Significance of Default Properties and how they vary based on the Field type in Tableau Desktop
What are the Default Properties?
In Tableau Desktop when we drag fields from the Data pane to shelves, the data is represented as marks in the view.
The fields and their marks will be initially displayed depending on their Default Properties. However we can modify these default settings based on our requirements.
Where can we access the Default Properties in Tableau Desktop?
Once we connect to the data and navigate to the Data pane we need to select the required field.
We can access the Default Properties menu by any of the below methods
Method — I: Clicking the drop-down arrow on a field in the Data pane. This will open the context menu.
Method — II: Right-click the field in the Data pane. In corresponding context menu select Default Properties.
Based on the field type the different Default Properties will be displayed e.g: the Region field will have only 4 default properties i.e. Comment, Color, Shape and Sort.
How do the Default Properties vary based on the Field Type in Tableau Desktop?
The Default Properties menu includes default settings for aggregation, comments, number formatting, color, shape, and totals (based on the type of field).
For a Categorical & Geographical field given below are the Default Properties that will be present
Comment
Color
Shape
Sort
For a Numerical field given below are the Default Properties that will be present
Comment
Color
Number Format
Aggregation
Total using
For a Date and Date & Time field given below are the Default Properties that will be present
Comment
Color
Shape
Date Format
Sort
Fiscal Year Start
Given below is the Field Type and Default Properties matrix
Typical usage of the Default Properties
We will go through examples of using the Default Properties for a Measure and a Dimension.
Usage of Default Properties for a Measure
Let us consider a view of Sales by Region
If we need to change the Number Format of Sales we need to go through multiple steps as given below
Step 1: Right-click on the Sales pill either in Rows shelf or Marks card and select Format
Step 2: In the Format Pane select the desired Number Format i.e. Pane > Default > Numbers > Currency (Standard) > English (United States)
Make the necessary additional changes to the Number Format i.e. Pane > Default > Numbers > Currency (Custom)
The view now displays the Sales with the updated Number Format.
Instead of having to manually update this Number Format each time in a Viz we can update the Default Properties of the measure.
Right-click on the Sales pill in the Data pane, Select Default Properties > Number Format
In the Default Number Format Dialog Box Pane set the desired Number Format i.e. Currency (Standard) > English (United States)
Make the necessary additional changes in the Default Number Format Dialog Box
Drag the Sales pill into a new view. By default the updated Number Format is displayed for the Sales measure.
Usage of Default Properties for a Dimension
Let us consider a Stacked Bar view of Sales by Region and Segment. Segment is placed on Color of Marks card.
Right-click on the Segment pill in the Data pane, Select Default Properties > Color
In the Edit Colors Dialog Box Pane select the desired Color Palette, Assign Palette and click Apply.
The view now displays the Segment with the updated Color Palette.
I hope this article is useful for all Tableau users especially anyone who is new to Tableau!!!
