_edited_edited.png)
WHAT IS DATA DENSIFICATION?
Data densification refers to the process of generating additional data points or records to a dataset to create visualizations, even if they don’t exist in the dataset. This technique is essential when working with missing or irregularly spaced data, it allows more precise and sophisticated visualizations in Tableau. It’s a powerful tool for achieving continuity and clarity in data displays. In addition to helping users uncover hidden insights in their data, this technique aids in artificially structuring the data.
There are two types of data densification:
1. Domain completion.
This type of densification creates additional data points within a specified domain (e.g., time or bin intervals) by filling in gaps.
Tableau automatically fills in missing values along a continuous axis, such as a timeline. When enabled, Tableau adds null values for each missing data point, which can be replaced with zeros or interpolated values as needed.
Best for filling gaps in continuous axes (like time or bins), making it effective for line charts, histograms, and continuous area charts.
2. Domain padding.
Domain padding creates additional marks in the view by introducing new rows or data points, typically based on categorical data or calculated fields.
Domain padding uses calculated fields, table calculations, or data joins to densify data at specific points. This adds extra marks or rows, making it appear as though additional data points exist.
Useful for scenarios requiring categorical densification or incremental visuals, as in waterfall charts or cum Used in visualizations like waterfall charts, Gantt charts, and cumulative line charts, where intermediary steps or categories are necessary to build a progressive or stacked effect.
WHY DO WE NEED DATA DENSIFICATION?
Why is the data densification step in Tableau ever necessary? Any kind of curved-path chart, such as a dendrogram, radial chart, or Sankey chart, can be displayed. When dealing with data that has missing, sparse, or irregular intervals, data densification aids in the creation of smooth, comprehensive visual representations.
Data densification can be used to create more advanced visualizations, such as connecting two points with a curve. Some tips for data densification include:
Filling in missing values with zeros
Changing the chart type
Changing the addressing or partitioning
Using LOD expressions to control the depth of detailed data
WHEN DO WE NEED DATA DENSIFICATION?
In Tableau, data densification is a technique that increases the number of observations in a dataset, and it is used in a variety of situations, including:
Building dashboards
Data densification is used to create dashboards that show curved paths, such as flight paths on a map, Sankey diagrams, and radial charts. The more points there are, the smoother the curve will look.
Working with time series data
Data densification is useful when working with time series data, or when comparing data at a higher level of depth.
Filling gaps
Data densification can be used to fill gaps with pre-calculated data, such as missing days between dates.
Creating detailed charts
Data densification allows users to create continuous and detailed charts.
Data densification only occurs when table calculations are in place for which Tableau needs more marks than it has available. It also only occurs for some types of marks, such as lines or area charts, and not for shapes.
HOW TO DO DATA DENSIFICATION?
To begin the data densification process, double-click the table you wish to work with. Here is the image you can see.
The picture below shows the data before it was data densified.
In order to generate the table with path, utilize an Excel document. An example of path generation is shown in the image below. Copy and paste the Excel sheet path table here in dataset. Then the sheet will be added to the dataset.
The next step is to create a join calculation so that the tables can be joined. To join the tables, follow the instructions in the image below. Select the "Create Join Calculation" as indicated by the red box.
After selecting "Create Join Calculation," a pop-up box will show up. Enter "1" there and click OK. Refer the below image.
Then, the same procedure for the path table also. Click below the Sheet1, then “Create Join Calculation”.
Enter "1" for this as well, then click "OK."
The image below shows how the path table was added to the dataset.
Now, how will this be used in visualization? Open a new Tableau sheet. The "path" field is located in the Tables section. Building Bins for the Path field is the first step. Choose "Create" by right-clicking on the path, then select "Bins."
Path (Right-click) ---> Create ---> Bins ---> Size of bins ---> "1"
The pop-up box below will appear. Enter the value "1" in the "Size of Bins" option and click OK. The value can be chosen based on the needs of the chart.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, Tableau users may uncover hidden insights in their data by mastering data densification. If one understands the concepts, methods, and best practices discussed in this article, they can use data densification with confidence to create more insightful and visually appealing Tableau visualizations.