https://books.google.co.in/books?id=jVfjAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA47&lpg=PA47&dq=data+base+concepts+for+tableau&source=bl&ots=U-H9udwoXv&sig=WxPgXRJKUIwt_RIHj9Ekps4kVM0&hl=en&sa=X&ei=zNJeVdHbIYeWuASs0oOoBA&ved=0CEwQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=data%20base%20concepts%20for%20tableau&f=false

Join Database Tables with Tableau

Most TABLEAU users aren’t database experts. This post introduces a fundamental database concept joining tables. Seldom will your data source include every bit of information you need in a single table. Even if you normally connect to Excel it may be advantageous to use related data from more than one tab. As long as the data resides in a single spreadsheet or database and each table includes unique identifiers that tie the tables or tabs together, you can perform joins of these tables within Tableau. These identifiers are called Key Records.
Database joins can be complex, but the basic principle is to bring together related information in your view. In TABLEAU , you can define joins when you make your initial data connection or add them later. This example will use the Orders and Return tabs (tables) from the Superstore sample data set. Figure 2– 8 shows portions of both tables. The Orders table includes billing information. The
Returns tab includes the smaller returned order table. Start by connecting to the spreadsheet as you would if you were going to connect to one table. In the Connection Menu under Step 2, select Multiple Tables and click the Add Table button to expose the Add Table menu. Then select the Returns table as see in figure Super store orders and return tables

Evaluation of Tableau

Strengths:

• The greatest strength of Tableau is its speed with which it analyzes hundreds of millions of rows and gives the required answers in seconds. This quality comes in very handy when fast business decisions need to be taken
• Another strength of Tableau is that it is very easy to use. It’s just basic drag and drop. One can start using Tableau even with no prior programming experience. With just basic MS Excel skills one can easily learn Tableau.
• The Dashboard of Tableau is very interactive and gives dynamic results. Rich visualizations can be created very easily.

Weakness:

• Tableau Software is an easy to use BI application, but still not a platform for developing analytic applications that can be broadly shared.
• Tableau Software allows users to only analyze what has happened. And, Tableau Software does not have any statistical or predictive capabilities (they do not support SAS, S+, R, ect. like Spotfire does). Therefore users cannot model or project the best cross-selling or up selling opportunities.
• Due to its not open-source based nature and market commodity, Tableau Software cannot be customized or integrated with other applications.

Tableau Overview

• Tableau product, queries relational databases, cubes, cloud databases, and spreadsheets and then generates a number of graph types that can be combined into dashboards and shared over a computer network or the internet.
• Tableau offers five main products: Tableau Desktop, Tableau Server, Tableau Online, Tableau Reader and Tableau Public. Tableau Public and Tableau Reader are free to use, Tableau Server and Tableau Desktop comes with a 14 day fully functional free trial period.
• Tableau Desktop is based on breakthrough technology from Stanford University that lets you drag & drop to analyze data. You can connect to data in a few clicks, then visualize and create interactive dashboards with a few more.
• Tableau Server is a business intelligence application that provides browser-based analytics anyone can use. It’s a rapid-fire alternative to the slow pace of traditional business intelligence software.
• Tableau Online is a hosted version of Tableau Server. It makes rapid-fire business analytics easier than ever. Share dashboards with your whole company and with customers and partners— in minutes. Provide live, interactive views of data that let people answer their own questions, right in a web browser or on a tablet. And do it in a secure, hosted environment.
• Tableau Public is for anyone who wants to tell stories with interactive data on the web. It’s delivered as a service that allows you to be up and running overnight. With Tableau Public you can create amazing interactive visuals and publish them quickly, without the help of programmers or IT.

How to change null values as n/a in view?

We can handle the Null Values in 3 ways

1.Using Filter we can eliminate the Null Values.
2.Using Axis-->Format--> Marks --> Hide option we can hide the "Null values".
3.We can also use a calculated field to convert Nulls to Zeros using "IsNull" function.


Ex:IIF(ISNULL([Actual] ), 0, [Actual] )

Types of annotations?

The Annotation is a message that can be displayed for a mark/object.We have 3 namely.

Mark,
Point
Area


Process: Right click on object point or area and select --> "Annotate" --> Mark or Area or Point. 

Types of filters?

1. Normal Filter 
2. Quick Filter 
3. Data Source 
4. Filter Context Filter

Difference between scattere plot vs Tree map?

