Tableau Gauge Chart

What is the Tableau Gauge Chart?

A Tableau gauge chart is a data visualization tool that displays the current progress of a key performance indicator (KPI) towards a goal or target value. A Tableau gauge chart is a circular arc with a needle that resembles similar to a dial gauge in Tableau or a speedometer. The position of the Tableau gauge chart with needle and color helps you to determine how much closer or distant you are from your target value. This chart is very useful when you want to track the performance of metrics against a defined target. For example, you may want to monitor how the allocated budget is spent across the various initiatives and whether the budget is underspent or overspent.

A Tableau gauge chart is a preferred choice when you want to compare the performance against a particular benchmark. A typical Tableau gauge chart is as follows.

When to build?

You must consider building a Tableau gauge charts when

• You want to monitor the progress of a KPI toward a Tableau gauge chart with a target.
• You need to view the base value, maximum value, target value, and current value in a single view.
• You want the flexibility to assess the KPI’s effectiveness in percentages against a Tableau gauge chart with a target value.
• You want to facilitate real-time goal monitoring for critical KPIs such as service metrics, project delivery progress, or customer KPIs, which can help take action on mitigating steps to improve the KPIs.

How to create a Gauge Chart in Tableau?

Tableau doesn’t natively support gauge charts. However, with a workaround, you can create a gauge chart in Tableau. You have to create a donut chart and divide the chart into different slices.

To create a gauge chart in Tableau, you may follow the instructions outlined below: 

Step 1: Import your data source into Tableau public.

Step 2: Create calculated fields required for specifying the goal value, current measure/KPI, minimum and maximum values. Also, create the logic for the circular arc.

Step 3: Create the gauge chart in Tableau. Note that Tableau doesn’t natively support any gauge chart. You have to manipulate the Pie chart in a way that creates a circular arc view. You can do so by creating a pie chart, transforming the pie chart into a donut chart, and then dividing the slices of the donut chart according to the angle referenced to your KPI.

Step 4: Adjust the view to hide the lower circular arc and then color code the upper circular arc to display the gauge chart.

Step 5: Add formatting and customization to the gauge chart. 

Note: Tableau gauge chart download works similarly to any other chart in Tableau.

Examples

In this section, we will demonstrate different scenarios that you can reference when creating Tableau gauge charts.

Example #1

In this example, we have demonstrated how to create a gauge chart in Tableau using the Europe Sales Records dataset.

To create a gauge chart in Tableau, follow the instructions outlined below:

Step 1: Import your dataset into the Tableau interface.

Step 2: Add SUM(0) to the Rows shelf, as shown below.

Step 3: Right-click on the SUM(0) and choose Dual Axis.

Step 4: Drag Measure Names to the Color on the Marks card.

Step 5: Change the Marks Type to Pie.

Step 6: Change the color of the innermost circle to white.

Step 7: Adjust the size of the innermost circle.

Step 8: Navigate to the Analysis – Create a Calculated Field. 

Step 9: Create the below-calculated fields in the calculation editor screen.

Profit as % of Sales

Lower Half

Color Coding less than 50%

Grey less than 50%

Color Coding gt than 50%

Grey gt than 50%

Slice 1

Slice 2

Dummy

Step 10: Add Filter conditions by dragging the Measure Names to the Filters pane.

Step 11: Drag Measure Values to the Angle.

Tableau will update the view, as shown below.

Step 12:Click on Color – Edit Colors.

Step 13: In the Edit Colors screen, amend the color of the data item.

Tableau will update the view, as shown below.

Step 14: Add Dummy to the innermost circle Detail.

Step 15: Change the Dummy to Color.

Step 16: Click on the down arrow and choose Edit Colors.

Step 17: Adjust the color coding, as shown below.

Step 18: Add the Sales Channel to the Columns shelf.

Step 19: Add Sales Channel and Profit as % of Sales to the innermost circle.

Step 20: Apply formatting to the view by choosing the Format option.

Step 21: In the Format pane, choose percentage.

Step 22: Remove the header by unchecking Show Header.

