A final-revision summary for the Tableau Desktop Specialist. Study aid only - no notes in the proctored exam.
Dimensions vs measures, discrete vs continuous
| Distinction | What it controls | Cue |
|---|
| Dimension vs measure | The field’s role: slice vs aggregate | Measures are aggregated (SUM, AVG); dimensions slice |
| Discrete vs continuous | How it is plotted | Discrete = blue = headers; continuous = green = axis |
These are separate ideas: a date can be discrete or continuous; a measure can be made discrete.
Combining data (joins vs unions vs blends)
| Method | What it does | Use when |
|---|
| Join | Combines tables at the row level on a key | Tables share a key and live in one source |
| Union | Stacks rows from similar tables | Same columns, e.g. monthly files |
| Blend | Links separate data sources on a shared field | Sources differ; link on a common dimension |
Building visualisations
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|
| Marks card | Controls colour, size, label, detail, shape, tooltip |
| Show Me | Suggests chart types for the selected fields |
| Rows / Columns shelves | Define the structure of the view |
| Filters shelf | Limit what is shown |
| Pages shelf | Step through the view by a field |
Filter order of operations (high to low)
Extract -> Data source -> Context -> Dimension -> Measure -> Table calculation. Knowing this order explains “surprising” results.
Calculations
| Type | Example |
|---|
| Basic / row-level | [Sales] - [Cost] |
| Aggregate | SUM([Sales]) / SUM([Quantity]) |
| Table calculation | Running total, % of total, rank, moving average |
| Level of Detail (LOD) | { FIXED [Region] : SUM([Sales]) } |
Sharing insights
| Item | Purpose |
|---|
| Dashboard | Combine sheets, add filters and actions |
| Story | Sequence of sheets/dashboards to tell a narrative |
| Publish | Share to Tableau Public / Server / Cloud |
FAQ
- Can I use notes in the Tableau Desktop Specialist exam?
- No. It is proctored (online or at a test centre). Use this for final revision before exam day only.
Sources
