Introduction to Tableau Desktop Software: Workspace & Navigation

Tableau Desktop Workspace

In the start screen, go to File > New to open a Tableau Workspace

The Tableau Desktop Workspace consists of various elements as given in the figure:

Menu Bar:

It consists of menu options such as File, Data, Worksheet, Dashboard, Story, Analysis, Map, Format, Server, and Windows. The options in the menu bar include features such as file saving, data source connection, file export, table calculation options, and design features for creating a worksheet, dashboard, and storyboard.

Toolbar Icon:

Toolbar icon present below the menu bar can be used to edit the workbook using different features such as undo, redo, save, new data source, slideshow and so on.

Dimension Shelf:

The dimensions present in the data source can be viewed in the dimension shelf.

Measure Shelf:

The measures present in the data source can be viewed on the measure shelf.

Sets and Parameters Shelf:

The user-defined sets and parameters can be viewed in the sets and parameter shelf. It can also be used to edit the existing sets and parameters.

Page Shelf:

Page shelf can be used to view the visualization in video format by keeping the relevant filter on the page shelf.

Filter Shelf:

The filters that can control the visualization can be placed on the filter shelf, and the required dimensions or measures can be filtered in.

Marks Card:

Marks card can be used to design the visualization. The data components of the visualization such as color, size, shape, path, label, and tooltip used in the visualizations can be modified in the marks card.

Worksheet:

The worksheet is the place where the actual visualization can be viewed in the workbook. The design and functionalities of the visual can be viewed in the worksheet.

Tableau Repository:

Tableau repository is used to store all the files related to tableau desktop. It includes various folders such as Bookmarks, Connectors, Datasources, Extensions, Logs, Mapsources, Services, Shapes, TabOnlineSyncClient and Workbooks. My Tableau repository is usually located in the file path C:\Users\User\Documents\My Tableau Repository.

Tableau Navigation

The navigation of workbook is explained below.

Data Source:

The addition of new data source of modification of existing data source can be done using the 'Data Source' tab present at the bottom of the Tableau Desktop Window.

Current Sheet:

Current Sheet can be viewed with the name of the sheet. All the sheets, dashboards and story board present in the workbook can be viewed here.

New Sheet:

The new sheet icon present in the tab can be used to create a new worksheet in the Tableau Workbook.

New Dashboard:

The new dashboard icon present in the tab can be used to create a new dashboard in the Tableau Workbook.

New Storyboard:

The new storyboard icon present in the tab can be used to create new storyboard in the Tableau Workbook.