Subscriptions and alerts in Tableau - Interactive Code Practice

Practice - 5 Tasks

1fill in blank

easy

Complete the code to create a subscription for a dashboard in Tableau.

Tableau

Subscribe to the dashboard by clicking the [1] button on the toolbar.

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

AExport

BSubscribe

CRefresh

DFilter

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Choosing 'Export' instead of 'Subscribe' because both are on the toolbar.

Selecting 'Refresh' which updates data but does not send emails.

The Subscribe button allows users to receive scheduled emails of the dashboard.

2fill in blank

medium

Complete the sentence to set an alert condition in Tableau.

Tableau

To create an alert, select the measure and click [1] > Create Alert.

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

AMore Options

BAlert

CSubscribe

DData

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Choosing 'Subscribe' which is for dashboard emails, not alerts.

Selecting 'Alert' which is not a menu but an action inside 'More Options'.

The More Options menu contains the option to create alerts on measures.

3fill in blank

hard

Fix the error in the alert setup by completing the missing step.

Tableau

After selecting the condition, click [1] to save the alert.

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

ACancel

BClose

CDelete

DSave

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Clicking 'Cancel' which discards the alert setup.

Clicking 'Delete' which removes existing alerts.

Clicking Save confirms and activates the alert condition.

4fill in blank

hard

Fill both blanks to complete the subscription setup steps.

Tableau

To subscribe, select the dashboard, click [1], then choose the [2] frequency.

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

ASubscribe

BDaily

CWeekly

DExport

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Choosing 'Export' instead of 'Subscribe' for the first blank.

Selecting 'Weekly' when the question asks for daily frequency.

First, click Subscribe to open subscription options, then select Daily to receive emails every day.

5fill in blank

hard

Fill all three blanks to complete the alert configuration code snippet.

Tableau

If [1] [2] [3], then send alert email.

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

ASales

B>

C10000

DProfit

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using 'Profit' instead of 'Sales' which changes the alert logic.

Using '<' instead of '>' which reverses the condition.

The alert triggers when Sales is greater than 10000.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of subscriptions in Tableau?

easy

A. To create new dashboards automatically

B. To send scheduled dashboard snapshots to your email

C. To instantly notify you when data changes

D. To share dashboards only within Tableau Server

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand what subscriptions do

   Subscriptions send dashboard snapshots on a schedule to your email, so you get updates without opening Tableau.

2. Step 2: Differentiate from alerts

   Alerts notify instantly when data meets conditions, not on a schedule.

3. Final Answer:

   To send scheduled dashboard snapshots to your email -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Subscriptions = Scheduled emails [OK]

Hint: Subscriptions send emails on schedule, alerts notify instantly [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing alerts with subscriptions
• Thinking subscriptions notify instantly
• Believing subscriptions create dashboards

2. Which of the following is the correct way to create an alert in Tableau?

easy

A. Right-click a continuous axis and select 'Create Alert'

B. Click 'Subscribe' on the dashboard toolbar

C. Export the dashboard as PDF

D. Use the 'Data Source' tab to set alert conditions

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify how alerts are created

   Alerts are created by right-clicking a continuous axis or measure and choosing 'Create Alert'.

2. Step 2: Eliminate incorrect options

   Subscribing sends scheduled emails, exporting PDF does not create alerts, and 'Data Source' tab is not for alerts.

3. Final Answer:

   Right-click a continuous axis and select 'Create Alert' -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Create Alert = Right-click axis [OK]

Hint: Alerts come from right-clicking continuous axes [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Choosing 'Subscribe' instead of 'Create Alert'
• Trying to create alerts from data source tab
• Confusing export with alert creation

3. If you set an alert on Sales > 10000 and the sales data changes from 9000 to 12000, what happens?

medium

A. The alert is deleted automatically

B. You get a scheduled subscription email later

C. You receive an instant notification email

D. Nothing happens until you refresh the dashboard manually

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand alert trigger conditions

   Alerts notify you instantly when data meets the set condition, here Sales > 10000.

2. Step 2: Apply the condition to the data change

   Sales changed from 9000 (below threshold) to 12000 (above threshold), so alert triggers immediately.

3. Final Answer:

   You receive an instant notification email -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Alert triggers instantly on condition met [OK]

Hint: Alert triggers instantly when condition is met [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking alert waits for subscription schedule
• Believing manual refresh is needed
• Assuming alert deletes itself

4. You created an alert but never receive notifications. What is the most likely reason?

medium

A. The alert condition is never met by the data

B. You forgot to subscribe to the dashboard

C. Alerts only work on discrete fields

D. You must refresh the dashboard manually to get alerts

Solution

1. Step 1: Check alert condition relevance

   If the alert condition is never true, no notification is sent.

2. Step 2: Understand alert requirements

   Alerts work on continuous fields, subscriptions are separate, and manual refresh is not needed for alerts.

3. Final Answer:

   The alert condition is never met by the data -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   No alert if condition false [OK]

Hint: Alerts need condition met to send notification [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing alerts with subscriptions
• Thinking alerts work on discrete fields
• Believing manual refresh triggers alerts

5. You want to receive a weekly snapshot of a sales dashboard and immediate alerts when sales exceed $50,000. How should you configure Tableau?

hard

A. Create only a subscription with a filter for sales > 50000

B. Use subscriptions only, as alerts cannot be combined with subscriptions

C. Set an alert for weekly notifications and subscribe for instant alerts

D. Create a subscription for weekly emails and set an alert on sales > 50000

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand subscription purpose

   Subscriptions send scheduled snapshots, so weekly emails require a subscription.

2. Step 2: Understand alert purpose

   Alerts notify instantly when data meets conditions, so set alert for sales > 50000.

3. Step 3: Combine both features

   Use subscription for weekly snapshots and alert for immediate notifications simultaneously.

4. Final Answer:

   Create a subscription for weekly emails and set an alert on sales > 50000 -> Option D

5. Quick Check:

   Subscription + alert = weekly + instant updates [OK]

Hint: Use subscription for schedule, alert for instant notify [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to use subscription for instant alerts
• Believing alerts can schedule emails
• Thinking subscriptions and alerts cannot be combined