Text tables in Tableau - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Text tables show data in rows and columns like a spreadsheet. They help you see exact numbers and compare values side by side.

When you want to display sales numbers by product and region in a clear grid.

When you need to show detailed customer data like names, orders, and dates in one view.

When you want to create a simple report that lists values without charts or graphs.

When you need to export data in a readable table format for sharing.

When you want to compare monthly expenses across departments in a tabular form.

Steps

Step 1: Open your Tableau workbook

- Tableau Desktop start screen or existing workbook

Your data source and sheets are visible

Step 2: Drag a dimension field to the Rows shelf

- Data pane → Rows shelf

Rows are created based on the dimension values

💡 Use a category like 'Region' or 'Product' for rows

Step 3: Drag another dimension or measure to the Columns shelf

- Data pane → Columns shelf

Columns are created based on the field values

💡 Use a time field or another category for columns

Step 4: Drag a measure field to the Text mark on the Marks card

- Data pane → Marks card → Text

Numbers appear in the table cells showing measure values

💡 Use sums or counts to show totals or quantities

Step 5: Click Show Me panel and select Text Table

- Show Me panel on the right side

Tableau formats the view as a text table with rows and columns

Step 6: Adjust formatting if needed

- Format menu → Font, Alignment, Borders

Text table looks clear and easy to read

Before vs After

Before

Sheet shows blank canvas with data fields in the Data pane

After

Sheet displays a grid with rows as 'Region', columns as 'Month', and sales numbers in each cell

Settings Reference

Text mark type

📍 Marks card → drop-down menu

Controls how data is displayed; Text shows numbers in cells

Default: Automatic

Show Me panel

📍 Right side panel

Quickly change visualization type to text table or others

Default: None selected

Format Borders

📍 Format menu → Borders

Adds grid lines to separate rows and columns for clarity

Default: None

Common Mistakes

Dragging measure to Rows or Columns shelf instead of Text mark

This creates a chart instead of a text table with numbers in cells

Drag measure to Text on the Marks card to show numbers in table cells

Not selecting Text Table in Show Me panel

Tableau may default to a different chart type that is harder to read as a table

Click Text Table in Show Me to format the view as a clear text table

Summary

Text tables display data in rows and columns like a spreadsheet for easy reading.

Drag dimensions to Rows and Columns shelves, and measures to Text on the Marks card.

Use the Show Me panel to quickly switch to a text table view.