

A data source filter that compares a field to the signed-in viewer's username or group, restricting visible records per person.

The degree to which data is complete, accurate, consistent, and timely, assessed before analysis so conclusions rest on trustworthy inputs.

The practice of checking that calculations, totals, and joins return expected results, often by comparing view output to an independent query or source report.