Using R functions

Now that we have successfully connected Tableau with R, let's write some code in Tableau to invoke R. Within Tableau, open the Calculated Field Editor. Notice within the functions panel those entries beginning with SCRIPT_, as shown in the following image:

The SCRIPT functions are used by Tableau to invoke R. The function names communicate the data type of the returned results: SCRIPT_REAL returns float values, SCRIPT_BOOL returns T|F values, and so on.

The syntax of a SCRIPT function is represented in the following diagram:

Exercise - reproducing native Tableau functionality in R

For our first example, we will use the AVG, MEDIAN, and STDEV functions in Tableau and compare the results with the mean, median, and sd R functions. This will allow you to practice the SCRIPT functions, begin to understand R syntax, and compare results generated by Tableau with those generated by R:

1. Navigate to https://public.tableau.com/profile/david.baldwin#!/ to locate and download...