Tableau 201: How to Make Dumbbell Charts

I will also filter the visualization to the last two years in the dataset so that I have only two comparison points per sub-category, and also color the marks by year to distinguish which year is which. At this point, my view looks like this:

Note that this chart type can also be created with a vertical orientation by swapping the location of the fields on the rows and columns shelves, but we will stick with the horizontal orientation for this tutorial.

The second, and actually final, step is to create a second axis with the Sales measure and change its mark type to line. To turn this dot plot into a dual-axis combination chart, drag the Sales measure near the top of the chart, directly across from the sales axis on the bottom of the chart; when a dashed line appears, drop the measure on the view. Alternatively, you can place a second occurrence of the Sales measure onto the Columns Shelf, right-click on the second pill, and choose “Dual Axis”. Ensure the axes always line up by right-clicking on the top axis and choosing “Synchronize Axis”.

At this point, you have two sets of marks cards (one for each occurrence of the Sales measure), and they can be edited independently. Navigate to the second set of marks cards, change the mark type to line, then drag the YEAR(Order Date) dimension on the marks shelf to the Path Marks Card.

That’s all it takes to get to a nice looking dumbbell chart in Tableau. From here, you can format the size and color of the marks and hide the top axis by right-clicking on it and deselecting “Show Header”.

Thanks for reading,
– Ryan

This content is excerpted from my book Practical Tableau: 100 Tips, Tutorials, and Strategies from a Tableau Zen Master published by O’Reilly Media Inc., 2018, ISBN: 978-1491977316. Get the book at Amazon.