50+ Tableau Developer Interview Questions and Answers

Filters are used to limit the data displayed in a visualization. There are different types of filters in Tableau.

• Types of filters include: dimension filters, measure filters, context filters, table calculation filters, and extract filters.

• Dimension filters limit the data based on specific dimensions, such as date or region.

• Measure filters limit the data based on specific measures, such as sales or profit.

• Context filters create a temporary table that can improve performance by...read more

Tableau supports various data types including string, integer, float, date, boolean, and geographic data.

• String: text data

• Integer: whole numbers

• Float: decimal numbers

• Date: date and time data

• Boolean: true/false data

• Geographic: latitude and longitude data

• Examples: 'John Smith' (string), 25 (integer), 3.14 (float), 01/01/2021 (date), true (boolean), (latitude, longitude) (geographic)

Aggregation is the process of combining data into a summary form, while disaggregation is the opposite, breaking down summary data into its individual components.

• Aggregation involves grouping data and performing calculations on the grouped data.

• Disaggregation involves breaking down summary data to reveal the individual data points.

• Aggregation is useful for analyzing trends and patterns at a higher level.

• Disaggregation is useful for exploring detailed data and identifying outl...read more

In Tableau, discrete and continuous are two types of data that can be used to categorize and analyze information.

• Discrete data consists of distinct, separate values that cannot be measured or divided further.

• Examples of discrete data in Tableau include categories like product names, customer segments, or regions.

• Continuous data represents measurements or values that can be divided infinitely and can take on any value within a range.

• Examples of continuous data in Tableau inclu...read more

Address client feedback professionally and collaboratively to understand their concerns and make necessary adjustments.

• Listen actively to the client's feedback and ask clarifying questions to fully understand their concerns.

• Review the initial requirements and compare them to the output to identify any discrepancies.

• Collaborate with the client to determine specific areas that need improvement and discuss potential solutions.

• Make necessary adjustments to the output based on the...read more

Context filters can slow down performance and limit interactivity.

• Context filters create a temporary table that affects the performance of the workbook.

• Using multiple context filters can further degrade performance.

• Context filters limit the interactivity of other filters and actions.

• Context filters may not work well with certain data sources or complex calculations.

• Removing or modifying context filters requires re-computation of the entire context.

The latest version of Tableau is 2021.3.

• 2021.3 was released on September 14, 2021.

• New features include improved data modeling capabilities and enhanced analytics.

• Previous versions include 2021.2, 2021.1, and 2020.4.

An empty extract in Tableau is a data extract that contains no data, only the structure of the data source.

• An empty extract is created by selecting 'Extract' from the data menu in Tableau and choosing 'Extract Data' without selecting any data source.

• Empty extracts are useful for creating a template for future data imports or for sharing the data source structure without sharing the actual data.

• To create an empty extract, you can also use the 'Create Extract' option in Tableau...read more

You can track who has viewed Tableau dashboards by using Tableau Server's built-in audit capabilities.

• Enable auditing on Tableau Server to track user activity

• Use Tableau Server's audit logs to identify users who have accessed specific dashboards

• Utilize Tableau Server's admin views to monitor dashboard usage

• Consider implementing custom tracking solutions if needed

Important aspects to consider while performance tuning of Tableau dashboards

• Optimizing data extracts and data connections

• Minimizing the number of filters and parameters

• Reducing the number of marks and data points displayed

• Using efficient calculations and aggregations

• Optimizing dashboard layout and design

• Using appropriate data types and data structures

• Regularly monitoring and analyzing performance metrics

Groups and sets are two ways to combine related data in Tableau for easier analysis and visualization.

• Groups allow you to combine related dimension members into higher-level categories.

• Sets are custom fields that define a subset of data based on conditions you specify.

• Groups are static and cannot be changed once created, while sets are dynamic and can be updated based on filters or calculations.

• Examples: Grouping states into regions (East, West, South, Midwest) using Groups. ...read more

Rolling 3, 6, 12 months refers to analyzing data over the past 3, 6, or 12 months, while YTD, MTD, QTD refer to year-to-date, month-to-date, quarter-to-date.

