As a Sales Analyst in a retail company, I analyzed the Sales performance of different product sub-categories to identify which ones generated the most revenue and profit. To visualize this data, I created a bubble chart in Tableau.
In this chart, each bubble represents a sub-category of products. I used the size of the bubble to show the total sales value, and the color of the bubble to represent the profit, where blue indicates higher profit and orange indicates lower or negative profit.
Using this bubble chart, we were able to visualize which sub-categories were performing well in both sales and profit.
In this Tableau tutorial, I will explain what a bubble chart is in Tableau and how we can use it for data visualization.
What is a Bubble Chart in Tableau?
In Tableau, the bubble chart displays data using circles (bubbles) of different sizes and colors, allowing for the visualization of multiple dimensions and measures. This chart is useful in scenarios where we need to compare the relative sizes of different categories or for showing relationships between variables.
Check out: Create Area Chart in Tableau
Create a Bubble Chart in Tableau
To create a bubble chart, we will use the Tableau superstore data. After connecting the data with the superstore data, follow the steps below.
- In the Marks section, select the type as Circle. Next, add ‘Sales‘ to the Size card and set the chart view to ‘Entire View‘.
Now in the circle, we have one data, which is the total sales.
- For a dimension, add a sub-category to the details section.
- To visualize the profit for sales of product subcategories, add ‘Profit‘ to the Color card. With this, each bubble will show the data for profit in sales of product subcategories.
- To add more information to the bubble chart, we will add a category label for each bubble. For this, add the Category to the Label card, and now you will see the bubbles of each specific category.
With this bubble chart, we can analyze multiple data values, such as the statistics of Sales and Profit for various product categories.
This way, we can create a Bubble chart in Tableau by following the above steps.
Check out: Create Radar Chart in Tableau
Create a Bubble Chart Using Built-in Chart
Another way we can create a Bubble chart in Tableau is by using the built-in Bubble chart from the “Show Me” tab.
In the Show Me tab, as we click on the Bubble Chart, it will show that we need to select the Measure and Dimension for Size, Detail, Color, and Label cards.
In the Data tab, press Ctrl and select the dimension Region and measure Profit. After this, click on the Bubble chart in the “Show Me” tab.
Now, we can see the circles or bubbles showing the Sales data for each region. Here, a bigger circle indicates higher sales.
When the sizes of two bubbles are nearly similar, it is difficult to compare the data. For this, we can display actual Sales figures in the bubbles by adding Sales to the Label card.
This way, we can use the built-in Bubble chart to visualize the data in Tableau.
Check out: Sunburst Chart in Tableau
Create a Stacked Bubble Chart in Tableau
In Tableau, we can also create a stacked bubble chart. In this example, we will create a stacked bubble chart where we’ll visualize individual order-level sales using bubbles. Each bubble will represent a single order, sized based on the sales amount and colored by region.
This chart helps us compare how sales from different regions and spot which regions have more high-value orders.
To create the stacked bubble chart, set the chart type to “Circle” from “Automatic“.
Drag the Region to Color card, Sales to Size card, and Product Id to Detail card.
This will display the sales data of the different regions in a stacked bubble chart.
We should avoid using the bubble chart when we have more data dimensions on the chart, because it will be difficult to view each data point.
Check out: Sankey Chart in Tableau
I hope that, with the above examples, you understand how to create and use the Bubble chart in Tableau to compare data. Be sure to avoid using the Bubble chart when you need to display multiple measures. It is more useful in scenarios where we need to compare two to three statistics for a dimension, such as comparing sales in different regions.
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I am Bijay Kumar, the founder of SalesforceFAQs.com. Having over 10 years of experience working in salesforce technologies for clients across the world (Canada, Australia, United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand, etc.). I am a certified salesforce administrator and expert with experience in developing salesforce applications and projects. My goal is to make it easy for people to learn and use salesforce technologies by providing simple and easy-to-understand solutions. Check out the complete profile on About us.
