In Tableau, filters, sets, bins, and groups are used to control, segment, and analyze data. But they have different purposes and functions. Here is a simple explanation of the differences and when to use each.
FILTER: Controlling What Data Is Shown
Filters are the most direct way to include or exclude data from your view. You apply a filter to limit your data based on specific values, ranges, or conditions. Filters can be applied to dimensions like “region” or measures like “sales amount”. You can filter worksheets, dashboards, or even across data sources using context filters or data source filters. Filters physically remove data from the view which affects aggregations, totals, and calculations.
SET: Creating Subsets of Your Data
A set is a defined subset of data. Unlike filters, sets don’t exclude data but they label data as "in" or "out" of the set. Sets allow comparisons between members inside and outside the set. They can be created either by manual selection (fixed set) or by a defined condition (dynamic set). With sets it´s possible to highlight or analyze a particular subset within your data.
BIN: Segmenting Continuous Data into Ranges
Bins are used to divide continuous numerical fields (like “age” or “income”) into equal-sized intervals. This turns a continuous field into a discrete one. You create a bin by choosing a numeric field and defining a bin size. Tableau then creates a new field representing those ranges.
GROUP: Simplifying and Organizing Dimensions
Groups allow you to combine dimension members into custom categories. They don’t filter data, they just help to simplify it and create custom groupings, e.g. creating “product sub-categories” within one main category.
Comparison Table: When to Use What
By understanding the differences between these tools, you can better control and analyze your data in Tableau and create clearer, more focused visualizations. Choosing the right tool depends on your analytical goal.