In this tutorial you will understand the meaning of Groups in Tableau and also How to create Groups in Tableau with 2 different methods
What is a groups in Tableau?
Create groups in Tableau is a unique method which is used to group different members from one dimension into single type or higher category. Group in Tableau helps to reduce the complexity of your data and make it easier to analyse. You can create group in Tableau by selecting the require data points you want and then creating a new group based on the selected data.
What is the use of groups in tableau?
Groups in Tableau is use to do the simplification of your data in your visualization of tableau dashboard. Examples: grouping countries, grouping projects, grouping active and inactive employees etc. Grouping field can be also use in filter option in tableau like extract filter and data source filter. This grouping help you to analyse your data at higher level of information by grouping.
You will learn more details examples in below tutorials where you will understand the grouping in more details
How to Create groups in Tableau?
There are two methodology you can use to create groups in Tableau.
Below are the steps wise guide how to create groups in tableau with proper screenshots
Method #1: Create Groups manually (with Group option in menu)
In this method you use the given Group option in tableau menu, where you need to put grouping name manually by selection the members of the field.
You will learn details in the below steps.
1. In this steps we have selected food database for sales, and we will apply groups on “Item Type” dimension as shown below the graph is for item type and total sales for each items.
2. Now we will group at higher level these items
3. Now select the Dimension on which you want to create groups, in this steps we have selected “Item type” dimension to create groups in Tableau.
4. Now right click on the dimension and then click on Create option and then Group option as shown below image
5. The above steps will open the new window for create Group. then select those members which you want to group into higher category. In below screenshot we have selected “clothes”, “cosmetics” and “personal care” and then click on Group button as marked red in below screenshot.
6. Once click on Group button it will cub these members and ask you to rename as new category or higher category name.
7. Now below we have created new 4 category for “Item type” dimension as “Baby Food”, “Food Items”, “Fashion Items”, and “Furniture Items”
8. And now finally name the Group as “Items Categories“, this will show you as new dimension on the right side of panel in your Tableau desktop.
9. Now drag “Items Categories” dimension in columns for bar graph, as shown below image
10. With the help of this you can create numbers of groups in tableau and use for multiple analysis at higher level or aggregated level.
Method #2: Create groups using Calculated field
This second method is the method which is also can be used to create group by using Calculated field option in tableau.
This method is easy to handle and edit in future as you are using here the formula, this option is always good if you want to do group for small members in dimension.
In below example, we have used to group region into big region and small region
Steps:
1. First click on triangle icon as shown below image in red box and then select ” Create Calculated Field” option .
2. Now new window will open, then give the name for the Group as we have given name “Region Split”
3. Now type the formula where you need to define the grouping with the each members of the field as shown below, we have grouped region South & west as “small Region” and Midwest & Northeast as “Big Region” with the help of OR operator
4. Now click Ok button, then you will see this new field in the right side panel
IF Region ="South" OR Region ="West" THEN "Small Region"
ELSEIF Region ="Midwest" OR Region ="Northeast" THEN "Big Region"
END
5. Now drag this new filed in the table in front of the Region filed , you will see the split as Big region and Small region both. As shown below image
Key features of Groups
- Simplified Data: Build Groups helps to simplify your data by grouping similar data points into a single category. This makes it easier to analyze your data and draw meaningful insights from it.
- Improved Analysis: Grouping your data with Build Groups can help you to identify trends and patterns that might be difficult to see when analyzing individual data points.
- Flexibility: Tableau’s Build Groups feature is very flexible, allowing you to group data points by any field in your data source.
- Customization: You can customize your groups by changing the name, color, and other attributes to match your analysis requirements.
- Dynamic Grouping: You can dynamically group your data by changing the criteria for grouping at any time. This makes it easy to adjust your analysis as you learn more about your data.
- Ease of Use: The Build Groups feature is easy to use and does not require any advanced technical skills or knowledge.
Overall, build Groups is a powerful in Tableau that can help you to simplify and analyse your data in a more meaningful way.