Tableau Interview Questions and Answers
When it comes to data visualization, Tableau is the most powerful software in that realm. Tableau is currently in high demand due to its popular features like, connecting to different data sources such as databases, spreadsheets, cloud services, and more, and then manipulating and visualizing the data using a drag-and-drop interface. It provides a wide range of visualization options, including bar charts, line graphs, maps, scatter plots, and more. So, being employed in the Tableau sector can lead to a very fulfilling career. So, learn these popular Tableau Interview Questions and Answers to get a great strength over other candidates in your Tableau interview.
Tableau Interview Questions and Answers
1. Define Tableau.
Tableau is a strong tool for showing data in a simple way. It helps connect to many types of data and lets users make interactive dashboards and reports. It’s famous for being the best tool in Business Intelligence (BI) for showing data visually. Tableau is good at changing raw data into easy-to-understand forms. It works fast, which makes analyzing data quicker. With Tableau, making visualizations like dashboards or diagrams helps everyone in a company understand complex information without much effort.
2. How to create a calculated field in Tableau?
To create a calculated field in Tableau, existing data can be manipulated to generate new insights. Here’s a simple guide:
- Open Tableau: Launch the Tableau Desktop and open the workbook.
- Connect to Data: Connect to the dataset you wish to use.
- Access Data Pane: Find the Data Pane on the left side of the Tableau interface. This is where you’ll see all available fields from your data source.
- Create Calculated Field:
Right-click on the Data Pane and choose the “Create Calculated Field” option.
Alternatively, click the dropdown arrow next to the data source name and select “Create Calculated Field.”
- Define Calculation:
Use functions, operators, and fields to define your calculation in the Calculation Editor.
You can type directly into the editor or use available fields and functions.
Assign a meaningful name to your calculated field.
- Check and Apply: After defining the calculation, ensure correctness by looking for any errors highlighted in red. Click “OK” when satisfied to apply the calculated field.
- Utilize Calculated Field:
Your newly created field will now appear in the Data Pane alongside other fields.
- Use it like any other field in Tableau: drag it onto rows or columns, apply filters, or create visualizations.
- Edit or Delete Calculated Fields:
Right-click on the field name in the Data Pane to edit or delete it.
3. What are the steps to create a dashboard in Tableau?
To create a Tableau dashboard:
- Connect to Data: Connect to your data source.
- Create Worksheets: Make visualizations or worksheets with your data.
- Design Your Dashboard: Go to the Dashboard tab and create a new dashboard.
- Add Worksheets: Drag your worksheets onto the dashboard and arrange them.
- Add Objects and Text: Include additional elements like images or text boxes.
- Format and Customize: Adjust the appearance of your dashboard.
- Add Interactivity: Make your dashboard interactive with filters and actions.
- Preview and Share: Review your dashboard and then share it via Tableau Server, Tableau Online, or as a packaged workbook.
4. What are the various data connection options that Tableau offers?
Tableau presents a range of options for connecting to diverse data sources. Some notable ones include:
- File-based connections: Tableau enables connections to various file formats, such as Excel, CSV, JSON, and XML.
- Database connections: Tableau facilitates connections to both relational databases like MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, Oracle, and non-relational databases like MongoDB.
- Cloud-based connections: Tableau seamlessly integrates with cloud-based data sources like Amazon Redshift, Google BigQuery, Microsoft Azure SQL Data Warehouse, and Snowflake.
- Web Data Connector (WDC): WDC empowers users to connect to web data sources by crafting custom connectors using JavaScript.
- Tableau Server and Tableau Online: These platforms provide the means to share and access data sources and workbooks via the web.
- ODBC and JDBC connections: Tableau supports connectivity to a broad range of databases using Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) and Java Database Connectivity (JDBC) drivers.
- API-based connections: Tableau furnishes APIs for developers to interact programmatically with Tableau Server and Tableau Online, facilitating custom integrations and data connections.
- Spatial data connections: Tableau enables visualization of geographic and location-based data from sources like Esri Shapefiles, KML, and spatial databases.
5. Explain Data Blending in Tableau.
- Data blending within Tableau involves combining data from various origins into a single visualization or workbook. It enables users to merge data from diverse databases, files, or connections to glean deeper insights or craft more exhaustive analyses.
- Data blending proves particularly advantageous when users necessitate combining data from disparate sources that cannot be readily joined in a single database query. It facilitates more adaptable analysis and visualization of intricate datasets.
6. What are parameters in Tableau?
- In Tableau, parameters serve as dynamic values that empower users to manipulate aspects of their visualizations without altering the underlying data. Acting as placeholders for specific values, parameters enable interactive adjustments within Tableau’s interface.
