Aim 1 : Understanding Data, What is data, where to find data, Foundations for

building Data Visualizations, Creating Your First visualization.

Solution :

What is Data?

Data refers to raw facts, statistics, or information collected or stored in a

structured or unstructured form. Data can take various forms, such as text,
numbers, images, videos, and more. It is the foundation of all information and
knowledge and is used in various fields for analysis, decision-making, and
understanding trends and patterns.

Data can be categorized into two main types:

 Structured Data: This type of data is organized into a specific format, such as
tables or databases, and is easily searchable and analyzable. Examples
include spreadsheets, relational databases, and CSV files.
 Unstructured Data: Unstructured data lacks a specific format and can
include text documents, social media posts, images, audio recordings, and
more. Analyzing unstructured data often requires advanced techniques like
natural language processing and image recognition.

Where to Find Data?

You can find data from various sources, depending on your specific needs:

 Open Data Portals: Many governments and organizations provide free

access to a wide range of data through open data portals. Examples include
Data.gov (United States) and data.gov.uk (United Kingdom).
 Data Repositories: Academic institutions, research organizations, and data
enthusiasts often share datasets on platforms like Kaggle, GitHub, and the
UCI Machine Learning Repository.
  APIs (Application Programming Interfaces): Some websites and services
offer APIs that allow you to programmatically access and retrieve data.
Examples include Twitter API, Google Maps API, and financial market APIs.
 Web Scraping: You can extract data from websites using web scraping tools
and libraries like BeautifulSoup and Scrapy. However, be mindful of the
website's terms of use and legal restrictions.
 Surveys and Surveys: You can conduct your own surveys or collect data
through questionnaires and interviews.
 IoT Devices: Internet of Things (IoT) devices generate vast amounts of data
that can be used for various purposes.
 Commercial Data Providers: Some companies specialize in selling datasets
for specific industries, such as market research, finance, and healthcare.

Foundations for Building Data Visualizations:

Creating effective data visualizations requires a strong foundation in several key

areas:

 Data Analysis: Before creating visualizations, you should thoroughly analyze

your data to understand its structure, relationships, and any patterns or
trends. Exploratory data analysis (EDA) techniques can help with this.
 Statistical Knowledge: Understanding basic statistics is essential for making
meaningful interpretations of data. Concepts like mean, median, standard
deviation, and correlation are commonly used in data visualization.
 Domain Knowledge: Having knowledge of the specific domain or subject
matter related to your data is crucial for creating contextually relevant
visualizations. It helps you ask the right questions and provide valuable
insights.
 Visualization Tools: Familiarize yourself with data visualization tools and
libraries such as matplotlib, Seaborn, ggplot2, D3.js, and Tableau. Each tool
has its strengths and can be used for different types of visualizations.
 Design Principles: Study design principles, including color theory,
typography, and visual hierarchy, to create visually appealing and effective
visualizations. Avoid common pitfalls like misleading visualizations.
 Interactivity: Learn how to add interactive elements to your visualizations to
engage users and allow them to explore the data. This can be achieved using
tools like JavaScript, Python libraries, or dedicated visualization software.
Creating Your First Visualization:

To create your first data visualization, follow these general steps:

 Select Your Data: Choose a dataset that aligns with your goals and interests.
Ensure that the data is clean and well-structured.
 Define Your Objective: Clearly define what you want to communicate or
explore with your visualization. Are you looking to show trends,
comparisons, or distributions?
 Choose the Right Visualization Type: Select a visualization type that suits
your data and objectives. Common types include bar charts, line charts,
scatter plots, histograms, and pie charts.
 Prepare and Transform Data: Preprocess your data as needed. This may
involve aggregating, filtering, or transforming the data to fit the chosen
visualization.
 Create the Visualization: Use a suitable tool or library to create your
visualization. Customize it with labels, colors, and other design elements.
 Interactivity (Optional): If appropriate, add interactive features to your
visualization to allow users to interact with the data.
 Test and Iterate: Review your visualization for accuracy and clarity. Seek
feedback from others and make improvements as necessary.
 Publish or Share: Once you are satisfied with your visualization, publish it on
a platform, embed it in a report, or share it with your intended audience.
 Document and Explain: Provide context and explanations for your
visualization. Clearly communicate what the viewer should take away from
it.
 Maintain and Update: If the data changes or new insights emerge, update
your visualization accordingly.
Aim2:

