Tableau – Bullet Chart

What is Bullet Chart?

A bullet chart is an advanced form of bar chart that allows us to compare two measures on a single bar. In a bullet chart, the primary measure is represented by the main dark bar on the front of the chart, and the secondary measure is shown beneath the main bar as a reference line. In addition, we can divide the reference line into segments such as 50%, 80%, and 100%.

Thus, bullet charts are among the most informative charts because they take up less space and accommodate more information. Suppose we want to compare actual sales with expected sales. In this case, the dark line represents actual sales, while the reference line represents expected sales.

With a bullet chart, we can easily display these two measures on one bar. By using the visualization, we can see whether our actual sales are lagging, equaling or exceeding our expected sales value.

The bullet chart can also be used as a gauge or measure visualization where we can compare measures with respect to each other and analyze the progress of a measure.

How to Create Bullet Chart in Tableau?

To create a bullet chart in Tableau, follow the steps below. You should upload your dataset to Tableau before making this chart. We are using a dataset of superstore sales.

Step 1: Create a blank/new sheet in your Tableau workbook with your dataset uploaded. From the list of fields, we select one dimension field; Subcategory, and two measure fields; Profit and Sales. We then select the bullet graph option from the visualization pane. To access the visualization pane, click on Show Me.

Step 2: We now have a bullet chart that displays bars with gray lines in the background and blue lines on top. The gray lines are known as reference lines, while the blue lines are the actual lines. As a result, one of our two selected measures will become the reference line and another will become the main line (blue). The reference line field can be found on the Detail card of the Marks section.

The two fields can be swapped or changed. In order to make the reference line field the main line field, right-click on the x-axis and select Swap Reference Line Fields from the menu that appears. We can also change the view type from Standard to Entire View in order to cover the entire sheet with the chart.

Step 3: The next step is to select the aggregation type for our line. In this case, we select Average. The editing box in tableau allows you to change the bar type, scope, line, label, tooltip, and formatting of the bars and lines. Right-click on the x-axis and select Edit Axis from the menu.

Step 4: The reference line is now edited to include percentage-wise segments of average profit values. We do this by right-clicking on the Sales axis and selecting Edit Reference Line. We then select 60%, 80% of the average profit.

From this dialog box, you can edit and format the reference line computations.

Selecting the percent average option divides the reference line into three segments. As soon as you hover the cursor over the reference line, you will see a 60% of Average Profit mark.

On the reference line, you will find 80% of the Average Profit mark with the value. This way, we can see the main values on the blue bar and more detailed values on the reference line.

Step 5:This concludes our final bullet chart showing sales and profit values for each subcategory. You’ll see more information about the individual bars when you hover over them, such as the sub-category name, profit value, and sales value.

This is how we can  create a bullet chart in a step-by-step process.