TreeMaps: Treemaps we will display data in nested rectangles.We  use dimensions to define the structure of the treemap, and measures to define the size or color of the individual rectangles.Treemaps are a relatively simple data visualization that can provide insight in a visually attractive format. Treemaps cannot accommodate more than two measures—one to control size, the other to control color. Treemaps can accommodate any number of dimensions, but you can only use one dimension to diversify the view, by dragging it to Color.Other dimensions can be used only to multiply the number of rectangles in the view. 

Dimensions cannot be displayed in a hierarchy. We can not add the Trend Line in Tree Maps

Scatter Plot: Scatter plots provide an easy way to visualize relationships between numerical variables. In Tableau, you create a scatter plot by placing at least one measure on the Columns shelf and at least one measure on the Rows shelf. We can add the trend lines in Scatter Plot and we can show dimensions in hierarchy.

Max no.of records in a Table?

No limit rows/column . but 
In a database table  'n' number of rows and 255 columns. 

What is default Data Blending Join?

Getting the data from multiple sources is called Data Blending. To blend the data you should have relationship between two Data sources.

By default Data blending is inner join

What is Pageshelf?

The Pages shelf lets you break a view into a series of pages so you can better analyze how a specific field affects the rest of the data in a view. 


Ex: Drag&Drop Year column in page shelf, you will see drop down with list of year val if you select a value then it will take you to page contains selected year value.

OR

Page shelf is type of shelf which can break the data in to points & can represent the data in an animated format. In Page shelf you can even predict or forecast based up on the existing data.

what is Assume referential integraty?

In Database terms every row in fact table will contain a combination row in dimension table. Using this method only we build Primary and Forieng Keys for joining 2 tables.

The same option is even available in table under File Menu --> Data --> Assume Referential Intergrity.

If you unable this option for a .tds then tableau intelligently queries the tables and reduces the query retrieval time.


By selecting Assume Referential Integrity, you tell Tableau that the joined tables have referential integrity.
 
In other words, you are confirming that the fact table will always have a matching row in the Dimension table. 

Because that is true, Tableau doesn't need any information from the Dimension table in order to return these results. 

When you drag any fact column (Ex:AmountSales) field into the view, Tableau can simplify the query just with Fact Column.

How to display state borders for a country by geo coding?

Go to maps->Maps option we will find options like Base, coastline, country region borders etc.. based on that we can set border.

Difference between Groups and Sets?

Groups: You can combine several dimension members into a single member using groups. you can't use in groups in calculated fields.

example1: if you are working with a field that contains thousands of products, you can use Groups to combine those products into higher level categories. Grouping data is also really useful for cleaning up data inconsitencies. 

example2: your data may have California listed as CA, California, and Calif. When you try to see all sales in California your numbers will be split across these three rows. You can quickly group these three variants together to treat them as a single value.

Sets: Sets are custom fields that define a subset of data based on some conditions. A set can be based on a computed condition, for example, a set may contain customers with sales over a certain threshold. Computed sets update as your data changes. Alternatively, a set can be based on specific data point in your view. You can use sets to compare and ask questions about a subset of data. 

For example, in a scatter plot showing product sales, you may select the products with the most sales and add them to a set. You may then create another set that contains the products with the highest return rates. With these two sets you can ask questions like "What percent of my total sales is from high returned products?" Or you may go further and compare the two sets to each other to create a new set that contains only high sales products that are also returned frequently.

What is VizQL ?

• VizQL is a visual query language that translates drag-and-drop actions into data queries and  then expresses that data visually. 
• VizQL delivers dramatic gains in people’s ability to see and understand data by abstracting the underlying complexities of query and analysis. 
• The result is  an intuitive user experience that lets people answer questions as fast as they can think of them. 
• We believe that VizQL represents a foundational advancement in the area of data analysis and  visualization. 

What are the strength/advantages of Tableau Desktop Software?

Ans:  
Speed

The greatest strength of Tableau is its speed with which it analyzes hundreds of millions of rows and gives the required answers in seconds. This quality comes in very handy when fast business decisions need to be taken.

Ease of use

Another strength of Tableau is that it is very easy to use. It’s just basic drag and drop. One can start using Tableau even with no prior programming experience. With just basic MS Excel skills one can easily learn Tableau.
Beautiful and interactive dashboard
The Dashboard of Tableau is very interactive and gives dynamic results. Rich visualizations can be created very easily. The graphics and charts are smart and beautiful. Images, web pages and documents can be added into the dashboard for easy story telling. All this leads to a much insight into the data.
Direct connection
Tableau allows the users to directly connect to databases, cubes, and data warehouses etc. The data access is so easy without any advanced setup and the data is live that keeps getting updated on its own. One can pick tables from spreadsheets to data from Hadoop to create a perfect mash-up and get desired results in no time. This is simple ad hoc business analytics.
Easy publishing and sharing
After analyzing the data, the results can be shared live with just a few clicks. The dashboard can be published to share it live on web and mobile devices.
Growing market
Tableau is relatively new in the Business Intelligence market but its market share is growing on a daily basis. It is being nearly all industries, from transportation to healthcare. It has big client base, which consists of big companies like Microsoft, Nokia, PwC and Deloitte. They use Tableau on a daily basis to meet their business Intelligence requirements.

