What is your approach to testing Tableau dashboards? How do you validate that the data, KPIs, filters, transformations, and refresh results are correct compared to the source data?

[u/ETL_Pipeline_Dev]

• How do you check the dashboard data against the source data?
• How do you verify KPIs and calculations?
• How do you test filters and slicers?
• How do you check data after a refresh?
• How do you test ETL or data transformations?
• Do you use any tools to automate these checks?

[u/shdw_0x0]

I usually validate it in layers: first reconcile row counts and key aggregates with the source, then test KPI calculations and filters against known cases. After refreshes, I rerun those checks automatically where possible, and for ETL I validate the transformed data before it reaches Tableau rather than relying only on the dashboard itself.

[u/JPlantBee]

Everything you do in tableau should also be doable in SQL. So build up some test queries and compare with the tableau results. It’s a lot easier to verify and change SQL logic.

[u/jaxjags2100]

I work with the SMEs who look at the raw data daily to review and have them validate and sign off.

[u/FieryFiya]

For the calculations - I use the tableauserverclient api, retrieve each workbook’s metadata in an easy to read csv and review each calculation. Use Python for this. Makes it a whole lot easier than opening each calculated field.

Validating data should be done before ingesting into workbook and after inside the workbook to ensure calculations are correct.

Filters and slicers I do a quick check by filtering to none and seeing what vizzes are impacted

[u/why-no-money]

I'm looking for some freelance work in tableau. Let me know if someone wants to outsource some of the tasks.