• Rolling 3, 6, 12 months involves looking at data over the past 3, 6, or 12 months, providing a trend analysis over a specific time period.

• YTD (Year-to-Date) refers to data from the beginning of the current year up to the present date.

• MTD (Month-to-Date) refers to data from the beginning of the current month up to the pres...read more

Tableau will have less than 1 GB data due to compression and optimization.

• Tableau uses data compression and optimization techniques to reduce the size of the data.

• The amount of data in Tableau will depend on the level of aggregation, filters, and calculations applied.

• In general, Tableau will have less than 1 GB data from the source.

Data blending combines data from multiple sources while cross database join combines data from different tables in the same database.

• Data blending is used when data is stored in different sources like Excel, CSV, or databases.

• Cross database join is used when data is stored in different tables within the same database.

• Data blending creates a relationship between the data sources based on common dimensions.

• Cross database join combines data based on a common field or key.

• Data bl...read more

Tableau Developer interview questions covering filter order of operation, types of connections, parameters, and LOD concepts with examples.

• Filter order of operation determines the sequence in which filters are applied to data.

• Types of connections in Tableau include live and extract connections, with live connections directly querying the data source and extract connections importing a snapshot of the data.

• Parameters in Tableau allow users to dynamically change values in calcu...read more

The order of operations of Tableau filters is context filters, extract filters, data source filters, and then dimension filters.

• Context filters are applied first, followed by extract filters, data source filters, and finally dimension filters.

• Context filters create a temporary table that only includes the data relevant to the filter.

• Extract filters are applied to the data extract before it is loaded into Tableau.

• Data source filters are applied to the entire data source.

• Dimens...read more

Tableau follows a client-server architecture with a three-tier structure.

• Tableau Desktop is the client application used for creating and publishing content.

• Tableau Server is the central server that manages user authentication, data sources, and content distribution.

• Tableau Online is a cloud-based version of Tableau Server.

• Tableau's three-tier structure includes the data source, the VizQL server, and the application server.

• Tableau's architecture allows for scalability and flex...read more

Rank assigns unique rank to each row, Dense Rank assigns consecutive rank without gaps.

• Rank leaves gaps in rank sequence if there are ties, Dense Rank does not

• Rank assigns unique rank to each row, Dense Rank assigns consecutive rank without gaps

• Example: Rank - 1, 2, 3, 4, 4, Dense Rank - 1, 2, 3, 4, 4

Different filters in Tableau include dimension filters, measure filters, top N filters, wildcard filters, and context filters.

• Dimension filters allow users to filter data based on categorical variables.

• Measure filters allow users to filter data based on numerical variables.

• Top N filters allow users to filter data based on the top or bottom N values.

• Wildcard filters allow users to filter data based on patterns or partial matches.

• Context filters allow users to create a temporar...read more

Data visualization is the graphical representation of data to help understand patterns, trends, and insights.

• Data visualization uses charts, graphs, and maps to present data visually.

• It helps in identifying patterns, correlations, and outliers in data.

• Examples include bar charts, line graphs, scatter plots, and heat maps.

Context filter is a filter applied to a specific visualization or worksheet, affecting the data displayed in that context.

• Context filters are used to limit the data displayed in a specific visualization or worksheet.

• They allow users to focus on specific subsets of data without affecting the overall data in the workbook.

• Context filters can be created based on dimensions or measures.

• They can be used to filter data based on specific conditions or criteria.

• Context filters can be ...read more

Auto refresh can be scheduled using Tableau Server or Tableau Online

• In Tableau Server, go to the dashboard and click on 'Schedule Refresh'

• Set the frequency and time for the refresh

• In Tableau Online, go to the dashboard and click on 'Schedule Refresh'

• Set the frequency and time for the refresh

• Make sure the data source is set to refresh before the dashboard refreshes

Sets are used for creating custom fields based on conditions, while groups are used for combining related fields together.

• Sets are dynamic and can change based on filters, while groups are static and do not change.

• Sets can be used for creating calculated fields, while groups are used for organizing fields.

• Example: Creating a set for 'High Sales' based on sales amount, and grouping 'Region' and 'City' fields together.

Users can be created on Tableau Server by administrators using the 'Users' page in the Tableau Server web interface.

