How to Build a Bullet Graph in Tableau

A bullet graph is a variation of a bar graph. It is generally used to compare a primary measure to one or more other measures in the context of qualitative ranges of performance. Occasionally, bullet graphs are used to compare the same measure across multiple categories, such as using the data from one region as the threshold for other regions.

Video

Use this video (0:00 to 6:45 minutes only) or the steps below to create and understand creating a bullet graph for a single measure.

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Create a bullet graph using a single measure

In this example, sales data for 2013 is compared against the threshold set by 2012. Using the following logic:
IF [Dimension]="Category" THEN [Measure] END
To make the comparison, you create two calculated measures: one measuring sales for 2013, and one measuring sales for the threshold, 2012.

Step 1

Connect to your data source. This example uses the Sample - Superstore data source.

Step 2

Select Analysis > Create Calculated Field.

Step 3

In the Calculated Field dialog box, do the following tasks:
  1. In the Name text box, type 2013 Sales.
  2. In the Formula text box type the following formula, and then click OK.
IF YEAR([Order Date]) = 2003 THEN [Sales] END

Step 5

Repeat steps 2-3 for the year 2012, which is the category (the threshold) you want to compare the 2013 measure against.

Step 6

From the Dimensions pane, drag Region field to the Rows shelf.

Step 7

From the Measures pane, drag 2013 Sales field to the Columns shelf.

Step 8

For Tableau Desktop 8.0 and later, from the Measures pane, drag the 2012 Sales field to Detail
For Tableau Desktop 7.0 and earlier, from the Measures pane, drag the 2012 Sales field to the Level of Detail shelf.
At this point, you can create a bullet graph by clicking Show Me, or if that shortcut does not provide the result you want, you may prefer to create the bullet graph manually. Both methods described below. 

Create a bullet graph using Show Me

  • On the toolbar, click Show Me, and select the bullet graph.

 

Create a bullet graph manually

Instead of using Show Me, you can create the bullet graph manually by right-clicking the continuous axis and select Add Reference Line to add reference lines for the 60% and 80% thresholds.

Step 1

In the Add Reference Line dialog box, do the following tasks:
  1. Select Distribution as the type of reference line.
  2. Under Scope, select Per Cell.
  3. Under Computation, in the Value drop-down list, click the down arrow, and in the lists under Percent of, selectSum (2012 Sales).
    The Value setting changes to reflect your selections.
  4. In the Label drop-down list, select None.
  5. In the Fill drop-down list, select the second square down in the leftmost list, and then select the check boxes for Fill Above and Fill Below. This selection applies a color scheme called "Gray Dark". This color scheme uses darker gray for the bad values and lighter gray for the good values.
  6. Click Apply and look at your bar graph to see if you are satisfied with the appearance. If not, change the settings and click Apply again.
  7. When finished, click OK.

Step 2

Right-click the continuous axis again, and select Add Reference Line again to add a reference line for the 100% threshold.

Step 3

In the Reference Line dialog box, do the following tasks:
  1. Select Line as the type of reference line.
  2. Under Scope, select Per Cell.
  3. Under Line, in the Value drop-down list, select 2012 Sales and Sum.
  4. In the Label drop-down list, select None.
  5. When finished, click OK.

Creating a bullet graph with multiple measures

This section describes how to manually create bullet graphs with more than the two measures. Refer to the Bullet Graph Design Specification for more information.
In this example, use the attached data source that contains the following data:
RegionSalesProfitSales QuotaOverachievement
Central9000001500010000001500000
East1250000500011000001650000
South18500004000012000001800000
West2100000600013000001950000

In the following example, you will create custom calculation to identify the cost of goods (COGS), and use it as the comparative measure in the form of a line graph. Then you will apply a background fill on the quantitative scale to show 50%, 75%, and 100% of the sales quota, as well as the over achievement goal. The first part of a bullet graph is a horizontal bar chart against your dimension of choice. In this case, that dimension is Sales.

Step 1

Connect to the attached data source.

Step 2

From the Dimensions pane, drag the Region field to the Rows shelf.

Step 3

From the Measures pane, drag the Sales field to the Columns shelf.

Step 4

Select Analysis > Create Calculated Field to create the COGS measure.

Step 5

In the Calculated Field dialog box, do the following tasks:
  1. In the Name text box, type COGS (for Cost of Goods Sold).
  2. In the Formula text box, type the following formula, and then click OK.
[Sales]-[Profit]

Step 7

From the Measures pane, drag the Sales Quota field, Overachievement field, and COGS field to Detail (for 7.0 and earlier, to the Level of Detail shelf) so you can use them for reference lines and bands.

Step 9

Right-click the Sales axis and select Add Reference Line so you can use 0%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of the sales quota as reference bands.

Step 10

In the Add Reference Line dialog box, do the following tasks:
  1. Select Distribution as the type of reference line.
  2. Under Scope, select Per Cell.
  3. Under Computation, click the arrow by the Value drop-down list, and then in the Percentages text box, replace the numbers with 0, 50, 75, 100.
  4. In the Percent of lists, select Sales Quota and Sum respectively.
  5. In the Label list, select None.
  6. Under Formatting, in the Fill list, select the second square down in the leftmost list, and then select the check boxes for Fill Above and Fill Below. This selection applies a color scheme called "Gray Dark". This color scheme uses darker gray for the bad values and lighter gray for the good values.
  7. When finished, click OK.

Step 12

Right-click the Sales axis and select Add Reference Line to create a band between Sales Quota and Overachievement.

Step 13

In the Add Reference Line dialog box, do the following tasks:
  1. Select Band as the type of reference line.
  2. Under Scope, select Per Cell.
  3. Under Band From, in the Value drop-down list, select Sales Quota and Sum.
  4. In the Label list, select None.
  5. Under Band To, in the Value drop-down list, select Overachievement and Sum.
  6. In the Label list, select None.
  7. Under Formatting, in the Line list, select None.
  8. In the Fill list, select any pastel color.
  9. When finished, click OK.



Step 15

Right-click the Sales axis and select Add Reference Line to add a COGS reference line.

Step 16

In the Add Reference Line dialog box, do the following tasks:
  1. Select Line as the type of reference line.
  2. Under Scope, select Per Cell.
  3. Under Line, in the Value drop-down list, select Sum and COGS.
  4. In the Label list, select None.
  5. Under Formatting, in the Line drop-down list, select the solid line.
  6. In the Fill Above list, select None.
  7. In the Fill Below list, select None.
  8. When finished, click OK.

The final result is your bullet graph.