This post covers Dimensions and Measures.

Dimensions and Measures

• Tableau assigns each field in the data source as dimension or measure
• Each field (column from data source) is assigned:
  • Data Type
    • integer
    • string
    • date
    • …
  • Role
    • Dimension:
      • Qualitative data e.g. name, date, geographical data.
      • Dimension can be used to categorise/segment the data
        • Discrete [more common] - Blue
          • e.g. Product Name
        • Continuous [less common] - Green
          • e.g. Order Year
    • Measure
      • Quantitate/numeric vales that can be measured
      • Can be aggregated
        • Discrete [less common] - Blue
          • Profit
        • Continuous [more common] - Green
          • Profit
      • Measure field is always aggregated with a function - Visual Cue