Tableau – Type Conversion Functions
Tableau Function Categories Tableau – Type Conversion Functions Category: Type conversion functions Type conversion functions in Tableau are built-in operations that allow you to convert data from one type to
Category: Type conversion functions
Type conversion functions in Tableau are built-in operations that allow you to convert data from one type to another, such as from string to number, date to string, or number to Boolean. These functions ensure that data is in the correct format for calculations, comparisons, and visualizations.
Purpose
The primary purpose of type conversion functions is to:
Ensure data compatibility between different data types during calculations.
Clean and standardize imported data from diverse sources that may store similar values as different types (e.g., a numeric ID stored as text).
Enable calculations and aggregations that depend on specific data types (e.g., summing numeric fields or comparing date fields).
Enhance visualization accuracy, ensuring Tableau interprets data types correctly for charts, filters, and aggregations.
Practical Use Cases
Data Cleaning: Convert imported string fields (like “12345”) into numeric values for mathematical operations.
Formatting: Convert numbers or dates into strings for dynamic labels, headers, or tooltips.
Date Analysis: Parse text-based date fields into valid Tableau date formats for time-series analysis.
Conditional Logic: Convert string or numeric indicators into Boolean expressions for filters or calculations.
Data Integration: Standardize data types across different sources before joining or blending.
| Function | Description |
|---|---|
| DATE | Converts a number, string, or date expression into a date value. |
| DATETIME | Converts a number, string, or date expression into a full datetime value (including both date and time). |
| FLOAT | Converts the input value into a floating-point (decimal) number. |
| INT | Converts the input value into an integer. When used on expressions, it truncates the result toward zero (removes the decimal part). |
| MAKEDATE | Creates a date value from the provided year, month, and day numbers. |
| MAKEDATETIME | Combines a date and a time value into a single datetime object. The date can be a string, date, or datetime, while the time input must be a datetime value. |
| MAKELINE | Creates a line geometry (spatial line object) connecting two given points. |
| MAKEPOINT | Converts latitude and longitude coordinates into a spatial point object. |
| MAKETIME | Creates a time value using the specified hour, minute, and second values. |
| STR | Converts the input value into a string (text) format. |
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Type conversion functions change data from one type (e.g., string, number, date) to another to ensure compatibility in calculations and visualizations.
Use INT([Field]) to convert to an integer or FLOAT([Field]) to convert to a decimal number.
Use STR([Field]) to convert a numeric or date field into a string.
Use DATE([Field]) or DATEPARSE("yyyy-MM-dd", [Field]) if a specific date format is needed.
They ensure that fields are interpreted correctly, enabling accurate calculations, aggregations, and data visualizations.