Dimensions
Dimensions are categorical fields and often contain qualitative data, such as names, dates, or geographic locations. They are used to slice and dice the data into different segments, helping to add context to the visualizations.
Examples of Dimensions:
- Customer Name
- Order Date
- Product Category
- Country
Measures
Measures are quantitative fields that contain numeric data, which can be aggregated. They are the values you want to analyze, such as sales, profit, or quantities. Measures are typically displayed on axes in graphs.
Examples of Measures:
- Sales
- Profit
- Quantity
- Discount
How Dimensions and Measures Interact in Tableau?
In Tableau, the interaction between dimensions and measures allows users to create insightful visualizations. Here’s how they typically interact:
- Dimensions provide the context for analysis: They break down measures into meaningful groups.
- Measures provide the values for analysis: They quantify the performance or metrics within those groups.
Aggregation and Disaggregation
- Aggregation involves combining individual data points into a summary form. For instance, summing up sales for a category over a month.
- Disaggregation breaks down the summary data into individual data points, which can be useful for detailed analysis.
