

The green background and aggregation function (in this case, SUM) help to indicate that it's a measure.

If it was on the Columns shelf, it would create a horizontal axis. It creates a vertical axis because it continuous and it's been added to the Rows shelf. In both examples, the Sales field is set to Continuous. The blue background and the horizontal headers help you to see that it's discrete. It creates horizontal headers instead of an axis. In the example on the right, the Quantity field has been set to Discrete. The green background and the axis help you to see that it's a continuous field. In the example on the left (below), because the Quantity field is set to Continuous, it creates a horizontal axis along the bottom of the view. Examples of continuous and discrete fields used in a view For details on the many ways you can customize the fields in the Data pane, see Organize and Customize Fields in the Data Pane, Edit Default Settings for Fields, and Work with Data Fields in the Data Pane. Note: You can set the default aggregation and other properties and settings for fields. If you are using a multidimensional data source, fields are aggregated in the data source and measures fields in the view do not show that aggregation.
DIMENSION ANSWER HOW TO
For details, see How to Disaggregate Data. If the entire view is disaggregated, then by definition no field in the view is aggregated. To learn more about aggregation, see List of Predefined Aggregations in Tableau and Aggregate Functions in Tableau. For related details, see Cube Data Sources.Ī visual cue that helps you know when a field is a measure is that the field is aggregated with a function, which is indicated with an abbreviation for the aggregation in the field name, such as. In Tableau Desktop, cubes are supported only on Windows.) You can change some measures fromĬontinuous to discrete, but in general, you cannot change data roles for fields in cube data sources. The options for changing data roles are limited. Note: With a cube (multidimensional) data source, Discrete DimensionsĬontinuous Dimensions (dimensions with a data type of String or Boolean cannot be continuous) People sometimes call these fields "pills", but we refer to them as "fields" in Tableau help documentation. This table shows examples of what the different fields look like in the view. Possible combinations of fields in Tableau Generally, discrete fields add headers to the view. Generally, continuous fields add axes to the view.īlue measures and dimensions are discrete. Continuous field values are treated as an infinite range. Green measures and dimensions are continuous. Continuous means "forming an unbroken whole, without interruption" discrete means "individually separate and distinct." Continuous and discrete are mathematical terms. Tableau represents data differently in the view depending on whether the field is discrete (blue), or continuous (green). When you drag a measure into the view, Tableau applies an aggregation to that measure (by default). Measures contain numeric, quantitative values that you can measure. Dimensions affect the level of detail in the view. You can use dimensions to categorize, segment, and reveal the details in your data. Each field is automaticallyĪssigned a data type (such as integer, string, date), and a role: Discrete Dimension or Continuous Measure (more common), or Continuous Dimension or Discrete Measure (less common).ĭimensions contain qualitative values (such as names, dates, or geographical data). About data field roles and typesĪre made from the columns in your data source. You use these fields to build views of your data. When you connect to a new data source, Tableau assigns each field in the data source as dimension or measure in the Data pane, depending on the type of data the field contains.
