Creating and Configuring Dashboards in Tableau

Topic: Creating and Configuring Dashboards

Course: Tableau Training

Objective: Learn how to create Tableau dashboards, configure dashboard size and layout, add worksheets and objects, manage filters, customize formatting, create interactive actions, and prepare dashboards for business reporting.

1. Introduction to Creating and Configuring Dashboards

A Tableau dashboard is a collection of worksheets and supporting objects arranged in a single workspace. It enables users to analyze multiple aspects of a dataset together rather than opening each chart separately.

Creating a dashboard means adding worksheets and other components to a dashboard canvas. Configuring a dashboard means adjusting its size, layout, filters, formatting, interactions, and behavior to meet specific reporting requirements.

For example, a sales dashboard may contain total sales, total profit, monthly sales trends, category-wise performance, regional comparisons, and filters for year and region.

1.1 Main Objectives

• Combine multiple worksheets into one dashboard.
• Choose suitable dashboard dimensions.
• Arrange objects using tiled and floating layouts.
• Configure horizontal and vertical layout containers.
• Add titles, text, images, legends, and filters.
• Control filter behavior across multiple worksheets.
• Configure interactive dashboard actions.
• Improve dashboard readability and performance.
• Prepare dashboards for different screen sizes and users.

2. Prerequisites Before Creating a Dashboard

Before creating a dashboard, prepare the data and build the worksheets that will be used in it.

2.1 Connect to a Data Source

Open Tableau Desktop or a supported Tableau web-authoring environment. Connect to an Excel file, CSV file, database, or another supported source.

2.2 Understand the Data

Identify the dimensions and measures required for the dashboard.

2.3 Create the Required Worksheets

Create and name the individual visualizations before assembling the dashboard.

• Sales KPI: Displays total sales.
• Profit KPI: Displays total profit.
• Monthly Sales: Displays the sales trend over time.
• Category Sales: Compares sales across product categories.
• Regional Profit: Compares profit by region.
• Order Analysis: Displays order count or quantity.

Descriptive worksheet names make it easier to organize the dashboard and maintain the workbook.

3. Creating a New Dashboard

Step 1: Open the Workbook

Open the Tableau workbook containing the worksheets you want to combine.

Step 2: Create a Dashboard

1. Locate the sheet tabs at the bottom of the workbook.
2. Click the New Dashboard icon, or choose Dashboard and then New Dashboard from the menu.
3. A new dashboard canvas appears.
4. Rename the dashboard to describe its purpose, such as Sales Performance Dashboard.

Step 3: Add Worksheets

1. Find the Sheets list in the Dashboard pane.
2. Drag the required worksheet onto the dashboard canvas.
3. Repeat for each chart or table you want to include.
4. Rearrange the worksheets into a logical sequence.

Step 4: Check Each Worksheet

Confirm that each view displays the correct measures, dimensions, titles, labels, and aggregations. Remove unnecessary elements that consume dashboard space.

Official guide: Create a Dashboard – Tableau Help.

4. Configuring Dashboard Size

Dashboard size controls the space available for charts, titles, filters, and other objects. Select a suitable size before fine-tuning the layout because resizing later may require additional adjustments.

4.1 Fixed Size

A fixed-size dashboard uses specified dimensions and maintains a consistent canvas size. If it is larger than the available viewing area, scrolling may be required.

Best for: Reports designed for a known screen size, presentations, or carefully positioned layouts.

4.2 Automatic Size

An automatic-size dashboard resizes to fit the available display area. This can be convenient when users view the dashboard in different browser windows, but the resulting layout may vary across screens.

Best for: Flexible viewing environments where the dashboard layout can adapt without requiring exact fixed dimensions.

4.3 Range Size

A range-size dashboard scales between specified minimum and maximum dimensions. Depending on the viewing window, scrollbars or unused space may appear.

Best for: Dashboards intended for a limited range of screen sizes.

4.4 Comparison of Dashboard Size Options

4.5 How to Configure Dashboard Size

1. Select the dashboard.
2. Locate the Size settings in the Dashboard pane.
3. Choose a preset size or sizing behavior.
4. If using a custom fixed size, enter suitable width and height values.
5. Review the result on the intended screen size.
6. Adjust chart sizes and object positions if required.

