Data densification is a broad term which indicates that missing values or records are filled in. Sometimes, specific terms, such as domain padding (filling in missing dates or bin values) or domain completion (filling in missing intersections of dimensional values), are used to specify the type of densification, but here we'll simply use the term data densification.
Note
Data with missing values (such as data that doesn't have a record for every single date or only contains records for products that have been ordered as opposed to all products in the inventory) is referred to as sparse data.
Understanding when Tableau uses data densification and how you can turn it on or turn it off is important as you move toward mastering Tableau. There will be times when Tableau will engage data densification and you don't want it; you'll need to recognize it and understand the options to turn it off. At other times, you'll want to leverage data densification to solve certain types of...