Unable to Show a "No Data" message when all data is filtered out

Issue

When a filter is applied to a dashboard and one of the worksheets doesn't have any data that matches the filter, that area in the dashboard goes blank. The goal is to display a message, such as "No Data Available" or "0", when all data is filtered from a view.

Environment

Tableau Desktop
Tableau Server
Filtered data

Resolution

The following workaround is demonstrated in the attached workbook.

Option 1

Set the original worksheet to floating and place a floating text or image object behind the original worksheet. When the original worksheet is filtered to no data, then the floating object will show.

Option 2

Create a dummy worksheet that has the expected text or numeric value that has the opposite filter settings as the original worksheet. Place both worksheets in a layout container on the dashboard. When either worksheet is filtered to no data, then that worksheet will collapse.

Option 3

Add a row to the data source for every unique combination of filter values. These rows can be entirely blank except for the fields used as filters. Then create a calculation that replaces NULL data with the desired value.

Additional Information

To voice your support for the inclusion of this enhancement in a future product release, add your vote to the following Community Idea: Replace Blank Dashboard Charts With a Text Field

Discuss this article... Feedback Forum