One of the most incredible things about Tableau is that it is intuitive and transparent to use. We have already seen what amazing discovery, analysis, and data storytelling is possible in Tableau by simply connecting to data and dragging and dropping fields.

Calculations significantly extend the possibilities for analysis, design, and interactivity in Tableau. In this chapter, we'll see how calculations can be used in many ways. We'll see how calculations can be used to fix common problems with data, extend the data by adding new dimensions and measures, and provide additional flexibility in interactivity.

At the same time, while calculations provide incredible power and flexibility, they introduce a level of complexity and sophistication. As you work through this chapter, seek to understand the key concepts behind how calculations work in Tableau. As usual, follow along with the examples, but feel free to explore and experiment. The goal...