Exact presets and available options may differ by Tableau version and authoring environment.

Official guide: Size and Lay Out Your Dashboard.

5. Understanding Tiled and Floating Layouts

Tableau supports two main ways to arrange dashboard objects: tiled and floating. The choice affects positioning, resizing, and how objects share space.

5.1 Tiled Layout

Tiled objects fit into a structured layout. As objects are added or resized, Tableau adjusts the surrounding layout according to the containers and available space.

Advantages:

• Provides an organized structure.
• Helps maintain alignment between charts.
• Works well for dashboards containing multiple worksheets.
• Supports responsive arrangements through layout containers.

Example: KPI cards appear in a row at the top, while a line chart and a bar chart are placed below them.

5.2 Floating Layout

Floating objects can be positioned and sized independently. They can overlap other objects or be placed at precise locations within the dashboard.

Advantages:

• Allows precise placement.
• Supports overlays and custom compositions.
• Can be useful for buttons, filter panels, and special annotations.

Considerations: Floating objects require careful testing because they can overlap or become awkward when the dashboard is resized.

5.3 How to Switch an Object to Floating

1. Select the object on the dashboard.
2. Open the object's drop-down menu.
3. Select the Floating option if it is available.
4. Adjust its position and size.
5. Test the dashboard at different display dimensions.

5.4 Tiled vs Floating

6. Configuring Layout Containers

Layout containers group dashboard objects and help control how they are arranged and resized.

6.1 Horizontal Container

A horizontal container arranges objects side by side and helps manage their widths.

Example: Three KPI cards for sales, profit, and orders arranged in a single row.

6.2 Vertical Container

A vertical container arranges objects in a top-to-bottom sequence and helps manage their heights.

Example: A dashboard title above a sales chart, followed by a summary table.

6.3 How to Add a Container

1. Open the Dashboard pane.
2. Locate the Objects section.
3. Drag a Horizontal or Vertical container onto the dashboard.
4. Drag worksheets and other objects into the container.
5. Adjust padding, spacing, and object sizes.
6. Check that the contents resize as expected.

6.4 Example Layout Structure

Vertical Container
|
+-- Text: Sales Performance Dashboard
|
+-- Horizontal Container
|   +-- KPI: Total Sales
|   +-- KPI: Total Profit
|   +-- KPI: Total Orders
|
+-- Horizontal Container
|   +-- Monthly Sales Trend
|   +-- Sales by Category
|
+-- Regional Profit Analysis

Containers make dashboards easier to maintain and help related objects resize together.

7. Adding and Configuring Dashboard Objects

In addition to worksheets, dashboards can contain objects that support navigation, explanation, formatting, and interaction.

7.1 Adding a Text Object

1. Drag Text from the Objects section onto the dashboard.
2. Enter a title, description, or instruction.
3. Format the text and alignment.
4. Adjust the object's size and padding.

7.2 Adding an Image

1. Drag an Image object onto the dashboard.
2. Choose an image file or supported image source.
3. Configure the image display options.
4. Set a target URL if the image should act as a link and the environment supports it.
5. Check the image's dimensions and accessibility text where available.

7.3 Adding a Navigation Button

1. Drag a Navigation object onto the dashboard.
2. Choose the destination dashboard, worksheet, or story.
3. Configure the button's label, appearance, and tooltip.
4. Test the navigation behavior.

7.4 Adding a Web Page Object

A Web Page object can display an external web page within the dashboard when the target site and Tableau environment permit embedding. Some sites block embedding, and administrators may restrict web content for security reasons. Prefer HTTPS URLs and only use trusted destinations.

8. Configuring Dashboard Titles, Legends, and Captions

8.1 Dashboard Title

A dashboard title communicates the report's subject and scope.

Example: Retail Sales and Profit Overview – 2026.

To show or edit a dashboard title, use the title option available in the dashboard menu or relevant dashboard controls. Availability and exact steps can differ by version.

8.2 Worksheet Titles

Worksheet titles describe individual views. Prefer titles such as "Monthly Sales Trend" and "Profit by Region" instead of generic names.

