What are Dimensions and Measures in Tableau?

Hi there! 👋

This is my first time writing a blog (ever!), and I wanted to share something I just learned in Tableau that totally confused me at first — but now it finally makes sense!

So, if you’re like me and just starting with Tableau, this is for you 😊

 🌀 At First, It Was Confusing…

When I opened Tableau for the first time, I saw all these fields on the side.

Some were blue, some were green, and I had no idea what that meant.

Then I noticed two labels:

Dimensions and Measures.

I didn’t get it.

So, I googled. I watched videos. I tried dragging stuff around.

And finally — I figured it out in my own way.

 Let me explain it simply.

🔹 What Are Dimensions?

 Dimensions are like categories or labels.

They are the things that describe your data.

Examples of dimensions:

              •            Region (East, West)

              •            Product (Laptops, Phones)

              •            Customer Name

              •            Date

 💡 You use dimensions to group or break down your data.

 🧠 Example:

If you want to see sales by region, the region is the dimension.

🔸 What Are Measures?

Measures are numbers — the actual values in your data.

You can sum, average, or compare them.

 Examples of measures:

              •            Sales

              •            Profit

              •            Quantity

              •            Discount

 🧠 Example:

If you want to know how much profit you made, that’s a measure.

🎯 My Simple Trick to Remember

When I create a chart, I ask myself:

• Is this a label or category? → That’s a Dimension

• Is this a value or number? → That’s a Measure

  
  

📊 Quick Example

 Imagine this table:

In Tableau:

• Region is the Dimension (it divides the data)

• Sales is the Measure (it's the value)

  
  

If you drag:

• Region to Columns

• Sales to Rows

  
  

You'll see a Bar Chart

💬 Final Thoughts

 I’m still new to Tableau, and honestly, it looked scary at first.

But once I understood Dimensions and Measures, everything felt easier.

So, if you’re just starting out — don’t stress!

You’ll get it with a little practice.

Thanks for reading my first ever blog post!

Let me know if I should write more beginner-friendly Tableau blogs 😊