Why dashboards combine multiple views in Tableau - Why Use It

Introduction

Dashboards bring together different charts and tables in one place. This helps you see many parts of your data at once. It makes understanding and comparing data easier without switching screens.

When you want to see sales numbers and customer feedback side by side.

When you need to compare monthly revenue with marketing spend in one view.

When your manager asks for a quick overview of product performance and inventory levels.

When you want to spot trends by looking at a map and a line chart together.

When you want to filter all charts at once by region or time period.

Steps

Step 1: Open your Tableau workbook

- Start page or File menu

Your saved data and sheets appear ready to use

Step 2: Click the New Dashboard button

- Bottom tab bar next to sheets

A blank dashboard workspace opens

Step 3: Drag a worksheet from the left Sheets pane onto the dashboard

- Dashboard workspace

The selected chart or table appears on the dashboard

Step 4: Repeat dragging other worksheets onto the dashboard

- Dashboard workspace

Multiple views appear arranged on the dashboard

Step 5: Use the Layout pane to resize and move views

- Dashboard pane on the left

Views fit nicely and do not overlap

Step 6: Add filters or actions to connect views

- Dashboard menu > Actions

Selecting data in one view updates others automatically

Before vs After

Before

A workbook with separate sheets showing sales, profit, and customer data individually

After

A dashboard showing sales, profit, and customer data views together, arranged neatly and linked by filters

Settings Reference

Size

📍 Dashboard pane > Size dropdown

Controls the overall dashboard size for different screens

Default: Automatic

Tiled vs Floating

📍 Dashboard pane > Layout options

Determines if views snap into a grid or can overlap freely

Default: Tiled

Use as Filter

📍 Worksheet card menu on dashboard

Lets a view filter other views when you click on it

Default: Off

Dashboard Actions

📍 Dashboard menu > Actions

Connects views so they interact with each other

Default: None

Common Mistakes

Adding too many views making the dashboard crowded

It becomes hard to read and understand the data quickly

Limit views to key charts and arrange them with enough space

Not linking views with filters or actions

Views do not update together, losing the benefit of combined insights

Use dashboard actions to connect views for interactive filtering

Using floating views without alignment

Views overlap or look messy on different screen sizes

Use tiled layout or carefully position floating views with consistent sizes

Summary

Dashboards combine multiple views to show related data side by side for easy comparison.

They help users see the big picture and spot patterns without switching sheets.

Remember to arrange views clearly and connect them with filters or actions for best results.