Now, your Tableau gauge chart is ready for visualization.

Example #2

In this example, we will demonstrate creating a speedometer gauge chart in Tableau using the Superstore dataset. The Superstore contains data on the sales of various product categories across multiple geographic locations worldwide.

To create a speedometer gauge chart in Tableau, follow the instructions outlined below:

Step 1: Open Tableau public on your machine and connect to your dataset from the Tableau interface.

Step 2: Click on the down arrow next to the search bar and choose Create Calculated Field.

Step 3: In the Calculation Editor window, specify the name of the calculated field and logic to populate the value.

Step 4: Repeat steps 2 & 3 to create the calculated field Slice 1 as per the logic below.

Step 5: Similarly, create additional calculated fields, as shown below.

Slice 2

Slice 3

Slice 4

Slice 5

Step 6: Double-click on the Rows shelf, type 0, and hit Enter. Repeat the same one more time.

Tableau will add SUM(0), as shown below.

Step 7: Under the All pane, change the Marks Type to Pie.

Step 8: Change the landscape to Entire View.

Step 9: Right-click on the lower vertical axis and choose Dual Axis.

Tableau will merge both the Pie charts into a single view.

Step 10: Click on SUM(0) and adjust the Size for the outer circle.

Step 11: Drag Measure Name out of the SUM(0) card on the Marks pane.

Step 12: Change the color to White for the inner circle.

Step 13: Similarly, drag the Measure Name for the outer circle to Angle on the SUM(0) pane.

Tableau will update the visual, as shown below.

Step 14: Remove the Measure Values other than the calculated fields you have created.

Step 15: Readjust the measure values according to the order shown below.

Step 16: Click on Color – Edit Colors. In the Edit Colors screen, double-click on a data item and select the color as shown.

Step 17: We have adjusted the color of the Slices, as shown below.

Step 18: Post color coding, Tableau will refresh your visual as seen below. It looks like a speedometer chart.

Step 19: Click on the Label on the Marks card. Click on the drop-down next Font and apply customization to the font.

Step 20: Right-click on the Profit Margin and choose Format.

Step 21: Under the Default section under the Pane tab, change the Numbers format to display % values. Your gauge chart is now ready for visualization..

Example #3

In this example, we will use Alibaba Retail Sales data to create another gauge chart in Tableau. Alibaba Retail Sales data contains the sales details across different Alibaba stores across geographical locations.

You may follow the instructions outlined below to try creating a similar toggle yourself in Tableau:

Step 1: Import the data into Tableau public.

Step 2: We have created a series of calculated fields, as shown below. They include:

Profit%

Portion 1

Portion 2

Portion 3

Portion 4

Portion 5

Step 3: Type 0 in the Rows shelf and hit Enter. Repeat the same process.

Step 4: Right-click on the vertical axis and select Dual Axis.

Step 5: Adjust the size of the outermost pie chart. Color code the innermost pie chart with White color.

Step 6: Drag the Measure values and Tableau will create a donut chart, as shown below.

Step 7: Rearrange the Measure Values. Do it as shown below.

Step 8: Click on the Color for the outermost pie and choose Edit Colors; in its window, select the color coding as shown below. Click OK to save the changes.

Tableau will create a gauge chart in the view based on your selection.

Step 9: Drag the Profit% to the Label on the Marks card.

Step 10: Format the gauge chart as per your requirement. Here, we have formatted the Profit% value to display the value in % as shown in the view. Now, your speedometer gauge chart is ready for visualization.

Important Things to Note

• To create a gauge chart, you need to define the Tableau gauge chart with target values, and minimum and maximum values on your dataset.
• Choose appropriate color coding for your gauge chart to create a visually appealing experience for your users.
• Avoid creating multiple gauge charts to avoid any clutter in your dashboard.
• Always follow Tableau gauge chart best practices for effective chart visualization.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Guide to What is Tableau Gauge Chart. We learn definition, when to built, how to create gauge chart, with examples, and points to note. You can learn more from the following articles.