What are the weakness/disadvantages of Tableau Desktop Software?

Ans:

1. Not comprehensive solution, specialize in BI
2. No predictive analytical capabilities
3. Customization and Integration with other apps
4. Expandability for analytics
5. Hard to integrate with Social media

Not comprehensive solution, specialize in BI:

Tableau Software is an easy to use BI application, but still not a platform for developing analytic applications that can be broadly shared. It is not designed for enterprise wide deployments that have broad business and technical user populations.

No predictive analytical capabilities:

Tableau Software allows users to only analyze what has happened. And, Tableau Software does not have any statistical or predictive capabilities (they do not support SAS, S+, R, ect. like Spotfire does). Therefore users cannot model or project the best cross-selling or upselling opportunities. In fact Tableau Software is statistically “challenged” and is extremely limited; providing users with less statistic functions than Microsoft Excel.

Customization and Integration with other apps:

Due to its not open-source based nature and market commodity, Tableau Software cannot be customized or integrated with other applications (such as Salesforce.com). Basically what comes in the box is what you get. No way to extend it. However, their official website has Forum section, users could vote for their ideas, whenever reaching the threshold, the company would response and probably add such features in the following version and update for purchased packages.

Expandability for analytics:

Tableau Software does not support expanded analytic such as Box plots, network graphs, tree-maps, heat-maps, 3D-scatter plots, Profile Charts or data relationships tool which allow users to mine data for relationships like another data visualization software does.

Social media integration:

Tableau Software does not integrate collaborative capabilities into social platforms (like Twitter, Microsoft SharePoint, etc.). A very hot trend. It is for Business users to share their findings and progress. Think of it like – email meets Twitter meets Facebook. Due the current trend and users’ need, Tableau has integrated Google Analytics into its platform.

Robust enterprise-class security:

Tableau Software is not organizationally equipped to serve enterprise customers. Tableau Software lacks robust enterprise-class security (only supports Microsoft Active Directory). Therefore post-sale customer support and training are quite limited.

What are the differences between Tableau Software, GoodData and Traditional BI (Business Objects, etc.)?

Answer: There are four major differences. 

1. Speed. 

How fast can you get up and running with the system, answer questions, design and share dashboards and then change them? This is where systems like Tableau and Good Data are far better than old-school business intelligence like Business Objects or Cognos. Traditional systems took months or years to implement, with costs running to millions. Tableau has a free trial that installs in minutes and Good Data is cloud-based, so they are faster to implement by orders of magnitude. They are also faster to results: traditional BI requires IT and developers to make any changes to reports, so business users are stuck in a queue waiting to get anything done. Tableau and GoodData provide more of a self-service experience. 

2. Analysis layer. 

This is where Tableau excels.  It has a powerful and flexible drag & drop visualization engine based on some technology from Stanford. GoodData and traditional BI typically provide some canned reports but changing them requires significant time and money. 

3. Data layer. 

This is where the three options are most different:

GoodData requires you to move your data to its cloud. 

Traditional BI typically requires you to move your data to its data warehouse system. 

Tableau connects to a variety of existing data sources and also provides a fast in-memory data engine, essentially a local database. Since most enterprises have their data stored all over the place, this provides the most choice and lets companies use the investment they’ve already made.

4. Enterprise readiness. 
Traditional BI and Tableau do well here, with enterprise-level security and high scalability.

What is disaggregation and aggregation of data?

Data: 
Ename Salary Dept
1 abc 2000 Java
2 bbc 3000 .Net
3 Krishna 2500 Java
4 Madhu 300 .Net
5 Vamshi 3000 MainFrames
1 abc 1000 Testing
2 bbc 3000 Tableau
3 Krishna 5000 .Net
4 Madhu 7000 Testing
5 Vamshi 9000 Tableau
1 abc 11000 MainFrames
2 bbc 13000 Testing
3 Krishna 15000 Java
4 Madhu 17000 .Net
5 Vamshi 19000 .Net

Aggregation : To display aggregate data sum/Avg salary by each individual employee
1) Drag ename on columns and salary on rows we will get sum(salary) of each and individual employee.
2) Now change measure type as Avg 
choose salary option--Choose measure type as "Avg".

Disaggregation : To display each and every transaction 
When you look at the aggregated data in the views above, each bar represents all transactions for a specific employee summed up or averaged into a single value. Now say that you want to see the individual salary transactions for each employee . You can create a view like that by selecting Analysis > Aggregate Measures.

Difference between Filters and Parameter

Filters faster than parameters. 
You can switch measures or dimension with parameter but you can't with filters.
You can use parameters for (dynamic) KPI's. It is easier with parameters.  
You can use parameters in reference line.

Charts in Tableau

Tableau Version

• Tableau 9.0

  
  

  • Version 9.0.1 - released May 5, 2015
  • Version 9.0 - released April 6, 2015

• Tableau 8.3

  
  

  • Version 8.3.5 - released May 5, 2015
  • Version 8.3.4 - released March 17, 2015
  • Version 8.3.3 - released February 19, 2015
  • Version 8.3.2 - released January 20, 2015
  • Version 8.3.1 - released December 17, 2014
  December 1, 2014

• Tableau 8.2

  
  

  • Version 8.2.10 - released May 5, 2015
  • Version 8.2.9 - released March 17, 2015
  • Version 8.2.8 - released February 19, 2015
  • Version 8.2.7 - released January 20, 2015
  • Version 8.2.6 - released December 17, 2014
  • Version 8.2.5 - released November 20, 2014
  • Version 8.2.4 - released October 28, 2014
  • Version 8.2.3 - released September 29, 2014
  • Version 8.2.2 - released August 21, 2014
  • Version 8.2.1 - released July 24, 2014
  June 18, 2014

• Tableau 8.1

  
  

  • Version 8.1.18 - released May 5, 2015
  • Version 8.1.17 - released March 17, 2015
  • Version 8.1.16 - released February 19, 2015
  • Version 8.1.15 - released January 20, 2015
  • Version 8.1.14 - released December 17, 2014
  • Version 8.1.13 - released November 20, 2014
  • Version 8.1.12 - released October 28, 2014
  • Version 8.1.11 - released September 29, 2014
  • Version 8.1.10 - released August 21, 2014
  • Version 8.1.9 - released July 24, 2014
  • Version 8.1.8 - released June 12, 2014
  • Version 8.1.7 - released May 13, 2014
  • Version 8.1.6 - released April 10, 2014
  • Version 8.1.5 - released March 17, 2014
  • Version 8.1.4 - released February 18, 2014
  • Version 8.1.3 - released January 8, 2014
  • Version 8.1.2 - released December 22, 2013
  • Version 8.1.1 - released December 4, 2013
  November 20, 2013

• Tableau 8.0

  
  

  • Version 8.0.21 - released March 17, 2015
  • Version 8.0.20 - released February 19, 2015
  • Version 8.0.19 - released January 20, 2015
  • Version 8.0.18 - released December 17, 2014
  • Version 8.0.17 - released November 20, 2014
  • Version 8.0.16 - released October 28, 2014
  • Version 8.0.15 - released September 29, 2014
  • Version 8.0.14 - released August 21, 2014
  • Version 8.0.13 - released July 24, 2014
  • Version 8.0.12 - released June 12, 2014
  • Version 8.0.11 - released May 13, 2014
  • Version 8.0.10 - released April 10, 2014
  • Version 8.0.9 - released March 17, 2014
  • Version 8.0.8 - released February 18, 2014
  • Version 8.0.7 - released January 8, 2014
  • Version 8.0.6 - released November 20, 2013
  • Version 8.0.5 - released October 8, 2013
  • Version 8.0.4 - released August 27, 2013
  • Version 8.0.3 - released July 17, 2013
  • Version 8.0.2 - released June 11, 2013
  • Version 8.0.1 - released May 6, 2013
  March 20, 2013

Tableau 7

• Version 7.0.21 released January 8, 2014.
• Version 7.0.20 released November 20, 2013.
• Version 7.0.19 released October 8, 2013.
• Version 7.0.18 released August 27, 2013.
• Version 7.0.17 released July 17, 2013.
• Version 7.0.16 released June 11, 2013.
• Version 7.0.15 released May 6, 2013.
• Version 7.0.14 released March 20, 2013.
• Version 7.0.13 released February 4, 2013.
• Version 7.0.12 released January 11, 2013.
• Version 7.0.11 released December 20, 2012.
• Version 7.0.10 released December 4, 2012.
• Version 7.0.9 released October 25, 2012.
• Version 7.0.8 released September 20, 2012.
• Version 7.0.7 released August 7, 2012.
• Version 7.0.6 released July 2, 2012.
• Version 7.0.5 released June 3, 2012.
• Version 7.0.4 released May 24, 2012.
• Version 7.0.3 released April 2, 2012.
• Version 7.0.2 released March 22, 2012.
• Version 7.0.1 released February 21, 2012.
• Version 7.0 released January 17, 2012.

