Tableau resources for combining multiple

data sources
Now that you have some experience working with data in Tableau, you are ready to
start doing more, including combining multiple data sources. This reading will provide
you with some how-to guides for that, and other helpful resources you can use as
you practice using Tableau on your own. 

Resource Description 
This page links to other resources explaining how to set up your data sources and prepar
Set up data analysis once you have connected them to your Tableau account. It specifically includes
sources explaining how to join or blend data, and what a union is and how they work. This is a g
starting point as you get ready to begin using and combining data sources. 
Joining refers to the process of combining data sources based on common fields. This a
Join your data a more detailed explanation of the different joins, how to use them in Tableau, and an e
with a step-by-step guide. 
Relationships allow you to combine multiple data sources in Tableau. This is a more flex
Don’t be scared of
alternative to joins, and doesn’t force you to create one single table with your multiple da
relationships
sources. This article will give you more insight into how relationships work. 
How relationships This article goes into more detail about the differences between using relationships and
differ from joins guides you through the process of using relationships to combine data. 
Data blending is another method you can use to combine multiple data sources. Instead
Blend your data combining the data, blends allow you to query and aggregate data from multiple source
resource goes into more detail about blending and includes a tutorial. 
Combining
This resource provides examples that explain how to combine date fields when using fou
multiple date
methods of data combination in Tableau. 
fields
These are just a few resources you can use. You can also find more information
online or in the Tableau community forums.

Question 1
Activity overview

The video you just watched showed you how to create a dashboard in Tableau. Now, you can
use the template, dataset, and instructions in this activity to create the visualization yourself. Feel
free to refer back to the previous video if you get stuck.

In previous activities, you linked data sources and created data visualizations. Now, you’ll use
what you learned about the process of data visualization to add data to a dashboard.

By the time you complete this activity, you will be able to create and use a dashboard to present
data in an accessible and interactive way. This will enable you to communicate your work and
display dynamic data in professional settings.

Note: You will need the Tableau Public Desktop app to import the Dashboards Starter Template
in this activity. For more information on downloading the Tableau Public app, see the Reading:
Optional: Using Tableau Desktop. If you are unable to download the app to your device, use the
two visualizations you created in the last Tableau activities as Sheet 1 and Sheet 2 of this activity.
What you will need
A starter template with a few existing data sources and visualizations and a data set have been
provided. Click the link to the folder containing the starter template and data set.

If you are logged into your Google Account:

Click and drag to highlight both the template and the data set. Then, right-click on the selected
files and click Download.

If you are not logged into your Google Account:

To download both items, click the DOWNLOAD ALL button in the top right corner of the page.
You do not need a Google account to download the files.

Download the starter template and data set: Starter template and data set

Open the template and load the data

In a business context, data visualizations are most useful when they are presented in a
dashboard-style format to stakeholders. Dashboards put all the pertinent information in the same
place, making it easier to understand the important takeaways. Many dashboards are also
constantly updating to reflect new data, and some are even interactive. No matter what style of
dashboard you choose, they can help you deliver the work you’ve done when creating
visualizations. 

Now it's time to begin the activity. After you download the Dashboards Starter Template, find the
file in your storage and open it in Tableau Public Desktop.

Upon opening the Tableau project template, your screen should look like this:
there are multiple multi-colored lines each representing different data
The Dashboards Starter Template workbook allows you to explore and manipulate the
visualizations found in two sheets: Sheet 1 and Sheet 2. However, the Tableau workbook does not
contain the actual dataset. Next, you will load the dataset. 
To load the actual dataset:

1. Click the Data Source tab in the bottom left-hand corner of the window. This will open the
Datasources folder Tableau Public has created on your computer by default. 

2. Navigate to the location on your computer where you downloaded the World Bank CO2
dataset and open it.

3. Locate the My Tableau Repository folder on your computer. This is usually placed in the
Documents folder of your local files. If you cannot find the folder, use the search bar in your
computer’s file explorer.

4. Double-click the folder My Tableau Repository, then double-click the folder Datasources.

5. Drag your datasets for Tableau from where you downloaded them into the Datasources folder.
This will help you keep track of your datasets for various projects and stay organized. 

Note: As a best practice, you should always move your datasets for Tableau into the Datasources
folder.

Create a dashboard

The example project contains the World Bank CO2 dataset, with two separate visualizations.
Click Sheet 1. This visualization shows the average CO2 per capita of each country. Now, click
Sheet 2. This visualization is a line chart of the CO2 production of each global region over time. 

You will use these visualizations to create a dashboard. Click the Add Dashboard button, which is
the middle button on the bottom row with a symbol that appears like a spreadsheet with a plus
sign.
This will open a new dashboard. Your screen should appear like this:
Now, you just need to add some visualizations to your dashboard. 

Add visualizations

To add visualizations, drag the appropriate sheets onto the dashboard in the layout that you
prefer. In this case, you’ll add the map visualization from Sheet 1 on top of the line graph from
Sheet 2. 