Getting started with Tableau Software using Data file formats, connecting your
Data to Tableau, creating basic charts(line, bar charts, Tree maps),Using the Show
me panel.

Solution :

Getting started with Tableau software is a great way to create data visualizations
quickly and efficiently. Here are the steps to get started, including connecting your
data to Tableau, creating basic charts like line charts, bar charts, and treemaps,
and using the Show Me panel:

1. Download and Install Tableau:

First, you'll need to download and install Tableau Desktop or Tableau Public (a
free version). Follow the installation instructions provided on the Tableau website
for your specific operating system.

2. Prepare Your Data:

Before connecting your data to Tableau, ensure that your data is in a suitable
format. Common data file formats that Tableau supports include Excel (.xlsx), CSV
(.csv), and text files (.txt). Make sure your data is organized with headers for each
column.

3. Connect Your Data to Tableau:

3.1 Launch Tableau Desktop.

3.2 Go to "File" Menu and then click on "Open".

3.3 Choose the data source type (e.g., Excel, CSV, text file) and Select the data
file(P6-SuperStoreUS-2015.xls) and click "Open".

3.4 Drag any table(e.g. Orders) into working area.

3.5 Click on Worksheet(Sheet1).

4. Data Source Pane:

Once your data is connected, the Data Source Pane will appear on the left-hand
side of the Tableau interface. Here, you can see a preview of your data and
perform data transformations or join multiple data sources if necessary.
5. Creating Basic Charts:
Now, let's create some basic charts using Tableau:

a. Line Chart:

1. From the "Data Source pane", drag and drop the date field to the Columns
shelf and a numeric field (e.g., sales, revenue) to the Rows shelf.

2. Then Tableau will automatically create a line chart. You can customize it by
adding labels, titles, and formatting.
b. Bar Chart:

1. Drag and drop a categorical field (e.g., product category, region) to the Columns
shelf and a numeric field to the Rows shelf.
2. Then Tableau will create a bar chart. You can adjust the orientation and
formatting as needed. To display Labels on the bars click on Lables and select
"Show mark lables"

c. Tree map:

1. Drag and drop a categorical field to the Columns shelf.

2. Drag and drop a numeric field to the Size shelf.
3. Tableau will create a treemap visualization. You can further customize it by
adjusting colors and labels.
6. Using the Show Me Panel:

The Show Me panel in Tableau helps you explore various chart types based on your
data and the fields you select. Here's how to use it:
1. After adding fields to the Rows and Columns shelves, click on the "Show Me"
panel located on the left side of the Tableau interface.
2. In the Show Me panel, you'll see a variety of chart options that Tableau
recommends based on your data. Click on a chart type to create it.
3. Tableau will automatically generate the selected chart type with your data. You
can further customize it as needed.
4. To go back to the regular worksheet view, click the "Clear" button in the Show
Me panel.

