Explain the Spatial Function ' AREA ' in Tableau with Example?

 The 'AREA' spatial function in Tableau is used to calculate the area of a spatial object, such as a polygon or a region, in a given unit of measurement. It returns the area value as a numeric output. Here's an explanation of the 'AREA' function with an example:

Example:

Let's say you have a dataset of countries with their corresponding boundaries represented as polygons. You want to calculate the area of each country in square kilometers.

To use the 'AREA' function in Tableau, you would follow these steps:

1. 1.Prepare your data: Ensure that your dataset contains a spatial field representing the polygons, such as a column named 'Geometry' or 'Shape'. This field should contain the spatial data for each country.

2. 2.Create a calculated field: In Tableau, go to the data source tab, right-click on the data source, and select "Create Calculated Field".

3. 3.Define the calculated field: Give your calculated field a name, such as 'Area (sq. km)', and enter the following formula:

   AREA([Geometry]) / 1000000

   This formula calculates the area in square kilometers by dividing the result of the 'AREA' function by 1,000,000 (since the default unit of the 'AREA' function is square units).

4. 4.Apply the calculated field: Drag and drop the calculated field 'Area (sq. km)' onto the Tableau canvas, and it will display the calculated area for each country.

5. 5.Format the field: To enhance the presentation, you can format the calculated field to display the area with desired formatting (e.g., decimal places, units, etc.) by right-clicking on the calculated field in the "Data" pane and selecting "Default Properties" -> "Number Format".

By using the 'AREA' function in Tableau, you can quickly calculate the area of spatial objects and incorporate it into your visualizations or analysis. In the given example, you would obtain the area of each country in square kilometers, allowing you to compare and analyze the sizes of different countries.