50+ Tableau Interview Questions and Answers 

What is Tableau? 

 Before discussing further details about the advanced Tableau Interview Questions and Answers, firstly, we should know that what is Tableau is a tool for data visualization and business intelligence. 

• Tableau helps with powerful data discovery and exploration that assists users in to reply essential questions in seconds.
• No prior programming knowledge is required; users without correct experience can begin immediately with making visualizations using Tableau.
• It can connect to various data sources other BI tools do not support. Tableau helps users to make reports for joining and blending multiple datasets.
• Tableau Server supports a central location for managing all published data sources inside an organization. 

Now that we know what it is Tableau we can proceed with the Tableau Interview Questions and Answers and advanced Tableau Interview Questions and Answers  

 Tableau Interview Questions and Answers

This Technical Tableau Interview Questions and Answers list will give you a fair idea of what type will be asked. It will help you attend the interview with confidence. It contains a mix of questions of all kinds of difficulty, i.e., easy, intermediate, and advanced. These Tableau Interview Questions and Answers will assist you with a quick study.

• What are Aggregation and dis-aggregation in Tableau?

Aggregation is the basic concept for average values in a given datasets column. If a particular report has a historical change in the prices of a product, the Aggregation will assist in finding its average value. In many cases, Tableau automatically aggregates a given set of data.

Disaggregation is the opposite of averaging, which is needed if a user wants individual data points. It can also utilize both aggregated and disaggregated data in a single worksheet

2. Differentiate between discrete and continuous.

Regarding Discrete and continuous are types of dimension flow in Tableau.

Discrete values	Continuous values
Discrete values are individual points counted as distinct values, separated from a batch.	Continuous values enable users to utilize values with a finite or infinite interval: for
Example – number of states in a country.	Example – a company’s stock price movements.

3. Give an example of a story on Tableau.

A story is a mixture of worksheets or dashboards that convey a message as a whole.

For example two worksheets that shows the employee performance of a company. While one worksheet has performed the metrics and briefing of employees in levels L1 to L3, the second can have the same data for employees in groups L3 and L4 (upper management). Since employee performance is interconnected, this can give a bird’s eye view of the performance of the company’s workforce. It is used when the parameters are distinct between the worksheets.

4. Define an embedded data source. How is it distinct from a published data source?

An embedded data source has information that is connected to a workbook. A published data source working is independent.

5. What are Measures and Dimensions?

The measures as the numeric metrics or quantities of the data, which could be measured and analyzed by dimension table. Measures are stored in a table with foreign keys unique to the connected dimension tables. The table helps the data storage at the atomic level and, thus, enables more records to be put at one time. For example, a Sales table includes a product key, customer key, promotion key, and items sold, referring to a particular event.

6. What are shelves?

They are Named areas to the left and top of the view. The shelves are built with ideas by placing fields onto the shelves.

7. Difference Between Sets and Groups in Tableau?

A Tableau group is one-dimensional and can be used for creating a higher-level category by using lower-level category members. Tableau sets can have conditions and be grouped across multiple dimensions/measures.

8. What is a parameter? give example 

 A parameter is a dynamic value that a customer can select. You can use it to replace constant values in calculations, filters, and reference lines. 

For example, when creating a filter to show the top 10 products based on total Profit and accepting the fixed value, you can update the Filter to view the top 10, 20, or 30 products using the parameter. To continue with the repeated example of top-five and bottom-five customers follow these steps:

1. Select the drop-down arrow on the top right corner of the Data pane. 
2. Click on Create Parameter and fill in the details:
3. Name – Number of top/bottom customers 
4. Select ‘Range’ for Allowable Values and fill in the fields as: Minimum – 5 & Maximum – 20
5. Edit the set’ Top Customers’ by changing the ‘By Field’ value of 5 with ‘Select number of top/bottom customers.’ Do the same changes in the ‘Bottom Customers’ set. 
6. Go to the created parameter on the Data pane, right-click on it and select ‘Show Parameter Control.’ Now, if you increase the step within the range, the data appears per the parameter value set.

9. What are sets?

Sets are custom fields that define a subset of data based on some conditions. A set based on a computed condition, for example, in the tableau technical interview question, may contain customers and sales over a specific threshold. Computed sets are updated as they change. , a set can be based on a particular data point in view.

