How to track data evolution over time with Tableau Desktop – Animated Bubble Chart

Tableau Software is one of the most appreciated data analysis tools in the world when we talk about an attractive and interactive way of visualizing our data. As a result, the data analysis created in Tableau Software helps users to understand the information about their business environment in which the organization operates and to make further strategic decisions.

Today we have chosen to present another unique way to visualize the data about our organizations using the famous animated analysis of Hans Rosling, made with the help of Tableau. Firstly, Rosling analyzed the evolution of worldwide fertility. He concluded that with its decline, the period of rapid population growth ended. Against this background, Rosling demonstrates that the gap between developed and developing countries has diminished and the health of the overall population has clearly improved.

Animated Bubble Chart

To perform the analysis presented above, we will use the Bubble Chart and the animation features provided by Tableau. Bubble Chart helps users visualize data using two axes X and Y together with the bubbles size and color. Also, the Bubble Chart animation helps users visualize the changes that take place over time and the movement that occurs between two or more points of interest, taken as single points or groups of points.

The users who make this animation can follow the movement of a single bubble or values, but also the whole group, choosing a certain time interval in which a certain movement takes place. Thus, users can define the values on the two axes or change the bubbles size or color, making it easier to follow.

An animated Bubble Chart simultaneously displays multiple dimensions of the analyzed data and provides an overview of the analyzed topics of interests. Below we will present how you can perform an animated Bubble Chart analysis, similar to Hans Rosling’s.

Step 1: Connect to data

In Tableau Desktop, connect to World Indicators data source.

Step 2: Create the visualization

→ Drag the Life Expectancy (AVG) on Rows.

→ Drag the Fertility Rate (AVG) on Columns.

→ Drag Country on the Detail Mark

→ Drag Population on the Size mark. Increase Size mark

→ Drag Continent on Color. Reduce opacity.

→ Drag Year to Pages

→ Make sure animations are enabled by going to Format->Animations

→ Scale the Sheet to Entire View

→ Press the Play button on the Year page on the right to start the animation

By Maximilian Muntean

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