1. Filters
In this video, you'll learn about the different filters you can use and Tableau's order of operations. Let's get started!
2. Tableau's order of operations
After connecting to your data, Tableau provides opportunities for layers of filters. Filters are considered operations by Tableau. The sequence in which the software executes those operations is determined by the order of operations.
First, Tableau executes all Extract filters, then Data Source filters. Next up are Context filters. After that Dimension filters, then Measure filters, and lastly Table Calculation filters.
Let's take a closer look. No worries if it's not entirely clear yet how to create them. You'll learn how to do that in the next video.
3. Extract filters
Extract filters are used to filter the extracted data from the data source. This filter can only be used if the user uses a data extract instead of a live connection.
Recall that a live connection directly connects to a data source, while an extract connection extracts the data from the data source and creates a local copy. So extract filters limit the rows that get extracted from the data source.
4. Data source filters
Data source filters are used to filter the data at the data source level and restrict the records present in the data set.
They work on both live and extract connections.
This filter type can be useful for restricting the data users can see when you publish a workbook or data source.
5. Context filters
Context filters create a temporary table in the Tableau engine and act as a primary filter before other Dimension and Measure filters are applied.
6. Context filters example
Let's look at an example. In the absence of a Context filter, all filters that you set in Tableau are computed independently. That is, each filter accesses all rows in your data source without regard to other filters.
Let's look at an example. If we would first apply a Dimension filter on the furniture category and then on Country (Germany), Tableau would look at the entire table each time.
If we would apply a context filter on the furniture category first and a dimension filter after, Tableau will only look at the rows filtered by the context filter.
Context filters are commonly used to improve performance or to include only the data of interest
7. Dimension filters
When a dimension is used to filter the data in a worksheet, it is called a Dimension filter. This is the type of filter you have been using so far.
8. Measure filters
Similarly, a measure filter can filter the data based on the values present in a measure. You have used this filter type before, each time you added a Measure to the filters shelf.
9. Let's demo!
Okay that's it. Time for a demo!