TABLEAU INTERVIEW QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS

1. What is Tableau?

Tableau is a data visualization software that allows users to create interactive and shareable dashboards and reports.

2. Explain the difference between Tableau Desktop and Tableau Server.

Tableau Desktop is used to create visualizations and dashboards, while Tableau Server is used to share and collaborate on those visualizations over the web.

3. What is a dimension in Tableau?

In Tableau, a dimension is a categorical field containing qualitative data, such as names, dates, or geographical locations.

4. What is a measure in Tableau?

A measure is a quantitative field in Tableau, typically containing numerical data that can be aggregated, such as sales revenue or profit.

5. How do you create a calculated field in Tableau?

To create a calculated field in Tableau, you can right-click in the data pane and select "Create Calculated Field," then enter a formula using Tableau's calculation language.

6. Explain what LOD expressions are in Tableau.

Level of Detail (LOD) expressions in Tableau allow you to control the granularity of your calculations independently of the visualization's level of detail.

7. What is data blending in Tableau?

Data blending in Tableau is the process of combining data from multiple sources or tables to create a single visualization or dashboard.

8. How do you create a dashboard in Tableau?

To create a dashboard in Tableau, you can drag sheets onto the dashboard canvas and arrange them as desired, then add additional elements like filters, parameters, and text boxes.

9. What is a parameter in Tableau?

A parameter in Tableau is a dynamic input control that allows users to change certain aspects of a visualization, such as filtering data or adjusting calculations.

10. How do you publish a workbook to Tableau Server?

To publish a workbook to Tableau Server, you can select "Server" > "Publish Workbook" from the Tableau Desktop menu, then enter the necessary server connection information.

11. Explain the difference between extract and live connections in Tableau.

An extract connection in Tableau imports a subset of data into Tableau's proprietary data engine, while a live connection queries data directly from the original data source in real-time.

12. What is the Tableau Data Interpreter?

The Tableau Data Interpreter is a feature that automatically cleans and prepares data for analysis by detecting and correcting common data quality issues.

13. How do you filter data in Tableau?

You can filter data in Tableau by dragging fields onto the Filters shelf or by right-clicking on a field in the view and selecting "Filter."

14. What is a dual-axis chart in Tableau?

A dual-axis chart in Tableau allows you to plot two different measures on the same axis, with independent scales, in order to compare them visually.

15. How do you create a map in Tableau?

To create a map in Tableau, you can double-click a geographic field in the data pane or drag it onto the view, then customize the map layers and appearance as needed.

16. What is a hierarchy in Tableau?

A hierarchy in Tableau is a logical grouping of related fields, such as year, quarter, month, and day in a date hierarchy.

17. How do you create a calculated field that aggregates data at a different level of granularity?

You can use Level of Detail (LOD) expressions in Tableau to create calculated fields that aggregate data at a different level of granularity than the visualization.

18. Explain how table calculations work in Tableau.

Table calculations in Tableau allow you to perform calculations across rows, columns, or other dimensions within a visualization, such as running totals or moving averages.

19. What is the difference between a dimension filter and a measure filter in Tableau?

A dimension filter in Tableau filters data based on categorical fields, while a measure filter filters data based on numerical values or aggregations of numerical values.

20. How do you create a parameterized calculation in Tableau?

To create a parameterized calculation in Tableau, you can use a parameter as a dynamic input in a calculated field formula, allowing users to change the calculation's behavior.

21. What is the Tableau JavaScript API used for?

The Tableau JavaScript API allows developers to embed Tableau visualizations and interact with Tableau Server functionality programmatically within web applications.

22. How do you create a calculated field that returns a top N or bottom N subset of data?

You can use a calculated field with a table calculation or a parameter to return a top N or bottom N subset of data in Tableau, such as top 10 products by sales.

23. Explain what context filters are in Tableau.

Context filters in Tableau are filters that are applied to the entire dataset before any other filters, which can improve performance by reducing the amount of data processed.

24. What is data scaffolding in Tableau?

Data scaffolding in Tableau is the process of creating temporary data to fill in gaps or missing values in order to facilitate analysis or visualization.

25. How do you create a calculated field that returns the difference between two dates?

You can create a calculated field in Tableau using date functions like DATEDIFF to return the difference between two dates, such as the number of days or years between two events.

26. Explain the difference between a bar chart and a histogram in Tableau.

A bar chart in Tableau represents categorical data using rectangular bars of equal width, while a histogram represents the distribution of numerical data using bars of variable width.

27. What is data densification in Tableau?

Data densification in Tableau is the process of filling in missing values or expanding the dataset to create a denser representation of the data, which can be useful for certain types of visualizations.

28. How do you create a calculated field that returns the rank of a value within a category?

You can use the RANK function in Tableau to create a calculated field that returns the rank of a value within a category, such as ranking products by sales within each product category.

29. Explain what a story is in Tableau.

A story in Tableau is a sequence of sheets or dashboards that are combined to tell a data-driven narrative, allowing users to guide viewers through the analysis and insights.

30. What is the Tableau Prep Builder used for?

Tableau Prep Builder is a data preparation tool that allows users to clean, shape, and combine data from multiple sources before analysis and visualization in Tableau Desktop.