How to Filter Data in Tableau

Edited 4 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Tableau is a powerful tool for data analysis and visualization. It allows users to work with diverse data sets and transform them into meaningful insights. One of the essential skills to master Tableau is to learn how to filter data efficiently. Filtering data helps narrow down the information and focus on specific areas of interest, which can be crucial for making informed decisions.

In this guide, we'll learn about the different types of filters available in Tableau, explain how to apply them, and discuss some practical examples. Understanding how to use filters in Tableau will greatly improve your data visualization skills and improve your ability to effectively communicate data findings.

Introduction to filters

Filters in Tableau are used to restrict the data from your dataset that is displayed in your visualization. By applying filters, you can focus on a specific subset of your data based on certain conditions. For example, you may want to see data for a specific range of dates, a particular region, or a specific category of products. Filters allow you to do this, providing a more focused view of your data.

There are several types of filters in Tableau, each of which serves different purposes and levels of analysis. Some common filter types include dimension filters, measure filters, context filters, and data source filters. Let us learn about each of these filter types in more detail.

Types of filters in Tableau

Amplitude filter

Dimension filters are used to filter categorical data. These filters enable you to include or exclude values of a dimension from the view. For example, if you have a dataset with sales information in different regions, you can use dimension filters to show data only for a particular region.

To apply a dimension filter in Tableau:

• Select a dimension from the data pane.
• Drag it to the Filters shelf.
• In the Filter dialog box that appears, choose which values to include or exclude and click OK.

Measure filters

Measure filters apply to numerical data, allowing you to filter data based on aggregated values such as sums or averages. You may want to filter sales figures below a certain amount or only display customer ratings above a specific threshold.

To use a measurement filter:

• Drag the measure you want to filter to the Filter shelf.
• In the Filter Field dialog box, choose how you want to aggregate the measures (for example, sum, average).
• Specify the range or value criteria in the next dialog box, and then click OK.

Context filters

Context filters in Tableau allow you to set a filter as a context for other filters. This is useful when you have multiple filters and you want to prioritize one or you need to control how other filters are applied. For example, if you have filters for both region and product category, setting the region filter as a context filter ensures that the other filters work within the subset created by the region filter.

To set up a context filter:

• Right-click on the filter you want to set as reference.
• Select "Add to References" from the context menu.

Data source filters

Data source filters apply filters directly to your data source. These filters limit the data coming into Tableau at the source level before any analysis is performed. This type of filter is efficient for improving load times and ensuring data privacy by excluding sensitive information.

To create a data source filter:

• Go to the Data menu and select "Edit Data Source."
• In the Data Sources tab, click the "Add" button next to Filters.
• Select the field you want to filter, set the filter criteria, and then click OK.

Using filters in the dashboard

Filters can be an essential component of Tableau dashboards, providing users with interactive options for customizing views. When you add filters to a dashboard, users can dynamically adjust the data being displayed to suit their needs. This is useful for presentations and reporting tasks, where different stakeholders may want to examine different aspects of the data.

Example of a dashboard filter:

Suppose you have a sales dashboard that shows sales figures by region and time period. Adding filters allows stakeholders to:

• Select a specific region, such as "North America," to zoom into the regional display.
• Select a date range such as "Last Quarter" to focus on recent sales trends.

To add a filter to the Tableau dashboard:

• Drag the worksheet you want to the dashboard.
• Click the worksheet and use the Filter drop-down menu to add filters to the dashboard.
• Adjust filter controls to increase interactivity (e.g., drop-downs, sliders).

Advanced filtering technology

Top N filters

Top N filters allow you to filter data to show the top or bottom N elements based on a specific measure. For example, you might want to see the top 10 products by sales in your dataset.

To apply the Top N filter:

• Drag the dimension to the Filter shelf.
• In the Filter dialog box, go to the Top tab.
• Select "By field", specify the measure, aggregation type, and number of items (N).

Date filter

Date filters are essential when working with time-based data. You can filter views to see data for a particular day, month, year, or some custom date range.

To create a date filter:

• Drag the Date field to the Filter shelf.
• In the Filter Field dialog box, select "Relative Date" to choose standard ranges such as "Last 7 Days" or "Next 30 Days."
• Optionally, select "Range of dates" for a specific start and end date.

Interactive filter actions

Interactive filter actions apply filters dynamically when you interact with the visualization. For example, you can click a bar in a bar chart to update other connected charts.

To set up filter actions:

• Navigate to the worksheet dashboard.
• Under the "Worksheet" or "Dashboard" menu, select "Actions."
• Select to add a “Filter Action” and set the properties such as source sheet, target sheet, and target field.

Calculated field filter

Calculated field filters allow filtering based on calculations and logic applied to your data. You can create calculated fields to set conditions or new categories that inform your filtering logic.

To use a calculated field filter:

• Create a calculated field from the Analysis menu.
• Define your calculation logic using Tableau's calculation editor.
• Drag the calculated field to the Filter shelf and set your filtering conditions.

Best practices for filtering in Tableau

Minimize data load

Use context filters or data source filters to reduce the amount of data initially loaded by Tableau, which can increase performance.

Use relevant filters

Always tailor filters to your audience. Including too many filter options can be frustrating for users; therefore, tailor filters to your audience's needs.

Combine filters carefully

Be careful when combining multiple filters. Make sure the filters do not contradict each other or inadvertently exclude data needed to make a decision.

Conclusion

Filtering in Tableau is a crucial skill for anyone who wants to effectively analyze and visualize data. Whether you're dealing with large datasets or focusing on specific insights, filters help you streamline and fine-tune the information displayed in your visualizations or dashboards. Through this comprehensive exploration of filters, you now have a comprehensive understanding of how to leverage them in different scenarios within Tableau, enabling more accurate and meaningful data analysis. Remember to practice and experiment with the filter combinations that best suit your analytical needs.

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