Tableau Reports

In this article, we will show how to create Tableau reports in the new version Tableau using the Microsoft SQL Server database as a data source. For this tableau reporting, we are going to use the Data connection we created in our previous article.

Please refer to Connecting Tableau to SQL Server article to understand the Data Source and the Tableau Dataset.

Before we start creating our first tableau report, Let us understand the different regions present in the Report Design.

1. Data: This will display the list of currently connected data Sources. We have only one at this time. Otherwise, it shows all the data sources available.
2. Dimensions: Within the tableau reporting, place columns with string data under the Dimensions section
3. Measures: Place columns with Numeric data or Metric values under the Measures section
4. It is where we design our Tableau reports by dragging Measures and Dimensions
5. Columns or Rows: This is the region where we place the Measures and Dimensions as per our requirement.
6. Marks: Using this section, we can change the color, size, metric value. We can also add the Tooltip for the tableau report.
7. Filters: Place a field in this region to filter the Tableau reports.
8. Pages: Tableau reports preview will be divided into different pages using the field placed in this Pages Card.
9. Show Me: This region will show the Visualizations or Charts available for the given data
10. Data Source: This tab is used to create new Data Source or Edit the existing Data Source
11. Sheet 1: This is the sheet we are currently working on
12. This button is used to create a new Sheet
13. This button will be used to create new Dashboard
14. Use this button to create new Story

Placing Columns in Tableau Reports

When we select the State column, all the available regions will highlight. It means we can put a state column in any of the highlighted areas. In this example, we are placing the State column in the Row section, and we can do it in two ways:

Method 1: Drag the State column from the Dimensions region to Tableau Report region. From the below screenshot, see that the Row field highlighted with a blue color.

Method 2: Drag the State column from a Dimensions region to the Rows section. See that Blue color down arrow is indicating the position of the State dimension. Choose any of the methods

Once we placed the State column and Sales Metric values, the Report region shows the table report, as shown below.

Place Metric Values in tableau Report

Next, We have to add metric or numeric value to analyze, and we can do it in two ways:

Option1: Drag the Sales Measure from Measures Region to Text area in the Marks region. From the below screenshot, see the Text area highlighted.

Option 2: Drag the Sales Measure from Measures Region to tableau report region. From the below screenshot, the Abc Row field border is highlighted with a solid black color and displays the Show Me text. Choose any of this option

Once we placed the State column and Sales Metric values, Report region shows the table report as shown below.

Show Me in Tableau Report

Observe the upper right corner, there is a Show Me button, and this is the most import and useful one in Tableau. Alternatively, say, Show Me button made the Tableau developer life easy. We will explore more in the upcoming articles, but for now, please click on that button

Once we click on the Show Me button, a drop-down window will display with available Charts. Although there are many charts, only a few are active, and remaining are Grayed-out because Tableau Desktop will analyze our table report and shows the possibilities. To demonstrate, we are selecting Data bar as shown below

Once we selected, Our table report will automatically be converted to the Tableau Data bar, as shown below.