Parameters provide good functionality in Tableau and help in creating interactive dashboards. In this article, we will learn how to change values in a filter, based on Parameter selection in Tableau.

I will first explain what I mean by changing the values in a filter, based on a parameter selection.

Suppose, giving a dataset, we have a list of customers who purchase items from online, in-store and by making phone calls. The data source contains sales for each of these purchases.

In this scenario, based on the selection made in parameter ‘Type of Order’, values in the filter ‘Customers’ should change.

In the above figure, when ‘Type of Order’ is Online, names of ‘Customers’ who made online purchase will be displayed.

How to change values in a filter based on Parameter selection

To achieve the above functionality, follow the below steps. This example uses the following dataset:

Steps:

1. Create a parameter – ‘Type of Order’ for each order types – Online, Store and Call. Learn how to create a parameter

2. Create a calculated field – ‘Customers’ to use this parameter. In the below code, Type of Order is the parameter created in the previous step.

IF [Type of Order] = “Online” THEN [Online]
ELSEIF [Type of Order] = “Store” THEN [Store]
ELSEIF [Type of Order] = “Call” THEN [Call]
END

3. Create another calculated field – ‘Sales Display’ to display Sales for each ‘Type of Order’ parameter in the chart

If [Type of Order] = ‘Online’ then [Sales (Online)]
ELSEIF [Type of Order] = ‘Store’ then [Sales (Store)]
ELSEIF [Type of Order] = ‘Call’ then [Sales]
End

4. Create a bar chart by using the calculated field ‘Customers’ on Rows and ‘Sales Display’ on Columns.

5. Right-click on calculated field Customers and select Show Filters. More on filters.

Right-click on the parameter Type of Order and select Show Parameter.

If you select ‘Store’ in ‘Type of Order’ parameter, the ‘Customers’ list and chart will display the Store Sales.

More on Parameters in Tableau

Chandraish Sinha

Chandraish Sinha is the Founder and President of Ohio Computer Academy, a leading institution committed to delivering high-quality IT education. With a passion for teaching and a belief in his company’s mission—Inspire, Educate & Evolve—Chandraish brings over 25 years of experience in the Information Technology industry.

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