• Log in to Tableau Server as an administrator

• Navigate to the 'Users' page in the Tableau Server web interface

• Click on the 'Add Users' button

• Enter the user's information such as username, email, and site role

• Click 'Add' to create the user

Tableau is more user-friendly and has better visualization capabilities than QlikView.

• Tableau has a more intuitive drag-and-drop interface

• Tableau has a wider range of visualization options

• Tableau has better integration with other data sources

• QlikView has better data modeling capabilities

• QlikView has better performance with large datasets

Tableau offers a variety of chart types to visualize data effectively.

• Bar chart - used to compare different categories

• Line chart - shows trends over time

• Pie chart - displays parts of a whole

• Scatter plot - shows relationships between two variables

• Heat map - visualizes data using color intensity

• Tree map - displays hierarchical data using nested rectangles

To calculate %YoY growth, subtract the previous year's value from the current year's value, divide by the previous year's value, and multiply by 100.

• Calculate YoY growth = ((Current Year Value - Previous Year Value) / Previous Year Value) * 100

• For example, if sales were $100 in 2020 and $120 in 2021, YoY growth = (($120 - $100) / $100) * 100 = 20%

Tableau dashboards are interactive visualizations that help users analyze and understand data.

• Dashboards are made up of multiple worksheets and can include filters, parameters, and actions.

• They allow users to explore data and answer questions in real-time.

• Dashboards can be shared with others and embedded in websites or other applications.

• Examples of dashboards include sales performance dashboards, marketing campaign dashboards, and financial analysis dashboards.

Filters and parameters are Tableau features used to refine data and customize visualizations.

• Filters are used to limit the data displayed in a visualization based on certain criteria.

• Parameters allow users to adjust certain aspects of a visualization, such as date ranges or color schemes.

• Both filters and parameters can be used to create interactive dashboards and improve data analysis.

• Examples of filters include date filters, categorical filters, and top N filters.

• Examples of...read more

To add custom SQL query in Tableau, go to Data menu, select New Data Source, choose your data connection, and then select Custom SQL option.

• Go to Data menu in Tableau

• Select New Data Source

• Choose your data connection

• Select Custom SQL option

• Enter your custom SQL query

To create dashboards and actions in Tableau, you can use the drag-and-drop interface to add visualizations and set up interactivity.

• Use the drag-and-drop interface to add visualizations to the dashboard

• Set up actions to create interactivity between different visualizations

• Define filter actions to allow users to interact with the data dynamically

To publish on Tableau Server, use Tableau Desktop to create a workbook, then save it to Tableau Server.

• Create a workbook in Tableau Desktop with the desired visualizations and data connections

• Save the workbook to Tableau Server by selecting 'Server' > 'Publish Workbook'

• Choose the project and permissions for the workbook on Tableau Server

• Access the published workbook on Tableau Server through a web browser or Tableau Desktop

Relationships define how tables are connected, blending combines data from different sources, and joins combine data from different tables.

• Relationships are used to connect tables based on common fields.

• Blending is used to combine data from different sources, such as Excel and SQL.

• Joins are used to combine data from different tables based on common fields.

• Blending is useful when the data sources have different levels of detail.

• Joins can be inner, left, right, or full dependin...read more

Historic data refers to past data while current data refers to present data.

• Historic data is data that has already occurred, while current data is data that is up-to-date.

• Historic data is used for trend analysis and forecasting, while current data is used for real-time decision making.

• Examples of historic data include sales data from previous years, while examples of current data include website traffic data from today.

Heat map displays data using color intensity while tree map displays data using nested rectangles.

• Heat map is used to show the distribution of data across a two-dimensional space.

• Tree map is used to display hierarchical data using nested rectangles.

• Heat map uses color intensity to represent the data values while tree map uses the size of the rectangles.

• Heat map is useful for identifying patterns and trends in large datasets while tree map is useful for visualizing hierarchica...read more

I have used Tableau versions 10.0, 10.1, 10.2, and 2018.1.

• Tableau 10.0

• Tableau 10.1

• Tableau 10.2

• Tableau 2018.1

Optimizing Tableau dashboard involves simplifying visuals, reducing clutter, optimizing data sources, and utilizing performance tuning techniques.

