Sensitive Data? Add an AFFIRM Button!

Do you have a dashboard with sensitive data? Not only can you control access with row level filtering with the help of Tableau's ISMEMBEROF or USERNAME formulas, but what about customizing it even further? Do you want to have a custom message if they do not have access yet? OR If they do have access, do you want them to click on a button saying I AFFIRM to remind them the data they will see is sensitive in nature?

In the steps below, a great colleague of mine David Stahl walks you through a Username-Driven Dashboard User Acceptance Agreement solution with a clickable button below. The steps are also a lovely nod to my favorite book and movie series...Harry Potter.

Step by Step (ooh baby!):

(Also a New Kids on the Block reference above, early band from the 80's)

You can reverse-engineer the solution by downloading this workbook from Tableau Public dashboards below:

https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/david.stahl/viz/Username-DrivenDashboardUserAcceptanceAgreementInverse/Username-DrivenButton

https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/david.stahl/viz/Username-DrivenDashboardUserAcceptanceAgreement/Username-DrivenButtonOpposite

Step 1: Connect to data and build a great viz (or a middling one, the quality is

unimportant for this how-to guide).

Step 2: After dashboard design is complete, add a Boolean calculation that identifies users who can have access to view the underlying dashboard. For this dashboard I created three, one to define the user base / group, and two to demonstrate the button showing and not showing.

Step 3: Float a container overtop of the dashboard and make the background color not-transparent

Step 4: Add a text box into the floating container, and write up what you find to make most sense for your use. Something you may consider using is: “I solemnly swear that I am up to no good”

Step 5: Select the floating container (not the text box) and click the dropdown to add a “Show / Hide button”

Step 6: Configure the button. You may choose to make it a text box or image. The text box can say something like “Mischief Managed” or “I’m ready for some Good Trouble”

Step 7: Select the Show / Hide button and apply dynamic zone visibility to the button.

On your Dashboard Layout view:

Step 8: Publish and test – if you are signed in to Tableau Public, then chances are your username will contain ‘@’ – if you are not signed in to Tableau Public, then chances are your username will NOT contain ‘@’