Summary

In this chapter, we covered the basics of Tableau. We began with some basic terminology, then we looked at the basics of creating worksheets and dashboards. We focused on default behavior and how to override that behavior, and we considered some best practices. Then, we reviewed the fundamental principles of Measure Names and Measure Values. After that, we explored three essential Tableau concepts: dimensions and measures; row-, aggregate-, and table-level calculations; and the concepts of continuous and discrete. Of particular importance is understanding that row- and aggregate-level calculations are computed by the data source engine, while table-level calculations are handled by Tableau. Finally, we saw how to adjust your dashboard for other devices, such as a cellphone or tablet and Tableau Mobile in action.

In the next chapter, we’ll continue our Tableau exploration by looking at data. We’ll consider how data is prepared using Tableau’s data handling...