Tableau UI Tip 5: Intro-Style Dashboard with Cross-Dashboard Navigation

The first dashboard in the workbook asks one clear question at the top, “Does Education Really Matter?”. That question is followed by one clear caption that answers the question, “Since 2000, data proves that having a higher education has opened doors for higher earning potential”. Then the visuals on the dashboard illustrate that there is a clear correlation between education-level and salary.

This introduction works because the main insight is provided right up front which causes it to provide value on its own as a standalone dashboard. Only then, if the end user is compelled to learn more, they have the option to use the “Next •••” button, which takes them to the next ‘page’ of the ‘story’.

Note that the interior pages contain both “••• Back” and “Next •••” buttons so the end user can flip through the pages in both directions. The bullet characters in the buttons are another example of using alt-code characters to enhance your Tableau dashboards and the buttons can be created with this tutorial about how to add a button to a Tableau dashboard. Only instead of using a URL dashboard action, use a Filter dashboard action that takes the end user to the correct dashboard in the workbook. Here’s how the dashboard action for the first button looks.

Another introduction-style dashboard that can work well is what I call a “welcome mat”. I don’t have any examples from my Tableau Public portfolio, so instead I’ll give a hat tip to the first person I can remember using this technique, Matt Francis. If you’re so inclined, I’m sure my friend would appreciate if we started calling this a “Welcome Matt”.

<pause for laughter>

Matt has several of these, so I’ll just share one recent example:

The sole purpose of this welcome mat style dashboard is to set up the story and draw the end user in. Also note that Matt has elegantly executed a story points workbook with the navigation at the top.

Some last thoughts on user interface and experience to close the series…

Whether you are using story points or the variation offered in this post, I recommend that your storytelling arc follow the shape of a martini glass. This is when you offer something of value up front, walk the end user through contextual points, and then open up the analysis for self-exploration at the end. Imagine a martini glass laying on its side. The wide mouth of the glass is the main event and draws you in (the opening), the stem is the long, flat interior (the context) that connects to the base, which opens up again to almost the same size as the mouth (the self-exploration).

Thanks for reading,
– Ryan