In Tableau dashboards, Filters are used to control what data is displayed in one or more visualizations. They allow us to focus on specific subsets of data such as a region, product category or time period making the analysis more relevant and interactive. Filters can be applied across the entire dashboard or restricted to individual sheets, helping users to get deep into insights with precision.
Steps to Apply Filters in a Dashboard
Let's see the steps to apply filters in a dashboard:
Step 1: Open Tableau and connect to a dataset.
Step 2: Drag and drop one sheet from the dataset to create a worksheet.
Step 3: Open Sheet1 to view attributes on the left panel and the worksheet area in the center.
Step 4: Create at least one visualization (e.g., crosstab, map, chart or graph).
Step 5: To build a dashboard:
- Click the New Dashboard button or select "New Dashboard" from the dashboard menu.
- Drag and drop the prepared sheets onto the dashboard.
- Add modifications if required.
Step 6: To apply filters:
- Select a sheet in the dashboard.
- Use the filter option and apply it either to a single visualization or across the entire dashboard.
Methods to Apply Filters:
- Using Funnel Icon: Click the funnel symbol to activate filtering.
- Using Drop-Down Menu: Click the down arrow on the sheet and choose Use as Filter.
Examples
Let's see few examples to understand better:
Example 1: Applying Filter Across All Visualizations
- Select a region in a pie chart and apply it as a filter.
- The entire dashboard updates so that only data for the selected region is displayed.
- Can be done using either the Funnel Icon (Method 1) or Use as Filter option (Method 2).
Method 1:
Method 2:
Example 2: Applying a Filter Across the Entire Dashboard
- A filter is applied at the dashboard level, impacting all visualizations simultaneously.
- When a user selects or modifies a filter (such as Region or Market), each sheet updates accordingly.
- Useful for maintaining consistency across multiple views.
- Ensures all charts reflect the same filtered subset of data.
Example 3: Applying a Filter to a Single Visualization
- A filter is applied exclusively to one sheet.
- Other visualizations on the dashboard remain unchanged.
- Useful for comparing filtered results against the overall unfiltered view.
- Allows both filtered and unfiltered perspectives within the same dashboard.
