Data Blending is a powerful feature of Tableau. It is used to analyze the data in a single view from a related data in multiple data source.
For example: Suppose a Sales data is present in a relational database and Sales Target data in an Excel sheet.
Now, for comparing the actual sales with the target sales, you have blended the data based on common dimensions to get access into the Sales Target measure.
The two data sources are involved in data blending are referred as the primary data source and the secondary data source.
A left join is built between the primary and the secondary data source with all the data rows from primary and only matching data rows from the secondary data source.

How to do data blending

Tableau has two inbuilt data sources that are Sample coffee chain.mdb and Sample-superstore, which can be used to illustrate data blending.
• First, load the sample coffee chain into Tableau and visualize its metadata.

• Go to the data source below connect → click on MS Access database file and browse for the sample coffee chain file.
The below screenshot shows the different tables and joins available in the file:

How to Add Secondary Data Source

Add the secondary data source which name is Sample-superstore.xls with the following steps:
• Click on Add button of the data source.
• Add a new connection to use cross-database joins to a file and choose the data source such as Microsoft Excel.
• Now, both the data sources appear on the Data window, as shown in the below screenshot.

Blending the Data

You can integrate the data from sample-superstore and sample coffee chain sources based on a common dimension.
• A small chain image appears in the dimension field that is State. It indicates the common dimension between the sample coffee chain and sample-superstore data sources.
• Drag the field State from the primary data source into the rows shelf and also drag the field Profit from the secondary data source into the Columns shelf.
• Then, select the horizontal bar option from Show Me to get the graphical visualization.
• The chart shows how the profit varies for each State in both the sample coffee chain and sample-superstore data sources. Shown in the below screenshot:

So, this brings us to the end of blog. This Tecklearn ‘Data Blending in Tableau’ blog helps you with commonly asked questions if you are looking out for a job in Tableau Desktop. If you wish to learn Tableau Desktop and build a career in Business Intelligence domain, then check out our interactive, Tableau Desktop Training, that comes with 24*7 support to guide you throughout your learning period. Please find the link for course details:

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Tecklearn’s Tableau Desktop Training teach you how to transform raw data into interactive and shareable dashboards using Tableau. Our Tableau Course covers the necessary analytical skills to Advanced data visualizations by incorporating real-world use-case scenarios, labs, and exercises. Some of the topics included are Data Blending, Data Mapping, Graphs, creation of charts, and LOD expression by using different versions of Tableau, such as Tableau Desktop, Tableau Reader, and Tableau Public.

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What you will Learn in this Course?

Understanding Tableau
• Why Tableau
• Tableau Product Platforms
• Tableau Architecture
• Tableau Interface
Data Connection with Tableau Desktop
• Features of Tableau Desktop
• Connect to data from File and Database
• Types of Connections
• Data Blending
• Joins and Unions
• Tableau Desktop User Interface
• Basic project: Create a workbook and publish it on Tableau Online
Basic Visual Analytics
• Visual Analytics
• Basic Charts: Bar Chart, Line Chart, and Pie Chart
• Hierarchies
• Data Granularity
• Highlighting
• Sorting
• Filtering
• Grouping
• Sets
Advanced Visual Analytics
• Parameters
• Tool tips
• Trend lines
• Reference lines
• Forecasting
• Clustering
Calculations in Tableau
• Calculated Fields
• Numeric, String, Data, Logical, Addressing and Partitioning
• Table Calculations
Level of Detail (LOD’s) Calculations
Advanced Charts in Tableau
• Box and Whisker’s Plot
• Bullet Chart
• Bar in Bar Chart
• Gantt Chart
• Waterfall Chart
• Pareto Chart
• Control Chart
• Funnel Chart
• Bump Chart
Parameters
• What If Scenarios
• Parameter in CF (KPI control)
• Parameter in Filter (Top N)
• Parameter in reference line
Dashboards and Stories
• Introduction to Dashboards
• The Dashboard Interface
• Dashboard Objects
• Building a Dashboard
• Dashboard Layouts and Formatting
• Interactive Dashboards with actions
• Designing Dashboards for devices
• Story Points
Data Security in Tableau
Optimizations tips and tricks
Interacting with Tableau Server
Working with Tableau JavaScript API

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