8.3 Legends

Legends explain color, size, or shape encodings. Keep them when viewers need them to interpret the data, and remove redundant legends when they add no value.

8.4 Captions and Tooltips

Captions can explain a chart's purpose or data context. Tooltips provide details when users hover over marks. Use them to add useful information without overcrowding the dashboard.

9. Adding and Configuring Dashboard Filters

Filters allow users to focus on specific data values or periods. A well-configured filter makes a dashboard more useful without requiring users to open the underlying worksheets.

9.1 Common Filter Types

9.2 How to Display a Filter on a Dashboard

1. Open the worksheet used in the dashboard.
2. Add the required field to the Filters shelf.
3. Configure the filter criteria.
4. Return to the dashboard.
5. Open the worksheet's drop-down menu.
6. Select the option to show the relevant filter, when available.
7. Place the filter in a convenient location.

9.3 Applying a Filter to Multiple Worksheets

1. Display the filter on the dashboard.
2. Open the filter's drop-down menu.
3. Choose Apply to Worksheets or the equivalent available option.
4. Select the appropriate worksheets, such as all worksheets using the related data source or selected worksheets.
5. Test the filter on each target view.

Filters only affect the worksheets included in their configured scope. Different data sources, field mappings, relationships, and filter settings can affect whether views respond consistently.

9.4 Example: Region Filter

Suppose a dashboard contains a sales trend, category chart, and profit chart. A Region filter can allow a user to select West, East, North, or South. When configured to apply to all intended views, the charts update to show the selected region's data.

10. Configuring Dashboard Actions

Dashboard actions allow users to interact with one view and influence another view or destination.

10.1 Filter Action

A filter action uses a selection in a source view to restrict data in one or more target views.

Example: Clicking the Furniture bar filters a sales trend and a product table to Furniture records.

10.2 Highlight Action

A highlight action emphasizes related marks while keeping other marks visible for comparison.

Example: Highlighting the Technology category across several charts helps users compare its performance.

10.3 URL Action

A URL action opens a web address in response to a supported interaction. Use trusted URLs and test the action in the intended viewing environment.

10.4 Navigation Action

A navigation action helps users move from an overview dashboard to a detailed dashboard or worksheet.

10.5 How to Configure an Action

1. Open the dashboard.
2. Use the Dashboard menu and select Actions, where available.
3. Add the required action type.
4. Select the source worksheet or worksheets.
5. Specify the target worksheet or destination.
6. Configure the triggering behavior, such as selection, hover, or menu, where supported.
7. Choose what should happen when the selection is cleared, if the action provides this setting.
8. Save and test the dashboard.

Official guide: Actions and Dashboards – Tableau Help.

11. Configuring Show and Hide Buttons

Show and Hide buttons allow viewers to reveal or conceal dashboard objects, such as a group of filters. This can help preserve space for the main visualizations.

Steps

1. Select the dashboard object or container you want to control.
2. Open its object menu.
3. Choose Add Show/Hide Button if available.
4. Configure the button's text or image appearance.
5. Add a helpful tooltip, such as "Show or hide filters".
6. Test the button in the published or viewing environment.

When authoring in Tableau Desktop, activating some dashboard controls may require Alt-click on Windows or Option-click on macOS. Hidden tiled objects can affect the surrounding layout differently from floating objects, so test the result carefully.

12. Configuring Device Layouts

Dashboards may be viewed on desktops, tablets, and phones. Device layouts help adapt the arrangement of objects to different screen sizes.

12.1 Desktop Layout

Desktop dashboards can accommodate more charts side by side and may display several filters at once.

12.2 Tablet Layout

Tablet dashboards often benefit from fewer columns, larger touch-friendly controls, and clear chart spacing.

12.3 Phone Layout

Phone dashboards commonly use a vertical arrangement, with the most important KPI cards and charts near the top. Filters and labels should remain easy to use on a small screen.

12.4 Device Layout Best Practices

• Prioritize the most important information for smaller screens.
• Use readable labels and avoid crowded charts.
• Test filters and actions with touch-based interaction where relevant.
• Use device preview or device layout settings available in your Tableau environment.
• Review device layouts after changing the default dashboard.