Aim 3:

Tableau Calculations, Overview of SUM, AVR, and Aggregate features,

Creating custom calculationsand fields

Solution :
Tableau offers a powerful set of calculation tools that allow you to manipulate,
transform, and analyze your data in various ways. Here's an overview of some
key concepts related to Tableau calculations, including SUM, AVG (average), and
aggregate functions, as well as creating custom calculations and fields

SUM and AVG (Average) Functions

SUM Function
The SUM function in Tableau calculates the total sum of a numeric field. You can
use it to find the sum of values in a column or as part of a more complex
calculation. To use SUM, simply drag and drop a numeric field into the "SUM"
shelf, or you can create a calculated field using the SUM function.
AVG (Average) Function
The AVG function calculates the average (mean) value of a numeric field. Like
SUM, you can use it by dragging a numeric field into the "AVG" shelf or creating a
calculated field with the AVG function.
Aggregate Functions:
Tableau provides a range of aggregate functions that allow you to perform
calculations on groups of data. Common aggregate functions include SUM, AVG,
COUNT, MIN (minimum value), and MAX (maximum value). These functions are
particularly useful when you want to analyze data at different levels of
granularity (e.g., by category, region, or time period).
Creating Custom Calculations
Tableau allows you to create custom calculations using calculated fields. Here's
how to create a custom calculation:

1. Create a New Calculated Field

In the Data Source Pane, right-click on your data source and select "Create
Calculated Field".
Alternatively, you can create a calculated field by right-clicking on a shelf in your
worksheet and choosing "Create Calculated Field".

2. Enter Your Calculation:

In the calculated field editor, you can use functions, operators, and field
references to define your calculation.
For example, you can create a calculated field to calculate profit margin as
(SUM([Profit]) / SUM([Sales])) * 100.

3. Name and Save the Calculated Field:

Give your calculated field a meaningful name.
Click the "OK" or "Apply" button to save the calculated field.
4. Use the Calculated Field in Your Worksheet:
You can now use the calculated field like any other field in your worksheet. Drag
it to the Rows or Columns shelf, use it in filters, or create visualizations based on
it.
Aim:

Applying new data calculations to your visualizations, Formatting

Visualizations, Formatting Tools and Menus, and Formatting specific
parts of the view.

Solution :

Applying New Data Calculations to Visualizations

1. Drag and Drop Calculated Fields:

To apply your newly created calculated fields to a visualization, simply drag and
drop them onto the appropriate shelves in your worksheet. For example, you can
drag a calculated field to the Rows or Columns shelf, use it in filters, or place it on
the Marks card to control the appearance of marks.

2. Filter with Calculated Fields:

Create filters using calculated fields to control which data points are displayed in
your visualization. You can use calculated fields to filter by specific criteria, such
as a calculated date range or a custom ranking.
Formatting Visualizations
Tableau provides a wide range of formatting options to make your visualizations
more appealing and informative:

1. Format Pane:
On the left side of the Tableau interface, you'll find the Format pane. It allows you
to format various aspects of your visualization, such as fonts, colors, lines,
shading, and borders. Simply select the element you want to format and use the
options in the Format pane to make changes.
2. Marks Card:
The Marks card, located above your visualization, offers formatting options
specific to the type of marks you're using (e.g., color, size, label). Click on the
Marks card to access these options and modify how your data is represented.
3. Axis and Gridlines:
You can format axis labels, titles, and gridlines to improve the readability of your
visualization. Right-click on an axis or gridline to access formatting options.
4. Legends and Color Scales:
Customize legends and color scales to provide context for your visualizations.
You can change colors, labels, and the position of legends to match your data.
Formatting Tools and Menus
Tableau provides several formatting tools and menus to help you refine the
appearance of your visualizations:

1. Format Menu:
The Format menu at the top of the Tableau interface provides access to various
formatting options, including font styles, shading, borders, alignment, and more.
You can use this menu to format text, labels, and other elements.
2. Worksheet Menu:
In the Worksheet menu, you'll find options to format the entire worksheet,
including background color, borders, and worksheet title. You can also adjust the
worksheet size.
3. Dashboard Menu:
If you're working with dashboards, the Dashboard menu allows you to format the
entire dashboard layout, including background, size, and title.

