Top 10 Tableau Functions Every Analyst Should Know

As one of the more advanced data visualization and analysis tools, using Tableau can be challenging at first.

And to truly master Tableau and make the most of it?

You will need to understand how its functions work!

Tableau functions are like Excel formulas: they work inside Tableau’s data editor and help you perform complex calculations in seconds.

More importantly, they will help you clean and segment data so that you can use it to create visualizations that actually help you make smarter decisions!

In this blog, I am going to give you a data visualization consultant’s Tableau functions cheat sheet.

It’s a selection of 10 functions that you can use to both simplify and enrich your Tableau data visualization experience.

Let’s get started!

• What are Tableau Functions?
• 10 Tableau Functions You Need to Know in 2026
• Make the Most of Tableau with Augmented Tech Labs
• Tableau Functions: FAQs

Tableau functions are pre-built formulas that help us perform complex calculations without any manual heavy lifting.

In my experience, they are extremely important for three reasons:

• Functions eliminate human error since the calculations are computerized. 
• They help you clean, transform, and analyze data directly in Tableau. 
• Using functions in Tableau allows you to control how your data is grouped. 

The best way to understand this is to consider Tableau as a toolbox and the functions as individual tools that allow you to get the job done!

How to Use Functions in Tableau?

To use a Tableau function, you will have to add it to a calculated field following a pattern such as this one: 

• FUNCTION_NAME (Argument 1, Argument 2, ...)
  

For example, if you enter the following function:

• ROUND (AVG([Profit]), 2)

Tableau will calculate the average of the Profit data field and round the result to 2 decimal places.

1. DATEPART()

With this simple Tableau function, you can extract one part of the following data: 

• Year
• Month
• Day

So, if you need to group your sales data by the quarter or any specific time unit, this is the function you will need to use!

For example, let’s say you need the details of every sale you made on 7th January, enter the function in this format: 

• DATEPART ('January', [7]) 

This function can be very helpful if you need to recall faulty products or understand sales patterns over specific dates, like the 4th of July!

2. DATETRUNC()

Next up, we have one of my favorite functions: date truncate.

It helps you standardise your data to a “nearest point.”

So, if you want to find out all the purchases you made in the second quarter, this formula will reduce every entry from April to May to “1st April 2025.”

Here’s the function you can use to do this: 

• DATETRUNC('quarter', [Order Date]).

With this function, Tableau will go through the entire datasheet and add the relevant date to each entry!

3. DATEDIFF()

Data difference is a very simple and basic function. 

It calculates the difference between two given units in your dataset. 

However, it is also handy because you can use it to calculate things like the difference between the order date and shipping date for an entire dataset!

Here’s the formula for this function: 

• DATEDIFF('unit', [Field 1], [Field 2])

For example, to calculate the number of days it took to ship every order in your data set, just enter the function: 

• DATEDIFF('day', [Order Date], [Ship Date]) calculates shipping time

As I said, a straightforward but also extremely useful function!

4. IF / THEN / ELSE

If/then/else is one of the most important functions in Tableau. 

With it, you can define conditional logic that operates on the following basis: 

• If A
• Then B
• Else C

The most common use case for this function is to segment data into different categories.

For instance, you can use it to differentiate between every deal where you earned a profit vs. every deal on which you lost money. 

Here’s an example of this function: 

• IF [Profit] > 0 THEN "Profitable" ELSE "Loss" END

Similarly, you can use it to define your own conditional logic. 

To do this, just substitute the fields following the operators (If, Then, and Else) with the logic or condition you want to specify.

5. CASE

Next up, we have a Tableau function that builds on the If/Then/Else formula. 

That is because it helps you specify more than one condition in your if/then/else statement. 

Simply put, it allows us to break down complex statements into much cleaner formulas. 

For example, you can use a function like: 

• CASE [Region] WHEN "West" THEN 1 WHEN "East" THEN 2 ELSE 3 END

Based on this formula, Tableau will segment your data into entries based on East, West, and “Other” regions!