- Overall, parameters within Tableau amplify the flexibility and interactivity of visualizations, empowering users to delve into data exploration and analysis with enhanced effectiveness.
7. Differentiate Dimensions and Measures in Tableau.
| Aspect | Dimensions | Measures |
| Definition | Delineate categorical data or qualitative information. | Denote quantitative, numerical data that is measurable or aggregatable. |
| Characteristics | Define the characteristics or traits of the data. | Embody quantities, amounts, or values that can be aggregated. |
| Examples | Product categories, geographic regions, customer segments, dates. | Sales revenue, profit, quantity sold, temperature, population. |
| Usage | Utilized for segmenting, grouping, or categorizing data. | Employed in calculations and aggregated to furnish insights into the data. |
| Representation | Represented by discrete fields and showcased as headers in the view. | Symbolized by continuous fields and can be aggregated using functions. |
8. Differentiate Tableau Desktop and Tableau Server.
| Aspect | Tableau Desktop | Tableau Server |
| Type | Standalone application | Web-based platform |
| Purpose | Crafting, designing, and scrutinizing data visualizations | Dissemination, collaboration, and distribution of Tableau workbooks |
| Data Connection | Connects to various data sources like databases, spreadsheets, and cloud services. | Workbooks developed in Tableau Desktop can be published to a centralized server environment accessible via web browsers |
| Interface | Intuitive interface with drag-and-drop functionality | Web interface for exploring, interacting, and delving into published visualizations |
| Versions | Offers various versions including Tableau Desktop Personal and Tableau Desktop Professional | – |
| User | Typically used by data analysts, business intelligence professionals, and individuals requiring visualization creation for data analysis purposes | Suited for enterprise-wide deployment and fosters collaboration among users |
| Function | Platform for visualization creation and data analysis | Hub for sharing, publishing, and collaborative engagement with visualizations within an organization |
9. What is the process for publishing a workbook to Tableau Server?
To publish a workbook to Tableau Server, the user must first establish a connection to Tableau Server from Tableau Desktop. Following this, they save the workbook directly to Tableau Server or its repository, and finally, publish the workbook from Tableau Desktop to Tableau Server.
10. What is a Calculated Field in Tableau?
A calculated field in Tableau is a user-generated field designed for executing calculations or incorporating new data into the dataset. These fields are formulated using existing fields or defined formulas. By leveraging calculated fields, users gain the ability to analyze and manipulate data in more intricate manners, surpassing the capabilities offered by the original dataset alone.
11. What are the advantages of using Tableau?
The following are the benefits of using Tableau:
- Easy to Use: Tableau is simple to navigate, making it easy for anyone to create visualizations and analyze data.
- Lots of Visualization Choices: Tableau offers many ways to visualize data, like charts, graphs, maps, and dashboards, making it easy to understand information.
- Interactive: You can interact with Tableau’s visualizations, like zooming in on data, applying filters, and spotting trends easily.
- Fast Performance: Tableau works quickly, even with large amounts of data, thanks to its fast processing.
- Connects to Different Data Sources: Tableau can pull data from different places like databases, spreadsheets, and online sources, making it easy to work with diverse datasets.
12. What are the different products offered by Tableau?
The following are the different products offered by Tableau:
- Tableau Desktop: Tableau Desktop serves as the main tool for crafting and analyzing visualizations. It empowers users to link up with data sources, craft interactive dashboards, and conduct comprehensive data analysis.
- Tableau Server: Tableau Server acts as a web-based platform facilitating collaboration, sharing, and governance of Tableau content within an organization. It enables the publication of Tableau Desktop workbooks, sharing of dashboards, and management of permissions.
- Tableau Online: Tableau Online functions as a cloud-based iteration of Tableau Server, offering equivalent functionality without the necessity for on-premises infrastructure and upkeep. This makes it particularly suitable for organizations favoring a cloud-based approach.
- Tableau Public: Tableau Public provides a free version of Tableau allowing users to generate and distribute visualizations publicly. It’s an excellent choice for journalists, bloggers, and enthusiasts aiming to craft engaging data narratives and share them online.
- Tableau Prep: Tableau Prep serves as a data preparation tool enabling users to refine, structure, and transform their data prior to analysis. It streamlines and expedites the data preparation phase, simplifying the handling of diverse datasets.
- Tableau Reader: Tableau Reader offers a complimentary desktop application empowering users to view and interact with Tableau workbooks and visualizations crafted in Tableau Desktop. However, it lacks the capability for content editing or publishing.
Conclusion
These Tableau Interview Questions and Answers will give you a helping hand in your Tableau interview. These Tableau interview questions and answers consist of some of the most popular and most asked interview questions. So, learning these interview questions and answers will surely give you the much needed assurance to land a Tableau job.