Formatting Specific Parts of the View

Tableau lets you format specific elements of your visualization:

1. Annotations:
You can add annotations to your visualizations to highlight important points or
provide additional context. Format these annotations using the options available
when you right-click on an annotation.
2. Tooltips:
Customize tooltips to display relevant information when users hover over data
points. You can format tooltips to show or hide specific fields and control their
appearance.
3. Headers and Titles:
Format headers, titles, and subtitles for clarity and consistency. Use the Format
pane or the Format menu to adjust text formatting, alignment, and shading.
Aim:

Editing and Formatting Axes, Manipulating Data in Tableau data, Pivoting

Tableau data.

Solution :

Editing and Formatting Axes:

1. Edit Axis Title:
 Click on the axis title you want to edit.
 You can now modify the title text, font, size, color, and alignment using the Format
pane or the toolbar at the top.
2. Edit Axis Labels:
 Right-click on an axis and select "Edit Axis."
 In the Edit Axis dialog box, you can change the formatting of labels, tick marks, and
other axis-related properties.

3. Scale and Range:

 To change the scale or range of an axis, right-click on it and select "Edit Axis."
 In the dialog box, adjust the Minimum and Maximum values, scale, or range according
to your needs.
Manipulating Data in Tableau data

Change Data Type

If Tableau has inferred a wrong data type for a column, the data type can be
changed by clicking on the data type symbol in the column header
New Column(Calculated Fields)
Calculated fields can be used if you need to create customized logic for
manipulating certain data types or data values. There are a large-range of
functions available in Tableau that can used individually or collectively for data
manipulation
Pivoting Tableau data
Data pivoting enables you to rearrange the columns and rows in a report so you
can view data from different perspectives
Aim 8: Creating Dashboards & Storytelling, creating your first dashboard and
Story, Design for different displays, adding interactivity to your Dashboard,
Distributing & Publishing your Visualization
Let’s start creating the dashboard with Tableau

1. The Sales numbers by Category.

2. Sales numbers over time.
3. Performance of Sales by States
4. Sales by City

These four visualizations are needed to create the dashboard using

superstore sales .

Sheet 1: Sales by Category

The first visualization is sales by category. For this, I select Category and
Sales from the data pane and drop them in Row and Column shelf
respectively.
Sheet 2: Sales Overtime
The second sheet is for Sales over time. That means how the sales number
performed over the years or months. For this, select Sales and drag to the
Rows and drop Order Date into the columns.

Sheet 3: Sales Across States

Now let’s create our third sheet. In this chart, we will represent the sales
distribution across the states. That means it’s going to be a geospatial analysis
Sheet 4: Sales by City
Finally, let’s create our fourth visualization. Here, we will show Sales by City
distribution. similar to the last chart, select Sales and City and click on the
show me. Then click on the recommended visualization.
Create a Dashboard
To create a new dashboard click on the icon given on the bottom bar for
showing the text ” New Dashboard”. When your dashboard appears, you can
see all the worksheets you have created on a side panel.

Aim 10: Creating custom charts, cyclical data and circular area charts, Dual
Axis charts
Create Dual Axis Charts
A dual axis chart is used to present the relationship between two variables.
More specifically, these charts are useful for demonstrating the relationship
between two or more measures with different amplitude and scale. The dual
axis charts help in presenting plenty of information in the limited space present
on your dashboard and also allows you to understand the trends.

For our visualization, we are going to use three attributes Sub-Category from
the dimensions and two measures i.e. Profit and Sales.

Open a new worksheet and add the Sub-category from the dimension pane to
the Columns shelf

Now pick Sales from the Measures pane and drop in the Row shelf below the
Sub-Category. Similarly, Select Profit measure and drop next to the Sales in
Row shelf
Here we have two charts present on multiple axes. The next step is to convert
these two different charts into a dual axis chart.From drop-down menu just
select the Dual axis option
Although you have a dual axis visualization, they are on different scales. Now
there is a need to bring both measures on the same scale using synchronize
axis. For this right-click on any axis Profit or Sales and select synchronize axis
from the menu.
Dual axis chart with synchronized axes.

Similarly, you can go to Profit and change its shape to a line