Layout containers (horizontal, vertical) in Tableau - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Layout containers help you organize dashboard items neatly. Horizontal containers arrange items side by side. Vertical containers stack items on top of each other. This makes your dashboard look clean and easy to read.

When you want to place charts or images side by side for comparison.

When you need to stack filters or legends vertically to save space.

When you want to group related dashboard elements together visually.

When you want to control how items resize together on different screen sizes.

When you want to create a balanced and organized dashboard layout.

Steps

Step 1: Open

- Tableau Dashboard workspace

You see your dashboard canvas with existing sheets and objects.

Step 2: Drag

- Horizontal or Vertical container from the Objects pane onto the dashboard

A container box appears on the dashboard canvas.

Step 3: Drag

- Sheets or dashboard objects into the container

Items are arranged horizontally or vertically inside the container.

Step 4: Click

- Container border to select it

Container is highlighted with a blue border.

Step 5: Use

- Layout pane to adjust container size and padding

Container and its contents resize or move as you adjust settings.

Step 6: Right-click

- Container and select 'Remove' if you want to delete it

Container and its contents are removed from the dashboard.

Before vs After

Before

Dashboard has charts and filters placed freely with overlapping or uneven spacing.

After

Dashboard items are neatly grouped inside horizontal and vertical containers with consistent spacing and alignment.

Settings Reference

Container type

📍 Objects pane when dragging onto dashboard

Decides if items inside arrange side by side or stacked.

Default: None (you choose when dragging)

Padding

📍 Layout pane when container is selected

Adds space inside container edges around items.

Default: None

Fixed size

📍 Layout pane under Size when container is selected

Controls if container size stays fixed or adjusts with content.

Default: Automatic

Common Mistakes

Placing items directly on dashboard without containers

Items can overlap or shift unpredictably when resizing.

Use horizontal or vertical containers to group and align items properly.

Mixing horizontal and vertical containers without clear structure

Dashboard layout becomes confusing and hard to maintain.

Plan layout hierarchy and use containers consistently for clarity.

Summary

Layout containers organize dashboard items horizontally or vertically.

They help keep dashboards clean, aligned, and responsive.

Use containers to group related items and control spacing easily.