10. What are groups?

A group is a mixture of dimension members that make higher-level categories. For example, if you work with a vision that views the average test scores by major, you want to group specific majors to make significant categories.

11. What is a hierarchical field?

A hierarchical field in Tableau is used for drilling down data. It means viewing your data at a more granular level.

12. What is the Difference Between .twbx And .twb?

This is one of the most frequently asked Tableau technical interview questions; you must answer this in detail.

.twb –

The .twb contains instructions about how to interact with the data source. When building a visualization, Tableau will look at the data source and then make the visualization with an extract. It cannot be shared alone as it contains only instructions, and the data source needs to be attached separately.

.twbx –

The .twbx contains all the necessary information to build the visualization and the data source. This is called a packaged workbook, which compresses the file package altogether.

13. Explain the Difference Between Tableau Worksheet, Dashboard, Story, and Workbook.

Can use Tableau workbook and sheet file structures like Microsoft Excel.

A workbook has sheets, which can be worksheets, a dashboard, or a story.

A worksheet has a single view with shelves, legends, and a Data pane.

A dashboard is a collection of views from various worksheets.

A story has a sequence of worksheets or dashboards that is working.  

14. What is the Use of Dual-axis? How Do You Create One?

Dual Axis enables us to compare measures, and this is useful when you want to compare two measures that have multiple scales.

Consider the example used in the above question. First, make a visualization with sales over time and Profit over time. To create a dual-axis, right-click on the second pill of the measures and select Dual Axis.

Altogether convey information.

Advanced Tableau Interview Questions and Answers  

15. What is Tableau Data Engine?

 Tableau Data Engine is a helpful feature in Tableau. It is an analytical database designed to achieve instant query response and predictive performance, integrate seamlessly into current data infrastructure, and not be limited to loading whole data sets into memory.

If you are working with a massive amount of data, it takes time to import, create indexes, and sort out the data, but after that, everything catches up. Tableau Data Engine is not necessarily in-memory technology. The data is stored in the disk after importing it, and the RAM is hardly utilized. 

16. What are the various filters in Tableau, and how are they distinct from each other?

 This advanced tableau interview question is about Tableau. Filters are used to restrict the data from the Database.

The distinctive filters in Tableau, which are Quick, Context, and Normal/Traditional Filter, are:

• An Filter is used to restrict the data from the Database based on selected dimensions or measures. A Traditional Filter can be made by dragging simply a field onto the ‘Filters’ shelf.
• Quick Filter is used for viewing the filtering options and filtering each worksheet on a dashboard to change the values dynamically (within the range defined) during the run time.
• Context Filter is used for filtering the data that is transferred to every individual worksheet. When a worksheet queries the data source, it creates a temporary, flat table for computing the chart. This temporary table includes all values not filtered out by either the Custom SQL or the Context Filter.

1. How for making a calculated field in Tableau?

• Click the drop-down on the right of Dimensions on the Data pane and select “Create > Calculated Field” to open the calculation editor.
• Name the new field and make a formula.

17. What is a Dual Axis?

Dual Axis is the best phenomenon supported by Tableau that assists the users in viewing two scales of two measures in the same graph. Various websites like Indeed.com and others use dual Axis to view the comparison between two measures and their growth rate in a septic set of years. Double axes let you compare many measures simultaneously, having two independent axes layered on top of one another.

Dashboard Related Tableau Interview Questions and Answers

18. Define Bullet graph.

The tableau bullet graph in the tableau dashboard is a type of Bar graph in the tableau dashboard. It is mainly responsible for comparing the performance of one measure with another.

19. Define the Gantt chart.  

Gantt Chart shows the progress of value over the period. It contains bars with the time axis. It is a project management tool. Every bar is a measurement of the task in the project framework.

20. Define a Histogram chart.

A histogram chart shows the distribution of repeat information over a certain period. The chart assists us in finding out the extreme points, gaps, unusual values, and more concentrated values.

21. What are the file size limitations with Tableau?

In the Tableau dashboard, there are no limitations with the file sizes. And however, there are no row or column limits for importing the data.

