Visual Item

Standard

Access to underlying data

Tableau defaults to using this when a tool tip is provided.  Turn this off unless requested.  Should use this sparingly and only when the dashboard is for a targeted audience such as a management who are data experts.  Not for general audiences.  Could contain data that should be secured further.

Actions

Use Actions when interactions between the graphs are needed (filters, highlights and URLs).  Actions are a filter within a filter.  For example, filter dashboard to 2015 and action selects male in a male/female data set.  Standard - don't have a filter and an action for the same piece of data.  Determine does it make sense for a piece of data to be globally filters or specific to a graph (action).

Alignments

Titles:  center at top / Headers & Graphics - left justified

Color

Font:  default / Visualizations:  color blind palette / Background:  default (white) / Overall amount of colors:  2 or 3 major colors at the most, may use various shades of those colors

Containers

Use when there are multiple graphs.  Tableau defaults to container use.

Data point labels

Only use when needed, not on all points or becomes too crowded.

Develop to screen (vs printing)

Standard is to develop to screen.

Drills

If many drills are needed, it may be more conducive to use a report.

Filters (drop-downs, radio buttons, etc.)

Drop-downs - across columns, collapsible (preferred type of filter regarding saving space). / Radio Buttons, Sliders - keep to a minimum

Font

Use Tableau default font (Tableau Book), otherwise there are fonts that are best for being viewable on websites (see references on Tableau website  https://community.tableau.com/thread/158160)

Global filters vs. chart level

Global - at top / Chart level - below global

Legends

Display only if needed and keep to a minimum, based on size of chart and available real estate.  Provide if not obvious from the visualization. Should use vertical over horizontal.

Logo (Public Affairs)

Default to no logo unless there is a specific need for it such as a shape file or a filter.

Number of metrics on a view

Four to five are recommended as maximum number.

Number of drills

No more than three drills. If more than three drills are needed, it may be more conducive to use a report.

Parameters

Best to only use when the list of values being used is static.  Don't have dynamic parameters yet in Tableau.  Can't select multiple values.  Also works if you have multiple data sources.  Want to use it when you need a parameter passed on to a calculation/variable, like a prompt value.

Tabs

Utilize when the users don't want to open separate dashboards in a workbook  Also consider performance in the case of users only wanting to see a particular set of visualizations and not wanting to sacrifice performance if they change a filter and the data has to refresh for all tabs.

Tool tips

Keep it minimal, brief and formatting should be simple.

Type of charts

From Tableau site - https://www.tableau.com/sites/default/files/media/which_chart_v6_final_0.pdf

Typical screen size

Gauge to primary users' screen size.  Keep in mind, mobile and other platforms.

Website links

Subject to requirements for help information or contact information.