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1. Re: Excel Export: Two options to massively improve this functionality
jamie@sidey.com Feb 11, 2011 7:08 AM (in response to jamie@sidey.com)adding meaningless comment so I can click the "notify me when new comments are posted" checkbox
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2. Re: Excel Export: Two options to massively improve this functionality
Joe Mako Feb 11, 2011 9:11 AM (in response to jamie@sidey.com)How about creating another worksheet specifically for exporting, performs the same calculations, but is presented in a structure/format that exports nicely to Excel, kind of like your Option A. Not ideal, but it works for me when the data "must" be in Excel, and I cringe every time I do it.
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3. Re: Excel Export: Two options to massively improve this functionality
jamie@sidey.com Feb 11, 2011 9:17 AM (in response to jamie@sidey.com)Yeah... I've done that. But is is so sloppy to present to clients...
"please use this View for interacting... and then click over to this other view if you want to take the data with you on a flight"
Plus it blows up the number of views that you see listed. I.e
- Report 1
- Report 1 - For Export to Excel
- Report 2
- Report 2 - For Export to Excel
- Report 3
- Report 3 - For Export to Excel
Etc etc
As you say... it is cringe-inducing.
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4. Re: Excel Export: Two options to massively improve this functionality
Joe Mako Feb 11, 2011 9:26 AM (in response to jamie@sidey.com)The way I do it is with a parameter, with the values "Visualization"/"Underlying Data", and I use a layout container on a dashboard, and when they select the option they want to see or export, other is collapsed because each has a filter based on the parameter selection.
I attached a basic example.
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example_display_parameter.twbx 54.2 KB
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5. Re: Excel Export: Two options to massively improve this functionality
jamie@sidey.com Feb 11, 2011 1:43 PM (in response to jamie@sidey.com)Joe,
Very clever workaround.
With some reworking of existing workbooks, this could address Option A (choosing which dimensions and measures are exported)...
We still need Team Tableau to weigh in on exporting to a nice looking XLS or XLSX... this shouldn't be *that* tough... they've already gone to the effort of creating a nicely formatted pdf... it should be possible to create a nicely formatted excel doc too ... :-)
- Jamie
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6. Re: Excel Export: Two options to massively improve this functionality
Andy CotgreaveFeb 15, 2011 5:18 AM (in response to jamie@sidey.com)
+1 for some nicer exporting. We make a lot of use of the level of detail shelf, and helper/label fields to make row subtotals nicer. It's always a little embarrassing when we sell Tableau to our users and say "and you can easily export the data to Excel" only to then have to explain that they have to unmerge it and delete all the redundant columns.
There's already code for "Include in tooltip" - it would be nice to have an "Include in cross-tab data" for Dimensions/Measures.
Andy
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7. Re: Excel Export: Two options to massively improve this functionality
James Eichinger Mar 11, 2011 6:44 AM (in response to jamie@sidey.com)We love Tableau as an analysis tool, but have been frustrated by how poorly it lends itself to reporting. In fundraising, we frequently have to take what we do (which can be highly technical) and present it in a way that fundraisers and managers (who aren't technical) are comfortable with.
We're talking about people who's technical knowledge ends with being able to sort in excel. Half of them don't understand filtering. Even after getting them to utilize a dashboard on the server, when they export the list they've created it looks HORRIBLE. I would think I should be able to get an excel file that looks as good as what is presented in the "View Data" window.
Analysis only goes so far if reporting is so clunky.
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8. Re: Excel Export: Two options to massively improve this functionality
jamie@sidey.com Mar 25, 2011 8:45 AM (in response to jamie@sidey.com)Agreed. Getting a proper export to Excel would be a huge win.
James Baker... any word from engineering on whether export to Excel will make it into 6.1 or 7.0? Is this functionality on the triage list?
Cheers,
Jamie
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9. Re: Excel Export: Two options to massively improve this functionality
tobyerkson Apr 6, 2011 10:46 AM (in response to jamie@sidey.com)Hey Joe, do you have a post on how to do your parameter dashboard? I can't figure out how you did it.
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10. Re: Excel Export: Two options to massively improve this functionality
Jeff PettirossApr 25, 2011 4:19 PM (in response to jamie@sidey.com)
This takes a few steps. We need to take advantage of the fact that parameters are global to the workbook, while filters affect only a worksheet. Another trick is that to use a parameter to drive a filter, you need to create a calculated value from it. Before we begin these steps, create two sheets. One of them should have the desired visualization, one should have the underlying data you want to make available for download. Got your sheets created? OK, let's create the parameter:1 of 1 people found this helpful- Right-click in the Data area, and then choose Create Parameter.
- Name it Display.
- Change the data type to String, and allowable values to List.
- In the table that appears, type Visualization in one row, and Underlying Values in the other.
- Click OK. The parameter now appears in the bottom of the Data area.
- In the Analysis menu, choose Create Calculated Field.
- In the Name box, type Display Filter
- In the Formula box, type [Display]
- Click OK
- Create two worksheets, one with the viz and with a text view of the data you want for download (the underlying values).
- Right click the Display parameter and choose Show Parameter Control.
- In the Display card in the top right corner of your window, choose the entry that matches the sheet you're on (e.g. Visualization for the viz sheet)
- From the Dimensions list, drag Display Filter to the Filters card. The Create Filter window appears. Check the box in the list (e.g. Visualization for the viz sheet)
- Click OK
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11. Re: Excel Export: Two options to massively improve this functionality
Joe Mako Apr 25, 2011 4:24 PM (in response to jamie@sidey.com)Jeff,
Thank you, that was a fantastic write up. I look forward to reading your work in the future.
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12. Re: Excel Export: Two options to massively improve this functionality
Michael Cristiani Apr 25, 2011 8:34 PM (in response to jamie@sidey.com)+1 for Joe's kudos, Jeff. Thanks so much.
MANY BLESSINGS!
Peace and All Good!
Market Intelligence Group, LLC
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13. Re: Excel Export: Two options to massively improve this functionality
tobyerkson May 31, 2011 3:52 PM (in response to jamie@sidey.com)Joe, I've seen a couple examples of collapsing dashboards but for the life of me I can't figure it out. I understand the concept and have a parameter all set up and working for two reports. What, exactly, are the steps to allow a dashboard to have this functionality?
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14. Re: Excel Export: Two options to massively improve this functionality
Joe Mako May 31, 2011 5:27 PM (in response to jamie@sidey.com)Here is a great step-by-step tutorial:
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