What is Tableau Attribute function?
When you need to return a value of a single denomination in a feature, the ATTR() function in Tableau is used. It also helps to single out the features having multiple values. For example, a single product can be bought by multiple people. Unless defined further, the Attribute function in Tableau defines it as an asterisk (*).
Here is a simple example of how the attribute of a feature is used. The Row ID is a unique number and, hence can provide multiple values as shown in this example.
The attribute of “Sales” has been defined here. Using that, Row ID ascertains the number of Sales every row has done. This doesn’t have numerous Dimensions as answers as will be seen in further examples.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- The ATTR() function in Tableau retrieves the value of an attribute for a specified dimension within the current context.
- It’s commonly used to display details for individual records without aggregation errors or to ensure accurate representations of data.
- ATTR() operates on dimensions with only one distinct value, making it suitable for scenarios where unique attribute values are expected.
- It’s essential to verify data integrity to prevent errors and inconsistencies when using ATTR().
- ERROR Functions can be used for error handling to manage cases where Tableau Attribute returns an error.
ATTR() Syntax
The syntax to create your attribute function is as shown:
ATTR([dimension])
Where [dimension] is the feature used to find the attribute in a given dataset. It either returns a value from that dimension or else provides an asterisk (*).
The way Tableau calculates the Attribute of a given dimension from a dataset can be simulated using this formula below.
IF MIN ([dimension]) = MAX ([dimension]) THEN MIN ([dimension]) ELSE “*” END
How to use Tableau Attribute function?
To learn how to properly use the ATTR() in Tableau, you need to follow these steps carefully.
Step 1: Before you can work with the Tableau Attribute function, you will need a workbook. Open the Tableau application. Then, go to “File” – ”New” to open a new Workbook.
Step 2: Import the dataset of your choice. You can do this by simply dragging and dropping the dataset file in the workbook.
Alternatively, you can click on the “New Data Source” or press Ctrl+D and select “Microsoft Excel”. It will open the Files application, where you can select the File of your choice.
For this example, the Sample-Superstore dataset is used.
Step 3: Select the first sheet to start your visualizations.
Step 4: Create a custom ATTR() function by creating a new Calculated Field. To do so, click on “Create Calculated Field” after clicking on the drop-down arrow next to the Search Bar as shown.
Step 5: Start by naming the new Attribute field. Then, call the attribute function. Type the first few letters, and you’ll get a prompt as shown.
Step 6: Take the feature “Customer Name” from the Sample-Superstore dataset as shown.
Step 7: Drag and drop the feature “Ship Date” onto the “Rows” component.
Step 8: Delete “QUARTER(Ship Date)” by right-clicking on it and selecting “Remove”.
Step 9: Drag and drop the custom attribute field on the “Rows” component.
It is the Table created in Tableau.
The “*” function denotes that there is more than one value for that specific function. It can be seen by switching the attribute calculated field to just the “Customer Name.”
Examples
Instead of defining a Tableau Attribute in a calculated field, you can select it from the statistical measures by right-clicking on the feature to do so. These examples provide a step-by-step explanation on the different ways you can use the ATTR() function in Tableau.
Example #1
When you want to add multiple features to your graph, you can use the ATTR() function to do so. It is the simplest use case where this can be used. Follow the steps below to see how to do that.
Step 1: Open a New Workbook in Tableau. Import a new database by connecting it to your local storage where your dataset is.
Select “Microsoft Excel” and select the “Sample-Superstore” dataset from your local storage.
Step 2: Start by creating a Calculated Field, as shown.
Step 3: Name the attribute calculated field and define the attribute of the feature “State.”
It is the calculated field.
Step 4: Place “Sales” in the “Columns” component and the “City” in the “Rows” component.
Click on the bar graph icon on the graph to sort the graph in descending order.
Step 5: Place the Tableau Attribute calculation in the “Text” component in the “Marks” tab. Also, place the feature “Country”.
Step 6: Add “Region” to the “Marks” tab (drag and drop to do so).
It is the resulting graph.
As you can see, this shows that “Region” affects the graph, providing attributes for each region, and also, the state names are shown for each city.
Example #2
When you want the attribute of multiple features in a graph, you can use the ATTR() function. Follow these steps to learn how to do this simply.
