Dashboard sizing options in Tableau - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Dashboard sizing options in Tableau help you control how your dashboard looks on different screens. This feature solves the problem of dashboards appearing too big, too small, or not fitting well on various devices.

When you want your sales dashboard to fit perfectly on a laptop screen without scrolling

When you need a dashboard to adjust automatically for mobile phones and tablets

When you want to fix the dashboard size so it looks the same for all users

When you want to create a dashboard that expands to fill the browser window

When you want to design a dashboard with a custom size for a presentation screen

Steps

Step 1: Open your dashboard

- Tableau Desktop workspace

Your dashboard appears in the main view area

Step 2: Click

- Dashboard menu at the top

Dashboard options appear including sizing settings

Step 3: Locate and click the dropdown menu

- Size section in the Dashboard pane

Sizing options list expands showing choices like Fixed size, Range, and Automatic

Step 4: Select a sizing option

- Size dropdown menu

Dashboard size changes according to the selected option

Step 5: If Fixed size is selected, enter width and height values

- Width and Height input boxes below the Size dropdown

Dashboard resizes to the exact dimensions you entered

Step 6: If Range is selected, enter minimum and maximum width and height

- Range input boxes below the Size dropdown

Dashboard resizes dynamically within the range when window size changes

Step 7: Preview your dashboard

- Main dashboard view

You see how the dashboard fits different screen sizes

Before vs After

Before

Dashboard size is set to default 800 x 600 pixels and looks small on a large monitor

After

Dashboard size is set to Automatic and fills the browser window, making better use of screen space

Settings Reference

Fixed size

📍 Dashboard pane > Size dropdown

Sets the dashboard to a specific size that does not change

Default: 800 x 600 pixels

Automatic

📍 Dashboard pane > Size dropdown

Makes the dashboard fill the available space automatically

Default: Adjusts to the size of the window or device

Range

📍 Dashboard pane > Size dropdown

Allows the dashboard to resize between set minimum and maximum sizes

Default: Minimum 800 x 600, Maximum 1600 x 1200

Common Mistakes

Choosing Fixed size without considering user screen sizes

Dashboard may appear too small or require scrolling on different devices

Use Automatic or Range sizing to make the dashboard responsive

Setting Range minimum and maximum sizes too close

Dashboard has little room to adjust and may not display well on all screens

Set a reasonable range that covers common screen sizes

Summary

Dashboard sizing options control how your dashboard fits on different screens.

You can choose Fixed size, Automatic, or Range sizing depending on your needs.

Remember to consider your users' devices to make dashboards easy to view and use.

Practice

1. Which Tableau dashboard sizing option automatically adjusts the dashboard size to fit the screen of the device viewing it?

easy

A. Range sizing

B. Fixed sizing

C. Automatic sizing

D. Custom sizing

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Automatic sizing

   Automatic sizing lets Tableau adjust the dashboard size dynamically based on the device screen.

2. Step 2: Compare with other sizing options

   Fixed sizing uses a set size, Range sizing allows a size range, and Custom sizing is not a standard option.

3. Final Answer:

   Automatic sizing -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Automatic sizing = fits screen automatically [OK]

Hint: Automatic means it fits any screen size by itself [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing Fixed sizing with Automatic
• Thinking Range sizing adjusts automatically
• Assuming Custom sizing is a Tableau option

2. Which of the following is the correct way to set a Fixed dashboard size in Tableau?

easy

A. Select 'Fixed size' and enter width and height values

B. Choose 'Automatic' and specify minimum and maximum sizes

C. Pick 'Range' and leave width and height blank

D. Set 'Floating' objects to fixed size

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify Fixed size setting

   Fixed size requires selecting 'Fixed size' and entering exact width and height.

2. Step 2: Eliminate incorrect options

   Automatic does not require fixed dimensions, Range needs min and max sizes, Floating relates to objects, not dashboard size.

3. Final Answer:

   Select 'Fixed size' and enter width and height values -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Fixed size = set exact width and height [OK]

Hint: Fixed size means typing exact width and height numbers [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing Automatic with Fixed size
• Leaving width and height blank for Fixed size
• Mixing Floating object size with dashboard size

3. If you set a Tableau dashboard size to Range with minimum width 800px and maximum width 1200px, what happens when viewed on a 1000px wide screen?

medium

A. Dashboard width adjusts to 1000px

B. Dashboard width stays fixed at 800px

C. Dashboard width expands to 1200px

D. Dashboard does not display properly

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Range sizing behavior

   Range sizing allows dashboard width to adjust between minimum and maximum values based on screen size.

2. Step 2: Apply screen width to range

   Since 1000px is between 800px and 1200px, the dashboard width will be 1000px.

3. Final Answer:

   Dashboard width adjusts to 1000px -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Range sizing fits screen width within min and max [OK]

Hint: Range sizing picks screen width if between min and max [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming dashboard stays at minimum width
• Thinking dashboard always expands to max width
• Believing dashboard breaks if screen size is in range

4. You set a dashboard to Fixed size 1000px by 800px, but on a small laptop screen it appears cut off. What is the best fix?

medium

A. Set Range sizing with smaller minimum width

B. Change sizing to Automatic

C. Increase Fixed size dimensions

D. Use Floating layout for all objects

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify problem with Fixed size

   Fixed size does not adjust to smaller screens, causing cut off on small laptops.

2. Step 2: Choose best sizing option to fix

   Automatic sizing adjusts the dashboard dynamically to fit the viewing screen, eliminating the cut off.

3. Final Answer:

   Change sizing to Automatic -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Automatic sizing = fits screen automatically [OK]

Hint: Automatic adjusts to fit the screen [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Increasing Fixed size makes problem worse
• Setting Range sizing but not small enough minimum
• Confusing Floating layout with dashboard sizing

5. You want a dashboard that looks good on desktop and tablet but never smaller than 900px wide or larger than 1400px wide. Which sizing option and settings should you choose?

hard

A. Fixed sizing at 900px width

B. Fixed sizing at 1400px width

C. Automatic sizing with custom device layouts

D. Range sizing with min width 900px and max width 1400px

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze sizing needs

   You want the dashboard width to vary but stay between 900px and 1400px for desktop and tablet.

2. Step 2: Match sizing option to requirements

   Range sizing lets you set minimum and maximum widths, exactly fitting the requirement.

3. Step 3: Eliminate other options

   Fixed sizing locks width, Automatic may go smaller than 900px, custom device layouts are more complex and not needed here.

4. Final Answer:

   Range sizing with min width 900px and max width 1400px -> Option D

5. Quick Check:

   Range sizing controls min and max dashboard width [OK]

Hint: Range sizing sets min and max width limits [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Choosing Fixed sizing which is not flexible
• Assuming Automatic respects min width
• Overcomplicating with custom device layouts