1. Start by finding Sheet 1 in the Sheets section on the left side of the screen. Click and drag Sheet
1 onto the area that says Drop sheets here. Your screen should appear like this:
2. Click and drag Sheet 2 onto the visualization. You’ll notice that the visualization adjusts to show
the layout depending on where you drag the sheet. Place Sheet 2 so that it takes up the bottom
half.
Clean the dashboard

The dashboard currently contains three legends, but only two of them are needed. The topmost
legend of grayscale values represents the CO2 Per Capita by size.  

CO2 per capita is represented by size and color. As such, Tableau creates two legends. To
simplify the visualization, your best choice is to delete the topmost legend that corresponds to
size. 

The relationship between small and large emissions can be interpreted by the relative sizes of the
circles. However, the color representing the number of emissions per capita is not interpretable
without the legend.    

1. Delete the topmost legend. To do this, click it and then click the X attached to it to remove it
from the dashboard. 
Now that it’s been removed, you’ll set the remaining legends to float. 

2. Click on a legend.

3. Click the arrow pointing downwards for More Options. From there, select Floating.
4. Drag the legend onto the top-right corner of the map visualization.

5. Repeat steps 2-4 and float the remaining legend onto the top-right corner of the bottom graph.
Once you’ve done it, your dashboard should appear like this:
You’ve now created a basic dashboard. Tableau contains tons of other functionality that allows
for dashboards that update in real-time or interactive dashboards and visualizations. 

Earlier in this course, you learned about what makes an effective presentation. In this
activity, you will create screenshots of visualizations in the dashboard from your
previous activity. Then, you'll add these jpegs to a new presentation, record yourself
presenting, and evaluate your delivery and slides. 

By the time you complete this activity, you will understand the steps involved in
creating an effective presentation and reflect on how well you do when delivering a
presentation yourself. This will enable you to successfully deliver presentations in the
future, which is essential to your career as a data analyst. 

Create screenshots of your dashboard

Before you create your presentation, you need to capture screenshots from the
Tableau dashboard you created in the previous activity, Hands-On Activity: Create
your first Tableau dashboard. 

1. Go to Tableau Online and log in to your account. Retrieve the dashboard you
created from the Recents page.

The way you capture screenshots will differ based on the operating system you are
using. Here are some pointers on how to save your visualizations:

2. Click the download icon in the toolbar, then Image from the dropdown menu. This
will save the visualization you created as a .png file, which you can insert into a slide
presentation.

OR

3. Take a screenshot of each visualization using the command that corresponds to

your operating system:
 Chromebook: Press Ctrl + Show windows icon (For non-Chrome OS keyboards,
press Ctrl + F5).
 Mac: Press Shift + Command + 4.
 Windows: Use the snipping tool—refer to this Microsoft Support page.
Note: If you do not find your computer or laptop listed above, please refer to your
manufacturer’s reference guide or search online for a quick tutorial.

Prepare a presentation 

Now that you have your dashboard screenshots, it’s time to create your presentation.

To prepare your presentation, you should first consider your audience. In this activity,
you will build a presentation for an audience of stakeholders. They aren’t closely
involved in the project, but are curious about the analysis you have completed, the
dashboard you have produced, and your key findings. Next, you can create your
slides. 

The first slide in your presentation should be a title slide, including the title of your
presentation, your name, and the date of your presentation. Each of the next slides
should have one or two of your dashboard screenshots. They should also include
bullet points describing the context of your screenshots. Finally, you should include a
closing slide with your final take-aways. 

For this simple presentation, you only need a few simple slides. In future
presentations, you will include more specific information and therefore need more
slides. 

Next, you can create your slides in presentation software.

Create your slides

To create your slides, use whichever presentation software you feel comfortable with.
If you’re unsure of which one to use or don’t own presentation software, use one of
these free options:

 Google Slides (Google account required)

 Microsoft 365 (Microsoft account required)
 Prezi (login required)

Record yourself

Use a smartphone, digital camera, or computer webcam to record a video of yourself

presenting the visualizations you created. You can use Screencastify or a free trial of
Camtasia to record the slides of your presentation. Deliver your presentation in 2 to 3
 minutes. Check that your lighting is bright enough and the focus of your lens captures
a clear image. Then upload your file to your computer.

Evaluating your presentation

Watch the video of your presentation. As you watch it, go through the following
checklist. Each point is related to a best practice for presentations. 

Do you:

 Use an attention-grabbing opening?

 Start with broad ideas and later talk about specific details?
 Speak in short sentences?
 Pause for five seconds after showing a data visualization?
 Pause intentionally at certain points?
 Keep the pitch of your voice level?
 Stand still and move with purpose?
 Maintain good posture?
 Look at your audience (or camera) while speaking?
 Keep your message concise?
 End by explaining why the data analysis matters?

Evaluate your slide deck

Next, it’s time to evaluate your slide deck. Watch your video again. As you watch it,
consider the following questions. Each question is related to a best practice for slide
decks. 

Do you:

 Include a good title and subtitle that describe what you’re about to present?
 Include the date of your presentation or the date when your slideshow was last
updated?
 Use a font size that lets the audience easily read your slides?
 Showcase what business metrics you used?
 Include effective visuals (like charts and graphs)?
After you complete this checklist, save it for later. If your presentation did not check
off every best practice, don’t worry. Later in this course, you will learn more
presentation skills so you can rerecord and reevaluate this presentation.