This function is also very important if you want to create Tableau dashboards for specific regions, products, or teams! It will help you quickly separate and organise data into different fields. 

Also Read: Top Tableau Dashboard Examples for 2026

6. ISNULL()

ISNULL is one of the most important formulas on my Tableau functions cheat sheet. 

Its job is very simple: to help you find any missing or empty fields in your dataset. 

For example, let’s say you want to find out the difference between the sales for two sets of products: 

• Those with discounted prices.
• Those without discounted prices. 

The first thing you will need to do is separate the two products. 

That’s where you can use ISNULL!

Just enter the following formula: 

• ISNULL([Discount]) 

And it will return “TRUE” for every transaction or entry on your dataset where the “Discount” field is blank!

7. CONTAINS()

Contains is basically the same as pressing Control+F on your keyboard. 

It helps you find all those strings on your data sheet that have a specific substring containing the combination of letters and numbers you have mentioned. 

It can be your go-to for filtering records based on partial matches. 

For example, if you enter the following function: 

• CONTAINS([Comment], "urgent") 

Tableau will flag all customer queries that mention the word “Urgent”!

8. FIND()

Find is similar to Contains: both of them help you filter fields on your sheet.

But find is for exact matches, whereas Contains is for partial matches. 

So, if you want to find all the transactions involving a specific serial number, just enter the following formula: 

• FIND("0123456789", [Serial Number])

And Tableau will find all the products with the serial number you’ve entered!

One innovative use of this Tableau function is to create a “cluster” of customers who are purchasing the same product and compare their other purchases!

9. { FIXED } (LOD Expression)

The last two entries on my list are both LOD functions in Tableau. 

You can think of them as mini calculations that you can ask Tableau to perform on the data that underlies your visualizations. 

For example, say you are viewing the visualization of your sales data for the last year, and you notice a specific customer’s entry. 

Now, if you want to know their lifetime value, all you have to do is enter: 

• { FIXED [Customer ID] : SUM([Sales]) }

In return, Tableau will find all the transactions associated with the customer and tell you their lifetime value!

10. { INCLUDE } (LOD Expression)

Another LOD expression you could end up using very frequently is Include. 

Let me show you how it works by contrasting it with the FIXED function we saw above: 

• FIXED can perform calculations on a dataset that lies outside your visualization.
  
• The INCLUDE function helps you understand the same dataset that underlies the view on a more granular level!

For instance, if you are looking at the sales data for 2025 and you want to know the sales for a specific region, enter the function: 

• { INCLUDE [City] : AVG([Sales]) }

This way, you can get a quick insight into the average sales for a specific region!

Pro Tip: While Tableau’s LOD expressions are pretty good, I have had a lot of success using Tableau alternatives for performing quick calculations within a visualization.

Through this post, I have walked you through 10 of the most useful and commonly used functions in Tableau.

Now, the only thing you need to do is find out if they work like they are supposed to!

And if you run into trouble?

That’s where we at Augmented Tech Labs come in!

As a leading data visualization consultant based out of India, we have been working with Tableau and clients who use it for the past 2 decades…

And we can help you troubleshoot common Tableau problems, whether they lie in the underlying dataset or in the specific formula you need to use.

So, whether you want to solve a recurring Tableau functions error or find more formulas you can use to make data-driven decisions, why not connect with us?

We will help you make the most of your data and Tableau’s capabilities with our expertise!

1. Where can I find a reliable Tableau functions cheat sheet for quick reference?

Tableau's own online help is the best cheat sheet, where it lists every function with examples. But if you want to create a tailored cheat sheet, I recommend working with a data visualization consultant like Augmented Tech Labs!

2. I'm new to this. How do I actually write a Tableau functions list into a calculation?

All you need to do is open the calculation editor and start typing! Tableau will suggest functions as you type. The key is knowing the basic patterns, like FUNCTION(Argument).

3. When should I use LOD functions in Tableau versus regular calculations?

My suggestion: use LOD expressions when your question is about a different level of detail than your chart shows, like "average sales per customer" in a monthly sales report.