Scatter plots in Tableau - Interactive Code Practice

Practice - 5 Tasks

1fill in blank

easy

Complete the code to create a scatter plot by placing the correct field on the Columns shelf.

Tableau

Drag the [1] field to the Columns shelf to start building a scatter plot.

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

ASales

BRegion

COrder ID

DCustomer Name

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Choosing a text field like Customer Name for the axis.

Using a categorical field like Region on the axis.

In a scatter plot, numeric fields like Sales are placed on the Columns shelf to represent one axis.

2fill in blank

medium

Complete the code to add the correct field to the Rows shelf for the scatter plot.

Tableau

Drag the [1] field to the Rows shelf to complete the scatter plot axes.

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

AOrder Date

BCustomer Segment

CProduct Category

DProfit

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Selecting a date or categorical field for the axis.

Using non-numeric fields on the Rows shelf.

Scatter plots use numeric fields on both axes. Profit is a numeric measure suitable for the Rows shelf.

3fill in blank

hard

Fix the error in the calculation to create a calculated field for average sales.

Tableau

AVG([1])

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

ACOUNT(Sales)

BSales

CSUM(Sales)

DProfit

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using SUM(Sales) inside AVG() causes an error.

Using COUNT(Sales) instead of AVG(Sales).

The AVG() function expects a field name, not an aggregation. Use Sales directly inside AVG().

4fill in blank

hard

Fill both blanks to color the scatter plot points by category and size them by sales.

Tableau

Drag the [1] field to Color and the [2] field to Size on the Marks card.

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

ACategory

BSales

CRegion

DProfit

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using numeric fields for Color or categorical for Size.

Mixing up the fields for Color and Size.

Color by Category groups points visually. Size by Sales shows magnitude differences.

5fill in blank

hard

Fill all three blanks to filter the scatter plot to show only sales greater than 1000 and profit less than 500, and to label points by product name.

Tableau

Add a filter where [1] > 1000 and [2] < 500, then drag [3] to Label on the Marks card.

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

ASales

BProfit

CProduct Name

DCategory

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using categorical fields in numeric filters.

Labeling with numeric fields instead of names.

Filter by Sales and Profit to limit data points. Label points with Product Name for clarity.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of a scatter plot in Tableau?

easy

A. To show the relationship between two numeric variables

B. To display the total sales over time

C. To list all categories in a table format

D. To create a pie chart of proportions

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand scatter plot basics and compare options

   A scatter plot displays points representing two numeric values on X and Y axes. Only 'To show the relationship between two numeric variables' describes this core purpose.

2. Final Answer:

   To show the relationship between two numeric variables -> Option A

3. Quick Check:

   Scatter plot = relationship between two numbers [OK]

Hint: Scatter plots always compare two numeric values [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing scatter plots with line charts
• Thinking scatter plots show totals or categories only
• Assuming scatter plots are for single variable data

2. Which of the following is the correct way to create a scatter plot in Tableau?

easy

A. Drag two dimensions to the Color shelf

B. Drag a dimension to Columns and a measure to Rows

C. Drag one numeric field to Columns and another numeric field to Rows

D. Drag a measure to Filters and a dimension to Tooltip

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall scatter plot setup and evaluate options

   Scatter plots require two numeric fields, one on Columns and one on Rows. Only 'Drag one numeric field to Columns and another numeric field to Rows' creates a scatter plot.

2. Final Answer:

   Drag one numeric field to Columns and another numeric field to Rows -> Option C

3. Quick Check:

   Scatter plot = numeric on Columns and Rows [OK]

Hint: Scatter plots need two numeric fields on axes [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using dimensions instead of numeric fields on axes
• Placing fields only on Color or Tooltip shelves
• Trying to create scatter plots with filters only

3. Given a scatter plot with Sales on Columns and Profit on Rows, what does a point far to the right but low on the Y-axis represent?

medium

A. Low sales but high profit

B. Low sales and low profit

C. High profit and high sales

D. High sales but low profit

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand axes and interpret point position

   Columns (X) = Sales (far right = high); Rows (Y) = Profit (low = low). Thus, high sales but low profit.

2. Final Answer:

   High sales but low profit -> Option D

3. Quick Check:

   X=Sales high, Y=Profit low = High sales, low profit [OK]

Hint: Right = high X value, low Y = low Y value [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Mixing up X and Y axis meanings
• Assuming high sales always means high profit
• Ignoring axis labels when interpreting points

4. You created a scatter plot but all points appear stacked in one corner. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. One or both fields are dimensions instead of measures

B. Both axes use the same numeric field

C. Color shelf is empty

D. Filters are applied incorrectly

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify requirements and analyze stacking cause

   Scatter plots need numeric measures on axes. Dimensions cause points to stack at same coordinates.

2. Final Answer:

   One or both fields are dimensions instead of measures -> Option A

3. Quick Check:

   Dimensions on axes cause stacked points [OK]

Hint: Axes must have numeric measures, not dimensions [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming color shelf affects point spread
• Not checking field data types on axes
• Blaming filters without verifying axes

5. You want to analyze customer segments by plotting Annual Income vs Spending Score and color points by Customer Age Group. How should you set up your scatter plot in Tableau?

hard

A. Place Customer Age Group on Filters, Annual Income on Tooltip, Spending Score on Rows

B. Place Annual Income on Columns, Spending Score on Rows, and Customer Age Group on Color

C. Place Spending Score on Columns, Customer Age Group on Rows, and Annual Income on Detail

D. Place Customer Age Group on Columns, Annual Income on Rows, and Spending Score on Color

Solution

1. Step 1: Assign fields correctly for scatter plot with coloring

   Numerics Annual Income (Columns) and Spending Score (Rows) for axes; categorical Customer Age Group on Color for segments.

2. Final Answer:

   Place Annual Income on Columns, Spending Score on Rows, and Customer Age Group on Color -> Option B

3. Quick Check:

   Numeric on axes + category on Color [OK]

Hint: Numeric fields on axes, categories on Color for groups [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Putting categorical fields on axes instead of Color
• Using Filters instead of Color for grouping
• Mixing up which numeric fields go on Columns or Rows