Sheet Swapping and Legend Popping in Tableau

Overview

Sheet Swapping in Tableau lets you dynamically switch between different visualizations on a dashboard using parameters or layout containers, while Legend Popping ensures that only the relevant legends or filters appear when a specific sheet is active.

Sheet swapping is a technique to replace one sheet with another in the same dashboard space.

Legend popping is a method to show or hide legends depending on which sheet is active.

The Problem

In this example, I am going to create two visualizations with different legends and using parameters and layout containers – enable dynamic popping of the legends based on the selected indicators.

Create two Visualizations

In this case, I am going to create two vizzes – showing a map of USA by Revenue and Profit.

Note in each of the visualizations I have applied a unique legend as shown below.

Create a Parameter

Next, I will create a parameter “Indicator” containing Revenue and Profit. This parameter will be used to hide and show the visualizations as well as the legends based on the active indicator.

See the parameter below.

Show the parameter in each of the visualizations.

Create a Calculation to Hide/Show the Visualizations Based on the Selected Indicator

Create a simple calculation “Hide/show” as follows.

Next – head over to the first viz on Revenue and drag the above calculation to the filter shelf. Configure the filter as shown below.

(Executing the above ensures that the viz on Revenue is displayed when “Revenue” is selected on the indicator – otherwise, nothing is displayed).

Repeat the same on the second viz on Profitability. Configure the filter as At most - zero as shown below.

(Similar to the Revenue viz, the above filter ensures that the viz on Profit is displayed when “Profit” is selected on the indicator – otherwise, nothing is displayed)

Creating a Dashboard (Leveraging Parameter & Layout Containers)

To create a dashboard displaying the above two views.

• While using Tiled mode, add a layout container to the dashboard area.

• Drag the two visualizations in the layout container.

• Hide the titles of the visualizations.

• Hide the titles of the legends.

See the resulting views when different indicators are selected on the parameter.

(Note the two visualizations can interchange seamlessly, only the legend clutters the view – especially when viewing the Revenue visualization)

Useful: Explore How to Leverage Parameter and Layout Container to Build Dynamic Charts.

Configuring Proper Display of the Legends

Create Hide/Show Worksheet

• Create a simple worksheet containing a text string as shown below.

• Add the calculation “Hide/show” to the filters card and configure it the same as the Profit view.

(The goal is to have this worksheet visible when Profit is selected on the parameter and hide it when Revenue is selected)

Reconstructing the Legends

• Change all legends to floating objects.

• Next, float a layout container where you would like to display the legends.

• While in tiled mode, add the new worksheet created above into the layout container. Ensure you hide the title.

• Next, add the legends into the same container in the order shown below i.e. start with the diverging legend followed by the discrete legend.

While selected on the Profit indicator, add a white layout container (by floating it) to mask the table visible above the legend as shown below.

(This layout container will mask the table when Profit is selected, while at the same time mask the Profitability legend when Revenue is selected creating a seamless interaction between the legends.)

See the views below.

Conclusion

Sheet swapping and legend popping are more than clever tricks - they are powerful design strategies that elevate Tableau dashboards from static reports into dynamic, user-driven experiences. By leveraging parameters, layout containers, and calculated fields, you can give your audience the freedom to explore multiple perspectives without clutter or confusion. At the same time, legend popping ensures that only the most relevant context appears, keeping dashboards clean, intuitive, and focused.

Together, these techniques embody the essence of effective data storytelling: clarity, flexibility, and engagement. Whether you’re building dashboards for executives, analysts, or non-technical users, mastering sheet swapping and legend popping will help you deliver insights that are both actionable and delightful.

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