All in Layout Containers

How to Make a Pop-Up Warning Message in Tableau

Eric Parker
Layout Containers, Tableau Dashboards, Tableau General Knowledge

Do you want a warning message to pop up in Tableau when there is no data or a user makes an invalid selection? Look no further, we've got the solution for you!

We've worked with numerous clients to help them apply their own version of this method to their dashboards. Ultimately, it comes down to creating a warning message sheet, putting it in a vertical layout container with the worksheet it will replace when activated, and applying some logic and customizations to the warning sheet so it only shows up when you want it to.

Ready to add dashboard warning messages to your Tableau toolkit? Check out this video!

Object in Tableau Layout Container Won't Contract

Eric Parker
Layout Containers, Tableau Dashboards

Do you have an object in your Tableau dashboard that should be expanding and contracting but isn't?

There are a number of reasons you might set up an object to expand and contract. Maybe it's a detailed sheet that should only display when the user makes a selection from the summary sheet at the top of the dashboard. Maybe it's a parameterized worksheet swap. Maybe you've set up a simple show/hide button for your user.

Regardless, when an object is in a layout container and isn't expanding and contracting as desired, it's frustrating!

Tableau Layout Containers Tips Tricks and Uses

Eric Parker
Layout Containers, Tableau Dashboards

Over the years, I've had an up and down relationship with layout containers in Tableau dashboard. I remember they saved me on my first big project when I needed to design a worksheet with a dynamic height.

However, then I eventually soured on them. I found them cumbersome and I didn't like how they would show up automatically and force me to lay items out in a particular order.

Over time, I've come back around and have a healthy respect for containers. In fact, I use them in the majority of dashboards I build now. Here are a few key ways I use containers: