Line charts in Tableau - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Line charts show how data changes over time or ordered categories. They help you see trends and patterns clearly by connecting data points with lines.

When you want to track monthly sales growth over a year.

When you need to compare temperature changes across days.

When showing stock prices movement during a trading day.

When visualizing website traffic trends by hour.

When analyzing customer sign-ups over several weeks.

Steps

Step 1: Open your Tableau workbook

- Tableau Desktop start screen or existing workbook

Your data source and worksheet are ready for use

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

- Columns shelf at the top of the worksheet

The horizontal axis shows the timeline or ordered categories

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

- Rows shelf next to Columns shelf

The vertical axis shows the values for the measure

Step 4: Click the Show Me panel and select the Line chart icon

- Show Me panel on the right side of the worksheet

Tableau draws a line chart connecting data points over time

Step 5: Drag a category field to the Color mark on the Marks card

- Marks card on the right side of the worksheet

Lines are colored by category to compare multiple groups

Step 6: Adjust axis titles and add labels if needed

- Right-click axis or use the Analytics pane

Chart is easier to understand with clear titles and labels

Before vs After

Before

Worksheet shows data fields but no visual chart, only columns and rows shelves filled

After

Worksheet displays a line chart with time on the horizontal axis and measure values connected by lines

Settings Reference

Mark Type

📍 Marks card

Choose 'Line' to create a line chart connecting data points

Default: Automatic

Date Aggregation

📍 Columns shelf date field dropdown

Control the time granularity shown on the horizontal axis

Default: Automatic (usually Year or Month)

Color

📍 Marks card

Differentiate lines by categories or keep one color

Default: Single color

Show Mark Labels

📍 Marks card Label option

Display values on data points for clarity

Default: Off

Common Mistakes

Dragging a non-date field to the Columns shelf expecting a timeline

Line charts require ordered or time-based data on the horizontal axis to show trends

Use a date or ordered numeric field on the Columns shelf for the timeline

Not selecting Line as the mark type

Tableau may default to automatic marks like circles, which do not connect points

Explicitly select Line in the Marks card to connect data points

Using too many categories on Color causing clutter

Too many colored lines make the chart hard to read

Limit categories or filter data to keep the chart clear

Summary

Line charts show trends by connecting data points over time or ordered categories.

Use date or ordered fields on the horizontal axis and measures on the vertical axis.

Select Line mark type and use color to compare categories carefully.