Tableau Cloud basics - Dashboard Guide

Dashboard Mode - Tableau Cloud basics

Dashboard Goal

Understand how to use Tableau Cloud to create and share a simple sales dashboard that shows total sales, sales by region, and monthly sales trends.

Sample Data

Order Date	Region	Sales
2024-01-15	East	100
2024-01-20	West	150
2024-02-10	East	200
2024-02-15	South	120
2024-03-05	West	180
2024-03-20	South	130
2024-04-01	East	210
2024-04-10	West	170

Dashboard Components

• KPI Card: Total Sales
  Formula: SUM([Sales])
  Result: 1260
• Bar Chart: Sales by Region
  Formula: SUM([Sales]) grouped by [Region]
  Results:
  East: 510
  West: 500
  South: 250
• Line Chart: Monthly Sales Trend
  Formula: SUM([Sales]) grouped by MONTH([Order Date])
  Results:
  January: 250
  February: 320
  March: 310
  April: 380
• Filter: Region Filter
  Allows selecting one or more regions to update all visuals

Dashboard Layout

+----------------------+-----------------------+
|      Total Sales      |    Region Filter      |
|       (KPI Card)      |     (Filter)          |
+----------------------+-----------------------+
|                                              |
|          Sales by Region (Bar Chart)          |
|                                              |
+----------------------------------------------+
|                                              |
|         Monthly Sales Trend (Line Chart)      |
|                                              |
+----------------------------------------------+
  

Interactivity

The Region Filter lets users pick one or more regions (East, West, South). When a region is selected, the Total Sales KPI, Sales by Region bar chart, and Monthly Sales Trend line chart update to show data only for the chosen regions. This helps focus on specific areas.

Self Check

If you select only the East region in the filter, what will the Total Sales KPI show?

Answer: 510 (sum of sales for East region)

Key Result

A simple Tableau Cloud sales dashboard showing total sales, sales by region, and monthly sales trends with interactive region filtering.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of Tableau Cloud?

easy

A. To create dashboards only on a local computer

B. To share dashboards online easily without extra software

C. To replace Tableau Desktop for data analysis

D. To store raw data files without visualization

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Tableau Cloud's role and compare options

   Tableau Cloud allows users to publish and share dashboards online easily. Only To share dashboards online easily without extra software describes sharing dashboards online without extra software, which matches Tableau Cloud's purpose.

2. Final Answer:

   To share dashboards online easily without extra software -> Option B

3. Quick Check:

   Tableau Cloud = Easy online sharing [OK]

Hint: Remember: Tableau Cloud = online dashboard sharing [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing Tableau Cloud with Tableau Desktop
• Thinking Tableau Cloud stores raw data only
• Assuming Tableau Cloud replaces data analysis tools

2. Which step is required to make a dashboard available on Tableau Cloud?

easy

A. Publish the dashboard from Tableau Desktop to Tableau Cloud

B. Save the dashboard as a PDF file

C. Export the dashboard as an Excel file

D. Email the dashboard file to team members

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify how dashboards reach Tableau Cloud and eliminate other options

   Dashboards are uploaded by publishing from Tableau Desktop to Tableau Cloud. Saving as PDF, exporting as Excel, or emailing files do not upload dashboards to Tableau Cloud.

2. Final Answer:

   Publish the dashboard from Tableau Desktop to Tableau Cloud -> Option A

3. Quick Check:

   Publishing = Upload to Tableau Cloud [OK]

Hint: Publishing from Desktop uploads dashboards online [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing saving with publishing
• Thinking exporting files uploads dashboards
• Assuming emailing shares dashboards on Tableau Cloud

3. After publishing a dashboard to Tableau Cloud, which feature allows team members to interact with filters and see updated views?

medium

A. Data source refresh only

B. Static image export

C. Email notifications

D. Interactive dashboard controls

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand interactivity in Tableau Cloud and compare options for interactivity

   Tableau Cloud supports interactive dashboard controls like filters that update views dynamically. Static images and email notifications do not allow interaction; data refresh updates data but not interactivity.

2. Final Answer:

   Interactive dashboard controls -> Option D

3. Quick Check:

   Interactivity = Dashboard controls [OK]

Hint: Interactivity means using filters and controls live [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing static exports with interactive dashboards
• Thinking email notifications enable dashboard interaction
• Assuming data refresh equals interactivity

4. You published a dashboard to Tableau Cloud but team members cannot see it. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. Team members need Tableau Desktop installed

B. Dashboard file was saved locally but not published

C. Dashboard permissions are not set to allow access

D. Tableau Cloud does not support dashboards

Solution

1. Step 1: Check access control on Tableau Cloud and eliminate other causes

   Permissions control who can view dashboards; if not set, team members cannot see the dashboard. Dashboard was published (not just saved locally), Tableau Cloud supports dashboards, and team members do not need Desktop to view online.

2. Final Answer:

   Dashboard permissions are not set to allow access -> Option C

3. Quick Check:

   Permissions control access [OK]

Hint: Check permissions if team can't see dashboards [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming saving locally publishes dashboard
• Thinking Tableau Cloud lacks dashboard support
• Believing Desktop is needed to view online dashboards

5. You want to share a sales dashboard with your team on Tableau Cloud but restrict editing rights. Which combination of features should you use?

hard

A. Publish dashboard and set viewer permissions to allow interaction but no editing

B. Export dashboard as PDF and email to team

C. Publish dashboard with full editing permissions for all team members

D. Save dashboard locally and share file via cloud storage

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand sharing with restricted editing and evaluate options for sharing and permissions

   Tableau Cloud allows setting permissions so users can interact with dashboards but not edit them. Exporting as PDF or sharing files locally does not allow interaction; full editing permissions do not restrict editing.

2. Final Answer:

   Publish dashboard and set viewer permissions to allow interaction but no editing -> Option A

3. Quick Check:

   Publish + viewer permissions = controlled sharing [OK]

Hint: Set viewer permissions to restrict editing [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Sharing static files instead of publishing
• Giving full editing rights unintentionally
• Confusing file sharing with Tableau Cloud permissions