Creating Sets in Tableau

What Are Sets in Tableau?

Sets are custom fields that define a subset of your data based on specific conditions.
Think of them as membership-based — a data point is either in the set or out of the set.

🔹 Types of Sets:

• Fixed Sets: Manually select members.
• Dynamic Sets: Update automatically based on a condition.

Example:
You can create a set of your Top 10 Customers by Sales. As your data changes, the set updates automatically.

Creating a Dynamic Set in Superstore

Goal: Identify and highlight the Top 10 Customers by Sales.

Steps:

1. Open Superstore in Tableau.
2. Drag Customer Name to the Data pane (left side).
3. Right-click Customer Name → Create → Set.
4. In the dialog box:
   • Go to Top tab.
   • Choose By Field: Top 10 by SUM(Sales).
   • Click OK.
5. Drag this new set (Top 10 Customers by Sales) to Color on a scatter plot of Sales vs Profit.

✅ Result: Top 10 customers by Sales are highlighted, making them stand out.

Conclusion

Sets in Tableau are like creating a VIP guest list for your data — they clearly separate who’s “in” and who’s “out” based on your rules. Whether you’re highlighting top performers, comparing a focus group to the rest, or adding interactive set actions, they help you zero in on what matters most.

Unlike parameters, sets can update automatically as your data changes, making them perfect for tracking evolving trends like your top 10 customers or high-profit products. Mastering sets means mastering targeted storytelling — because sometimes, the most powerful insight comes from knowing exactly who’s in the spotlight.