Creating a Set

There are many ways to create and edit sets in Tableau. To create a set, select marks or headers in the view or right-click a field in the data window. You can also create a set that is based on a filter you've already defined. Regardless of how you create the set, it is either constant or computed. A constant set contains a specified list of members based on one or more dimensions. For example, a constant set might contain the specific names of products that you are keeping an eye on. A computed set is dynamic and the members change as the underlying data changes. For example, a computed set may contain the top 5 products by total sales. As the sales data changes, the companies included in the set will also change.

Constant Sets

The members of a constant set are fixed and do not change. To create a constant set, you need to select the members you want to include. A constant set can be based on a single dimension or multiple dimensions.

1. Select one or more marks or headers in the view.
   
2. Right-click and select Create Set or click the Create Set option on the tooltip.
   
   
3. In the Create Set dialog box, type a name for the set.
   
4. Optionally complete any of the following:
   
   • By default, the set includes the members listed in the dialog box. You can select the option to Exclude these members instead. When you exclude, the set will include all of the members you didn't select.
     
   • Remove any dimensions that you don't want to be considered by clicking the red "x" icon that displays when you hover over a column heading .
     
   • Remove any specific rows that you don't want to include in the set by clicking the red "x" icon that displays when you hover over the row .
     
   • If the marks you selected represent multiple dimensions, each member of the set will be a combination of those dimensions. You can specify the character that separates the dimension values.
     
   • Select Add to Filters shelf to automatically move the set to the Filters shelf once it is created.
     
   
   
5. When finished, click OK.
   

Computed Sets

The members of a computed set are dynamic and change when the underlying data changes. Computed sets can only be based on a single dimension.

1. Right-click dimension in the Data window.
   
2. Select Create Set.
   
3. In the Create Set dialog box, type a name for the set.
   
4. On the General tab in the Create Set dialog box, select one or more values that will be considered when computing the set. You can alternatively select the Use All option to always consider all members even when new members are added or removed.
   
   
5. Define how to compute the members by adding conditions and limits:
   
   • Condition: Use the Condition tab to define rules that determine what members to include in the set. For example, you may specify a condition that is based on the total sales that only includes products with sales over $100,000.
     
     
     Set conditions work the same as filter conditions. See Adding Conditions to Filters to learn more.
   • Top: Use the Top tab to define limits on what members to include in the set. For example, you may specify a limit that is based on total sales that only includes the top 5 products based on their sales.
     
     
     Set limits work the same as Filter limits. See Adding Limits to Filters to learn more.
6. When finished, click OK.