Using measure names in parameter actions

In Tableau, “Measure Names” is a special field that automatically includes all the measure names (numeric fields) in your data source. It’s a dynamic field that allows you to switch between different measures in your visualizations without having to manually drag each measure to the view.

Using “Measure Names” in Tableau essentially provides a way to create a more flexible and dynamic visualization, allowing users to choose which measures they want to include in the view.

We can use Measure Names in Parameter Actions to compress the information and find more information in just one dashboard.

Step 1: Connect to data

→ In Tableau Desktop, connect to Sample – Global Superstore data provided by Tableau

Step 2: Create a worksheet named “Product and Segment Status”

→ Open Tableau and create a new worksheet

→ Name the worksheet “Product and Segment Status”

→ Drag the fields “Category” and “Subcategory” to the Rows shelf

→ Place the fields “Measure Names” and “Measure Values” on the Columns shelf

→ Keep only the measures “Profit,” “Quantity,” and “Sales” from “Measure Values“

→ Drag “Measure Values” to Color and Label

Step 3: Create a target worksheet named “Measure Evolution“

→ Create a new worksheet and name it “Measure Evolution“

→ Create a parameter named “Select Measure” with data type String and allowable values List: Profit, Sales, Quantity

→ Create a calculated field named “Selected Measure” using the CASE statement to select the corresponding measure

→ Drag “Order Date” to the Columns shelf and set it to display years and months (continuous)

→ Drag “Selected Measure” to the Rows shelf twice. Right-click on the second axis, choose Dual Axis, and synchronize the axes

→ For the first field, set the marks in the Marks Area to Automatic. For the second field, set the visualization type to Circle and drag “Selected Measure” to Color

→Create a new dashboard and name it “Use Measure Names in Parameter Actions“

→Drag a vertical container onto the dashboard

→Place the two worksheets created into the vertical container

→Go to Dashboard -> Actions -> Add Action -> Filter. Select “Product and Segment Status” as the source sheet and “Measure Evolution” as the target sheet

→Configure the action to exclude all values and apply the filter to all fields

→Go to Dashboard -> Actions -> Add Action -> Change Parameter. Choose “Product and Segment Status” as the source sheet, “Select Measure” as the target parameter, select “Measure Names” as the field, and choose None for aggregation

Step 6: View the evolution for a category and subcategory  

→After configuring the actions, select a category and subcategory to view the evolution at the bottom of the page 

Here is the dashboard in Tableau Public: