Line Chart in Tableau

Overview of Line Chart in Tableau

The chart refers to a graph in which we take measure along one axis and dimension along another. This can be discrete as well as continuous plots. The pair of values for each observation becomes a point and joining of all these points creates a line showing the relationship between the 2 axes. This is called a line chart. In this topic, we are going to learn about the Line Chart in Tableau.

If we have continuous data and we would like to represent through a chart then, the line chart is a good option. This kind of graph is very much required when we try to identify trends or patterns in our data to know the seasonal effect and large change over time. To represent the Time Series data line chart is very much required.

This is the basic line chart created in excel for better understanding. Below it describes the maximum temperature according to the given year and we have plotted that in the line chart.

Visualization in tableau

Data visualization is the presentation of data in a pictorial or graphical format. It is easy for us to see analytics in graphical form which enables us to grasp difficult concepts and identify new patterns. With the help of interactive visualization, we can take down concepts into the deeper drill down for more details.

We can make 2 kinds of Line chart.

i) Single/Simple line chart

ii) Multiple line chart

Single/simple line chart

A simple line chart shows the relationship between the dependent and independent values of a single set of data.

For the demonstration part in Tableau, we are going to use the below dataset in which data refers to the selling of items by some representatives in different regions with the number of products sold along with the unit price of it.

When we connect tableau with the .csv file, then automatically tableau will divide the dimensions and measures into different sections. In the columns (x-axis) we took ‘Representative’ and in the rows ( y-axis) ‘units’ have been taken for the visualization purpose in the below example (We just need to drag the measures and dimensions into columns and rows). In the “Marks” section we need to select the ‘Line’ for viewing the graph as a line chart.

NB – In the marks section we can set up which kind of graph we want. In the drop-down box, we have a bar plot, area plot, line plot, square plot and pie plot, etc. Based on our requirement we can choose options from them.

(This is a discrete single Line chart)

According to our input data tableau has drawn the line chart for us. To show the heading on the graph we need to drag the ‘Units’ from the measures onto the ‘Label’ as the arrow pointing towards in the above screenshot.

This graph tells us about the number of units sold by each representative.

Multiple line chart

A multiple line chart shows the relationship between the dependent and independent values of multiple sets of data.

Example #1

This multiple-line chart is very much required when we have more subcategories or in the case of a multi-dimensional variable.

In this example, we have taken the ‘Order date’ in the x-axis and ‘Units’ in the y-axis. After extending the Order date year into months, we have dragged the ‘region’ from dimension into the color section as pointed below, then it creates multiple line charts stating the sum of units sold in every month segregated by region.

Blueline for the central region, Orange for East and Red for West region.

Example #2

This dataset is about unemployed history over a period from 2005 to 2015 for many age groups like 16-19, 20-24, etc. With the help of the line chart in tableau, we are going to show for every certain age group what the unemployment history was over this period.

We have taken the “Period” – dimension in the columns and “Unemployed”- measures in the rows. The “age” – dimension has dragged onto the color section for the sub-category line plot for each age group.

Here we can see the distribution of unemployment for each age group for the given period

NB: When the ‘mark’ has set to ‘automatic’, tableau gives the plot which best describes the data. Here tableau will automatically throw this type of line chart as a bar plot is not the best suitable for gaining insight from this kind of data.

With Continuous Data

All those examples we have seen yet in this article are with discrete data. Let’s create another example of a line chart with continuous data.

As in this article many times we have come across discrete and continuous data, I would like to give one brief definition about them. Discrete data can take only particular values. They may be an infinite number but each is distinct and there is no grey area in between. This may be numeric like the number of apple/population strength or categorical like male or female, red or blue, etc. Continuous data are not restricted to define separate values but can occupy any value over a continuous range. Between any two continuous values, there may be infinite others.

This is the dataset of startup expansion in a different region with market spend and revenue amount. We will plot a line chart between market spend & revenue.

This chart shows us the pattern between the market’s spend and revenue. Both the variables are numerical and many points are present between two data.

Another Way of Creating Line Chart

Apart from this way, there is another way of creating a line chart in Tableau. In the top right corner of Tableau screen, a “Show me” option is available. In that drop-down, we can select many kinds of plots for visualizing our data. In the below screenshot highlighted section creates a line chart for us.

Step-1: We need to click on below-marked section –  “Show me”

Step-2: Among the below-marked section we can choose one based upon our data whether data is continuous or discrete.

Recommended Articles

This is a guide to Line Chart in Tableau. Here we discuss the basic concept with visualization in tableau with Single and Multiples Line Chart Examples in detail. You may also look at the following article to learn more –

1. Tableau Alternatives
2. Best Data Visualization Tools
3. Data Analysis Tools
4. Data Science Career