Tableau 6

• Version 6.1.12 released January 11, 2013.
• Version 6.1.11 released July 2, 2012.
• Version 6.1.10 released May 24, 2012.
• Version 6.1.9 released April 2, 2012.
• Version 6.1.8 released March 22, 2012.
• Version 6.1.7 released February 21, 2012.
• Version 6.1.6 released January 17, 2012.
• Version 6.1.5 released December 6, 2011.
• Version 6.1.4 released November 9, 2011.
• Version 6.1.3 released October 5, 2011.
• Version 6.1.2 released September 15, 2011.
• Version 6.1.1 released August 17, 2011.
• Version 6.1 released July 29, 2011.
• Version 6.0.13 released December 6, 2011.
• Version 6.0.12 released November 9 2011.
• Version 6.0.11 released October 5, 2011.
• Version 6.0.10 released September 15, 2011.
• Version 6.0.9 released August 17, 2011.
• Version 6.0.8 released June 23, 2011.
• Version 6.0.7 released May 10, 2011.
• Version 6.0.6 released April 6, 2011.
• Version 6.0.5 released March 8, 2011.
• Version 6.0.4 released February 1, 2011.
• Version 6.0.3 released December 22, 2010.
• Version 6.0.2 released December 15, 2010.
• Version 6.0.1 released November 18, 2010.
• Version 6.0 released November 10, 2010.

Toolbar

Tableau’s toolbar contains commands such as Connect to data, New Worksheet, and Save. In addition, the toolbar contains analysis and navigation tools such as Sort, Group, and Highlight. You can hide or display the toolbar by selecting Window > Show Toolbar.

The toolbar helps you quickly access common tools and actions. The table below explains the functions of each toolbar button.

Toolbar Button	Description
	Tableau icon: navigates to the start page.
	Undo: reverses the most recent action in the workbook. You can undo an unlimited number of times, back to the last time you opened the workbook, even after you have saved.
	Redo: repeats the last action you reversed with the Undo button.You can redo an unlimited number of times.
	Save: saves the changes made to the workbook.
	Connect: opens the Connect pane where you can create a new connection or open a saved connection from your repository.
	New Worksheet: creates a new blank worksheet. Use the drop-down menu to create a new worksheet, dashboard, or story.
	Duplicate Sheet: creates a new worksheet containing the exact same view as the current sheet.
	Clear: clears the current worksheet. Use the drop-down menu to clear specific parts of the view such as filters, formatting, sizing, and axis ranges.
	Automatic Updates: controls whether Tableau automatically updates the view when changes are made. Use the drop-down list to automatically update the entire sheet or just use quick filters.
	Run Update: runs a manual query of the data to update the view with changes when automatic updates are turned off. Use the drop-down menu to update the entire sheet or just use quick filters.
	Swap: moves the fields on the Rows shelf to the Columns shelf and vice versa. The Hide Empty Rows and hide Empty Columns settings are always swapped with this button.
	Sort Ascending: applies a sort in ascending order of a selected field based on the measures in the view.
	Sort Descending: applies a sort in descending order of a selected field based on the measures in the view.
	Group Members: creates a group by combining selected values. When multiple dimensions are selected, use the drop-down menu to specify whether to group on a specific dimension or across all dimensions.
	Show Mark Labels: switches between showing and hiding mark labels for the current sheet.
	View Cards: shows and hides specific cards in a worksheet. Select each card that you want to hide or show on the drop-down menu.
	Fit Selector: specifies how the view should be sized within the application window. Select Normal fit, Fit Width, Fit Height, or Entire View.
	Fix Axes: switched between a locked axis that only shows a specific range and a dynamic axis that adjusts the range based on the minimum and maximum values in the view.
	Highlight: turns on highlighting for the selected sheet. Use the options on the drop-down menu to define how values will be highlighted.
	Presentation Mode: switches between showing and hiding everything except the view (i.e., shelves, toolbar, Data pane). .
	Show Me: displays alternative ways to look at the data. The types of views available are dependent on the fields already in the view as well as any selections in the Data pane.