Lab 2

Data Visualization with Tableau Lab

Source: datixinc.com

Outline • Motivation for Data visualization • What is Tableau? • Tableau Hands-on Lab • Lab Submission

Motivation • Data storytelling is a valuable skill. • Need tools to transform data to visuals (e.g.

chart, graphs, etc.). • Existing tools (MS Excel) are not seamless. Too

many gaps in between dataset and the visuals.

• Silos exist between data producers and data consumers.

What is Tableau? • MS Excel ‘on steroid’ • A data visualization software – allows you to

visualize your data instantaneously. • Connects to many data sources. • Reads data and suggests visual displays. • It integrates story-telling. • Publish to any outlets.

Outline 1. Lab Setup. 2. Start Tableau and connect to data source. 3. Sheet 1: Show sales quantity by market. 4. Sheet 2: Show global sales. 5. Sheet 3: Show sales by categories/sub-categories. 6. Build a dashboard. 7. Build a story. 8. Lab submission.

Lab Setup 1. Install Tableau (if needed). See instructions

on canvas. 2. Lab instructions (Tableau-lab.pdf) 3. Create a new folder (tableau-lab) on desktop 4. Download dataset (global_superstore.zip)

and extract into ‘tableau-lab’ folder.

6

Start Tableau & connect to dataset

Connect to ‘Excel’ file and select ‘global_superstore’

Basic Navigation

New Worksheet

New Dashboard

New Story

Drag ‘Orders’ from left to right to work on its data

Explore Sales Quantity by market

• Click on ‘Sheet 1’ tab • In Column (drag and drop)

From dimensions – market From measures – quantity

• In Row (drag and drop) From dimensions – segment, category

• Right click – ‘sheet 1’, rename it to ‘Sales Quantity by Market’ Sheet 1

Sales Quantity by Market

Sheet 1

For better visual representation, • Drag and drop ‘market’ on ‘Color’

Sheet 1

Add Filtering • Drag and drop ‘Category’ in ‘Filters’

Sheet 1

Explore Global Sales • Click on new worksheet and rename it to

‘Global Sales’ • For Column – select ‘Longitude (generated)’

from Measures • For Row – Drag and drop ‘Latitude

(generated)’ from Measures

Sheet 2

• Drag and drop ‘Profit’ on color to show different range using different colors

• Drag and drop ‘Country’ and ‘State’ to show them marked

• Drag and drop ‘Sales’ on Size and apply different size to see visual representation on mapSheet 2

• Drag and drop ‘Category’ in ‘filters’ then click on ‘Show Filter’

Sheet 2

Explore Sales by Category/Sub-category

• Create new Sheet and rename it to ‘Sales by Category’

• For Column – drag and drop ‘category’ and ‘subcategory’ from dimensions

• For Row – ‘Sales’ from measure • Drag and drop ‘ Profit’ on color for better

visual representation

Sheet 3

• Drag and drop ‘Category’ in ‘filters’ and ‘Show Filter’

Sheet 3

To create a dashboard • Create new dashboard • Drag and drop

Sales by category (top) Global Sales (bottom left) Sales Quantity by Market (bottom right)

Dashboard

Dashboard

Apply filter to all • Find the Filter pop-up • Click on the tiny dropdown arrow (upper

right) • Select ‘Apply to Worksheets’ • Then select ‘All Using this data source’ • Discuss filter results

Dashboard

Add a story • Create a new story • Select worksheets

Story

Insert comments as needed

Story

Lab Submission • Save the Tableau File. • Answer the following in a Word document:

– What are some questions that come into mind as you create these worksheets?

– What insights can you gain from these questions? – How can Tableau bridge the gap between decision

makers (e.g. CEO) and the IT team?

• Zip into one file and submit on canvas. 24

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