22 What is Tableau Reader?

 Tableau Reader is a free desktop application in the tableau dashboard, where you can read and interact with the Tableau packaged workbooks. It can only open the files but is not able to create new connections to the workbook.

23. What is the difference between published data and embedded data sources?

The published data source contains connection information independent of workbooks and can be used by different workbooks.

The embedded data source has connection information but is connected with the workbooks.

24. What is the Hierarchy in Tableau?

When working with huge volumes of data, incredibly m may mess up data. With Tableau, you can easily create hierarchies to keep your data neat. Even if you don’t need it, it is built into your data, which you can easily manage or organize the data and you can track the data easily.

25. Are there any limitations of parameters in Tableau? If yes, give details.

Tableau dashboard allows the representation of parameters in four ways only. They don’t let any multiple values like a filter can do. They only allow a single value.

26. State some reasons for the low performance of the Tableau dashboard. Explain in detail.

The following are the reason for low performance.

• Filters – filters need to create an extra query; if used in large numbers and inefficiently, they can reduce the performance. So, it is advised to use filters whenever it is mandatory.
• Live connection – Tableau extract works much better than a live connection.
• Data sources – a wrong query to a wrong data source can reduce performance. The data source’s performance can also affect Tableau’s performance.

27. State some ways to improve the performance of Tableau.

Following are a few ways to improve the performance

• Use an Extract to make workbooks run faster
• Reduce the scope of data to decrease the volume of data
• Reduce the number of marks on the view to avoid information overload
• Try to use integers or Booleans in calculations, as they are much faster than strings
• Hide unused fields
• Use Context filters
• Reduce filter usage and use some alternative way to achieve the same result
• Use indexing in tables and use the same fields for filtering
• Remove unnecessary calculations and sheets

1. Tell me different ways to use parameters in Tableau

• Filters
• Calculated fields
• Actions
• Measure-swaps
• Changing views
• Auto-updates

28. Can we see SQL generated by Tableau Desktop?

Tableau Desktop Log files are placed in C: UsersMy DocumentsMy Tableau Repository. Check the log file “log.txt” and “tabprotosrv.txt” files in case of a live connection to any data source. In case of extracting connection to any data source, check the “tdeserver.txt” file, which has detailed information about queries.

29. If the published workbook license’s owner expires, can other users see those workbooks?

If the owner of a published workbook license expires, then his/her role will change to “Unlicensed”. He/She cannot access those workbooks, but others can. Only the site admin can change the ownership of those workbooks.

30. Can we remove All options from a Tableau auto-filter?

Follow few steps

1. Go to the Segment filter. Click on the small drop arrow on the right.
2. Select the Customize.
3. Then we can see a small dropbox under customize, uncheck the “All” Value option.

 31. Do we have any data limitations in Tableau Public?

Yes, Tableau Public can only enable 10 million rows to users for data visualization.

32. Can we download views or workbooks from the server? If yes, in which data formats?

We can download views or workbooks from the server. But, data formats available to us depend on the permissions granted by site administrators or content owners.

• Image: .png format
• Data: .csv file.

We can also download selected sheets into PDF format, but web page objects won’t be included while generating PDFs.

33. Can we use unused columns (Columns not used in reports but data source has columns) in Tableau Filters?

Yes, we can use unused columns in tableau filters.

Let us consider one example.

In data source, I have column like: emp_id, emp_name, emp_sal, emp_dep, emp_designation. But, in reports, I use emp_name in columns and emp-sal in rows. I can use emp_designation on filters.

34. What is the benefit of the Tableau extract file over the live connection?

 You can use extract files without any connections and build your visualization without connecting to the Database.

35. How many tables joined are possible in Tableau?

We can join 32 tables in Tableau.

36. Can we place an excel file in a shared location and use it to develop a report and refresh it regularly?

Yes, we can place an excel file in a shared location and use it to develop a report, but for better performance, we need to extract the file.

37. How do we do testing in Tableau?

Yes, we can test in Tableau using tools; the easiest way is using the desktop application. We need to check it before we publish it on the Tableau server.

38. Can you get values from two different sources as a single input into a parameter?

Tableau currently not supporting the multi-valued parameters. As Tableau parameters are not dynamic, we cannot filter the list of values at runtime.