Official guide: Create Dashboard Layouts for Different Device Types.

13. Configuring Dashboard Formatting

13.1 Background and Shading

Use background colors and shading sparingly. The main purpose is to improve readability and establish visual grouping, not to decorate every chart.

13.2 Borders and Padding

Borders can separate related dashboard sections. Padding creates space around objects and prevents a crowded appearance.

13.3 Font Formatting

Use consistent fonts, sizes, and emphasis for titles, subtitles, KPI values, and supporting labels.

13.4 Number Formatting

Format values according to their meaning. For example, display sales as currency, ratios as percentages, and order counts as whole numbers.

13.5 Color Consistency

Use consistent colors for the same categories across related charts. Reserve strong highlight colors for important findings or exceptions.

13.6 Layout Consistency

Align chart edges, standardize spacing, and keep filter controls in predictable locations. Avoid unnecessary scrolling when the dashboard can be simplified.

14. Practical Example: Creating a Sales Dashboard

Scenario: A retail company wants to monitor sales, profit, order volume, product categories, and regional performance in a single dashboard.

14.1 Sample Dataset

Note: This is an illustrative dataset for practice. It is not a complete real-world dataset.

14.2 Create the Required Worksheets

• Total Sales KPI.
• Total Profit KPI.
• Distinct Order Count KPI.
• Monthly Sales Trend.
• Sales by Category.
• Profit by Region.

14.3 Create KPI Calculations

Total Sales:

SUM([Sales])

Total Profit:

SUM([Profit])

Distinct Order Count:

COUNTD([Order ID])

Profit Ratio:

IF SUM([Sales]) != 0 THEN
    SUM([Profit]) / SUM([Sales])
END

Format the profit ratio as a percentage. Make sure the calculations reflect the dataset's structure and the business definitions being used.

14.4 Assemble and Configure the Dashboard

1. Create a new dashboard and name it Sales Performance Dashboard.
2. Set a suitable fixed size or other appropriate sizing option.
3. Add a horizontal container for the KPI cards.
4. Place the sales trend and category chart in a second container.
5. Add the regional profit chart beneath the main charts or in a side panel.
6. Add Year, Region, and Category filters.
7. Configure the filters to apply to the intended worksheets.
8. Enable Use as Filter on the category chart if it supports the desired interaction.
9. Format the dashboard title, colors, fonts, legends, and number formats.
10. Test filters, actions, layout behavior, and calculations.
11. Save the workbook.

14.5 Expected Dashboard Layout

+--------------------------------------------------+
|           SALES PERFORMANCE DASHBOARD            |
+--------------------------------------------------+
| Total Sales | Total Profit | Distinct Orders      |
+--------------------------------------------------+
| Monthly Sales Trend  | Sales by Category          |
|                      |                            |
+--------------------------------------------------+
| Profit by Region                                  |
+--------------------------------------------------+
| Filters: Year | Region | Category                 |
+--------------------------------------------------+

15. Common Configuration Problems and Solutions

16. Dashboard Configuration Best Practices

• Define the business purpose before adding visualizations.
• Choose a dashboard size suitable for its intended viewing environment.
• Start with a structured tiled layout and use floating objects only when useful.
• Use containers to group related charts and controls.
• Keep titles, labels, and number formats consistent.
• Include only filters and legends that help users answer business questions.
• Configure filter scope explicitly when multiple worksheets are involved.
• Test dashboard actions and navigation after making changes.
• Use device layouts when users need optimized mobile or tablet experiences.
• Validate KPI calculations and compare totals against trusted source data.
• Check accessibility, color contrast, and text readability.
• Test dashboard performance before publishing.

17. Publishing and Sharing a Configured Dashboard

When the dashboard is ready, it can be published and shared through a supported Tableau environment, depending on licensing, permissions, and organizational settings.

1. Save the workbook.
2. Check data-source connections and credentials.
3. Confirm that filters and actions behave as intended.
4. Review the dashboard's device layouts if applicable.
5. Publish to Tableau Server or Tableau Cloud when available.
6. Configure appropriate access permissions.
7. Open the published dashboard and test it as a viewer.