• Simplify visuals by removing unnecessary elements and focusing on key metrics

• Reduce clutter by organizing data in a logical manner and using filters effectively

• Optimize data sources by cleaning and aggregating data before connecting to Tableau

• Utilize performance tuning techniques such as extracting data, using data blending instead ...read more

Type of Filter refers to the different ways in which data can be filtered in Tableau.

• Tableau offers various types of filters such as Quick Filters, Context Filters, Dimension Filters, Measure Filters, and Top/Bottom Filters.

• Quick Filters allow users to filter data by selecting values from a list.

• Context Filters create a temporary table that can be used to filter data more efficiently.

• Dimension Filters filter data based on the values of a particular dimension.

• Measure Filters f...read more

LOD stands for Level of Detail and is used to control the granularity of data in Tableau visualizations.

• LOD expressions allow users to compute values at different levels of granularity than the view

• Use cases include comparing sales performance at different levels of detail, such as by region or product category

• Another use case is calculating running totals or averages across different dimensions

I am responsible for managing Tableau Server, including user access, data sources, and performance optimization.

• Manage user access and permissions on Tableau Server

• Maintain data sources and ensure they are up-to-date

• Optimize server performance for faster loading times

• Troubleshoot any server-related issues

• Monitor server usage and performance metrics

A context filter is a filter that is applied to a specific worksheet or dashboard, affecting only the data displayed in that context.

• Context filters are used to filter data at a more granular level within a worksheet or dashboard.

• They allow users to focus on specific data points without affecting the overall data set.

• Context filters can be created by right-clicking on a field in the Filters shelf and selecting 'Add to Context'.

• Examples: Filtering sales data by region on a spe...read more

Groups and sets are two ways to organize and analyze data in Tableau.

• Groups are a way to combine related dimensions into a single category.

• Sets are a way to create a subset of data based on a condition or criteria.

• Groups can be created manually or by selecting related dimensions.

• Sets can be created based on a range of values, a condition, or a top/bottom percentage.

• Groups and sets can be used in calculations, filters, and visualizations.

Sets are custom fields that define a subset of data based on some conditions, while groups are a way of combining related dimensions into a single field.

• Sets are dynamic and can change based on filters, while groups are static and do not change.

• Sets can be used for creating calculated fields, while groups cannot.

• Sets can be used to highlight specific data points, while groups cannot.

• Examples of sets include top N sets, combined sets, and parameter sets, while examples of grou...read more

Pivot and Recursive CTE are advanced SQL techniques used for data transformation and hierarchical querying.

• Pivot is used to convert rows into columns based on a specific column value.

• Recursive CTE is used to query hierarchical data, such as organizational structures or bill of materials.

• Example of Pivot: SELECT * FROM table_name PIVOT (SUM(value) FOR column_name IN (value1, value2, value3))

• Example of Recursive CTE: WITH RECURSIVE cte AS (SELECT * FROM table_name UNION ALL SEL...read more

Creating dashboards involves selecting relevant data, designing visualizations, and arranging them in a user-friendly layout.

• Identify key metrics and data sources to include in the dashboard

• Design appropriate visualizations such as bar charts, line graphs, and maps

• Arrange visualizations in a logical and intuitive layout

• Use filters and parameters to allow users to interact with the data

• Add annotations and titles to provide context and insights

Level of Detail expressions are used to aggregate data at different levels of granularity within a visualization.

• LOD expressions allow for more granular control over aggregations

• They can be used to aggregate data at different levels of detail within a visualization

• Syntax includes curly braces and the keywords FIXED, INCLUDE, and EXCLUDE

• Examples include calculating sales by region and product category, or finding the average sales per customer

LODs (Level of Detail) are used in Tableau to control the level of aggregation in visualizations.

• LODs allow you to compute values at different levels of granularity than the view

• Types of LODs include FIXED, INCLUDE, and EXCLUDE

• FIXED LODs compute a value using a specific dimension or set of dimensions, regardless of the view

• INCLUDE LODs compute a value at a higher level of detail than the view, including specified dimensions

• EXCLUDE LODs compute a value at a lower level of deta...read more