Mastering Tableau- A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a New Calculated Field

How to Create a New Calculated Field in Tableau

Creating a new calculated field in Tableau is a fundamental skill that can greatly enhance the analytical capabilities of your visualizations. Calculated fields allow you to perform complex calculations and manipulate data in real-time. In this article, we will guide you through the process of creating a new calculated field in Tableau, step by step.

Step 1: Open Tableau and Connect to Your Data

First, open Tableau and connect to your data source. You can do this by clicking on “Data” in the menu bar and selecting your desired data source. Once connected, Tableau will automatically import your data into the workbook.

Step 2: Navigate to the Calculated Fields Area

After your data has been imported, navigate to the “Calculated Fields” area. This can be found in the “Analysis” panel on the left-hand side of the Tableau interface. If you cannot see the “Analysis” panel, you can enable it by clicking on the “Show” button in the bottom left corner of the screen.

Step 3: Create a New Calculated Field

To create a new calculated field, click on the “New” button located in the top-right corner of the “Calculated Fields” area. This will open a new window where you can enter the formula for your calculated field.

Step 4: Write Your Formula

In the new window, you will see a text editor where you can write your formula. Tableau uses a simple formula language that is easy to learn. You can use the following syntax to create your calculated field:

– [Your Field Name]: This is the name of your calculated field, which will appear in the worksheet and other areas of the Tableau interface.
– [Formula]: This is the mathematical or logical expression that defines the calculated field. You can use Tableau’s built-in functions, constants, and field names in your formula.

For example, let’s say you want to create a calculated field that calculates the average sales per order. You can do this by entering the following formula:

“`
[Sales] / [Orders]
“`

This formula divides the “Sales” field by the “Orders” field, resulting in the average sales per order.

Step 5: Save and Use Your Calculated Field

After you have entered your formula, click the “OK” button to save your calculated field. It will now appear in the “Calculated Fields” area, and you can drag it onto the worksheet or use it in other areas of your visualization.

Step 6: Apply Your Calculated Field

To apply your calculated field to your visualization, simply drag it onto the worksheet or dashboard. You can then use it in various chart types, such as bar charts, line charts, and pie charts. You can also create new visualizations based on your calculated field to gain deeper insights into your data.

Conclusion

Creating a new calculated field in Tableau is a powerful way to add value to your data analysis. By following these simple steps, you can quickly create and use calculated fields to perform complex calculations and manipulate your data in real-time. As you become more comfortable with Tableau’s formula language, you will be able to create even more sophisticated and insightful visualizations.