TABLEAU: Create global filter from a secondary data source to multiple data sources on dashboard

Question

I have a Tableau dashboard with various visualizations created from 3 data sources (i.e. A,B, C).

Each data source has a relationship (join) with the same secondary data source (i.e. D), and the secondary data sources provides information to create a filter for each data source. In other words, there is the following relationship for my data sources: A - D B - D C - D

I would like to create a global filter on a dashboard I have created. I would like one filter card from "D" to show up and be applied to "A," "B," and "C" at once rather than having a separate filter card show up for each data source.

I tried to create a global filter via a parameter and calculated field, but the parameter requires layers of connections because data sources "A,B, and C" only have "D" in common.

Thoughts?

Answer 1

• You are using Tableau data blending on your worksheets in order to include data from multiple data sources, rather than a join to create a data source based on multiple tables. Let's say, If all your tables are on the same database server or spreadsheet, then traditional joins are usually more efficient than data blending.

• The following approach often works well.

• Instead of using Tableau's quick filter feature, create a worksheet based solely on D that shows the values you wish to use for filtering. It could be a simple list of names, or a bubble chart or anything you like. As you filter by creating actions, use that worksheet where it is the source and all the other worksheets on your dashboard are the targets. Typically, you would want to specify the field names explicitly.

• Data blending is useful but can be complex. You may need to make D the primary data source on your other worksheets,  Depending on details.

• The parameter and calculated field you mentioned can be even simpler and faster than using actions, but users are restricted to selecting a single value for a parameter, unlike the filter action approach. (Of course, one parameter value can represent multiple values in your target data source field depending entirely on how your calculated field interprets the parameter).

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