A while ago I tweeted some nice button effects that I created in Tableau. Honestly, there is not any magic. I build them with set action and animation features.

I’ve developed some subtle and modern effects for links or menu items in @tableau.
Who wants to see more ideas? pic.twitter.com/ZuLhEs7piV

— Kovács Ivett (@IvettAlexa) April 12, 2020

This first tutorial focuses on line animation.

DATA

Create a data set in which you define the points to be connected.
I used this dataset with three main fields: Name, X and Y

The first view is a horizontal line that contains the First and Second points.

While the next view gets the Third data point.

We need to keep having the previous – First and Second – marks on the view to get a moving animation in Tableau.

Here is how:

• Create a set based on the dimension.

• Create a calculated field that uses this set.

• Then define a new Y-axis based on the selected point to switch those 2 views by a set action.

If the [Selected Set] = ‘f’ we get the 1st view with each data point, but we assigned 1 as a new Y coordinate to the Third point.

If the [Selected Set] = ‘t’ we get the 2nd view with each data point where we use the original Y coordinates.

• I wanted to use gradient color so I used this calculation to define the color transition.

We are almost DONE! To get the left animated lines, duplicate this view and change the rows and columns.

• Now let’s put together the left- and right views on the dashboard. Set the Set action, and check Animations are enabled.

Let’s check the performance on the Server.

In the next tutorial, I will show how you can create a shadow effect.

Take care,

@IvettAlexa