Explain the Aggregate Function ' MEDIAN' in Tableau with Example?

 In Tableau, the MEDIAN function is an aggregate function used to calculate the median value of a numeric field within a specified context or group. The median represents the middle value of a dataset when it is sorted in ascending order.

The syntax for the MEDIAN function in Tableau is as follows:

MEDIAN(expression)

where the expression is the field or calculation for which you want to find the median value.

Here's an example to illustrate how to use the MEDIAN function in Tableau:

Suppose you have a dataset that contains information about the salaries of employees in a company. You want to calculate the median salary to understand the central tendency of the salary distribution.

1. Open Tableau and connect to your dataset.
2. Drag the "Salary" field to the Columns shelf.
3. In the Marks card, change the aggregation of the "Salary" field to "Median" by clicking on the drop-down arrow next to the field and selecting "Median." This applies the MEDIAN function to the "Salary" field and calculates the median salary across the dataset.
4. Tableau will display the median salary in the view.

The result will show you the median salary, which represents the middle value when all the salaries are arranged in ascending order. The median is useful for understanding the central tendency of a dataset, especially when it is skewed or contains outliers.

The MEDIAN function can also be used with other aggregate functions or in combination with other calculations to perform more complex analyses. For example, you can use the MEDIAN function in combination with the IF function to calculate the median value based on specific conditions.

In summary, the MEDIAN function in Tableau helps you calculate the middle value of a dataset, providing insights into the distribution and central tendency of the data.