How to Create Interactive Dashboards in Tableau

How to Create Interactive Dashboards in Tableau

Introduction:

Tableau is a powerful data visualization tool that allows users to create interactive dashboards that display insights in real-time. Interactive dashboards are an excellent way to present data, as they allow users to interact with the data and drill down into specific details. In this how-to guide, we will walk through the process of creating an interactive dashboard in Tableau, step-by-step. We will also provide some code examples to help illustrate the process.

 

Step 1: Connect to Data

Before creating an interactive dashboard, you will need to connect to your data source. In Tableau, you can connect to a variety of data sources, including spreadsheets, databases, and cloud services. To connect to your data source, follow these steps:

 

1.     Open Tableau and click on "Connect to Data" on the start page.

2.     Select your data source and enter the necessary credentials if prompted.

3.     Once you have connected to your data source, Tableau will display a preview of your data.

 

Step 2: Create a Worksheet

The next step is to create a worksheet. A worksheet is the foundation of your dashboard, and it contains the charts and graphs that will be displayed. To create a worksheet, follow these steps:

 

1.     Click on "New Worksheet" in the lower left corner of the Tableau screen.

2.     Select the data source you want to use for your worksheet.

3.     Drag and drop the fields you want to use onto the rows and columns shelves.

4.     Choose a chart type from the "Show Me" menu to display your data.

 

Step 3: Add Interactivity

Now that you have created a worksheet, it's time to add interactivity to your dashboard. Interactivity allows users to explore your data in real-time and gain insights into the underlying trends and patterns. To add interactivity, follow these steps:

 

1.     Click on the "Dashboard" tab at the top of the screen.

2.     Click on "New Dashboard" in the lower left corner of the screen.

3.     Drag your worksheet onto the dashboard canvas.

4.     Add filters, actions, and parameters to your dashboard to allow users to interact with your data.

5.     Customize the layout and formatting of your dashboard to make it visually appealing.

 

Step 4: Publish and Share Your Dashboard

 

Once you have created your interactive dashboard, it's time to publish and share it with others. Tableau makes it easy to share your dashboard with others by allowing you to publish it to the Tableau Server or Tableau Public. To publish and share your dashboard, follow these steps:

1.     Click on the "Server" tab at the top of the screen.

2.     Click on "Publish Workbook" in the lower left corner of the screen.

3.     Enter the necessary information, such as the name and description of your dashboard.

4.     Choose the appropriate permissions for your dashboard.

5.     Click on "Publish" to upload your dashboard to the Tableau Server or Tableau Public.

 

Code Examples:

Here are some code examples to help illustrate the process of creating an interactive dashboard in Tableau:

 

Connecting to a data source:

import pandas as pd

import tableauhyperapi as tab_api

 

data = pd.read_csv('data.csv')

 

with tab_api.HyperProcess(tab_api.Telemetry.DO_NOT_SEND_USAGE_DATA_TO_TABLEAU) as hyper:

    with hyper.connections.get('data.hyper') as connection:

        connection.catalog.create_table_definition(tab_api.TableName('public', 'data'), data)

 

Creating a worksheet:

worksheet = workbook.add_worksheet('My Worksheet')

 

worksheet.add_columns_to_view(['Category', 'Sales

 

Step 6: Publish the dashboard

Once you have created your interactive dashboard, you can publish it to Tableau Server or Tableau Online for others to view and interact with. Click on the "Server" menu and select "Publish Workbook". Choose the appropriate settings and publish the dashboard.

 

Conclusion

Interactive dashboards are an effective way to present data in a clear and concise manner. With Tableau's easy-to-use interface and powerful features, creating interactive dashboards has never been easier. By following these six steps, you can create your own interactive dashboard and provide valuable insights to your audience.

If you are interested in learning more about creating interactive dashboards in Tableau, we recommend taking a course through JBI Training. They offer a variety of courses on Tableau and other data visualization tools Including Introduction to Tableau, , Tableau Analyst - Beyond the Basics, and their experienced instructors can help you take your skills to the next level.

You can learn here more about JBI's Tableau Training Courses

Go here if you would like to see the Tableau Official Documentation.