The new version of Tableau recently announced has a number of new features, including visualisation animations, dynamic parameters and a number of new management capabilities. The updates should provide users with deeper insights into their data.
In Tableau 2020.1, the company adds a number of new features, following requests from customers. These requests come from the online Tableau Community Forums. The new features include Dynamic Parameters, which should ensure that work folders no longer need to be updated when changes are made to the associated data. Viz Animations is also a feature that provides users with a new way to work with data visually, for example to better understand transitions between data points. Tableau 2020.1 also offers additional features for Tableau administrators with Login-Based License Management, as well as a number of improvements to the Data Management add-on and Server Management add-on.
Viz Animations
The Viz Animations serve as a visual clue to track shifts in data as they occur. The animation illustrates how data reacts to various changes such as filters or sorting. People need to be able to recognise and understand changes more easily because it literally takes place in front of their eyes. For example, customers can follow visually when a certain point becomes an outlier or when there is a sudden rise or fall in value.
Dynamic Parameters
Parameters are used in Tableau to add interactivity or flexibility to a report without the need for multiple visualisations. For example, parameters can transform a graph from a sales and profit calculation to a sales and discount calculation. Previously, parameters were static and users had to edit their values manually, but with the introduction of Dynamic Parameters, authors can set their workbooks to automatically adjust their parameters based on the latest data. According to Tableau, this saves a lot of time.
Management
Regarding the new management features, there is Login-Based License Management, which offers the possibility to activate the Tableau Desktop or Tableau Prep immediately by logging in with Tableau Server credentials. Administrators do not need to provide license keys and can assign, monitor and reclaim Desktop or Prep access directly from the Tableau Server.
In addition, there are now Google BigQuery, Google Sheets, and Cloudfile connectors for Tableau Catalog. This allows administrators to verify more data sources for their organisation. There are also Level of Detail calculations in Tableau Prep Builder, which helps to prepare and analyze data at a deeper level. Finally, there is Buffer Calulations, which enables companies to easily visualise a buffer around a point location, and answer complex spatial locations by means of drag-and-drop.