Hiding Columns from Applications

You may find it useful to hide columns of data that are not typically used for visualizations, or hide them in order to prevent unintended bias in visualizations.

The following steps demonstrate how to prevent data fields from appearing in visualizations and applications of dataset World Life Expectancy [data source samples.world_life_expectancy]. The fields comments, lat, and lng are empty, so they are good candidates for this operation.

  1. On the main navigation bar, click Data.

    The Data view appears, open on the Datasets tab.

  2. In the left navigation menu, click samples.
  3. In the Datasets area, select World Life Expectancy (samples.world_life_expectancy).

    Selecting Dataset 'World Life Expectancy'
    Selecting Dataset 'World Life Expectancy'
    .
  4. In the Dataset Detail menu, select Attributes.

    Dataset Detail for 'World Life Expectancy'
    Dataset Detail 'World Life Expectancy'
  5. In the Attributes area, select Edit Attributes.

    Editing Attributes of Dataset 'World Life Expectancy'
    Editing the Attributes Dataset 'World Life Expectancy'
  6. Under Dimensions, find the field comments.
  7. Click (eye) icon on the comments line.

    Turning off the visibility of a column
    Turning Off the Visibility of a Column in a Dataset
  8. Note that the icon next to the comment field changed to (slashed eye).

    Column Visibility is off
    Confirming Column is Hidden
  9. Under Measures, find the fields lat and lng, and hide them.

    hiding other columns
    Hiding Other Columns
  10. Click Save.

    saving changes to attributes
    Saving Changes to Attributes
  11. Note that in the updated Dataset Attributes area, Dimensions table has a total of 13 items while showing only 12 of them. Similarly, Measures table lists a total of 5 fields while showing only 3.

    Column count includes hidden fields
    Count Includes Hidden Columns