Parameter actions in Tableau - Dashboard Guide

Dashboard Mode - Parameter actions

Dashboard Goal

Help users dynamically change the sales target value using a parameter action to see which products meet or exceed the target.

Sample Data

Product	Category	Sales
Chair	Furniture	300
Desk	Furniture	450
Pen	Office Supplies	150
Notebook	Office Supplies	200
Phone	Technology	600
Monitor	Technology	550

Dashboard Components

• KPI Card: Selected Sales Target
  Shows the current sales target value set by the parameter.
  Formula: Sales Target Parameter
  Initial value: 400
• Bar Chart: Sales by Product
  Displays sales for each product.
  Color indicates if sales meet or exceed the target.
  Calculation for color:
  IF [Sales] >= [Sales Target Parameter] THEN 'Meets Target' ELSE 'Below Target' END
• Parameter Control: Sales Target Selector
  Interactive control where users click on bars to set the sales target parameter dynamically.
  Implemented using Tableau Parameter Action on the bar chart.

Dashboard Layout

+----------------------+----------------------+
| Selected Sales Target | Sales by Product     |
| (KPI Card)           | (Bar Chart)          |
+----------------------+----------------------+
| Parameter Control (click bars to set target)          |
+-------------------------------------------------------+

Interactivity

The bar chart is set up with a parameter action. When a user clicks on a product bar, the Sales Target Parameter updates to that product's sales value.

The KPI card updates immediately to show the new target value.

The bar chart colors update to reflect which products meet or exceed the new target.

Self Check

If you click on the bar for Desk (sales = 450), what happens?

• The Sales Target Parameter updates to 450.
• The KPI card shows 450 as the selected target.
• The bar chart colors update: products with sales ≥ 450 are colored 'Meets Target', others 'Below Target'.

Key Result

Interactive sales dashboard where clicking product bars sets a sales target parameter, updating KPI and bar colors.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of parameter actions in Tableau dashboards?

easy

A. To schedule data refreshes

B. To let users change parameter values by clicking or hovering on dashboard elements

C. To export dashboards as PDF files

D. To create new data sources automatically

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand parameter actions concept

   Parameter actions allow users to interact with dashboard elements to change parameter values dynamically.

2. Step 2: Compare options with concept

   Only To let users change parameter values by clicking or hovering on dashboard elements describes this interactive behavior; others are unrelated to parameter actions.

3. Final Answer:

   To let users change parameter values by clicking or hovering on dashboard elements -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Parameter actions = interactive parameter change [OK]

Hint: Parameter actions let users change parameters by interacting [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing parameter actions with data source creation
• Thinking parameter actions export dashboards
• Mixing parameter actions with scheduling tasks

2. Which of the following is the correct way to create a parameter action in Tableau?

easy

A. Worksheet > Export > Parameter Action

B. Data > Refresh > Parameter Action

C. Dashboard > Actions > Add Action > Change Parameter

D. Format > Parameter > Create Action

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall Tableau menu for parameter actions

   Parameter actions are added via Dashboard menu under Actions, then Add Action > Change Parameter.

2. Step 2: Eliminate incorrect menu paths

   Options A, C, and D do not match Tableau's actual menu structure for parameter actions.

3. Final Answer:

   Dashboard > Actions > Add Action > Change Parameter -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Correct menu path = Dashboard > Actions > Add Action > Change Parameter [OK]

Hint: Parameter actions are added from Dashboard > Actions menu [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Looking for parameter actions under Worksheet or Data menus
• Confusing parameter actions with export or refresh options
• Trying to create parameter actions under Format menu

3. Given a parameter action set to update a parameter named Selected Region based on clicking a map, what will happen if a user clicks on the 'West' region on the map?

medium

A. The dashboard will refresh and reset all filters

B. Nothing will happen because parameters cannot be changed by clicking

C. The map will filter to show only the 'West' region but parameter stays unchanged

D. The parameter Selected Region will update to 'West', changing any views using this parameter

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand parameter action effect on parameter

   Clicking on a map region triggers the parameter action to update the parameter value to that region.

2. Step 2: Identify impact on dashboard views

   Views using the parameter will update to reflect the new parameter value 'West'.

3. Final Answer:

   The parameter Selected Region will update to 'West', changing any views using this parameter -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Click updates parameter = The parameter Selected Region will update to 'West', changing any views using this parameter [OK]

Hint: Clicking map updates parameter value used in views [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking parameter actions do not change parameters
• Confusing parameter actions with filters
• Assuming dashboard refresh resets parameters

4. You created a parameter action but clicking dashboard elements does not update the parameter. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. The parameter action is not enabled or linked to the correct parameter

B. The data source is disconnected

C. The dashboard is in presentation mode

D. The parameter is set to a fixed value and cannot be changed

Solution

1. Step 1: Check parameter action setup

   If clicking does not update the parameter, the action might be disabled or linked to the wrong parameter.

2. Step 2: Evaluate other options

   Data source disconnection or presentation mode usually do not block parameter actions; fixed parameter values are not possible in Tableau.

3. Final Answer:

   The parameter action is not enabled or linked to the correct parameter -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Parameter action setup error = The parameter action is not enabled or linked to the correct parameter [OK]

Hint: Verify parameter action is enabled and targets correct parameter [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming data source issues cause parameter action failure
• Thinking presentation mode disables parameter actions
• Believing parameters can be fixed and unchangeable

5. You want to create a dashboard where clicking a category name updates a parameter that controls which sales measure is shown (e.g., Sales, Profit, Quantity). How should you configure the parameter action to achieve this?

hard

A. Set the parameter action source to the category field and target the sales measure parameter, updating on select

B. Create a filter action on the category field to filter sales measures

C. Use a highlight action on the sales measure field triggered by category clicks

D. Manually update the parameter value in the parameter control

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify source and target for parameter action

   The source should be the category field clicked by users; the target is the parameter controlling sales measure selection.

2. Step 2: Configure parameter action to update on select

   Set the action to update the parameter value when a category is selected, so the dashboard shows the chosen measure.

3. Final Answer:

   Set the parameter action source to the category field and target the sales measure parameter, updating on select -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Parameter action source = category, target = measure parameter [OK]

Hint: Source = category field, target = measure parameter, update on select [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using filter or highlight actions instead of parameter actions
• Trying to update parameter manually instead of via action
• Setting wrong source or target fields in parameter action