String functions (LEFT, RIGHT, CONTAINS) in Tableau - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

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What does the LEFT(string, number) function do in Tableau?

It returns the first number of characters from the start (left side) of the string.

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How does the RIGHT(string, number) function work in Tableau?

It returns the last number of characters from the end (right side) of the string.

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What is the purpose of the CONTAINS(string, substring) function in Tableau?

It checks if the substring exists anywhere inside the string. It returns TRUE if found, otherwise FALSE.

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Write a Tableau formula to get the first 3 characters of a field called [ProductCode].

LEFT([ProductCode], 3)

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How can you check if the word 'Sale' appears in a field called [Description] in Tableau?

Use CONTAINS([Description], 'Sale') which returns TRUE if 'Sale' is found anywhere in [Description].

What does RIGHT('Tableau', 4) return?

A 'leau'

B 'u'

C 'eau'

D 'blau'

RIGHT('Tableau', 4) returns the last 4 characters: 'leau'.

Which function checks if a substring exists inside a string in Tableau?

A CONTAINS()

B RIGHT()

C LEFT()

D FIND()

CONTAINS() returns TRUE if the substring is found inside the string.

What will LEFT('Dashboard', 5) return?

A 'board'

B 'boarda'

C 'Dashb'

D 'Dash'

LEFT('Dashboard', 5) returns the first 5 characters: 'Dashb'.

If CONTAINS([Name], 'John') is FALSE, what does it mean?

A 'John' is at the start of [Name]

B [Name] is empty

C 'John' is at the end of [Name]

D 'John' is not found anywhere in [Name]

FALSE means the substring 'John' is not found anywhere in [Name].

Which function would you use to get the last 2 characters of a string?

A LEFT(string, 2)

B RIGHT(string, 2)

C CONTAINS(string, 2)

D MID(string, 2)

RIGHT(string, 2) returns the last 2 characters of the string.

Explain how LEFT, RIGHT, and CONTAINS functions work in Tableau with simple examples.

Think about cutting a piece from the start or end of a word, and searching for a word inside a sentence.

Describe a real-life scenario where you might use the CONTAINS function in a Tableau report.

Imagine you want to find all sales that mention 'discount' in their notes.