Step 1: Import the Sample-Superstore in a new workbook. After doing so, you can go to the worksheet to perform the necessary calculations.
Step 2: Place “Sales” in the “Columns” field and the “State” in the “Rows” field.
Step 3: Place the feature “Product Name” in the “Marks” tab.
Step 4: Similarly, place “Category” in the “Marks” tab. Then, you can right-click on it and select “Attribute” to get the attribute of the feature “Category”.
Step 5: Change the graph type to “Bar” in the “Marks” tab.
Step 6: Similarly, place the feature “Sub-Category” and find its attribute.
It creates a segmented bar graph where you can hover and see the values and attributes for yourself.
Example #3
In advanced data analysis, finding the attribute of multiple features becomes a necessity. We know from earlier that if an attribute has more than two values, it will return an “*.” These asterisks may ruin visualizations and users may not know what values may be there. Fortunately, Tableau provides several measures to prevent the “*” from occurring using the “Tooltip” component from the “Marks” tab. Follow these steps keenly so that you can replicate this.
Step 1: Before you start, open a new workbook (if you don’t have one opened already) or create a new worksheet. Import the “Sample-Superstore” dataset to the workbook.
Step 2: Place “Sales” in the “Columns” section and the “State” in the “Rows” section.
Step 3: Sort the bar graph by clicking on the “graph” icon on the graph to sort it in descending order.
Step 4: Place “City” in the tooltip and then right-click on the feature and select “Attribute”.
Step 5: If you hover over the graph, you can see a “*” mark in the “City” feature. There are many ways to prevent this.
One of these ways is to create a new worksheet with a visualization between “City” and “Sales”.
Step 6: Create a new worksheet in the same workbook.
In the worksheet, place “Sales” in the “Columns” and “City” in the “Rows”.
Step 7: Similar to the first worksheet, sort the bar graph by clicking on the “graph” icon on top of the graph.
Step 8: Go back to the first worksheet and click on the “Tooltip” in the ”Marks” tab.
Step 9: In the tooltip popup, select “Insert” and select the sheet with the visualization between “Sales” and “City”. Here, the sheet is “Sheet 29”.
Step 10: To check if the connection is made, go to “Sheet 29” and look at the “Filters” tab.
The finished graph is a bar graph where if you hover over a value, you will not get an asterisk, but get a detailed view about the attributes.
Due to the connection between the two sheets, the attribute of the feature “City” doesn’t return a “*”, but a detailed graph.
Important Things To Note
- Use Tableau Attribute when you want to display the attribute value of a dimension when there’s only one distinct value present in the current context.
- The Tableau Attribute function should be used with caution, especially when working with aggregated data. It helps ensure that your visualization accurately represents the data when there’s only one value for a dimension.
- ATTR() is used to display details for individual records within a visualization without encountering aggregation errors.
- Incorrect usage of the Attribute function can lead to misleading visualizations.
- Always consider the context and characteristics of your data before applying the function.
- Avoid using Tableau Attribute with dimensions that are not guaranteed to have a single distinct value in the current context. Doing so can lead to inconsistencies in your visualization.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, you can use the Tableau Attribute in Tableau for both dimensions. You can either create calculated fields with the attribute or right-click on the feature and select “Attribute”.
For dimensions:
For measures:
SUM() and AVG() aggregate values across multiple records, while ATTR() returns the value of a single attribute for a specified dimension in the current context.
Yes. There are some limitations that you need to keep in mind when using the ATTR() in Tableau. Here are some limitations:
• Use ATTR() only when there’s a single value for the specified dimension in the context.
• Be cautious with aggregated data; incorrect usage may lead to misleading results.
• Verify data integrity; ensure there’s truly only one distinct value for the dimension.
• Avoid using ATTR() with dimensions having potential multiple values to prevent inconsistencies.
Error handling for the ATTR() function in Tableau is done using these ways.
• Checking data integrity to ensure single values.
• Using alternative functions like MIN() or MAX() if ATTR() fails.
• Implementing filters or calculations to resolve ambiguity.
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This article must be helpful to understand the Tableau Attribute, with its formula and examples. You can download the template here to use it instantly.
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