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.

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.

+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

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.

Hey Joe, do you have a post on how to do your parameter dashboard?  I can't figure out how you did it.

• 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

Jeff,

Thank you, that was a fantastic write up. I look forward to reading your work in the future.

+1 for Joe's kudos, Jeff.  Thanks so much.

MANY BLESSINGS!

Peace and All Good!

Michael W Cristiani

Market Intelligence Group, LLC

on Twitter

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?

Here is a great step-by-step tutorial:

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