Working with Filters in Tableau

Today, we will look at how to create filters in Tableau.  Filters allow you to control the data that is displayed in your graphs.  As usual, we will use the Superstore Sales sample data set in Tableau.

Step 1:

• Create a Worksheet

Average Discount by Region

Let's say that we are the new manager for the South and East Regions, so we only want to see these only the graph.  We can accomplish this with a filter

Step 2:

• Right-Click "Region" in the Rows Pane and Select "Filter"
• Under the "General" Tab, Uncheck the boxes for "Central" and "West"

Average Discount by Region (South and East)

On the other hand, let's say we only want to see the Regions that end in "st", which in this case are East and West.  We can do that too.

Step 3:

• Drag "Region" off of the Filters Pane to remove the filter.
• Right-Click "Region" and Select "Filter"
• Under the "Wildcard" Tab, Select the "Ends With" Bubble.
• Type "st" in the Match Value Box.

Average Discount by Region (Ending in "st")

Now, what if we only wanted Regions that have an average discount of less than 5%.  That is just as simple

Step 4:

• Remove the "Region" filter.
• Open the filter window again for "Region"
• Under the "Condition" Tab, Select the "By Field" Bubble
• In the "Field" Box, Select "Discount"
• In the "Aggregation" Box, Select "Average"
• In the "Operator" Box, Select "<"
• In the "Value" Box, Type ".05"

Average Discount by Region (Less than 5%)

You may notice that we added another decimal place to the Discount Field to clarify that the values were in fact less than 5%.  This will be explained in a later post.  Finally, what if you only wanted to see the top 2 Regions?

Step 5:

• Clear the filters and reopen the filter window for "Region"
• Under the "Top" Tab, Select the "By Field" Bubble
• In the "Direction" Box, Select "Top"
• In the "Number" Box, Type "2"
• In the "Field" Box, Select "Discount"
• In the "Aggregation" Box, Select "Average"

Average Discount by Region (Top 2)

There are a myriad of possibilities when it comes to way you can filter your data in Tableau.  Don't be afraid to mess around and see what kinds of interesting ways you can discover.  Thanks for reading.

Brad Llewellyn

Associate Consultant

Mariner, LLC

llewellyn.wb@gmail.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradllewellyn