As we dive into Tableau, it's essential to understand the difference between green and blue pills, and what better way to do that than with a coffee analogy? Grab your mug, and let’s get straight to it!
The Basics: What Are They?
- Green Pills (Continuous): Think of these as the amount of coffee consumed in litres. They represent data that can take on any value within a range.
- Blue Pills (Discrete): These are your countable categories, like the various types of coffee—espresso, cappuccino, and latte. You can count how many of each there are, but they don’t break down into smaller parts.
Common Confusions
A lot of new Tableau users confuse these two, thinking blue pills are only for counting and green pills are just for calculations. Here’s how it breaks down:
1. Coffee Types vs. Consumption
- Blue Pill Example: We have 5 different types of coffee at the café: espresso, cappuccino, Americano, mocha, and flat white. Countable and distinct.
- Green Pill Example: The total amount of coffee consumed over the weekend was 12 litres. This continuous measure flows over time, especially when you need that espresso boost!
2. Caffeine Counts
- Blue Pill Example: There were 15 different coffee blends available at the shop. Each blend is a distinct unit—definitely blue.
- Green Pill Example: The average caffeine per cup is 95 mg. This measures total caffeine intake, which varies based on how many cups you’ve had—particularly if you’re that friend who always orders an extra shot!
Don't Forget!
Understanding green and blue pills in Tableau is vital for effective data visualisation. Remember: blue pills count your coffee types, while green pills track the continuous flow of coffee consumed. So, if someone asks how many expressos you had before noon, just say, “It’s not about quantity; it’s about how you set up your Tableau dashboard!”