Do not assume that a dashboard works correctly after publishing until its data connections, permissions, actions, and display behavior have been verified.

18. Interview Questions and Answers

Q1. What is the difference between creating and configuring a Tableau dashboard?

Answer: Creating means adding worksheets and objects to a dashboard. Configuring means adjusting the size, layout, formatting, filters, actions, and other settings.

Q2. How do you create a dashboard in Tableau?

Answer: Create the required worksheets, open a new dashboard, select a suitable size, drag worksheets onto the canvas, arrange them, configure filters and actions, and test the dashboard.

Q3. What are the dashboard sizing options?

Answer: Common options include Fixed Size, Automatic, and Range. They control whether the dashboard uses specific dimensions, adapts to the viewing window, or scales between defined limits.

Q4. What is the difference between tiled and floating layouts?

Answer: Tiled objects follow a structured layout, while floating objects can be positioned and sized independently.

Q5. What is the purpose of a layout container?

Answer: A layout container groups objects and helps manage their position and resizing behavior. Horizontal containers arrange objects side by side, while vertical containers stack them.

Q6. How do you apply a filter to multiple worksheets?

Answer: Display the filter on the dashboard, open its menu, choose the option to apply it to worksheets, and select the intended target worksheets.

Q7. What does Use as Filter do?

Answer: It allows a selection in one worksheet to filter other relevant views on the dashboard.

Q8. Why is dashboard size important?

Answer: It affects the amount of visible content, chart readability, object placement, and the need for scrolling.

Q9. How can you make a dashboard mobile-friendly?

Answer: Use suitable device layouts, prioritize important content, arrange charts vertically where appropriate, and test readability and touch interactions.

Q10. What should you check before publishing a dashboard?

Answer: Validate calculations, check filter and action behavior, review layout and readability, verify data connections and permissions, and test the published version.

Q11. What are Show and Hide buttons used for?

Answer: They let viewers reveal or conceal selected dashboard objects, such as filter panels, to make better use of available space.

Q12. How can you troubleshoot inconsistent dashboard totals?

Answer: Compare the underlying data, aggregations, filters, relationships, and calculations used by the affected worksheets.

19. Practice Exercises

1. Create a dashboard with three KPI cards and two charts.
2. Configure a fixed-size dashboard and then compare it with an automatic-size dashboard.
3. Arrange KPI cards using a horizontal container.
4. Place two charts inside a vertical container and observe their resizing behavior.
5. Switch one object to floating and adjust its position.
6. Add a Region filter and apply it to multiple worksheets.
7. Enable Use as Filter on a category chart.
8. Add a text object containing the dashboard title and reporting period.
9. Create a navigation button to a second dashboard.
10. Test the dashboard at different screen sizes and fix layout problems.
11. Validate sales, profit, and order-count calculations against the source data.
12. Write three business insights based on the finished dashboard.

20. Quick Revision Checklist

• Connect to a suitable data source.
• Create and name the required worksheets.
• Create a new dashboard.
• Choose a suitable dashboard size.
• Add worksheets and arrange objects.
• Understand tiled and floating layouts.
• Use horizontal and vertical containers appropriately.
• Add and configure filters.
• Configure dashboard actions when needed.
• Format titles, legends, fonts, colors, and spacing.
• Test device layouts, if applicable.
• Validate calculations and dashboard totals.
• Check performance and publish only after testing.

21. Conclusion

Creating and configuring dashboards in Tableau involves more than combining charts. A successful dashboard requires a suitable size, a well-organized layout, carefully selected objects, correctly configured filters, useful interactions, and consistent formatting.

By following a structured process—preparing worksheets, arranging objects, configuring dashboard behavior, validating calculations, and testing different viewing environments—you can build professional dashboards that help users understand data and make informed decisions.

22. Additional Learning Resources

Official Tableau dashboard guide: Create a Dashboard

Dashboard size and layout: Size and Lay Out Your Dashboard

Device-specific layouts: Create Dashboard Layouts for Different Device Types

Dashboard actions: Actions and Dashboards

JustAcademy Tableau Training: Explore Tableau Training

Register for a Tableau Course Demo: Register for a Course Demo