Homework 11: Tableau Visualizations & Storytelling

Key Topics & Core Concepts

Data Connection & Schema: Ingesting external Excel workbooks into Tableau Public / Desktop and verifying Dimension vs. Measure roles.
Visual Typologies: Creating packed bubble charts, horizontal sorted bar charts, and multi-measure highlight tables.
Calculated Fields: Writing aggregations and logic formulas (e.g., SUM([Profit]) / SUM([Sales])).
Interactive Dashboards: Combining multiple worksheets into an executive dashboard with interactive filter actions.
Storytelling & Export: Authoring progressive story points and publishing packaged workbooks (.twbx).

Assignment Overview & Deliverables

In this culminating business intelligence project, you will import retail sales data into Tableau, construct targeted visual analyses, apply dimension filters, and assemble an interactive dashboard.

Starter Dataset: Download MV_Sales_Clean.xlsx (or legacy MV_Sales.xls)
Completed Deliverable: Packaged Tableau Workbook ([your initials]_HW11_Tableau.twbx) or Tableau Public link submission
Target Dashboards: Executive Overview and Product Performance

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Ingest Data & Verify Data Types

Launch Tableau Public (or Tableau Desktop). Under Connect > To a File, select Microsoft Excel.
Locate and open your downloaded MV_Sales_Clean.xlsx file.
Drag the Orders table into the canvas area. Review the data grid to verify that categorical columns (Region, Category, Sub-Category) are designated as Dimensions and numerical metrics (Sales, Profit, Quantity) are designated as Measures.
Click the Sheet 1 tab at the bottom to open your visual worksheet workspace.

Step 2: Construct the Category Bubble Visualization

Rename Sheet 1 to Category Bubbles.
Drag Category and Sub-Category to the Detail card on the Marks shelf.
Drag Sales to the Size card. On the Marks drop-down, select Circle (or choose Packed Bubbles from the Show Me panel).
Drag Profit to the Color card. Click Color > Edit Colors, choose the Orange-Blue Diverging palette, and check Use Full Color Range.
Drag Sub-Category and Sales to the Label card. Format labels as Currency with zero decimal places.

Step 3: Build Top 10 Products by Quantity Sold

Create a new worksheet and name it Top Products.
Drag Product Name to the Rows shelf.
Drag Quantity to the Columns shelf. Click the sort descending icon on the toolbar to rank products from highest to lowest.
Filter to the top 10 items: drag Product Name to the Filters card, select the Top tab, choose By field > Top 10 by Quantity > Sum, and click OK.
Drag Region to the Filters shelf. Right-click the filter pill and select Show Filter so users can toggle regional subsets.

Step 4: Create Calculated Field (Profit Margin Ratio)

In the Data pane, click the small triangle drop-down next to the search bar and select Create Calculated Field....
Name the calculation Profit Margin.
Enter the formula: SUM([Profit]) / SUM([Sales]) and verify that Tableau reports "The calculation is valid." Click OK.
Right-click Profit Margin in the Data pane, select Default Properties > Number Format..., and set it to Percentage with 1 decimal place.
Drag Profit Margin onto the Tooltip card on both worksheets to display profitability on hover.

Step 5: Assemble the Interactive Dashboard

Click the New Dashboard button at the bottom. Name the dashboard Executive Overview.
Under Size on the Dashboard pane, select Fixed size > Generic Desktop (1000 x 800).
Drag Category Bubbles into the top half of the dashboard canvas.
Drag Top Products into the bottom half of the dashboard canvas.
Click the Category Bubbles view and click the funnel icon (Use as Filter). Verify that clicking a bubble filters the Top Products sheet below.
Add a Dashboard Title: check Show dashboard title at the bottom-left, double-click the header, and enter Executive Sales & Profit Performance.

Step 6: Export & Submit

If using Tableau Desktop: go to File > Export Packaged Workbook... and save as [your initials]_HW11_Tableau.twbx.
If using Tableau Public: click File > Save to Tableau Public As..., sign in, name your workbook, and copy your public dashboard URL.
Upload your .twbx file or submit your Tableau Public link to Canvas under the Homework 11: Tableau Visualizations & Storytelling portal.

Refer to Canvas for official submission cutoff and penalty policies.

Key Skills Evaluated

Skill Area	Verification Target
Data Ingestion & Types	Clean connection to `MV_Sales_Clean.xlsx` with proper Dimension and Measure assignments.
Visual Formatting	Packed bubbles sized by Sales and colored by diverging Profit; ranked Top 10 bar chart.
Calculations	Aggregated `Profit Margin` calculated field correctly formatted as Percentage.
Dashboard Interactivity	Integrated dashboard layout with active 'Use as Filter' cross-sheet filtering.