Tableau Exploring and Analyzing Data 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In Tableau, which shelf controls the level of detail (granularity) of the view independently of visual encodings?
- Detail shelf in the Marks card (Correct answer)
- Rows shelf
- Columns shelf
- Pages shelf
Correct answer: Detail shelf in the Marks card
The Detail shelf adds a dimension to the view's granularity without changing color, size, or shape encoding.
Question 2: What is the key difference between a FIXED LOD expression and an INCLUDE LOD expression in Tableau?
- FIXED ignores view filters (except context filters); INCLUDE adds dimensions to the view's level of detail (Correct answer)
- FIXED adds dimensions; INCLUDE removes them
- FIXED works only on dates; INCLUDE works on any dimension
- FIXED requires a published data source; INCLUDE works locally only
Correct answer: FIXED ignores view filters (except context filters); INCLUDE adds dimensions to the view's level of detail
FIXED computes at a specified granularity regardless of view dimensions, while INCLUDE adds extra dimensions to the existing view level.
Question 3: Which Tableau feature would you use to create a parameter-driven top-N filter without writing a calculated field?
- Top filter using a parameter in the Filter dialog (Correct answer)
- Context filter referencing a parameter
- Data source filter with parameter binding
- FIXED LOD with parameter
Correct answer: Top filter using a parameter in the Filter dialog
The Top tab in the Filter dialog lets you use a parameter to dynamically set the N value for a top/bottom filter.
Question 4: What happens to a secondary data source field when you create a blend in Tableau and the link field has unmatched values?
- Unmatched rows in the secondary source are excluded; matched primary rows show asterisks (*) for secondary values (Correct answer)
- Unmatched rows appear as zero in the secondary source
- The blend fails and returns an error
- Tableau automatically fills unmatched secondary values with the primary average
Correct answer: Unmatched rows in the secondary source are excluded; matched primary rows show asterisks (*) for secondary values
In a blend, the secondary source is left-joined on the linking field, so unmatched secondary values display as asterisks.
Question 5: In a Tableau scatter plot, what is the effect of placing a dimension on the 'Detail' shelf?
- It increases granularity so each dimension member gets its own mark without visual differentiation (Correct answer)
- It assigns a different color to each dimension member
- It splits the scatter plot into small multiples
- It filters the view to show only the selected dimension member
Correct answer: It increases granularity so each dimension member gets its own mark without visual differentiation
Adding a dimension to Detail disaggregates marks to that level without encoding color, size, or shape.
Question 6: Which type of join should you use in Tableau when you want all records from both tables, including non-matching rows?
- Full Outer Join (Correct answer)
- Left Join
- Inner Join
- Cross Join
Correct answer: Full Outer Join
A Full Outer Join returns all rows from both tables, filling nulls where no match exists on either side.
Question 7: What does the 'Pages' shelf in Tableau enable?
- It creates an animated playback through dimension members like flipping through pages (Correct answer)
- It adds a page-break for printing purposes
- It splits a dashboard into separate tabs
- It paginates large data tables in a view
Correct answer: It creates an animated playback through dimension members like flipping through pages
The Pages shelf sequences the view by a field, allowing you to step or auto-play through each member like an animation.
Tableau Exploring and Analyzing Data 3
In Tableau, which shelf controls the level of detail (granularity) of the view independently of visual encodings?