Area charts in Tableau - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Area charts show how values change over time or categories by filling the space below a line. They help you see trends and compare parts of a whole in a simple visual way.

When you want to show sales growth over months with a clear visual of total volume.

When comparing website traffic sources over weeks to see which source contributes most.

When displaying budget spending over quarters to highlight cumulative amounts.

When illustrating population changes by age groups to show distribution.

When you want to emphasize the size of different categories over time.

Steps

Step 1: Open your Tableau workbook

- Tableau Desktop start screen or existing workbook

Your data source and sheets are visible

💡 Make sure your data has a date or category field for the x-axis

Step 2: Drag the date or category field to the Columns shelf

- Columns shelf at the top of the worksheet

The horizontal axis shows your time or categories

Step 3: Drag the measure you want to visualize to the Rows shelf

- Rows shelf next to Columns shelf

A line chart appears showing the measure over time or categories

Step 4: Click the Show Me panel on the right

- Show Me panel in Tableau interface

Chart type options appear

💡 If Show Me is not visible, click the Show Me button on the toolbar

Step 5: Select the Area chart icon in the Show Me panel

- Show Me panel area chart icon (looks like a filled line chart)

The line chart changes to an area chart filling the space below the line

Step 6: Adjust colors or add labels if needed

- Marks card and Labels shelf

The area chart updates with your custom colors or labels

Before vs After

Before

A line chart showing sales over 12 months with a simple line and no fill

After

An area chart showing sales over 12 months with the area below the line filled in blue

Settings Reference

Mark Type

📍 Marks card

Controls the visual style of the chart; set to Area for area charts

Default: Automatic

Color

📍 Marks card > Color

Sets the fill color of the area to improve visual appeal or show categories

Default: Single color

Label

📍 Marks card > Label

Displays data values on the chart for clarity

Default: Hide labels

Stack Marks

📍 Analysis menu > Stack Marks

Controls whether multiple area series stack on top of each other or overlap

Default: On

Common Mistakes

Choosing the wrong field for the Columns shelf, such as a measure instead of a date or category

Area charts need a continuous or discrete category on the x-axis to show progression or groups

Always use a date or categorical field on Columns to define the horizontal axis

Not switching the mark type to Area and leaving it as Line

The chart will not fill the area below the line, missing the main visual effect

Use the Show Me panel or Marks card to set the mark type to Area

Stack Marks turned off when multiple categories are present

Areas may overlap confusingly instead of stacking clearly

Turn on Stack Marks from the Analysis menu to stack areas properly

Summary

Area charts fill the space below a line to show volume and trends clearly.

Use a date or category field on the x-axis and a measure on the y-axis.

Set the mark type to Area and adjust stacking for multiple series.