The four basic data transformations

In this section, we’ll give you an overview of some basic transformations that can fundamentally change the structure of your data. We’ll start with an overview and then look at some practical examples.

Overview of transformations

In Tableau (and Tableau Prep), there are four basic data transformations. The following definitions broadly apply to most databases and data transformation tools, but there are some details and terminology that are Tableau-specific:

• Pivots: This indicates the transformation of columns to rows or rows to columns. The latter is possible in Tableau Prep only. The resulting dataset will be narrower and taller with fewer columns and more rows (columns to rows) or wider and shorter with more columns and fewer rows (rows to columns).
• Unions: This indicates the appending of rows from one table of data to another, with the matching columns aligned together. The resulting data structure is...