Bar charts (horizontal and vertical) in Tableau - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is the main difference between a horizontal and a vertical bar chart?

A vertical bar chart has bars that go up and down, showing categories on the bottom (x-axis). A horizontal bar chart has bars that go left to right, showing categories on the side (y-axis).

beginner

How do you create a vertical bar chart in Tableau?

Drag a dimension to Columns and a measure to Rows. Tableau will automatically create vertical bars representing the measure values for each category.

beginner

How can you switch a vertical bar chart to a horizontal bar chart in Tableau?

Click the 'Swap Rows and Columns' button in the toolbar or drag the dimension to Rows and the measure to Columns.

intermediate

Why might you choose a horizontal bar chart over a vertical one?

Horizontal bar charts are better when category names are long or when you have many categories, making labels easier to read.

intermediate

What is a best practice when designing bar charts for accessibility?

Use clear labels, sufficient color contrast, and avoid 3D effects. Also, ensure bars start at zero to avoid misleading viewers.

In Tableau, which shelf do you place a dimension to create a vertical bar chart?

A Filters

B Rows

C Columns

D Pages

Placing a dimension on Columns and a measure on Rows creates vertical bars.

What does clicking the 'Swap Rows and Columns' button do in Tableau?

A Sorts the bars alphabetically

B Filters the data

C Adds a new measure

D Changes the chart orientation from vertical to horizontal or vice versa

Swapping rows and columns flips the axes, changing bar chart orientation.

Which type of bar chart is better for displaying long category names?

A Vertical bar chart

B Horizontal bar chart

C Pie chart

D Scatter plot

Horizontal bar charts allow more space for long category labels.

What should the baseline of bars in a bar chart be for accurate comparison?

A Zero

B The average value

C The maximum value

D Any value

Bars should start at zero to avoid misleading viewers about differences.

Which Tableau feature helps you quickly change a vertical bar chart to horizontal?

A Swap Rows and Columns button

B Show Me panel

C Data pane

D Filter shelf

The Swap Rows and Columns button flips the axes to change orientation.

Explain how to create and switch between vertical and horizontal bar charts in Tableau.

Think about where dimensions and measures go on the shelves.

Describe best practices for designing bar charts that are easy to read and accessible.

Consider what makes charts clear and fair to viewers.