5 min read
Understanding Tableau Data Types
Learn about different data types in Tableau and how to work with them
Data Types in Tableau
Tableau recognizes different types of data automatically.
Main Data Types
1. Text (String)
- Names, cities, categories
- Icon: Abc
- Example: "John", "New York"
2. Number (Integer/Decimal)
- Whole numbers or decimals
- Icon: #
- Example: 100, 25.50
3. Date
- Calendar dates
- Icon: Calendar
- Example: 2024-01-15
4. Date & Time
- Date with time
- Icon: Calendar + Clock
- Example: 2024-01-15 10:30:00
5. Boolean
- True or False
- Icon: T|F
- Example: TRUE, FALSE
6. Geographic
- Locations for maps
- Icon: Globe
- Example: Country, State, City
Data Type Icons
| Icon | Type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Abc | Text | "Apple" |
| # | Number | 150 |
| Calendar | Date | 2024-01-01 |
| Globe | Geographic | "USA" |
Changing Data Types
Sometimes Tableau guesses wrong. To fix:
- Click the data type icon
- Select correct type
- Data updates automatically
Dimensions vs Measures
- Dimensions (blue) - Text, dates, categories
- Measures (green) - Numbers you calculate
Converting Types
Right-click a field:
- "Convert to Dimension"
- "Convert to Measure"
- "Change Data Type"
Common Issues
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Numbers as text | Change to Number |
| Dates not recognized | Change to Date |
| Location not mapping | Change to Geographic |
Tips
- Check data types after connecting
- Fix types in Data Source tab
- Geographic fields need correct type for maps
Summary
Tableau has text, numbers, dates, and geographic types. Check and fix data types for accurate analysis!