39. Design a view in a map such that if a user selects any state, the cities under the State have to show Profit and sales.

If we want to show the tableau dashboard in the Profit and sales of every city in the tableau dashboard under the State in the same worksheet, follow a few steps.

The data you want to display under the State must be in the same worksheet.

• Double-click on the State field.
• Drag the city and drop it below the State (Mark Card).
• Drag the Sales and drop it into the size.
• Drag the Profit and drop it into the colour.
• Click on the size legend and increase the size (75%).
• Give right-click on State filed and select show filter.
• Select the State and check whether you got the needed view or not.

In the View, Size shows the Sales, and Color directs the Profit of the respective State (which you have selected).

40. How can u set permissions or protect the data in Tableau public?

Tableau dashboard does not have any security permissions for protecting the data in Tableau public. Whatever we share in Tableau public those files, workbooks can be viewed by all users. There is no security option in Tableau public.

If we delete a workbook from tableau public and there are links to other blogs and web locations. What happens to them?

Tableau public in the tableau dashboard is like a repository. If we delete anything in Tableau, the public will lose the data, even if the links are in other locations and blogs. We will not be able to access those links.

41. Mention whether you can create relational joins in Tableau without creating a new table.

Yes, we can create relational joins in Tableau without creating a new table.

42 . When publishing workbooks on Tableau online, sometimes an error about needing to extract appears. Why does it happen occasionally?

It happens when the user is trying to publish the workbook connected to the internal or local server, which means the company’s network.

43. Can parameters have a drop-down list?

Yes, Parameters have their drop-down list, enabling users to view the data entries available in the parameter during the creation.

1. How do you optimize the performance of the dashboard?
2. Reduce the number of fields.
3. Reduce the number of records.
4. Minimize the view marks (data points) ( remove unneeded dimensions).
5. Minimize the number of filters.
6. Use Filter.
7. Use a constant data filter.
8. Use action filters and parameters.
9. Minimize the number of nested calculations.
10. Clear out custom SQL.
11. Clean up your workbooks.

44. Can Tableau be installed on macOS?

we can install Tableau on both the Windows Operating system and macOS.

45. How to automate reports in Tableau?

When the tableau dashboard publishes the reports for Tableau Server, there will be an option for scheduling the report, just to select the time when there is a need to refresh the data.

46 Which databases give the best performance when connected live?

Native Database in the tableau dashboard gives the best performance when connected live.

1. What are the challenges faced when working with massive volumes of data?
2. Shows the running will be slow.
3. Data Extraction.
4. Alignment problems along with data.
5. Testing Data.
6. . State limitation of context filters in Tableau

 In the tableau dashboard, Whenever we set a context filter, Tableau brings out a temp table that needs to refresh every time the show is triggered. So, if the context filter is changing, the Database needs recomputing and rewriting the temp table, which slows down the performance.

48. What is a Sankey chart in Tableau?

Tableau Sankey charts are flow diagrams that graphically show the values flow between different data sets.

This chart gives multiple flow lines that intersect each other giving us a flow pattern of data values and sets. In a Sankey chart, data points or nodes are connected via links creating a flow diagram for the data set. 

49. What are bins in Tableau? 

Tableau bins are analogous to containers of equal size that store data values corresponding to the bin size. The bins group a set of data into groups of equal size. This gives a systematic distribution of data.

In Tableau, we can take data from any discrete field and create bins. Although, Tableau users mostly use measure fields to create numeric bins. Bins are very useful in data analysis as they provide a systematic data range that helps us organize information better and discover patterns easily. Bins are created by using calculated fields in Tableau. 

50. What is Tableau Pivot? 

The Pivot feature in Tableau allows us to switch the rows with columns in a table. For instance, let’s imagine a scenario where we have five interview candidates, and we ask 10 questions from each. When we create a normal table to store this data, we must create 10 columns for each candidate. This will make our table oddly big.

To prevent this, we can pivot the fields in the table and have a single measure column that will store the score value for each question corresponding to each candidate instead of having ten columns of candidate scores.

This is how pivoting works in Tableau, as it is commonly used in cases where we want to make the data analysis and visualization easy.